Fire Suppression

FM200 Fire Suppression

Novec1230 Fire Suppression

Inert Gas Fire Suppression

VESDA FIRE DETECTION

Fire Suppression Systems

With today's demands on IT infrastructure, protection against collateral
damage is paramount! Ask yourself, is your IT facility adequately protected
against fire? The heat generated from the latest server technology is
enormous, the potential for fire is higher now than anytime before, with
powerful rack servers stacked on top of each other with serious heat
outputs.

This document will give you the low down on fire suppression technology,
with an unbiased view to the PROs an CONs of the main types of fire
suppression options.

What makes a fire suppression system work?

Standards and Codes of Practice
Fire suppression systems should be installed to at least the ISO14520,
BS6266 and BS5839 codes of practice for fire detection and fire
suppression systems.

Smoke detection in high airflow environments should be installed as per the
recommendations of the BS6266 standard. This standard advises on the
number of detectors required based on velocity of the high air flow, this is
crucial for high airflow in this type of environment.

The Mechanical elements of a fire suppression systems, namely the fire
suppression cylinders and delivery pipe work should conform to the
ISO14520 standard. In addition to this, a theoretical demonstration of the
flow performance should be demonstrated with use of the OEMs flow
modelling software.

With all fire suppression systems, the design should be approved to ensure
that the pipe runs are not obstructed and can be practically installed without
adding elbows and other pipe work accessories to avoid any other
obstacles such as light fittings, duct work, etc.

Smoke Detection Principles
A fire suppression system, must comprise of at least two fire zones and at
least two smoke detectors. Traditionally a mix of Ionisation smoke
detectors and Optical (Photoelectric) smoke detectors were used to detect
a wider range of smoke particles. Today the optical technology covers this
and provides more stability of than that of ionisation detectors, particularly
in high airflow streams.

Alternatively, enhanced fire detection can be achieved with the use of
VESDA air sampling systems. Using VESDA smoke detection can provide
conclusive detection with accurate testing and measurement principles.
Interrogation can also be achieved by looking at extensive event logging,
which will paint a picture of events occurring prior to a fire suppression
discharge!


Operation

The fire suppression system uses two modes:-

MANUAL FIRE SUPPRESSION MODE
This is based on Human intervention, the operation of a gas release call
point or manual actuator will discharge the fire suppression agent. The Fire
Suppression system will not deploy the system automatically.

AUTOMATIC FIRE SUPPRESSION MODE
Two zones or two devices are needed to prove a coincidence. This
coincidence is confirmation that there is smoke present and the fire
suppression system will deploy the fire suppression agent. The delay from
the first stage alarm (first detector activated) to the second stage alarm is
variable, depending on how fast the detectors are responding. Once the
second detector is activated that system normally incorporates a 30 second
delay from alarm to fire suppression release!

The Environment that the Fire Suppression system is being used

Most fire suppression systems are only as good as the enclosure they are
used in. It is vitally important to ensure that the protected enclosure can
maintain the fire suppression agent at the highest level of equipment for 10
minutes following a discharge. Why do we do this? The fire suppression
system is a fire suppression system NOT an extinguishing fire system.
Re-ignition will occur should the fire suppression concentration be reduced
or if the fire suppression agent escapes/leaks out of the protected
enclosure.

Room Integrity
To evaluate this, the fire suppression installer must carry out a Room
Integrity Test. A room integrity test proves fire suppression retention
capability of the room. The test procedure compares positive and negative
pressurisation against flow. This calculates the accumulative aperture (this
is a sum of all openings in the protected inclosure).

The room integrity test calculates that rate at which the gas will leak from
the protected space. In simple terms, the best way of describing this is,
imagine a fish tank of water filled to the very top, the very top being the
room height. The tallest piece in the fish tank is like the tallest piece of
equipment in the computer room. The fire suppression agent is the water!
Now imagine that there where small holes in the tank, this is holes in the
protected space. As the water (fire suppression agent) leaks out of the
tank/enclosure, the tallest piece of equipment will eventually be exposed to
air. If this occurs within 10 minutes, then essentially the room will fail the
test. If the water (fire suppression agent) leaked at a slower rate, leaving
the tallest piece of equipment covered longer than 10 minutes, then the
room will pass the integrity test.

