Inert Gas Extinguishing Systems

INTRODUCTION

Fire suppression with gases is used always there, where precious objects, materials, devices or documents sensitive against contact with water or extinguishing powders are stored. They are in particular such premises as libraries, art galleries, computer rooms, rooms with electrical apparatus, transformer stations etc.

Fire suppression gases are inactive in combustion process, they do not react with extinguished objects. Their action is reduction of oxygen content or temperature in extinguished environment. They are used in fixed extinguishing installations only.

Main gases of that kind are:

• Chemical gases such as heptafluoropropane (HFC), commercially known as FM-200, and FK5-1-12 triodide, known as NOVEC 1230; these gases have been created to replace halons, banned due to Montreal convention because of destroying influence on ozone layer.
• Mixture of nitrogen and argon, distributed as INERGEN or ARGONITE;
• Carbon dioxide CO2, well known from manual snow extinguishers.

Action of each of said gases is different, resulting in different application ranges.

CHEMICAL GASES

Both FM-200 and NOVEC 1230 are stored as liquid mean in cylinders. After release from cylinder the gas is transported with driving gas (nitrogen) do extinguishing system nozzles, where is evaporates and is mixed with air. Chemical gases are acting in similar way as cooling gases by physical cooling of fire embers. Gas release is very fast, so extinguishing action is initiated within less than 10 seconds. Additional feature is low required agent concentration (approx. 8% for FM-200 and approx. 6% for NOVEC) for efficient fire extinguishing. Thus released gas quantity is relatively small, pressure increase is small too, so room construction remains unthreatened.

The tests performed show that under normally used concentration both chemical gases are completely harmless to human health.

Advantages of FM-200 & NOVEC 1230:

• High extinguishing effectivity, comparable to one of halons;
• No contamination resulting from fire extinguishing process;
• Safe application ability in rooms occupied by humans;
• Short release time;
• Negligible overpressure in extinguished room;
• No electrical conductance – safe for extinguishing of operating electrical and computer appliances.

As chemical gases, especially FM-200, are suspected to contribute to global warming effect, latest regulations of European Union require from installers and operators of automatic fire suppression installations utilizing fluorhydrocarbons obtaining operator’s certificate, and installations must be registered in National Systems Register and inspected on regular basis for any agent leakage.

Our employees obtained all required by bill from May 15, 2015 operator certificates.

INERT GASSES – INERGEN & ARGONITE

These gasses are mixture of inert gasses being present in our atmosphere: nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide. They are inactive in combustion process – their fire suppression action is caused by reduction of oxygen content to level, where combustion is impossible.

Use of Inergen & Argonite is absolutely safe for natural environment. The agent is not decomposed and after fire suppression action flows freely into atmosphere, being natural part of it.

To obtain appropriate agent concentration for effective oxygen reduction and fire suppression significant quantity of agent is required (required agent concentration is of the range or exceeds 40%), thus resulting in overpressure building in extinguished rooms. To avoid wall destruction use of pressure release dampers is required.

Inergen or Argonite impede breathing, so fast evacuation of people occupying extinguished room is required. To initiate deeper breathing small amount of carbon dioxide is added.

CARBON DIOXIDE CO2

Fire suppression action of carbon dioxide consists of room cooling and oxygen content reduction, especially in fire neighborhood.

This agent is heavier than air, therefore is especially suitable for extinction of local fire, e.g. single machine or device. As carbon dioxide is harmful for people, can be used only in unoccupied rooms.

Agent concentration required for effective fire suppression is slightly lower than these of Inergen or Argonite, so required number of gas cylinders is lower too.

We, KARO Karlicki Ltd. are ready to provide for you complex installation for gas extinguishing system. Our offer covers technical design, supply of materials and devices, installation, warranty and post-warranty servicing as well as servicing of already installed systems. We offer support for our customers to meet all required formalities as set by the bill of May 15, 2015.

You can rely on us!