How does fire suppression work?

[SievertChaser]

I'm attempting a seemingly simple task: to build a decent tanker around six large methane tanks (would that make a Triple Volna? A glitch obliterated my save so IDK).

Part of that means trying to put a usable fire suppression system onto it, lest it die from a single shot. Also sounds like good practice for cruiser builds.

A problem: I don't understand FSS behavior. It seems to knock flames out, sure, but not in a given radius - I've noticed it douse flames on the opposite end of the tank but not next to itself.

Obviously, it seems that compartmentalization is the way to go in fire protection, and I'll be splitting the one megatank into Volna-sized chunks from now on.

[Hannibal0216 도마도 재배자]

As far as I know, the location of the fire suppressant tanks does not matter.

[Polarbark]

I've always had better "luck" with thorough coverage of retardant. Modules all around.
The real trick is to keep your fuel, even a mega-tank, tucked safe behind other modules and armor.

[Prolbo]

Just don't pile together more than 6 big fuel tanks and you should be okay. FFS position didn't matter at all.

[Prophet_01]

Originally posted by Hannibal0216 도마도 재배자:

As far as I know, the location of the fire suppressant tanks does not matter.

For combat ships, one or two suppression modules are usually enough. Just bury them deep inside and maybe not put them next to each other.

For fuel tankers, your biggest risk will be from airstrikes. So put them near the bottom of your ship. One far left, one far right. That usually does it. You don't need a lot of suppression anyway.

I've been using completely unarmored Skylarks with a 3 tank configuration. All tanks are connected and the top one is actually completely open to the sky. It does get struck by bombs and missiles all the time but that doesn't cause major damage. No big explosions or other catastrophes. The bottom tank rarely takes any damage.

[SievertChaser]

Originally posted by Polarbark:

I've always had better "luck" with thorough coverage of retardant. Modules all around.
The real trick is to keep your fuel, even a mega-tank, tucked safe behind other modules and armor.

Well, therein lies the problem. A tanker is over 70% fuel tank.

[Prophet_01]

Agreed, I wouldn't put any armor on a fuel tank. Just not worth it. A blind Skylark is 3k and is surprisingly hard to take out completely. It costs pennies to repair.