What job gives you 33 years onboard cruise ships and million-dollar yachts on duty for Danfoss? Ask Ib Rene Sonnenborg.

Brazil, Guatemala, Panama, USA, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Japan, China, Egypt….

68-year-old Ib Rene Sonnenborg sighs, then stops recalling all the countries he’s visited during his career as Technical Supervisor in Danfoss Fire Safety. But he knows the total: it’s 83. And, looking back, he describes his work life in Danfoss as extraordinary.

“I’ve spent an enormous amount of time onboard cruise ships, yachts, and liners. I’ve seen flyfish, dolphins, whales. Still, it’s been no holiday. The job has been demanding, with responsibility that you can’t take lightly. It’s been about saving lives with Danfoss products. And this, more than anything, has given the job purpose and meaning.”

Ib Rene’s main task has been to service Danfoss’ SEM-SAFE® water mist fire suppression system in marine applications worldwide, primarily ships.

Atomizing water into mist

Using high-pressure spray-nozzles, the system atomizes water into a dense mist that immediately cools flames and prevents them from breathing.

An average-size cruise ship needs a thousand nozzles or more for effective fire protection. Ib Rene dismounts between 60 to 80 random nozzles on each annual service check looking for signs of corrosion and blockages. He also tests the nozzles’ reaction to flames, smoke, and heat. He tests water supply, pump pressures, and more.

So, he typically needs to stay onboard for days as the ship sails from a to b.

“I start in one area systematically working myself through the ship. Mostly, it’s just me and my toolbox. Some would call it a lonely job. But I like it, being my own boss. And I have my own cabin to sleep in and access to the restaurant buffets. I’ve always regarded this a fantastic perk,” says Ib Rene.

The backside has been all the time away from his family. As he passed age 60, his body was no longer too fond of all the running through airports and train terminals either.

Ib Rene's last service trip sailing from Gibraltar, Spain, to Ravenna, Italy:

More office, less airport

So, at 63, he asked his department director Henrik Bygbjerg if he could possibly find more use for him in the office and less onboard the cruise ships.

“I will never forget his reaction. ‘Stop thinking so much about what Danfoss needs. Think about what you need,’ he said. It’s the kind of thing that makes me proud to work for Danfoss. It’s the reason I’ve stayed on till 68 instead of retiring sooner. It’s the reason I’ve continued to like working,” Ib Rene explains.

Since then, his onboard service trips have been down to two or three annually. Instead, he provides technical service to colleagues in the field from his office at Danfoss Fire Safety’s headquarters in Odense, Denmark.

Ib Rene Sonnenborg joined the company in 1991 – back then as part of Semco Maritime A/S whose fire safety division Danfoss bought in 2006 to form Danfoss Fire Safety.

Andrew Bates (left), Head of Aftermarket, Danfoss Fire Safety, supported Ib Rene’s wish to spend more time in the office. “Ib Rene knows every step up and down these ships. Blindfold him, and he will still know. So, no one is better at providing back-office support to younger colleagues in the field. They see him as a father figure - experienced, calm, modest. You just want to keep a guy like Ib Rene on the team as long as possible - on terms that works for him. Right: Henrik Bygbjerg.

Facts:

Danfoss Fire Safety’s key products are the SEM-SAFE® high-pressure water mist system and the SEM-SAFE® low-pressure CO2 system.

The former uses high-pressure spray nozzles to create a dense water mist which quickly covers flames, so they suffocate. The water in the mist also effectively absorbs heat from a fire, so it loses energy. One advantage of the SEM-SAFE® nozzles is that they extinguish a fire using much less water than traditional sprinkler systems, thereby minimizing the risk of water damage.

The SEM-SAFE® low-pressure CO2 system uses carbon dioxide to replace oxygen where a fire has caught on. The method is extremely effective, but mostly suitable in areas with no human presence as CO2 in high concentrations can be hazardous.

Connect with Danfoss Fire Safety on Linkedin

While many spend their summer holidays by the beach, a few choose to push their limits and do incredible things. Our amazing colleague, David Sherrington, Project Engineer at Danfoss Fire Safety, is one of those few.

• Full distance: 4,000 km / 39,000 m ascent.
• Route: From Cartagena, Spain to Giovinazzo, Italy.
• David completed: 3,260 km / 34,000 m ascent (with a well-deserved train ride from Florence).
• Time: No official limit, but the finishers’ party was 14 days after the starts.
• Temperatures: Ranged from 12°C to 42°C.
• Countries: Spain, France, and Italy.

