Inside Marioff’s world of fire testing – Antti Virkajärvi ensures HI-FOG® system performance
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Antti Virkajärvi, Research, Testing & Approval Manager at Marioff, works at the core of fire testing, simulations and approvals. He leads the work demonstrating the performance of the HI-FOG systems through full-scale tests and measured data. This process is essential to ensure the systems are approved and certified for demanding applications worldwide.
“When conditions are understood, fire is not a completely chaotic phenomenon, and its behaviour can be predicted surprisingly well,” Antti says. This idea captures the foundation of his work: a deep understanding of the physical nature of fire is essential for designing and testing a system that performs reliably in all situations.
Natural sciences and the dynamics of combustion already fascinated Antti during his studies. At Marioff, he has been able to deepen his understanding of phenomena that cannot be fully grasped without measured data, testing and analysis.
Full-scale fire testing demonstrates system performance
Over the years, Antti moved into roles where he was responsible for planning and coordinating full-scale fire tests and working with authorities to obtain type approvals. Today, he leads a team specialized in these tasks.
“When a test reveals something we want to understand better, we investigate the cause. That helps us move both the system and our own expertise forward,” he explains.
Marioff’s full-scale fire tests strictly follow international standards and regulatory requirements. Test parameters—such as fire load, ignition method, duration and possible ventilation conditions—are defined according to the standard, and the test execution is documented down to the second for detailed analysis.
“The purpose of a test is to demonstrate that the system’s performance meets the requirements of the standard,” Antti says. Over the years, the HI-FOG system has been tested in thousands of scenarios across different environments. These tests form the foundation for global approvals of water mist systems and have contributed to the development of standards across the industry.
Simulations complement experimental testing
Antti highlights the role of simulations in supporting testing. Simulations help predict fire events, plan tests, and interpret results, but it are not intended to replace experimental test data.
“Simulations show what should happen. Testing shows what actually happens.” When both point in the same direction, confidence in system performance increases. This combination is also essential because not all scenarios can be tested in practice, yet the system must still perform reliably in every situation for which it is designed.
Simulations and testing also help authorities understand the system’s operating logic. Gaining approvals is not just about documentation; it is often a dialogue in which test data and simulations are reviewed together.
Simulations show what should happen. Testing shows what actually happens.
Antti Virkajärvi, Research, Testing & Approval Manager
Motivation through learning and collaboration
Antti describes his work as continuous learning. Fire testing is not a single task but a comprehensive effort in which engineers, test specialists, analysts, and regulatory bodies work together towards a shared goal.
“The best part is that no two days are the same, and every test reveals something that advances our understanding. That’s what makes this work meaningful.”
Collaboration is also one of the most important aspects of his work—without it, testing, analysis and approval processes could not progress in a balanced way.
Looking ahead: More precise data and continuously evolving methods
Marioff continuously develops its testing and simulation methods. According to Antti, future fire testing will produce increasingly precise data, enabling even more effective fine-tuning of system performance.
The number of scenarios will also continue to grow, allowing fire tests to cover situations that were previously not possible to examine. “The objective remains the same. Our task is to ensure that the system works when it is needed the most,” Antti concludes.
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