2008 NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition

Las Vegas, Nevada, June 2-5 2008

Presented by Igor (Gary) K. Kotliar, FirePASS Corp., New York

 Phenomenon Discovered!
• Its has long been known that
fire can be prevented or
extinguished by removing
oxygen from the air
• It was not known that at
approximately 16% O2,
new ignition from all
common ignition sources can
be prevented
• It was not previously
understood that at 16% O2
under pressures close to sea
level there was NO side
effects to human respiration
• Tying these three aspects
together, FirePASS Corp.
came up with a radically new
fire protection system.
FirePASS-P Prevention System
• FirePASS-P is the first safe system in the
world that can totally prevent ignition of
Class A, B, and C fires.
• FirePASS-P system constantly generates
Hypoxic air containing 15-16%O2 for
continuous ventilation.
• At this oxygen concentration, nearly all
ignition scenarios are prevented.
• In terms of O2 available for respiration, it
is equivalent to being in a passenger plane
or being at a mountain resort without this
discomfort associated with low pressure.
 FirePASS-P
Normal Atmosphere (all altitudes) FirePASS Prevention Environment
78% 83%
1% 1%

16%
21%
Oxygen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen
Other Other
 FirePASS-P

21% O2 @ 2.7km 21% O2 @ sea level 15% O2 @ sea level

N2 to O2 ~4:1 N2 to O2 ~4:1 N2 to O2 ~6:1

• A schematic comparison of the density of oxygen and nitrogen

molecules in a hypoxic and hypobaric or natural environment at an
altitude of 9,000’ or 2.7 km. (All other atmospheric gases are
disregarded in order to simplify the following explanations).
• Blue circles represent oxygen molecules,
• Green circles represent nitrogen molecules.
FirePASS-P [Products]
FP-123 Hypoxic Generator

• 120 l/min airflow

• 55cm H X 27cm W X
58cm
• Weight: 56lbs /25kg
• Power: 500 W
 FirePASS-P [Products]
5
3
1 6

2
4
8

1. Dust Filter
2. Air Compressor - An air compressor is chosen that satisfies both the airflow needs of the system and the
pressure required for proper PSA gas separation. In most systems the airflow is between 100-400 LPM and
has a pressure of 1.5-2.75 bar pressure.
3. After Cooler– This radiator helps to cool the hot compressed air before it goes into the PSA module.
4. PSA Module – The assembly of valves and molecular sieve beds for gas separation
5. Oxygen enriched air
6. Adjustable or fixed flow restrictor regulates purity (oxygen percentage) of hypoxic air gas mixture – when
the oxygen enriched air flow is restricted, more oxygen will be present in the hypoxic air feed line and vise
versa
7. Hypoxic Air
8. Optional post filter – A HEPA filter is recommended
 FirePASS-P [Products]
Membrane Based FirePASS Generator Family

• 500 – 20,000 l/min airflow

• Size: Varies according to
flow. From approximately
1.6mH X 2mW X 1mD
• Weight: varies from
419kg and up
• Power: Varies
• Scalable to any size of
protected space
 FirePASS-P [Products]
1 3 6

= Ambient Air 4
7
= Compressed Air
= Hypoxic Air
= Oxygen Enriched
Air Membrane Based FirePASS Generator Family

1. Air Filter
2. Air Compressor - An air compressor is chosen that satisfies both the airflow needs of the
system and the pressure required for proper hollow fiber membrane gas separation
3. Activated Carbon pre-filter– This filer ensures the air going into the HFM is free of all
contaminants that may reduce the efficacy of the HFM
4. Hollow Fiber Membrane cylinder
5. Oxygen enriched air
6. Adjustable or fixed flow restrictor regulates purity (oxygen percentage) of hypoxic air gas
mixture – when the oxygen enriched air flow is restricted, more oxygen will be present in the
hypoxic air feed line and vise versa
7. Hypoxic Air
8. Optional post filter – A HEPA filter is recommended
 FirePASS-P [Configurations]
1. Standard Hypoxic 6

Ventilation
5

Oxygen
Monitor

Typical Room Enclosure

Hypoxic Generator

= Ambient Air Split

A/C
= Hypoxic Air Unit

= Oxygen Enriched
Air

Absolute safety: Oxygen content in the room can never drop below O2
content of the hypoxic air supplied by Hypoxic generator for ventilation
(15-16%)
FirePASS- [Safety]
 FirePASS- [Safety]
Fire Intensity and Oxyhemoglobin Levels
• Although there is less
Corresponding percentage
Altitude (in feet)
(meters) of O2 in
1,210
370 2,610
800 4,070
1200 5,600
1700 7,205
2200 8,885
2700 10,665
3250 12,555
3800 14,560
4450 16,710
5100 19,020 21,530
5800 6500 23,705
7225
a FirePASS-P environment,Oxyhemoglobin
110 the absolute
100 Levels
amount 90
Fire
of oxygen in terms of oxygen
80
partial pressure is equivalent to moderate
Intensity
Percent

