CLEAN AGENT

FIRE
EXTINGUISHANT
SYSTEMS
Clean Agent gases are classified into 2 categories
1.Inert
2.Halocarbons

INERT Gases Gases which does not react freely with

other elements are called as INERT gases and they exist
in elemental form in atmosphere

HALOCARBONS - are compounds with halic elements

( Halogens ). They are Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine &
Iodine. Halogen compounds are chemicals which contains
1 or more of these gases. For ex. Hydro fluorocarbons
( HFCs ) or Hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( HCFC ) and they
are entirely MAN MADE
Clean Agent gases used in FIRE fighting

INERT GASES HALOCARBONS

Carbon di Oxide NAFS - III

Argonite FM 200

Inergen FE 13

Proinert CEA 410

Nitrogen Ecaro 25
 Inergen Fire Suppression System

10 Storage Tanks

Inert gases extinguishes the fire by reducing the oxygen

to less than 15% concentration
 FM 200 Fire Suppression System

1 Storage Tank
w/ 307 lbs of FM200

Halocarbons extinguishes the fire - 80% by chemical

reaction and 20% by cooling
 CLEAN AGENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Points to Consider

a. SAFETY

b. ENVIRONMENT

c. PERFORMANCE

d. ACCEPTANCE
 Health and Safety
45.00%

40.00%

35.00%

30.00%
Design
Concentration
25.00%
NOAEL
20.00%

15.00%

10.00%

*NOAEL =
5.00%
No Observed
Adverse Effect
0.00% Level
FM-200 HFC-227ea Ecaro-25TM InergenTM
 ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

First - Ozone Depletion, 1987, MONTREAL Protocol

Now - Global Warming, 2005, KYOTO Protocol

6 Greenhouse Gases identified for control

FM 200
HFC 227 ea
Ecaro 25
Inergen
 Atmospheric Lifetime in Years
40
37 37
35
30 33
25
Years

20
15
10
0
5
0
FM-200TM HFC-227ea Ecaro-25TM Inergen TM
 Global Warming Potential
3500

3000

2500
2900 2900 2800
2000

1500

1000

500
0
0
FM-200TM HFC-227ea Ecaro-25TM InergenTM
 New Generation Clean Agent Novec 1230

NOVEC 1230 - extinguishes by 80% Cooling

and 20% Chemical reaction

Atmospheric lifetime is 5 days

GWP is 0.014

Contains no particulates & oily residues and

pressurized with Nitrogen and does not contain
Bromine or Chlorine
 Inergen
Proinert
NN 100
Novec 1230
Zero ODP / Zero GWP

Acceptable Level

HFC 227ea
HFC 125
FE 13

ODP & GWP of Fire Fighting Gases

 Clean Agent Fire Suppression System
These systems are used in conjunction with Smoke
Detectors & Fire Alarm systems in a fire protection
program

The system is used to protect high tech telecommunication

equipment & sensitive electronic controls

One needs to understand the revenue loss, brought on by

technology downtime can add up in seconds & minutes
and not hours & days

The selection of appropriate type of fire suppression agent

is of CRITICAL importance
Clean Agent fire suppression systems are superior
to other systems in many ways

Detects & extinguish fires faster than water

Requires no clean up

Causes no damage to costly equipment

Reduces down time after a fire

 Real Savings of installing a CAFSS

Saves Lives

Saves Money

Saves Floor Space

Prevents Business Interruption

Reduces Downtime after a fire

Components of a Fire Suppression System

Mechanical Electrical

Pipes ( Seamless ) Extinguishant Panel

Pipe Supports Triggering Devices

Cylinder Bank Sensing Devices

Valves Output Devices

Nozzles Cables
Mechanical Components of a Fire Suppression System

Valves

Pipes ( Seamless ) Nozzles Gas Cylinder

Electrical Components of a Fire Suppression System

Extinguishant Sensing & Output Triggering

Panel Devices Devices
BASIC SUPPRESSION INSTALLATION
LAYOUT
BASIC SUPPRESSION INSTALLATION
LAYOUT

Discharge Nozzles

Detectors / Sensors

FIRE Control Panel

Legend

ELECTRICAL PIPE work

GAS Cylinders
GAS PIPE work
 Air Sampling Ports

Ceasefire Firelink Panel

CRAC Unit

Clean Agent suppression system in conjuction with Aspiration system

 Cylinder Storage Requirements

Inert gases requires more space ie 5 - 7 times of

that of an Halocarbon gas based system
 Clean Agent Fire Suppression System
Cost Comparison (1000 sq.ft System w/ 9-0 Ceiling)

