Automated Fire Suppression
Firefly Automated Water Cannon
Robotic fire detection and suppression for large, open areas where sprinklers and hose lines cannot keep up.
Targeted suppression for open areas
Fires in open areas start small and grow fast.
A waste bunker, a tipping floor, an outdoor pile or a high-bay processing hall is too big for a sprinkler head to cover and too far for a crew with a hose to reach in time. The Firefly Automated Water Cannon fills that gap with fast, targeted, fully automatic suppression where other systems are not practical or cost more than they protect.
Flame detectors watch each zone around the clock. When a fire is detected the cannon aims itself, opens its valve and puts high-flow water on the fire area, then returns to its park position and stands ready. No operator, no cloud service, no recurring monitoring fees.
The cannon runs on the same Firefly EXIMIO platform as the spark detection and quick suppression systems RDi already designs, installs and services, so it can be added to an existing Firefly installation or built into a new one.
How it works
From first flame to water on target in seconds.
The area is divided into zones
Each zone is covered by flame detectors that monitor continuously, day and night, manned or unmanned.
Detection triggers the alarm
The moment a detector sees fire, a signal is sent, the alarm sounds and the cannon begins aiming at the fire area.
The valve opens, suppression starts
High-flow water is applied where the fire is. Once it is out, the cannon keeps spraying for a safety margin, then parks and stays ready.
Suppression can start in as little as 10 seconds from detection, and typically in under 15. In a fast-growing fire those seconds are the difference between a wet floor and a lost building.
Key benefits
Built for the places sprinklers were never designed for.
Instant detection and suppression
Detects and targets fires within seconds, cutting the risk of a catastrophic loss.
Autonomous, 24/7/365
Fully automatic. No dependency on an operator being present, awake or nearby.
Cost-effective coverage
One cannon protects a large zone, so the system stays simple and the price stays sane.
Precisely targeted
Water goes where the fire is, not across the whole floor. Less water damage, faster clean-up.
Robust by design
316L stainless steel and brushless, low-maintenance motors, built for dust and harsh environments.
Scalable and networked
Multiple cannons coordinate and are monitored through one central interface.
Part of the Firefly system
Integrates with Firefly Spark Detection and Quick Suppression on the EXIMIO platform.
Certified quality
Designed and manufactured under an ISO 9001 quality system.
Specifications
Two sizes. Same brain.
Both models share the same compact, stainless-steel design, motorised 360° rotation and 180° tilt, and the same controls. Choose the size by the reach and flow your risk area needs.
| DN50 (2″) | DN80 (3″) | |
|---|---|---|
| Water flow | 925 L/min at 5 bar≈ 244 US gpm at 73 psi | 3,250 L/min at 5 bar≈ 859 US gpm at 73 psi |
| Operational reach | 30 m at 5 bar≈ 98 ft | 45 m at 5 bar≈ 148 ft |
| Coverage speed | 200 m²/min≈ 2,150 ft²/min · effectively 4.6 mm/min (≈ 0.11 gpm/ft²) | 200 m²/min≈ 2,150 ft²/min · effectively 16 mm/min (≈ 0.39 gpm/ft²) |
| Rotation | 360° | 360° |
| Vertical movement | 180° | 180° |
| Weight | 19 kg≈ 42 lb | 30 kg≈ 66 lb |
| Motor | 24 V brushless DC | 24 V brushless DC |
| Temperature range | −25 °C to +70 °C−13 °F to 158 °F | −25 °C to +70 °C−13 °F to 158 °F |
| Manual controls | Joystick, ONE App, ONE Web and other options | Joystick, ONE App, ONE Web and other options |
Metric figures are the manufacturer’s ratings. US conversions are rounded for reference; hydraulic design for a specific site is engineered per project.
Typical applications
Where it fits.
- Recycling and waste management facilities
- Waste bunkers and storage areas
- Large open processing halls
- Outdoor and indoor material piles
- High-ceiling industrial buildings
Designed, installed and serviced by RDi
RDi handles the engineering, system design, commissioning and ongoing service for the water cannon the same way we do for every Firefly system we install. The cannon is integrated into the Firefly EXIMIO platform, so detection, alarms and suppression are managed from one interface, and the whole system is backed by Firefly’s global network.
Already running Firefly spark detection? The cannon can be added as an upgrade to your existing installation.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers.
Why fully automatic instead of operator-controlled?
Detection, targeting and suppression happen within seconds and do not depend on anyone being available or reacting in time. Performance is the same at 2 am on an unmanned shift as it is at noon. In a fast-growing fire the first seconds decide the outcome, and automation makes sure none of them are lost.
Are there recurring monitoring costs?
No. The system is self-contained and autonomous. There is no external monitoring subscription and no ongoing fee for activation or operation. Ownership cost is predictable and control stays with you.
Is a high-pressure automated cannon safe in an industrial environment?
Yes. The cannon operates at a nominal pressure of about 5 bar (73 psi), a well-established level in industrial applications and well below the range where studies indicate potential health risks. Operating pressure can be adapted to a project’s requirements.
Why water instead of foam?
Water is the primary extinguishing agent because it is environmentally friendly, needs no chemical additives, requires no collection or special disposal after an activation, simplifies environmental compliance and keeps clean-up simple. That matters most in recycling facilities, where residue management is already a concern.
Could the cannon spread the fire?
It depends on how suppression is applied. A high-pressure jet aimed straight into an active flame can scatter burning material. The Firefly cannon is engineered with controlled suppression strategies: it can be programmed to wet the surrounding area first to contain and stabilize the fire, then target the core once control is established. Spray pattern and movement are controlled throughout.
How is the water density dimensioned?
There is no specific international standard yet for water density from robotic cannons in these applications, so hydraulic calculations are typically aligned with NFPA 13. The design is engineered from the defined risk areas, the application type and the expected fire load and operating conditions. As with any fire protection system, the design criteria and fire load assumptions should be reviewed against site-specific requirements.
What determines the maximum range?
Coverage changes with the cannon’s operating conditions: water pressure, mounting height, elevation angle and nozzle setting. RDi engineers the placement and pressure for each site so the rated reach covers the risk area.
Ready to Protect Your Business?
We deliver tailored fire prevention solutions and stand by every system we install. Tell us about your facility and we will tell you whether a water cannon belongs in it.
Contact Our Sales Team