7,400
Nonresidential building fires from electrical malfunction
U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 7,400 nonresidential building fires caused by electrical malfunction in 2023.
U.S. Fire Administration · 2023 data ↗APPLICATION / FIREXNULL
Supplemental Fire Suppression for Industrial Control Panels and Switchgear
Industrial control equipment can contain dense electrical connections and components. Explore FireXNull sticker, tape and rope formats for compatible enclosed control panels and electrical cabinets.
FireXNull products are designed as supplemental protection, not as substitutes for code-required fire protection systems. Review technical documentation and confirm fit for the application.
IN SHORT
Passive Fire Suppression Inside Industrial Electrical Enclosures.
FireXNull products add passive, heat-activated fire suppression inside compatible industrial electrical enclosures, including PLC and automation cabinets, motor control centers, panelboards, switchgear sections and OEM machine control enclosures. Microcapsules release FK-5-1-12 clean agent at the product's activation temperature: 248°F ± 9°F (120°C ± 5°C) for FXN Sticker and FXN Tape, and 428°F ± 9°F (220°C ± 5°C) for FXN Rope. They need no power or wiring and serve as a supplemental layer alongside electrical maintenance, circuit protection and building fire protection, not a replacement for them.
01 / THE INDUSTRY CONTEXT
Electrical Faults Remain a Costly Fire Cause.
In U.S. nonresidential buildings, electrical malfunction ranks among the most expensive fire causes.
$354M
Direct dollar loss in 2023
Electrical malfunction fires caused an estimated $354.4 million in direct dollar loss in U.S. nonresidential buildings in 2023.
U.S. Fire Administration · 2023 data ↗No. 2
Cause by dollar loss
Electrical malfunction was the second-largest cause of nonresidential building fire dollar loss in 2023, behind other unintentional and careless causes.
U.S. Fire Administration · 2023 data ↗Industry context: these figures cover all U.S. nonresidential buildings, not only industrial facilities, and fires from all electrical malfunctions. They do not measure the likelihood of a fire in any specific enclosure or how a FireXNull product would perform.
02 / LOCALIZED ELECTRICAL RISKS
Focus on the Connections Inside the Cabinet.
A loose connection, electrical arc or overheating component can become an ignition source inside a control cabinet or switchgear section. Equipment-level evaluation starts with these concealed connection points, one enclosure at a time.
- PLC and automation cabinetsControl electronics, terminal blocks, relays and internal wiring.
- Motor control centers (MCC)Starters, contactors and terminations inside compatible enclosed sections.
- Panelboards and distribution boardsBreakers, bus connections and terminations.
- Switchgear sectionsCompatible enclosed sections with terminations and bus connections. Evaluate each section individually.
- OEM machine control enclosuresControl boxes on CNC machines, packaging lines and robotics.
03 / AN ADDED LAYER OF PROTECTION
Localized Protection. Matched to the Enclosure.
FireXNull adds localized, heat-activated suppression inside compatible electrical enclosures as an additional layer alongside existing facility protection.
Where It Fits in the Protection Stack
On a phone, scroll sideways to see all columns.
| Layer | Scope | How it works | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical maintenance and inspection | Equipment and connections | Scheduled inspection, including thermal imaging and connection checks | Finds loose or overheating connections before they fail |
| Circuit protection | Circuits and equipment | Breakers, fuses and protective relays respond to overcurrent and faults | Interrupts many electrical faults |
| Building fire detection and sprinklers | Room or building | Detection system, or heat at the sprinkler head | Facility protection designed to applicable codes |
| FireXNull in-enclosure suppression | Inside one compatible enclosure | Heat at the product reaches its activation temperature | Supplemental, localized layer at the likely ignition source |
FireXNull does not send an alarm signal and does not replace any of these layers.
FXN Rope
For compatible larger cabinets, MCC sections and switchgear sections where a secured rope installation is appropriate.
Explore FXN Rope →FXN Sticker
For compatible smaller control enclosures, subject to enclosure sizing and installation requirements.
Explore FXN Stickers →04 / PRODUCT SELECTION
Which Format Fits Which Enclosure.
Reference values from the current FireXNull Technical Data Sheets. The equipment listed are candidates for engineering evaluation, not validated installations. Suitability depends on enclosure construction, electrical clearances, operating temperature, airflow and application-specific testing.