70
Preventive Suppressive
altitude.
60

50
Mode Mode

40

30

20
Fire Ignition Threshold (16.2% O2)
10 X
0
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8

Precentage of Oxygen in Ambient Air (at Sea Level)

 NFPA Safety Guidelines
According to National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) Standard 2001, ''Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems'' p.28. Table A-1-6.1.3
"Physiological Effects for Inert Gas Agents“:

• 12-percent minimum oxygen corresponds to

No Observable Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL)

• 10-percent minimum oxygen shows Low

Observable Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL)
 FirePASS-P [Safety]
• “Preliminary evidence suggests that working environments
with low oxygen concentrations to a minimum of 13% and
normal barometric pressure do not impose a health hazard,
provided that precautions are observed, comprised of
medical examinations and limitation of exposure”
– Angerer et al. 2002
• Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and
Environmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-
University,
• “…in our experiments the effects of hypoxia [on mental
performance] did not seem to be any greater than the
effect of change of environment, motivation, fatigue, or
similar factors.”
– Gustafsson et. al 1997
• Aviation, space and environmental medicine
– Test performed at @ 105mmHg O2 = 13.7 % O2
 FirePASS-P [Safety]

www.hypoxico.com

Hypoxic Room System for athletic training contains 14.5% O2

Thousands exercise every day in fitness clubs worldwide
FirePASS-P [Applications]
FirePASS for Computer Rooms
and Data Storage Facilities
• Extreme fire risk coupled
with priceless data
• No other solution can
prevent an electrical fire
• Easy set-up and
installation
• Quick turnaround
• Why be reactive when
you can be proactive!
FirePASS-P [Applications]
Archives, Museums Etc.
• Protect priceless
historic artifacts and
artwork
• Oxygen reduced
environments will
increase the lifespan of
all materials
• Deterioration is due to
oxidation that, like fire,
can be hindered by
hypoxic atmosphere
 FirePASS-P [Applications]
Archives, Museums Etc.
• The FirePASS-P system is an environmental
control solution perfect for archives
• With the FirePASS-P system installed, major
decomposition factors can be controlled
– Oxygen
– Humidity
– Formation of H2SO4 (sulphuric acid)
– Formation of HNO2 + HNO3 (nitric acids)
FirePASS-P [Testing]
 FirePASS-P [FAA Testing]
Boeing 747 Cargo Compartment Testing provided for FAA by
International Aero Inc. in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. in 2004
The testing environment contains hypoxic air with 14.5% O2
 FirePASS-P [FAA Testing]
Boeing 747 Cargo Compartment Test @14.5% O2. Internal
damage to the paper is limited to the radiant heat impact
produced by a hot NiCrome wire @ 12.9 ampere
 FirePASS-P [FAA Testing]
• Jet Fuel Pan Test @15% O2

Hot rod (12.9 Amps) immersed in jet fuel in hypoxic

atmosphere with 15% O2. Vapor rising, but no flames
observed during 25 min test.
FirePASS [Installations]
FirePASS [Installations]
FirePASS [Installations]
 FirePASS [Monitoring and
Feedback Devices]
• Electro-chemical O2 Sensors
• Zirconium Diode Sensors
• Optical Absorption Sensors
 Data Center Project in Norway

General layout

Control
1 bar Room 1 Sensor
Unit Main Data Room
Warm exhaust
230v 1A
air
Hypoxic
Compressor 8 bar Module
7.5kW 3Ø
1 bar Room 2 Sensor
Oil/water High O2 waste
to atmosphere (Control)
separator
230v
Hypoxic Generator Switch
Clean water to
System
drainage system
(Supplied by FirePASS)
Air pipes (Minimum diameter 20mm)
Low voltage 2 wire control cables Sensor
230v, 2 wire cable (to start continuous flow) 1 bar Rooms 3/4
Multi wire control cable (supplied by FirePASS) Secondary Data Rooms
Remote alarm outputs (2 wire: Alarm condition 24v dc)
RS485 Interface to Building management system

• Fully automatic system: Once switched on, system ensures conditions are at all times safe for
people, and at all times safe from the risk of fire.
• Oxygen level is maintained in all rooms between 14.5% and 15.5%.
• Two level safety system ensures oxygen levels can never drop to dangerous levels.
• Dual Flow ™ automatically provides a continuous supply of air with 15% oxygen content when
the control room is occupied, providing the air change necessary for a healthy, pleasant
environment.
• Individual remote alarms indications, with additional RS485 interface for the BMS.
• Air quality to operating theatre standards. Filtered to 99.99% at 0.01 micron (better than HEPA)
removing particles, pollen and many bacteria as well as all odours and hydrocarbons.

