Clean agent suppression insights

• Clean agent fire suppression systems are used to protect facilities with high value per volume.
• Typical spaces protected with clean agent systems include data processing facilities, telecommunications facilities, art-storage facilities and other high-value buildings.

---

Fire suppression design is one of the most important aspects of fire and life safety engineering. Every project has unique requirements, and engineers should understand planning and implementing fire protection systems for a wide range of building types and hazard levels.

After watching this Fire, life safety: How to select a clean agent suppression system webcast from July 11, 2023, read the Q&A responses.

Experts:

• Anthony Bevan, PE, Senior Design Engineer, Southland Industries
• Jarron Gass, PE, CFPS, Fire Protection Discipline Lead, CDM Smith

Question: While you dwell on and explain the term “clean agent,” how would you compare Halon 1301 with Novec 1230 in this respect and criteria? Obviously, the curse of ozone layer damage has meant that Halon 1301 systems have now been banned globally.

Anthony Bevan: The term clean agent can be broken down into a couple of items:

• There is little to no residue left after system activation such that cleanup should be minimal.

• The agent is non-conductive so there is no chance of static discharge to or from the equipment that the clean agent is protection.

Jarron Gass: In addition, please note the atmosphere within the room during activation is tenable (survivable) although it is not recommended to stay in the room during activation due to high pressures, noise and low oxygen levels.

Question: Do you need a secondary suppression system or are clean agents OK to use as the sole suppression system?

Anthony Bevan: Depends on the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), user design requirements and insurance requirements. In short, most governing bodies would require a water-based system to consider the entire facility protected. For example, insurance companies and the government require water-based system as the primary suppression and clean agent can be supplemental protection.

Question: Can you elaborate on FM 200?

Anthony Bevan: FM-200 is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) agent (HFC-227ea). It is a very popular clean agent that is part of the phase down due to environmental reasons. The phase down means that the chemical manufacturing will be reduced to a rate of 15% of what was manufactured in 2020. The phase down is gradual but will be at that 15% by 2036.

Question: I have heard about the aerosol suppression systems for batteries. Could you share something about this?

Anthony Bevan: I am not aware of aerosol systems by that name, but I would think you are referencing a “hybrid” system in which there is a mixture of gases with a very small amount of water that adds weight to the gas so it falls to floor and does not leave the room as easily. There are manufacturers that do a great job of showing how these systems work so I would encourage you to start your search using key terms such as “hybrid” or “gas water mixture” fire suppression systems.

Question: What is the best way to protect electric cars/buses?

Anthony Bevan: Right now, water is the best way to protect the structure and occupants around electric automobiles. Alternative protection options are being researched but no concrete evidence of success has surfaced.

Question: In a clean agent application, if the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is not located inside the room, what type of dampers are most typical. Do the ducts need motorized fire/smoke dampers that are tied to the alarm panel?

Anthony Bevan: The short answer is yes. All openings into and out of the room need to be closed at the time of activation. This is typically down with motorized dampers. Dampers are required to be rated for smoke as that simulates are leakage through that opening. However, per NFPA 75: Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment for data centers and server rooms, these rooms are required to be separated from other occupancies with a one-hour fire rated wall, which would make sense to have a fire damper in it (although not required).

Question: What suppression technologies are most applicable in scientific laboratories?

Anthony Bevan: The answer depends on what the labs are being used for. In common labs with limited amounts of ignitable/flammable liquids (within the limits of NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code), water-based suppression systems would be the best option.

Question: While you dwell on and explain the term “clean agent,” how would you compare Halon 1301 with Novec 1230 in this respect and criteria? Obviously, the curse of ozone layer damage has meant that Halon 1301 systems have now been banned globally.

Anthony Bevan: The term clean agent can be broken down into three main items.

• There is little to know residue left after system activation such that cleanup should be minimal.

• The agent is nonconductive so there is no chance of static discharge to or from the equipment that the clean agent is protection.

• The atmosphere within the room during activation is tenable (survivable) although it is not recommended to stay in the room during activation due to high pressures, noise and low oxygen levels.

Question: What is the age duration of new clean agents?

Anthony Bevan: There is not set age duration or lifetime for agents. If the hoses, cylinders, valves, etc. are in good shape, you can expect 25+ years out of your original system.

Question: Which category does the 3M or FM-200 agents fall under?

Anthony Bevan: These are examples of two different products from different manufacturers. 3M produced Novec 1230, which is an FK agent. FM-200 is a HFC product (HFC-227ea).

Question: What is the protocol/recommendation to reoccupy space after discharge?

Anthony Bevan: This depends on your jurisdiction and base codes.

Question: What are the typical costs of clean agent systems for data centers?

Anthony Bevan: This is difficult to answer for multiple reasons. Costs have increased dramatically in the past two years. Because these systems are heavily dependent on the cost of the agent and the amount of agent is based on room volume, the cost varies vastly with protected volume.

Question: What is the status of 3M Novec 1230 fire extinguishing agent. Any new agent in the horizon?

Anthony Bevan: This is to be determined. In my opinion, the manufacturers of these products have identified a need for new products and an opportunity at gaining a foot hold on the industry. If I had to guess, synthetic proteins or similar chemical compounds will be found useful. Like what is happening with aqueous film forming foam systems.

Question: Lithium-ion battery storage systems is the new market segment emerging on the horizon, what agent or agent(s) are available for this type of risk application to extinguish fire?

Anthony Bevan: This is to be determined. Ongoing research is needed in this area. The issues at hand are that lithium-ion batteries can thermally runaway causing a high-intensity fire that is not easily suppressed. When it is in a rack with other batteries, the hazard gets significantly worse. The mixture of potential reignition, high temperatures, and the way they are stored/used is the driving factor for the need for proper protection. For right now, the best solution, in my opinion, is to isolate and drench.

Question: Can staff occupy the room where clean agent system is installed?

Anthony Bevan: Yes. It is recommended to leave the room before discharge due to noise, high pressures and lower amounts of oxygen. Someone in the room during activation will likely have discomfort, dizziness or other minor injuries.

Question: Recently, I noticed several commercials from lawyers seeking clients that have worked with “foam fire suppression systems.” Can you speak to whether there is legal jeopardy in using foam systems?

Jarron Gass: This is outside of the scope of this webinar about clean agent system selection. I can imagine that PFAS remediation will continue to evolve in the near term as research continues to provide more answers about that situation. Everyone involved will likely need to assess their individual risk as part of their design, use, implementation, maintenance, etc. of these systems.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.