WHI USA, Inc. Announces Patent Pending Technology for the Treatment of Bacteria Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Systems

BRIGHTON, Co.- Feb 14, 2002 - Bacteria Eating Fire Sprinkler Systems? Stranger then science fiction, it has been found that certain groups of bacteria actually cause internal corrosion in fire sprinklers. "Actually, it has been an issue within the petroleum and water treatment industry for a long time. The process is called MIC (Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion) and involves bacterium with Sci-Fi names like Sulfate Reducing & Acid Producing Bacteria. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has recognized the problem in fire protection systems and is aggressively tackling the problem and requiring that fire protection system water be tested for these microorganisms, " states Doug Chartier, President of WHI USA, Inc.

"It is especially a problem in fire protection systems as the bacteria colonies form mounds called 'Tubercles', which limit the water flow through the system and the ability to extinguish the fire. Tubercles also break off and plug sprinkler heads when the sprinkler system is activated to put out a fire. Lives and property are at extreme risk, in that event. MIC also creates pinhole leaks and structural damage to the fire sprinkler systems, " Mr. Chartier continued, "MIC has been historically dealt with by adding 'Biocides' to the system to kill the bacteria. There is an obvious problem in putting biocides in fire sprinkler systems to which the public is exposed, as some of them are extremely poisonous and have dire circumstances for the environment. They also become ineffective as the bacterium mutate to adapt to the systematic killing ability of the Biocides, much as we become immune to antibiotics. We obviously had to develop new technology to tackle MIC in fire sprinkler systems."

WHI USA, Inc. has developed another approach to conquer MIC in fire sprinkler systems. The environmentally friendly Par-Guard™ FPS system forms a "bio-static" barrier upon the pipe's internal surface. It is non-hazardous and environmentally friendly. "We used our knowledge base of the MIC process gained in our treatments within oilfield processing and transportation for over 13 years. Technology transfer to the fire protection industry was pretty straightforward. Also, we formed an alliance with Bay Fire Sprinklers, Inc of California for the creation of realistic application and maintenance procedures to the fire protection system industry. Par-Guard™ FPS was developed with field experience and the technological history of how to effectively mitigate the MIC process in a safe and environmentally concerned manner. We eliminate the food source for the bacteria and stop the whole process," Mr. Chartier stated.

Par-Guard™ FPS is applied to fire sprinkler systems by using a foamed system. A one molecule thick coating is applied to the pipe surface, which repels bacteria attachment and the beginning of the corrosion process. WHI USA, Inc. has applied for a patent on the Par-Guard™ FPS system and in conjunction with Bay Fire Sprinklers, Inc. are successfully installing the Par-Guard™ FPS system. Remediation of existing systems, using foamed food grade acids, is also being done under the Par-Guard™ AF system line. Bay Fire Sprinklers, Inc. has been appointed Master Distributor for the Par-Guard™ systems and licensed fire sprinkler contractors should contact
Mr. Mike Roberts at or e-mail Mike at Mike, of Bay Fire Sprinklers, Inc. for further information about distributorships for their area.

WHI USA, Inc. may be contacted Toll Free at ; or e-mail: Doug For further information about Par-Guard™ products visit http://www.fire-sprinkler-remediation.com/ on the Internet.

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