AQUASYS Technik
AQUASYS Technik is an Austrian manufacturer of high-pressure water mist firefighting systems, based in Linz and supplying rail vehicles, tunnels, buildings and industrial facilities.
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Linz-based HAINZL group and has developed high-pressure water mist technology since 1993. It is managed by Josef Hainzl.
Water mist extinguishes by discharging water through specially designed nozzles at high pressure, producing a fine mist that cools the fire and suppresses smoke — properties that have made the technology a fixture in rail fire safety.
Products and systems
For rolling stock, AQUASYS delivers fire suppression systems for passenger compartments, locomotives and railway construction machinery. Stainless steel nozzles are designed to integrate into train interiors, and an extensive nozzle programme adapts to different installation situations.
The systems operate independently of the vehicle’s power supply: on activation, compressed nitrogen drives the extinguishing water from cylinders into the pipe network and nozzles. For electrical hazard areas, aerosol extinguishing is available alongside water mist.
Market position
According to the company, its rail systems hold UNI 11565 approval following fire tests conducted in Austria and Italy in accordance with UNI 11565 and ARGE Part II, covering both passenger and technical areas, and it is recognised by VdS as a fire protection system installer.
In the UK, the company equipped 33 Hitachi Class 810 Aurora bi-mode trains for operator East Midlands Railway with water mist protection for the engine compartments, delivered together with the Italian partner I.S.E. Ingegneria dei Sistemi.
Current activity
AQUASYS has supplied the water mist fire suppression system for the 32.9 km Koralmtunnel on the ÖBB network, protecting the evacuation areas near the middle of the tunnel. Tests at the high-voltage laboratory of Graz University of Technology demonstrated safe system operation at voltages of up to 65 kV.
