Special Hazard Fire Suppression Systems
There are certain rooms within some buildings that require special fire protection systems. Computer server rooms, data colocation, archives, telephone switches, museums, and various industrial machines are all considered “Special Hazards”. Special Hazard fire suppression systems are your best bet when sprinkler water can cause more damage than the fire they are extinguishing.
A variety of approaches and chemical agents are available to provide a custom solution to your Special Hazard.
Types of Special Hazard Suppression Systems
- CO2
- Clean Agents
- FM-200
- FE-13
- Sapphire
- NOVEC 1230
- Inergen
Clean Agents are preferable to CO2 for hazards where:
• An electrically non-conductive agent is required
• Cleanup of other agents presents a problem
• Hazard obstructions require the use of a gaseous agent
• The hazard is normally occupied and requires a non-toxic agent
Types of Hazards
• Computer server rooms
• Sub-floors
• Control rooms
• Critical file storage rooms
• Telecommunications facilities
• Clean rooms
• Electric switchgear
• Vaults
• Archives
• Data Colocation Facilities
Types of Agent
FM-200
FM-200 is a clean, colorless, and environmentally friendly fire suppression agent that is electrically non-conductive and safe for humans. It smothers and extinguishers flames through heat absorption, leaving no residue. This minimizes downtime for clean-up, making FM-200 accepted worldwide with over 100,000 installations in over 70 countries.
NOVEC 1230
Novec 1230 fire protection fluid is a next generation clean agent Halon alternative. It combines outstanding extinguishing performance with an excellent environmental profile. Novec 1230 fire protection fluid has zero ozone depletion potential, a global warming potential of only one, a five day atmospheric lifetime, and a large margin of safety for occupied spaces. Novec 1230 fire protection fluid extinguishes fire primarily by removing heat from the fire. It is also electrically non-conductive.
CO2
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless, and chemically inert gas that is both readily available and electrically non-conductive. It extinguishes fire primarily by lowering the level of oxygen that supports combustion in a protected area. This mechanism of fire suppression makes CO2 suppression systems highly effective, requiring minimal clean-up, but should be used in normally unoccupied hazard locations or otherwise avoided by personnel when discharged.
Inergen
Inergen is a blend of three naturally occurring gases–Nitrogen, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide. An Inergen system lowers the oxygen content of the protected area to a point sufficient to sustain human life, but insufficient to support combustion. It’s that simple.
Because it’s not a chemical agent, Inergen will not produce a heavy fog the way other extinguishing agents do, so escape routes remain visible.
FE-13
FE-13 was originally developed by DuPont as a chemical refrigerant. Its molecules at the flame front absorb heat from a fire in much the same manner as a sponge absorbs liquid. In addition, FE-13 exhibits some ability to inhibit the chain of combustion in the manner of Halon 1301.