TOTALPAC X: When Should You Choose It Instead of TOTALPAC 3?
Choose TOTALPAC X when the fire protection unit itself will be installed outdoors, in freezing conditions, or in corrosive environments. TOTALPAC 3 is for standard indoor mechanical room conditions, while TOTALPAC X is specifically built for more demanding environments.
According to the FireFlex Knowledge Vault, TOTALPAC X units are designed to be installed where they will be subjected to outdoor and/or freezing conditions, while TOTALPAC 3 units are not designed for those conditions.
Design Intent and Use Cases
The FireFlex website describes TOTALPAC X as a system built for outdoor installations and corrosive environments. It is intended for challenging applications where environmental protection of the assembled unit is a requirement.
Example applications include exterior service yards, unheated enclosures, industrial sites with harsh washdown or weather exposure, corrosive process areas, and sites with freeze exposure at the cabinet location.
Environmental Protection Features
The Knowledge Vault notes several features of TOTALPAC X construction:
- 14-gauge steel cabinet
- Rust-proof coating inside and outside
- Fire red oven-baked polyester powder finish on phosphate base
- Neoprene-gasketed cabinet door
- Factory-wired junction box and terminal strip
- Factory assembly and test under ISO-9001 conditions
The cabinet is available in NEMA 3 or NEMA 4 versions. NEMA 3 is intended for indoor or outdoor use and provides protection against dirt, windblown dust, rain, sleet, snow, and external ice formation, while NEMA 4 adds protection against splashing and hose-directed water.
Available System Types
FireFlex documentation shows that TOTALPAC X supports multiple system configurations, including non-interlock preaction, single interlock preaction, double interlock preaction, deluge, wet pipe, and dry pipe. The typical selection process is to decide first whether the environment requires TOTALPAC X, then choose the system type and release logic within the X family.
Heating Considerations
The Knowledge Vault notes that a heating option should be considered for freezing environmental conditions. TOTALPAC X is built for those applications, but the environmental design must still match the expected conditions.
Typical Use Cases and Resources
TOTALPAC X is especially useful for outdoor process protection, refrigerated or unheated industrial sites, harsh climate installations, corrosion-prone environments, and projects where enclosure rating is a major design factor.
Helpful resources mentioned in the product information include the TOTALPAC X product page, the TOTALPAC 3 Simulator, and an access calculator tool.
Next Steps
If the unit location is indoors and climate controlled, review TOTALPAC 3 first. If the unit location is exposed, freezing, or corrosive, start with TOTALPAC X.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can TOTALPAC X be installed outdoors?
Yes. It is specifically designed for outdoor and/or freezing conditions.
Does TOTALPAC X support preaction systems?
Yes. FireFlex documentation shows non-interlock, single interlock, and double interlock configurations.
What enclosure ratings are available?
NEMA 3 and NEMA 4.
Do freezing conditions still require design attention?
Yes. The Knowledge Vault notes heating options should be considered where needed.