Why do we use ten minutes as the datum? The ISO1450 and NFP2001
deem this period as a minimum period to allow human intervention, such as
the fire brigade to deal with the problem without the risk of allowing the fire
to spread and do more damage!

With this in mind choosing the correct fire suppression agent is critical.
SUMMARY OF FIRE SUPPRESSION AGENTS

INERT GAS FIRE SUPPRESSION
Naturally occurring Gases often used as blends, these blends are used to
reduce oxygen to below 15% and above 12%. Oxygen levels below 15%
will not allow a fire to burn as the oxygen is simply not there to fuel the fire.
Levels of Oxygen between 12% and 15% is adequate to sustain human
life. Oxygen levels between 12% and 10% will show visible signs of effects
asphyxiation Oxygen levels below 10% are extremely dangerous.

This type of fire suppression is considered a green option and does have
many advantages used in the right application.

Inert Gas Fire Suppressions are commonly found with the following blends
and names:-

Inergen fire suppression - IG541
A Blend of Nitrogen, Argon and small percentage of CO2. This fire
suppression blend is made up of 50% Argon, 42% Nitrogen and 8% Co2.
What makes this fire suppression system unique? The mix of Co2 into the
blend helps a humans absorbation of oxygen in a depleted oxygen
environment. Co2 also increases the heart rate and induces hyper
ventilation so that the body breathes in more than normal! On the flip side
the disadvantage of IG541 fire suppression comes with contaminated air
with bi-products of combustion that are breathed in with the intensified
inhalation.

Argonite fire suppression - IG55
This is a blend of 50% Argon & 50% Blend of Nitrogen. The fire
suppression gas is blended to offer better buoyancy for the fire suppression
agent keeping the fire suppression gas at higher levels in the protected
enclosure for longer!

I3 Fire Suppression - IG55
This fire suppression system is the same as above, however, it uses
regulated valves to reduce the pressure shock when the fire suppression
system is initially deployed! Again this system is a blend of 50% Nitrogen
and 50% Argon. By reducing the initial pressure shock with the fire
suppression generates in the first 10 seconds of discharge, the required
number pressure relief vents are reduced

Argon Fire Suppression system - IG05
This is not as common these days, but is a simple and effective solution.
Argon is heavier than air and used as a single compound is makes this fire
suppression system easier and cheaper to refill. The disadvantage of this
fire suppression system is the weight of the gas which reduces the hold
time.


SYNTHETIC GASEOUS FIRE SUPPRESSION
Compounds and blends of man made chemicals to form a fire suppression
agent. The method of extinguishing is basically like a coolant, this to
attacks the free radicals of the heat make up in a fire. This type of fire
suppression absorbs heat which suppresses the fire. Synthetic fire
suppression uses small concentrations by volume which offers practicality
and ease of installation, they are normally cheaper than the inert
alternatives.

We will list two types only, there are more, but all operate in the same way

FM200 Fire Suppression - HFC227
This fire suppression agent has concentrations are set at 7.9% by volume
for the room and ceiling voids and 8.5% by volume for the floor void.
Concentrations levels higher than 10% are dangerous.

FM200 fire suppression is an HFC. HFCs (hydrofluorocarbon: a
fluorocarbon emitted as a by-product of industrial manufacturing) have
been banned by the Kyoto Protocol, but HFCs used for the use of fire
suppression systems have been excluded. There is no certainty that
HFCs will not be banned for the use of fire suppression in times to come,
but for now there is no banned imposed on HFC227 (FM200).

Advantages of FM200 Fire Suppression are:- Cost, ease of installation and
it is safe to use in occupied spaces. The floor space required for the fire
suppression cylinders is minimal.

Disadvantages are that is much heavier than air and the room that it is
being used in must be adequately sealed. The FM200 fire suppression
agent has an atmospheric lifetime of 36 years and as a result will contribute
to global warming if discharge/released!