• PrevenzioneIncendItalia on the 4^th of October in Venice, Italy
• PrevenzioneIncendItalia on the 7^th of November in Rome, Italy

Growing industry, growing demands

Evolution driven by power density

• In direct-to-chip cooling, small pipes deliver liquid coolant directly to the server motherboard. The liquid absorbs processor heat which is then transported out of the server and evaporated (using a chilled-water loop or similar).
• In immersion cooling, the server itself is submerged into liquid coolant, for example mineral oil or another dielectric liquid. The coolant is pumped through an evaporator system, efficiently removing the heat from the server hardware.

Varying risk profiles

• If air cooling is used, how are the airflows designed? Does the cooling system use forced ventilation, and does it use hot and cold aisles? What role do the airflows play in a fire – and how do you design a fire suppression system that delivers the required performance in each case?
• If the data centre relies on immersion cooling, what liquid is being used? Some dielectric fluids have a flash point low enough for them to constitute a fire hazard. And what would happen if unforeseen events or mechanical failure were to result in liquid leakage or heating?

High-pressure water mist remains effective

Additional benefits with future-proof technology

About the author

Connect with Danfoss Fire Safety on LinkedIn

Join us at the 12^th International Tunnel Safety and Ventilation Conference in Graz, Austria, from 16-18 April 2024.

We invite you to explore the latest publication “Transitioning to a sustainable healthcare sector” by Healthcare Denmark.Delve into best practices, interesting solutions, and strategies across the Danish health system towards a more sustainable healthcare sector, while keeping a high quality.

• To become motivated to use high-pressure water mist systems.
• To obtain a comprehensive overview of fire safety design, the principle of high-pressure water mist, fire class definitions, the key differences between water-based systems, and performance objectives.
• To better understand design standards, fire tests, and approvals.

• engineer reliable fire safety solutions for people and assets
• enable a growth strategy
• and continue to transform Danfoss into a company people feel proud to be associated with.

• Customer Centre: firesafety.customer@danfoss.com
• Service: firesafety.service@danfoss.com
• Spare parts: firesafety.spareparts@danfoss.com
• For urgent service, please call: +45 2610 9941 

Are you passionate about data centres?

Then save the dates and pack your bags for Data Centre World Paris conference and exhibition.

On the 23^rd of November, Data Centre World Paris opens its doors to the biggest players in the data centre industry. Engineers, innovators and suppliers will gather to discuss the most exciting data centre technologies. 

Join us in uncovering the benefits of high-pressure water mist technology for fire safety in data centre

We teamed up with Polytech Protection Industrie, an official Danfoss Fire Safety Partner and Installer in France for SEM-SAFE® high-pressure water mist fire suppression system.

We welcome you to visit our stand K62 and learn from our experts about the latest high-pressure water mist product developments to boost performance, reduce water consumption and contribute to energy efficiency in your data centre.

We will be demonstrating how the excellent properties of water mist droplets can keep water damage to a minimum in a data centre and we will be showcasing our FM approved solution for data centre fire safety.

• Venue: Paris Porte de Versailles (click to open google map)
• Dates: 23-24 November 2021
• Opening hours(local time): 09:00-17:30 (23 Nov.) ; 09:00-17:00 (24 Nov.)
• Stand number: K62
• Official exhibition homepage (click to open website)

What is SEM-SAFE^®  system for fire protection

SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist systems are suitable for protecting an entire mission-critical data facility, including double tier cable trays, data processing equipment rooms or halls, and sub-floors.

In addition, SEM-SAFE^® systems comprise a high-pressure modular pump unit, section valves, piping, and water mist nozzles. The pump unit has a compact design, low weight, small footprint and an easy configuration to fit the data center’s need for expansion.

Moreover the SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water systems use water micro-droplets released through the nozzle into protected areas. An ultra-fine mist is formed with a two-fold extinguishing effect. In addition to cooling the flames, it simultaneously starves the fire of oxygen. The cooling effect also lowers the risk of re-ignition, protects against heat damage, and hinders fire spreading.

Features and benefits

•  Minimum downtime
•  Low water consumption
•  Ventilation can be kept running
•  Lower total cost of ownership 
•  Small pump and water tank footprint

Danfoss & Polytech - expertise in data centre

Danfoss Fire Safety A/S develops sustainable high-pressure water mist fire safety systems that enable us to transform and improve safety in data centre by providing smart, efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.