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| FXN Rope | FXN Sticker | FXN Tape | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enclosures to evaluate | Larger cabinets: MCC sections, switchgear sections, larger PLC and automation cabinets | Smaller enclosures: compact control boxes, panelboards and OEM machine control enclosures within the model volume range | Individual connection points: terminals, terminal blocks, wire junctions and bus connectors |
| Format | Flexible rope, 0.20–0.28 in (5–7 mm) diameter | Adhesive-backed sticker, 0.04–0.08 in (1–2 mm) thick | Adhesive-backed tape, 0.6–4.0 in (15–100 mm) wide, cuttable |
| Activation temperature | 428°F ± 9°F (220°C ± 5°C) | 248°F ± 9°F (120°C ± 5°C) | 248°F ± 9°F (120°C ± 5°C) |
| Sizing reference | By enclosure volume and rope length. FXN-R30: up to 1.0 ft³ (30 L). FXN-R100: 2.5–3.5 ft³ (65–100 L). Larger models up to 70 ft³ (2,000 L) per TDS; contact FireXNull for availability | By enclosure volume. FXN-S20: 0.7 ft³ (20 L) through FXN-S65: 2.3 ft³ (65 L). FXN-SA4 cuts to match | By connection, not enclosure volume. Cut to length and wrap to cover the connection |
| Placement | Horizontal, along the upper interior, routed near terminations and busbars while keeping required clearances | Top interior surface (ceiling), above likely ignition sources | Wrapped around the connection with overlapping turns |
| Operating environment | Sustained ambient at or below 149°F (65°C), up to 80% RH, non-condensing | ||
| Service life | Single use; replace after any activation. Recommended replacement 5 years after installation, with periodic visual inspection | ||
Sources: TDS-FXN-RPE-001-US V3.6, TDS-FXN-STK-001-US V3.7 and TDS-FXN-TPE-001-US V3.6 (August 2026). Last updated October 2026. Sizing references are not guaranteed coverage or extinguishment performance. If an enclosure falls between two models, select the next larger model. Enclosures with significant air leakage, vents or active forced cooling require an application review by FireXNull.
05 / THE CLEAN AGENT
Why a Clean Agent Inside Control Equipment.
FireXNull products use microencapsulated FK-5-1-12, an electrically non-conductive clean agent that evaporates without leaving a residue. When heat at the product reaches its activation temperature, the capsules release the agent inside the enclosure, close to the source. No wiring, power supply or detection hardware is required. Per its TDS, minor rope-matrix residue may remain after FXN Rope activates.
After any fire event, equipment should be inspected by qualified personnel before returning to service. How the technology works →
06 / ENGINEERING REVIEW
Start with the Application Details.
For an engineering review, share:
- Equipment type, manufacturer and model.
- Internal enclosure dimensions and internal geometry.
- Ventilation, vents, filters or forced-air cooling in the enclosure.
- Sustained operating temperature and humidity.
- Location of terminations, busbars and other likely ignition points.
- Mounting points, electrical clearances, service access and equipment manufacturer instructions.
07 / COMMON QUESTIONS
Common Questions.
Does FireXNull replace sprinklers, fire alarms or circuit protection?
No. FireXNull is a supplemental, localized layer installed inside compatible electrical enclosures. Code-required detection, alarm and suppression systems and electrical protective devices remain in place.
Can one product protect a whole switchgear lineup?
No. Sizing references apply to a single enclosure or section. Evaluate each enclosure or switchgear section individually.
Does it need power, wiring or a connection to the fire alarm panel?
No. Activation is passive and triggered by heat at the product. Because it is not connected to a fire alarm system, it does not send an alarm signal or notification.
Is the agent electrically conductive?
No. FK-5-1-12 is an electrically non-conductive clean agent. For the electrical properties of each finished product, installation clearances and placement, refer to that product's Technical Data Sheet and the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
What about enclosures with vents or forced-air cooling?
Air leakage, vents and active cooling affect how the released agent stays in the enclosure. The Technical Data Sheets call for an application review by FireXNull for these enclosures before selection.
Why do Rope and Sticker have different activation temperatures?
Each format has its own specified activation temperature: 428°F ± 9°F (220°C ± 5°C) for FXN Rope and 248°F ± 9°F (120°C ± 5°C) for FXN Sticker and FXN Tape. Consider the enclosure's normal operating temperature and the product's placement when selecting a format.
Does equipment need to be shut down for installation?
Yes. Installation should be performed by qualified personnel with the circuit and equipment de-energized and verified, following applicable lockout/tagout procedures. Plan installation within scheduled maintenance windows.
How often are products inspected or replaced?
Inspect periodically for secure mounting, damage or obstruction. The recommended replacement is 5 years after installation, or immediately after any activation. These intervals are maintenance guidance, not a performance guarantee.
Are FireXNull products UL Listed or FM Approved?
No. FireXNull products are not UL Listed or FM Approved as fire suppression products. The UL Recognized Component Material reference applies only to the FXN Tape component material (FXN-15L acrylate sheet, HB flammability classification), not to fire suppression performance.
How do we know which product fits our enclosure?
Share the enclosure type, internal dimensions, ventilation, operating temperature and mounting details. Our team reviews product fit against the Technical Data Sheet for each product.
FireXNull provides supplemental protection. Product suitability must be evaluated for each installation. It does not replace required fire detection, suppression, circuit protection, electrical maintenance or applicable codes.
Related applications: Data Center Electrical Enclosures · Wire Connections & Terminals · Energy Storage (BESS) & Power Conversion · FAQ · Safety Data Sheets
Discuss Your Control Panel Application
Share your enclosure details for an engineering review, or request the current Technical Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheets for your evaluation file.