Tank Quantity Initial Install

Agent Refill Cost
Cost

Rs. X Rs. X

Halocarbons

Rs. X x 25% Rs. X 250%

Inergen
 The quantity of extinguishant agent is dependent
on the following variables

Volume of the Room or Area

Cause / Nature of the fire risk

Contents of the area

No of Occupants in the area

The cylinder bank and a unique manifold are stored
in their insulated room.

Valves are connected to the manifold using flexible

high pressure hoses

The extinguishment system can be controlled &

activated by manual mechanism or by automatic
fire alarm system
 DESIGN

The system piping is based on computer aided

hydraulic calculation which will give the

Pressure loss in line

Pipe size

Discharge time &

Discharge Nozzle Orifice size selection

 Panel supporting the Fire Extinguishing system
should have features such as

Cross Zoning

Pre Alarm

Extinguishant Release
&
Selectable range of timed Solenoid Output
 CROSS ZONING

Is a innovative Pre Alarm system strategy

using multiple sensors to monitor activity in one
area

It prevents the system from false gas

discharge
 PRE ALARM

System using some agents such as CO2, in enclosed spaces

present the risk of suffocation

Numerous accidents have occurred where individuals in

these spaces have been killed by agent release

To prevent such accidents, additional life safety systems are

installed with pre alarm that precedes the agent release

The warning usually either a Audible or a Visual alert,

advices the immediate evacuation of that enclosed space
 SOLENOID VALVE

It is an electromechanical valve of use with liquid

or gaseous substances

The valve is controlled by an electric current

through a solenoid coil

Solenoid valves may have two or more ports

 DISCHARGE NOZZLE

Is a mechanical device designed to control the

Direction and

Characteristics of a fluid flow

Available in various designs

 HIGH PRESSURE HOSES

are used to interlink

Picture taken at Serco, Blr

Cylinder to cylinder and

To connect cylinders to the manifold

 RELEASE VALVE

Picture taken at Serco, Blr

Mechanically or Manually operated

Is used to release the agent in case of an

emergency
 CARBON DI OXIDE

Is a colourless, odourless, electrically non conductive gas

Is highly efficient as a fire suppression agent, which is

effective on Class A, B & C fire hazards

When released if provides a heavy blanket of gas that

reduces the oxygen level to a point where combustion
cannot occur

Is effective on deep seated fires also. It is used essentially

in non occupied areas, paint lines, liquid storage areas,
engine rooms etc.,
 CO2 Flooding System
Slave valve Discharge Solenoid High
operated bend includes actuator Pressure
by manifold internal check available in Hoses
back valve for 12 or 24 VDC
pressure added safety

One Piece
Valve for
Inc reliability
& easy Mtce

Co2
Gas
Cylinder
Bank
 ARGONITE

Is an inert gas that extinguishes fire based on the principle

of oxygen depletion

It is environmentally acceptable with zero ODP & GWP

In a enclosed space almost all fires are extinguished in less

than 60 seconds as the oxygen level will fall below 15%,
it physically removes the oxygen from the atmosphere

It reduces the oxygen concentration level to approximately

12.5%, an acceptable level for human exposure over short
period of time. In occupied areas people can breathe
Argonite
 INERGEN

Inergen is a clean agent gas and is a blend of inert

atmospheric gases that contains 52% Nitrogen, 40%
Argon & 8% Carbon di Oxide.

Inergen does not contain Halocarbons, and has zero ODP

& GWP and does not have an atmospheric lifetime.

Inergen is used at design concentrations of 40 to 50%

lower the concentration of oxygen to a point that the fire
cannot support combustion.