© Copyright FirePASS Technologies Ltd. 2007

FirePASS [Installations]
FirePASS [Installations]
FirePASS [Installations]
 FirePASS [Installations]

Currently, our UK based affiliate

FirePASS Technologies Ltd. is
involved in several large scale
projects in Europe and Middle East
for protecting facilities up to 3.5
Million cubic feet in volume.
 FirePASS [Installations]
The FirePASS-P
system being
currently installed
to protect the First
American Flag
chamber in the
Museum of
American History
in Washington,
D.C.
 FirePASS Technology:
• Provides new approaches to fire prevention in
data centers and electrical rooms
• All systems use breathable and safe hypoxic
(oxygen reduced) air for fire protection
• Maintains occupant respiratory safety
• Fights deterioration of equipment, artifacts and
documents
• Guarantees unmatched fire safety

• Why be reactive when you can be

proactive!
 FirePASS-S
[Fire Suppression System]
BREATHABLE, ENVIRONMENTALLY
FRIENDLY, TOTALLY EFFECTIVE
 FirePASS-S
[Suppression]
• FirePASS agent is premixed hypoxic air containing
10-12% O2
– The FirePASS agent, hypoxic air, has inerting properties
analogous to Nitrogen (IG-100).
– Premixing ensures safety of occupants
– Combats re-ignition with continuous flow of agent for post
suppression inerting
– On-site agent re-generation
– Suppression system is more flexible. Its continuous flow
causes room integrity to become less of a factor
– Can be a supplement to other systems
 FirePASS-S [Safety]
NFPA Requirements

According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Standard 2001, ''Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing
Systems'' p.28. Table A-1-6.1.3 "Physiological Effects for
Inert Gas Agents“:

12-percent minimum oxygen corresponds to

No Observable Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL)

10-percent minimum oxygen shows Low Observable

Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL)
 FirePASS-S [Safety]

FirePASS Safety Threshold

TEST SUPPRESSION UNIT
ON-SITE REFILLING
STATION
OPEN WINDOW TEST
CONTAINER
 2 MW FIRE
GENERATED
AFTER 20 min.
BURN TIME
AGENT RELEASED AND
FIRE SUPPRESSED
 EXTENDED AGENT
RELEASE TO COMBAT
RE-IGNITION
 FirePASS [Suppression]

• FIREPASS
has the ability
to protect
extremely
large volumes
 .

A. Initiation of flooding

B. Fire suppression

C. Smoke evacuation
FirePASS [Comparison]
 CO2 Inergen Water Halocarbon FirePASS FirePASS
Sprinklers (FM200, Halon Suppression Prevention
etc.) System

Prevents Fire No No No No No Yes

Environmentally No, CO2 is Yes Yes No, Halocarbons Yes, 0 toxicity Yes
Friendly considered a deplete the rating from the
greenhouse ozone and are USEPA
gas subject to EPA
Approval
Extends Life Span No No No No No Yes
of materials
Safe for Human No, CO2 is “ Partially; Partially; No; evacuation Yes, meets NFPA Yes;
Occupants inherently Evacuation still Steam required prior requirements for FirePASS-P
lethal”[1] required and produced to agent “No Observable exceeds
miscalculations when water dispersal. Can Adverse Effects ANSI
can result in meets fire be toxic to Level” and respiratory
dangerous O2 may burn humans received a 0 safety
concentrations or occupants toxicity rating standards
not enough agent from the USEPA (Z-88.2)
dispersal for flame
extinguishment
Complex Control YES YES NO YES YES NO
System
Easy Cleanup NO DATA NO DATA NO; water No, Halocarbons Yes; there is Yes; no fire,
damage to a leave corrosive no cleanup no
discharge film over the discharge,
scenario is entire field of no cleanup
often more discharge
destructive
than the fire
itself
Automatic Refill No No No No Yes N/A; system
Available never
depletes
Extended No No No No Yes N/A; there will
Discharge to be no fire
Combat Re-
Ignition