Novec 1230 Fire Suppression - 1,1,1,2,2,4,5,5,5-NONAFLUORO-4-
(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)-3-PENTANONE
This fire suppression agent in NOT an HFC. It is essentially derived from
an cleaning material manufactured by 3M. The concentrations of this fire
suppression agent is 5.3% by volume!

Novec 1230 fire suppression works by reducing heat in the same way of
FM200! The fire suppression agent is an extremely versatile agent!

The advantages of Novec 1230 Fire Suppression are, installation is simple.
The floor space required for the fire suppression cylinders is minimal and
the refilling can be done on site!

The Novec 1230 fire suppression agent is much heavier than air and
requires a good room seal to be in place. The cost of the agent is almost
twice that of FM200!

Water Mist Fire Suppression
This is a simple but effective fire suppression solution. Water misting fire
suppression solutions work only when the heat is sufficient to draw in the
micro particles of water. As the heat intensifies, air is drawn into the
fuel/heat mixture and so grown the fire. This fire suppression induces
water into this heat mix and the fire is cooled and suppressed. Water mist
fire suppression has limited uses and is not suitable for IT infrastructures or
in applications which will be harmed by the reformed water.

Dry Powder Fire Suppression
This is effective and works by discharging a blanket of inert powder. The
dry powder fire suppression does not fit all applications and is limited to
specific application which are not suitable for the fire suppression systems
listed above

Oxygen Reduction Fire Suppression systems
A novel way of keeping a protected enclosures oxygen levels below 15% at
all times. This eliminates the risk of ignition due to the constant low levels
of oxygen. Effective in large warehouses where other fire suppression
systems become too large and too cumbersome to install!

CO2 Fire Suppression systems
Out of all fire suppression systems, CO2 is the most effective at killing a fire
but this includes humans too. It is not a suitable fire suppression agent for
occupied spaces. CO2 cools the fire and removes the oxygen. CO2
systems are commonly used for local applications, they can also be used
for total flooding, but stringent precautions must be used if this is the
preferred fire suppression agent!

















FM200 Gas
FM200 Fire Suppression is a suitable agent for normally occupied spaces.
FM200 fire suppression systems are commonly used in :-
DATA Centres
Comms Rooms.
Telecommunication facilities
UPS Rooms
Medical facilities
Fire Suppression Limited
(UK) 0845-1279915
(Int) +271179602277
email:- sales@firesuppression.co.uk

What is FM200 Fire Suppression
FM200 fire suppression is also known as HFC227ea. FM200 is a
waterless fire protection system, it is discharged into the risk within 10
seconds and suppresses the fire immediately.

How safe is FM200
FM200 fire suppression is found as an active compound as a propellant in
medical inhalers. This is goes without saying that FM200 gas is extremely
safe for occupied spaces with the correct fire suppression design.

How does FM200 work
There is a common misconception that FM200 gas reduces oxygen this is
not true! FM200 is a synthetic/chemical fire suppression gas and
extinguishes a fire by removing the free radicals or heat elements from the
fire triangle. (Oxygen, Heat and Fuel)
The typical concentration of an FM200 system is normally between 7.9% to
8.5%. This concentration is determined by the risk that is being protected
and by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and the ISO14520
standards for fire suppression systems.

What are the advantages of an FM200 fire suppression system
The main advantage of FM200 fire suppression, is the small amount of
agent required to suppress a fire. This means fewer cylinders, therefore
less wasted space for storage of FM200 cylinders.
FM200 systems reach extinguishing levels in 10 seconds or less, stopping
ordinary combustible, electrical, and flammable liquid fires before they
cause significant damage. FM200 extinguishes the fire quickly, which
means less damage, lower repair costs. Like any other fire suppression
system, FM200 systems are designed with an extra margin of safety for
people. Refilling FM200 is simple and cost effective, therefore, it also
means less downtime and disruption to your business.

FM200 is classed as a clean agent which means that it is safe to use within
occupied spaces. The safety of FM200 fire suppression environments is
proven in over a decade of real-world experience and validated by
extensive scientific studies. FM200 systems take up less storage space
than most other fire suppressants.

