FM-200, NOVEC 1230, and Inert gasses are the most common clean agent fire suppression systems in the market today. The clean agent fire suppression (total flooding) systems here include – Heptaflouropropane (HFC227ea or FM 200) and other halocarbons, including Halon 1310, HFC-125, HFC-23. Flouroketone ‘Dodecafluoro-2-methylpentan-3-one (FK-5-1-12) or NOVEC 1230’ is a good clean agent. Inergen (IG541 or Nitrogen 52%, Argon 40% and CO2 8%), Nitrogen IG-100 (N-100 or 100% Nitrogen), Argon IG01 (Argon 100%) and Argonite (IG55 or 50% Argon, 50% Nitrogen). They have a high capacity to extinguish a fire without leaving residue after evaporation. Clean agents are non-toxic, non-corrosive, electrically non-conductive and environmentally friendly.
FM-200 (HFC227ea or Heptaflouropropane):
– It does not leave residue after extinguishing the fire, making it not to damage sensitive equipment.
– It is environmentally friendly and classified as a ‘green’ fire suppression alternative. IPCCC global warming potential of 3500.
– It does not poison persons exposed to the gas at the time of discharge, unlike carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.
– The gas is fast at discharge due to its lightness, making discharge time very low.
– It is colorless, making visibility possible at the discharge of the gas, and enhances emergency response.
– It is a non-conductive gas.
– Atmospheric lifetime: 33 years.
– NOAEL 9.5%.
– LOAEL 10.5%.
– Safety level (Class A fire) 13.9%.
NOVEC1230 (FLOUROKETONE or FK-5-1-12):
– The gas is synthetically produced as a fire suppression agent.
– Boiling Point of 49.2°C (120.6°F) @ 1 atm, and freezing point of -108.0°C (-162.4°F).
– The gas concentration is between 5.3% to 5.6% by volume of the enclosure.
– The boiling temperature of NOVEC1230 is 48 O C.
– NOVEC 1230 is colorless and odorless like water.
– It is non-conductive to electricity.
– IPCCC global warming potential of 1.
– NOAEL 10%.
– LOAEL 10.5%.
– Use a concentration of 4.2%.
– It protects Class A, Class B, and Class C fires.
– Atmospheric lifetime: 0.014 years.
– IPCCC global warming potential of 1.
Inergen (IG541):
– Inergen is made of naturally occurring gases composed of Argon 52%, Nitrogen 40%, and CO2 8%.
– It extinguishes fire and prevents re-ignition.
– IG541 is effective and ineffective on Class A, B, and C fires.
– IG541 has zero ozone layer depletion and zero global warming potential. It is thus eco-friendly.
– Inergen has zero carbon emission potential with no atmospheric lifetime.
– Inergen is electrically non-conductive.
– Inergen leaves no residue after extinguishing the fire.
– Inergen is safe and clean as exposure to it guarantees normal blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and mental performance.
– It can be stored remotely from the area of protection due to the short discharge time.
– It is a clear gas, ensuring visibility and emergency escape.
Argonite (IG55 or Nitrogen 50/50):
– IG55 is composed of naturally occurring gases in the composition of 50% Argon to 50% Nitrogen.
– Argonite maintains Oxygen levels between 12% to 15% adequate for life sustenance.
– It is a green fire suppression alternative.
AUTOMATIC GAS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: All the clean agent fire suppression systems are electrically automated to detect smoke, flame, or fires by means of sensors, and to actuate gas discharge from the control unit based on a programmed time of response. The systems can be manually actuated using a gas release button or switch. The release of gas fire suppressants can be actualized by operating an ABORT switch or STOP switch. Visual and audible notification devices are used in case of fire emergencies, while remote mobile notification devices that are integrated into the internet of things are used in monitoring and communicating systems status and emergency situation by means of automatic messages, and distress calls.
Clean agent fire extinguishing systems are regulated by NFPA 2001 – STANDARD FOR CLEAN AGENT FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS, and ISO 14520 GASEOUS FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS. The detection and alarm aspect of such systems are regulated by NFPA 72 – NATIONAL FIRE ALARM SIGNALING CODE, and ISO 7240 – FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS, while the general electrical aspect is regulated by NFPA 70 – NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE and ISO 29 – ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.
Automatic clean agent fire suppression systems may use piped systems or pre-engineered direct fire suppression or indirect fire suppression systems that are hydraulically designed to pressure gas piping standards and pressure vessel standards in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), British Standard (BS), Euronorm (EN), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Factory Mutual (FM), Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED), Directorate of Transportation (DOT) and other standards.
The Automatic Clean Agent Fire Suppression system is recommended for residential, maritime, aviation, manufacturing, financial, educational, hospitality, healthcare, telecommunication, oil and gas sectors in the protection of their critical infrastructure, like – power backup (inverter and battery) centers, server rooms, data rooms, telecommunication or switching rooms, flammable liquid storage, digital data repositories, laboratories, medical facilities, libraries, museums, archives, and other critical infrastructures.
William Nwaogu, Technical Advisor,
SAFETY CONSULTANTS & SOLUTION PROVIDERS LIMITED.