 POLYTECH Protection Incendie  offers expertise design, dimensioning, installation and service of  a wide range of detection and fire extinguishing systems. Polytech is based in France and provides on site support at any project location. Website link

From early project specification to future fire system maintenance Danfoss and Polytech can support data centre owners, architects, designers, consultants and operators with a lean project planning. 

Contact us 

For inquiries or for booking a meeting with us during the fair, please contact:

Nicolas Briand

Sales Manager Danfoss

nicolas.briand@danfoss.com

+33 608 359 033

Brice Tanvet

Sales Manager Polytech

brice.tanvet@polytech-incendie.fr

+33 786 577 886

Read more about high-pressure water mist 

Brochure Data centre fire protection

EN

FR

Case story Equnix

EN

FR

Case story Virtus

EN

FR

Oliver Bradley Sales & Business Development Manager oli@danfoss.com

Antonio Terio Sales & Business Development Manager ate@danfoss.com

Documentation

HUZOP Zagreb Fire Safety Day 2020 goes digital!

For safety reasons, the event is now changed to an online live conference on the 22^nd and 23^rd of October 2020. This means that no matter where you are in the world, you can join the event and learn about fire safety technologies and applications, regulations in various countries and much more.

The language for presentations will be English.
An interpretation service will be provided (English / Croatian).

Márton Horváth will present facts behind the various types of fire safety systems used in buildings and guideline on when and why high-pressure water mist technology is the best option to go for.

Do not miss his presentation on Thursday, the 22^nd of October.

For any questions, please contact Márton at mhr@danfoss.com

Márton Horváth
Sales & Business Development Manager and Fire Specialist
Danfoss Fire Safety A/S

Technical Fire Safety Seminars in Italy in 2020

Antonio Terio

 

• The tested and approved SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist fire fighting system and the intelligent use of water
• Benefits of SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist
• BIM models from MagiCloud
• CFD simulations, the future in fire fighting solutions
• How we make our customers satisfied?

Danfoss Fire Safety and LAKC partnership

Fire safety in data centres

SEM-SAFE^® system

• The features of the Danfoss high-pressure pump, which are virtually maintenance free as they are lubricated by water. See here an introduction video to the Danfoss Axial Pump
• The many years of experience that Danfoss Fire Safety has in protecting data centres worldwide
• The fact that our system is FM approved.

DNV-Gødstrup is the patient's hospital

Danfoss and Brøndum partnership

SEM-SAFE^® in short

For more information about the project, please contact Sales & Business Development Manager, Oliver Bradley at oli@danfoss.com.

We are ready to support you during the summer season

Enjoy the summer!

Digitalisation has stretched to every corner of our business and has made it possible to accomplish things that a decade ago would have required travelling and the use of conventional methods. Andrew Bates, Service Sales Manager and Henrik Bygbjerg, Global Service Director, have successfully performed online service projects with our marine customers, which enable ships to continue sailing and not lose business.

Keep the business going- safety, steadily & remotely

“With the use of digital tools & assets, we can reach and service customers anywhere in the world and improve our response time. Digitalisation adds another layer to the mix, when interacting with the customer via phone or computer. But both us and our customers see the benefits in digitalisation and learn to embrace it. We aim for offering the best possible support for the servicing & commissioning of fire safety systems in order to keep the customer’s business going – safely, steadily & remotely”, says Andrew. To learn more about reliable service for your fixed fire fighting system, please contact Andrew Bates at abt@danfoss.com

As the world steps up to the challenge of controlling the Covid-19 virus, we are maintaining an unwavering commitment for safety as colleagues everywhere are keeping our operations and business going. We are taking all of the necessary precautions to keep our people healthy, while supporting our customers in the best way possible.

Keeping the business wheels turning

Danfoss Group and Danfoss Fire Safety is having full focus on keeping everyone safe. Actions have been taken to ensure the wellbeing of our colleagues.  We are following the different requirements by local authorities, and our contingency plans have been quickly put in place to minimize potential impact in our supply chain and delivery to our customers. 

We are running a full production of the SEM-SAFE^® fire safety products and systems and we continue to deliver as smooth as possible. We wish to thank our colleagues in production for a great job so far. You can see in below video how production keeps the business wheels turning in all Danfoss business units.