In addition to the fire protection benefits of using FM200, the environment
will benefit as well. FM200 fire suppressant does not deplete stratospheric
ozone, and has minimal impact on the environment relative to the impact a
catastrophic fire would have. FM200 fire suppression is a solution that is
already working in more than 100 thousand applications, in more than 70
nations around the world.

How can Fire Suppression Limited help you
Fire suppression Limited offer both pre-engineered FM200 fire suppression
systems which require little or no distribution pipe, and engineered FM200
fire protection systems tailored made/designed for its application. We have
our own FM200 filling plant based in our head offices in Bristol. We offer
full technical design on FM200 systems and we can provide a quotation
within 4 hours from your enquiry.
For further information, or if you would like a quotation for an FM200 fire
suppression system, then call our offices on 0845-1279915 or at
sales@firesuppression.co.uk
NOVEC1230
What is Novec 1230 fire suppression
Novec1230 gas is synthetic/chemical fire suppression gas/agent.
Novec1230 is a waterless fire suppressant and extinguishes a
fire by removing the free radicals or heat element of the fire triangle
(Oxygen, Heat and Fuel).
The concentration of Novec 1230 is typically between 5.3% to
5.6% of the room volume.
Novec1230 in its natural state, looks and feels like water. Novec
is a non conductive liquid that has some surprise characteristics.
Often Novec is exhibited by filling a fish tank with the Novec fire
suppression agent, then inserting a computer screen within the
liquid switch on. Mobile phones can be placed within the liquid and
will operate as normal.
Novec 1230 boils at 48 degrees Celsius and vaporizes in the fire
suppression delivery when discharged.

Typical Novec1230 fire suppression
Applications
DATA Centres
Comms Rooms.
Telecommunication facilities
UPS Rooms
Medical facilities

Fire Suppression Limited
(UK) 0845-1279915
(Int) +271179602277
email:-
sales@firesuppression.co.uk
How safe is Novec1230 Fire Suppression gas
Novec 1230 is classed as a clean agent which means that it is safe to use
within occupied spaces. It does not reduce oxygen and uses very small
concentrations by volume.

How does Novec 1230 work
NOVEC 1230 DOES NOT Remove or reduce Oxygen! NOVEC 1230 is a
synthetic/chemical fire suppression gas and extinguishes a fire by removing
the free radicals or heat elements from the fire triangle. (Oxygen, Heat and
Fuel)
The concentration of Novec 1230 is typically between 5.3% to 5.6% of the
room volume. Novec1230 is discharged into the risk between 6 and 10
seconds.

What are the advantages of a Novec 1230 fire suppression system
Due to the low concentration levels of Novec1230 fire suppression, means
that less Novec cylinders and less space is required, making the storage
footprint for the fire suppression agent very small.
Novec 1230 offers significant atmospheric advantages over it synthetic
rivals. Novec1230 is considered as a green gas and posses no threat to
both the Ozone Layer and offers Novec does not fall into the Kyoto protocol
for global warming gases.
Novec 1230 fluid has zero ozone depletion potential and the lowest
atmospheric lifetime for halocarbon alternatives:

Novec 1230 has an atmospheric lifetime of only 5 days
Novec 1230 has a Global Warming Potential of 1
Novec 1230 fluid has the greatest margin of safety for use in
occupied spaces
It makes good business sense to use Novec 1230 fluid because it is a
sustainable, long-term technology. Not only does Novec 1230 fluid
meet todays regulations, but it meets those of the foreseeable
future

How can Fire Suppression Limited help you
Fire suppression Limited offer both pre-engineered Novec 1230 fire
suppression systems which require little or no distribution pipe, and
engineered Novec 1230 fire protection systems tailored
made/designed for its application. We have our own FM200 filling
plant based in our head offices in Bristol. We offer full technical
design on Novec 1230 systems and we can provide a quotation
within 4 hours from your enquiry.