Is ideal for highly sensitive equipments

 Click
on
Dot

INERGEN SIMULATION
 PROINERT ( IG55 )

Proinert is a clean agent gas with a blend of Argon &

Nitrogen.

It has zero ODP & GWP and when releases returns to its
natural place in the environment.

It extinguishes fire by reducing the oxygen concentration

so that it cannot sustain the chain chemical reaction, but are
acceptable for human exposure over a short period of time

As per the norms all the Inert gases must discharge 95% of
the agent within 60 seconds of activation
 NITROGEN ( NN100 )

NN100 fire suppression system contains Nitrogen which is

present in the atmosphere.

It has zero ODP & zero GWP and is non toxic.

When NN100 is released to put out a fire the concentration

of Nitrogen & Oxygen in the room is altered to about
Nitrogen 87% ( normal 78% ) & Oxygen 12.5% ( normal
21% ) by volume respectively.

Continuous combustion requires more than 15% oxygen

concentration by volume.
NN100 - System Layout
Comparison NN100 vs CO2 & Halon
Operating procedure INERT Gas based system
 NAF S III

Is identified as HCFC blend A

It is from the stable of Chlorofluorocarbons and possess

similar characteristics to those of Halon

Is one of the most effective halocarbon extinguishing agent

The ODP is 0.036, GWP is 0.1 & the atmospheric life time
is 12 years which is considerably low, can be used in
normally occupied areas, makes it safer for human beings

Is manufactured by Safety Hitech, UK

 HFC227ea ( FM 200 )

Is also called Heptafluoropropane or Apaflurane or HFC

227ea or R-227ea or HFC 227

Is a colourless, odourless, gasesous halocarbon, the chemical

formula is C3HF7, is commonly used as a fire suppression
agent

Effective fire suppression requires introducing a

concentration of the agent between 6.25% to 9 % depending
upon the hazard being protected

Its NOAEL for cardiac sensitization is 9%, most fire

suppression agents provide concentration of 6.25 - 9% only
HFC227ea

Its ODP is low but GWP is quite high and approx

atmospheric lifetime is 31 - 42 years

It is an expensive gas and when in contacted in liquified

form may cause a frostbite

When decomposes it produces Hydrogen Fluoride, Carbon

mono oxide and Co2

It is manufactured by Dupont as FM 200, Solvay Flour sells

it as Solkaflam 227 & Safety Hitech sells it as NAF S 227

One of the most sought after Suppression system by IT Cos

FM 200 GAS Cylinder Release Valve Pressure Gauge Manual Activation
 HFC 125 ( Ecaro 25 )

Is also called as Pentafluroethane or Genetron HFC 125 or

Khladon 125 or Suva 125 or Freon 125 but popularly it is
known as Ecaro 25

The chemical formula is C2HF5, is an colourless,

odourless & electrically non conductive gas

It extinguishes the fires by absorbing the heat energy at its

molecular level faster that the heat can be generated, so the
fire cannot sustain itself

This makes it a highly effective fire fighting agent

 HFC 125

Ecaro is a registered
trademark of Fike Corpn

DuPont sells it as FE 25 &

Safety Hitech sells it as

NAF S 125
 FE 13

Is also called as Fluroform or Carbontrifluoride or

Methyltrifluoride or Freon 23 or Arcton 1 or HFC 23

The chemical formula is CHF3

FE 13 is the trade mark of Du Pont

FE 13 & NAF S III agents extinguishes the fire by

inhibiting the Chain Reaction of the FIRE

HFC 227ea, HFC 125 & Novec 1230 agents

extinguishes the fire by Reducing the HEAT
 Novec 1230 / Sapphire

Is a second generation FF agent and one of the most

advanced & recent developments in the suppression
industry

The chemical name is Pentafluoroethyl Ketone and the

chemical formula is C6F12O

Is ideal for use in fire suppression systems and has zero

ODP & GWP and very low atmospheric life

It extinguishes the fire by absorbing the heat

CLEAN AGENT
Fire Suppression
History
&
NOVEC 1230

Click
on
Dot
Novec 1230 gas is the trade
mark of 3M

Tyco Fire & Safety sells it

as Sapphire

Sevo Systems sells it as

SEV0 1230
These wont
be in any
text book!