AFEX Fire Suppression Systems, a renowned designer of fire protection for heavy-duty mobile machinery, has been shortlisted in the Coolest Thing Made in NC 2025 competition.
Organised by the North Carolina Chamber, the award celebrates the creativity, quality, and impact of products manufactured in the state—a sector that accounts for more than 13% of North Carolina’s GDP and generates employment for over 10% of its workforce.
This year’s contest attracted a record-breaking 188 nominations, with 102 products progressing to the competition stage. Only the most innovative and practical solutions are recognised through a public voting process that launches on 21 August 2025.
Crafted in Raleigh, the AFEX Dual‑Agent Fire Suppression System is built for environments where safety is paramount—such as mining, forestry, waste handling, oil and gas, and heavy civil engineering.
It merges the rapid fire knockdown characteristics of a dry chemical system with the cooling and anti-reignition capability of a liquid agent, delivering comprehensive protection for complex and dangerous fire hazards.
Its design features include total-flooding enclosed compartments, fast cooling of hot surfaces, compact footprint, and automatic/manual activation. Rigorous third-party testing and approvals—including FM HDME, Activfire, AS 5062 and CE—affirm its suitability for high-risk scenarios.
Beyond its performance, the dual-agent system aligns with regulatory requirements: NFPA standards explicitly advise dual-agent setups for large hydraulic machines with extensive hydraulic capacity—underscoring the industry’s trust in its efficacy.
Jeannette Miller, President of Sales & Marketing at AFEX, expressed her pride in the nomination: “This honour reflects our unwavering dedication to reliability, innovation, and the safety of those working in the most hazardous conditions.” Construction of these systems in North Carolina underscores the state’s manufacturing strength and commitment to excellence.
Public voting for the Coolest Thing Made in NC opened on 21 August.