For further information, or if you would like a quotation for an
Novec 1230 fire suppression system, then call our offices on 0845-
1279915 or at sales@firesuppression.co.uk















Inert Fire Supp
INERT GAS FIRE SUPPRESSION



Naturally occurring Gases often used as
blends, these blends are used to reduce
oxygen to below 15% and above 12%.
Oxygen levels below 15% will not allow a
fire to burn as the oxygen is simply not
there to fuel the fire. Levels of Oxygen
between 12% and 15% is adequate to
sustain human life. Oxygen levels between
12% and 10% will show visible signs of
effects asphyxiation Oxygen levels below
10% are extremely dangerous.

This type of fire suppression is considered
a green option and does have many
advantages used in the right application.

Inert Gas Fire Suppressions are commonly
found with the following blends and
names:-
Fire Suppression Limited
(UK) 0845-1279915
(Int) +271179602277
email:-
sales@firesuppression.co.uk

Inergen fire suppression - IG541
A Blend of Nitrogen, Argon and small percentage of CO2. This fire
suppression blend is made up of 50% Argon, 42% Nitrogen and 8% Co2.
What makes this fire suppression system unique? The mix of Co2 into the
blend helps a humans absorbation of oxygen in a depleted oxygen
environment. Co2 also increases the heart rate and induces hyper
ventilation so that the body breathes in more than normal! On the flip side
the disadvantage of IG541 fire suppression comes with contaminated air
with bi-products of combustion that are breathed in with the intensified
inhalation.


Argonite fire suppression - IG55

This is a blend of 50% Argon & 50% Blend of Nitrogen. The fire
suppression gas is blended to offer better buoyancy for the fire suppression
agent keeping the fire suppression gas at higher levels in the protected
enclosure for longer!

I3 Fire Suppression - IG55
This fire suppression system is the same as above, however, it uses
regulated valves to reduce the pressure shock when the fire suppression
system is initially deployed! Again this system is a blend of 50% Nitrogen
and 50% Argon. By reducing the initial pressure shock with the fire
suppression generates in the first 10 seconds of discharge, the required
number pressure relief vents are reduced

Argon Fire Suppression system - IG05
This is not as common these days, but is a simple and effective solution.
Argon is heavier than air and used as a single compound is makes this fire
suppression system easier and cheaper to refill. The disadvantage of this
fire suppression system is the weight of the gas which reduces the hold
time.











Which Gas
FIRE SUPPRESSION IN BRIEF

What is Fire suppression?
Fire suppression is a means of suppressing a fire. The design philosophy is
to prevent combustion and allow human intervention to extinguish a fire
before re-ignition. These systems should not be confused with fire
extinguishing systems.
Where is it used?
Fire suppression systems are normally used in areas that require automatic
fire protection and in considered hazardous areas that have critical uses
such as main frame computer rooms/data centres etc.
How does this work?
Fire suppression systems work in two ways.
1 Oxygen reduction: These are inert gas systems (meaning natural
occurring gases) usually comprising of nitrogen, Argon and Co2 and/or
combination of the afore mentioned.
2 Synthetic/Chemical agents: This a blend of manufactured gases, these
work by absorbing heat NOT Oxygen. There are many varieties of this type
of suppressant, each having their own advantages/ disadvantages.
What is the Best Agent Gas?
Depending on the environment it is to be used in, we need to decide on the
right agent for the correct application. Considerations are made in respect
to the room seal of this protected risk, storage space for cylinders,
installation of distribution pipe work.(support plus structures), environmental
impact, cost, etc.
Consideration Of Utilising a Fire Suppression System
1) The risk must have an adequate seal! Most suppression systems require
the extinguishing agent to be retained at the highest level of equipment
being protected for a minimum of ten minutes from discharge.
2) Storage space for cylinders, (Inert gases normally use more cylinders by
volume than synthetic gases).
3 Environmental impact. What is the users policy on Global warming, etc,
etc? All agents have some level of environmental impact, depending on the
size of the budget, the environment impact can be reduced, however, it is
very hard to measure the actual impact to the environment, as most fire
suppression systems are infrequently and randomly discharged!
4) Cost?

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