Serving our customers the best way possible

Most of our office personnel will continue to work from home.  With very precise instructions, some colleagues are allowed to work a few days in the Danfoss office in Odense and only when their work projects require a presence in the office space. 

Most important is that our Customer Centre is ready to help customers and business Partners in the best way possible.

Do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

• Customer Centre: firesafety.customer@danfoss.com
• Technical service: firesafety.service@danfoss.com
• Spare parts: firesafety.spareparts@danfoss.como

PrevenzioneIncendItalia is a forum in Italy, gathering fire safety professionals with in interest for modern fire safety technologies and solutions. Commercial and technical seminars are organised periodically by PrevenzioneIncendItalia, where topics such as active and passive fire strategy, fire regulations in buildings and fire fighting technologies are debated by specialists in the field.  Read more about the forum and its activities the official website

Knowledge sharing, networking and fun are key ingredients for a productive meeting.

- and learn latest news about reliable fire safety for people & assets

On the 11^th of March 2020, Data Centre World London opens its doors for the 12^th time to welcome the biggest influencers within the data centre industry. Topics including the latest trends, opportunities and the most exciting technologies in data centres. It's a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and networking with the best data centre experts.

Once again, Danfoss Fire Safety has joined forces with Fireworks Fire Protection, our UK distributor for the SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist fire suppression system. Our teams will be at Data Centre World London, booth 456, eager to discuss latest updates in  fire protection for data centres.

Reliable fire technology for keeping data centres safe

Key benefits:

• High-pressure water mist has been documented to be harmless to electrical installation, thus enabling the data centre to keep running while fighting a fire.
• Ventilation can be kept running
• There is no need for shutting fire dampers.
• Due to minimal water damage to equipment, minimal downtime is achieved.
• The SEM-SAFE^® system is FM approved and has successfully passed testing at 57°C and 68°C.

Learn more about high-pressure water mist for data centres

[caption id="attachment_7734" align="aligncenter" width="143"]Fire safety in data centre brochure witjh SEM-SAFE[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_10137" align="aligncenter" width="153"]Benefits of water mist for data centre article Danfoss-Fireworks[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_9084" align="aligncenter" width="143"]The intelligent use of water for fire safety brochure[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7719" align="aligncenter" width="143"]Equinix Data centre Danfoss case story   [/caption]

For any questions about the product or the fair, please contact:

[caption id="attachment_9300" align="aligncenter" width="182"]Amin Hadian, Global Category Manager Data Centre amin.hadian@danfoss.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_10139" align="aligncenter" width="181"]Lewis Oxley, Sales & Business Development Manager - UK & Ireland lewis.oxley@danfoss.com[/caption]

About Data Centre World London

OPENING DATES:

ADDRESS

Check out our brochure and learn more about the ideal fire fighting system for any building type

About Danfoss Fire Safety and SEM-SAFE^®

Anders Ettrup, Customer Service Representative at Danfoss Fire Safety

Nobel K5 systems in short

• Access to original spare parts
• All spare parts fit for purpose
• Short lead time for spare parts
• No expensive intermediary
• Maker’s own fully trained technicians
• Technicians specialized in our own systems

The Danfoss SEM-SAFE^® Academy

To hear more about our 
leaning portfolio please contact 
Peter K. Knudsen via: 
pmk@danfoss.com

From left to right: Gustav - 2nd place and William - 1st place
Pictures by Circolo Vela Arco

Congratulations to our fastest runners:

is Denmark biggest one-day exercise race event

High pressure water mist fire suppression - how it works

Proven experience in data centres

Data Centre World London

Ready to make a new customer happy!

Have you ever wondered how fire safety is ensured in historical buildings?

Better fire protection for metros and suburbain rail

Danfoss Fire Fighting attends RIFA Annual General Meeting

With the current global turmoil and increasing nationalism we praise our diversity in nationality, age, religion and gender.

A positive start to the new year

The Danish Forum for Hospital Technology and Architecture (FSTA) puts emphasis on water mist fire fighting systems for hospitals.

FSTA’s president, Kaj Hyldgaard, estimates that water mist systems will be the most commonly used in fire fighting of Danish hospital buildings going forward.

The seminar will provide various contributions on approvals and rules, and function based fire demands. Danfoss Semco’s country manager Lasse Laustsen will present the difference between water mist systems and traditional sprinkler systems. The seminar is finalised with a common debate.

