Which Gas Fire Suppression System is best?
So, you have to choose a gas fire suppression system to protect against fire destroying valuable assets such as Computer Equipment, Document Vaults or Telecommuncations / Switch Gear. You have a choice between Chemical Fire Suppression Systems such as Novec 1230 and Inert FIre Suppression Systems such as Inergen.
Is there a clear cut choice when it comes to Gas Fire Suppression?
Well, no is the answer, but there are clear reasons to choose one over the other depending on the hazard size and location.
We will consider:
Environment
Safety
Speed of action
Storage Space
Cost
Environmental Considerations for Gas Fire Suppression Systems
This may not seem like an obvious first consideration when choosing a fire suppression agent, however there is some method to my madness. Read on to see why.
Novec 1230 Fire Suppression
Novec 1230 fire suppression agent is a relatively recent addition to the fire suppression industry. Manufactured by 3M, Novec 1230 comes with a 20 year "Blue Sky Warranty", guaranteeing its "Green" credentials.
Choosing Novec 1230 over FM200 is the smarter choice and from here in this article, we shall consider only Novec 1230 and Inergen for that reason.
INERGEN
INERGEN fire suppression agent is a mixture of three naturally occurring gases: nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide. As INERGEN agent is derived from gases present in the earth’s atmosphere, it exhibits no ozone depleting potential, does not contribute to global warming, nor does it contribute unique chemical species with extended atmospheric lifetimes. Because INERGEN agent is composed of atmospheric gases, it does not pose the problems of toxicity associated with some of the chemically derived agents.
So that is clear cut. Inergen is the cleanest of the fire suppression agents then. But wait......There is a far higher volume of Inergen required to cover the same hazard as Novec 1230 and it is stored at far higher pressures than Novec 1230.
Inergen requires more steel to make the high-pressured steel cylinders for its storage. Therefore Inergen requires more energy for its manufacture, storage and transportation when compared to Novec 1230 systems.
Perhaps not as clear as it might first appear. However as far as the agent itself goes, Inergen is clean and therefore we will consider it further.
Environmental Winner? Inergen and Novec 1230 remain as sound choices.
Safety Considerations
Human Safety
When considering the safety of people that may be inside the hazard area, we shall look at the safety margin at the concentration levels of gas under the EN15004 Fixed Fire Suppression Standard.
Novec 1230 Fire Suppression Agent
For Surface Class A hazards, the concentration level for Novec 1230 required under EN15004 is 5.3%. The concentraiton level for Novec 1230, above which adverse effects can be observed in humans is 10%.
Safety margin = 88.7%
INERGEN Fire Suppression Agent
For Surface Class A hazards, the concentration level for INERGEN required under EN15004 is 39.9%. The concentraiton level for INERGEN, above which adverse effects can be observed in humans is 43%.
Safety margin = 7.7%
Operating and Storage Pressure
Novec 1230
25 Bar
Inergen
200 - 300 Bar
The amount of pressure relief venting required to ensure there is no damage to property in the event of a discharge will of course be higher with Inergen than Novec 1230.
Higher pipe pressures in the event of a discharge and cylinder storage pressures should also be considered in occupied environments such as office comms rooms or document vaults.
While cylinders are securely fastened to anchor points, inevitably fire suppression cylinders are removed and replaced in the event of discharge and when pressure testing is required.
Safest System for Humans and Property? Novec 1230
Speed of action
Novec 1230
Novec 1230 system are designed to fully discharge in 10 seconds. They act on fire by removing heat quickly, thus extinguishing the fire.
INERGEN
INERGEN systems are designed to discharge fully in 60 seconds. They act on fire by reducing the oxygen levels in the hazard enclosure, starving fire of one of its essential ingredients.
Fastest Agent? Novec 1230
Storage Space
The simple graphic below details the storage space required for each system under discussion.
The graphic below is based on the cylinder requirements for a 200m3 Class A Hazard
Winner based on Footprint? Novec 1230
Cost Factors
So far it seems that Novec 1230 is the obvious choice when it comes to the Environment, Human safety, Speed of action and Storage Space.
Why would any consultant or end user decide that INERGEN was the better choice over Novec 1230?
Answer: As the Hazard size increases, INERGEN starts to become more attractive from a cost perspective. In addition, it is possible to cover multiple hazards from one cylinder bank.
INERGEN Cylinders can be stored at a far greater distance from the hazard than Novec 1230.
Most Cost Effective System? Depends on Hazard Size and number of hazards in one location.
Our Recommendation?
KSS Fire Suppression are agents for both Inergen Fire Suppression Systems and Novec 1230 Fire Suppression Systems in Ireland and would encourage all specifiers and end users to speak with a suitably trained person in relation to the best system for their particular circumstances.
It is fair to say that for smaller hazards that are normally occupied and where cylinders will be stored near people, then we would recommend Novec 1230. However, as the hazard increases, both in volume and number INERGEN should be considered. However the only way to know when to step up to an INERGEN system is to speak with us in KSS Fire Suppression.
You can contact me on 087 708 9697 or rob@kssfiresuppression.ie if you have any questions or comments on the above.
Disclaimer:
KSS have no vested interest in any one of the above system types and regularly quote and install all system types mentioned above.
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