Building owners, service personnel, contractors, fire consultants, component suppliers and others with interest in the area, are welcome to join the seminar.

The seminar will be held:

February 2^nd 2017 at “HUSET” in Middelfart, Denmark from 9.30-15.00.

Please find the full programme  and book your ticket here(in Danish)

Being proud of your company and product means you deliver better quality

• Data Centers (FM5560)
• Flammable liquids (VdS)
• Development, battery driven HP pump unit

Safe and reliable

Perfect for retrofit projects and wood structures

Limited water consumption

Extensive track record for heritage buildings in Europe

SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist system for fire fighting - one technology to cover a 250,000m² hospital

IWMA 2016 Vienna Highlights

Staying healthy and fit not only makes sense, but it also enables you to perform better

• Danfoss Semco SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist system for fire fighting,  a cost effective solution to protect all areas on a ship.
• Danfoss Semco low-pressure CO₂ system for fire fighting, the best replacement of high-pressure CO₂ on the market.

Learn about the range of Danfoss products for marine applications

• Danfoss High Pressure Pumps (APP pumps for seawater RO systems)
• Danfoss Industrial Automation (Temperature and pressure sensors and fluid controls)
• Danfoss IXA (End emission gas measurements)
• Danfoss HBC (Pressure independent control valves)
• Danfoss Semco (Fire fighting)
• Danfoss Drives (Drives for marine applications)

SMM is the ultimate navigator for the maritime industry with more than 2,100 exhibitors and 50,000 industry visitors from around the world.  SMM week is packed with conferences, dialogues, workshops and thousands of exhibitors and visitors, eager to discuss about innovative products, solutions and services for the maritime world. All in all: this is a fair one cannot miss!

We need a strong performance, so we can invest in the future

After working with water mist from the very beginning, Jens Jepsen has decided to retire at the end of April 2016.

The German partner "Callies Brandbekämpfungsysteme GmbH" was among the first companies specializing in high-pressure water systems for land based applications.

• Divide Danfoss Semco China into one division responsible for sales in the southern part of China and one division responsible for sales in the northern part of China. The purpose of this decision is to strengthen our networks of distributors and to reinforce our sales and marketing activities.
• The roles within the Danfoss Semco China organisation have been redefined to take advantage of staff skills and abilities.
• A completely new strategy called “Must Win Battles 2016” has been brainstormed to cover price management, sales strategy, market development and certificate target.
• Training within pipeline management.

Annual service in New Zealand

Team Rynkeby is a Nordic charity cycling team. Every summer the team cycles to Paris to raise money for children with cancer and their families.

Danfoss Semco employee part of team Rynkeby

Over the last couple of months our Gas & Foam department has been very busy signing new contracts for low-pressure CO₂ systems. A total of 15 new tanks have been sold for three different ship series.

• RAY car carriers have decided to continue their current series of vessels being built at Hyundai Mipo adding another four vessels for which we will supply the low-pressure CO₂ system.
• The new 14.000 TEU class container vessels being built at Hyundai Heavy Industries for Maersk. This series consists of nine vessels with an option for further eight vessels.
• Belgian shipowner Cobelfret has ordered two Ro-Ro vessels at Hyundai Mipo, and we have been awarded the contract to deliver low-pressure CO₂ systems for these vessels. The order has an option of further three vessels.

Understanding the customer’s need is paramount

For outstanding performance

Marintec 2015 took place in Shanghai China on December 1^st-4^th

Showing your workplace to your children during our “follow dad/mom to work” day.

Our focus on innovation is rewarded as Danfoss Semco wins “Produktprisen” at the annual DI Business Summit.

We do as Maersk. Invest heavily when times are tough to be ready when the market picks up again

The 1 day event will focus on Technical Update & Approval Status. While first session of the seminar will be dedicated to dealing with standards and guidelines, the second session is all about systems in action as well as debates.

Danfoss Semco is glad to be part of this 21^st century fire fighting community. As an active member, Danfoss Semco in collaboration with Dafo Brand - our official Partner in Sweden, will be involved in the seminar's program, with a topic that we hope will provide insights about the SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist system.

Danfoss Semco is also very proud to be the fire fighting supplier for the Lund University building.

To learn more about IWMA EVENTS in 2015, please click here

• Innovative low-pressure CO₂ systems for large engine rooms and cargo holds
• Bilge area fire fighting (replacement of foam with a SEM-SAFE^® high-pressure water mist system)