Fm-200 gas extinguishing

Fm-200 extinguishing agent
FM-200 (1,1,1,2,3,3,3 - heptafluoropropane) is a compound of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen (CF3CHFCF3). It is colorless, odorless and electrically non-conductive. 

It suppresses fire by a combination of chemical and physical mechanisms without affecting the available oxygen. This allows personnel to see and breathe, permitting them to leave the fire area safely.

In the very unlikely instance where a discharge occurs in an occupied space, personnel will be able to see and breathe, permitting them to leave the area safely. As such, the system is authorized for use in normally occupied spaces.

FM-200 has acceptable toxicity for use in occupied spaces when agent concentration is in accordance with NFPA 2001, and the applicable rules of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and US Coast Guard.


Fm-200 Asset Fire Protection
The FM-200 zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) fire suppressant supplied and installed by GIELLE is now well established as the single most effective Halon 1301 replacement. It is approved and verified around the world by such organisations as Britain’s Loss Prevention Council, Lloyds Register, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

FM-200 is suitable for virtually all total-flooding fire suppression applications, although it is most commonly used to protect vital company assets – those upon which the company’s survival might well depend. However, as it does not remove significant quantities of oxygen or obstruct vision, FM-200 is also ideal for use in occupied rooms or enclosed compartments, and is quickly cleared when ventilated. 

Rapid reaction:
Fires are extinguished rapidly, typically knocking out class A, B and C fires in less than 10 seconds. This minimises atmospheric toxicity and the generation of smoke and soot. Physical and chemical actions combine in FM-200 to form an irresistible fire fighting force. FM-200’s physical properties lower the flame temperature, while the chemical action suppresses flame propagation.

In fact, FM-200 is the appropriate choice in applications where liquid extinguishants, water-based or dry chemical products can cause costly damage or result in considerable and expensive downtime. Because of its zero conductivity, this includes electrical, communications and data processing equipment and plant or machinery.

FM-200 also scores where cylinder storage space is at a premium. For normal Class A fire risks, only 7% by volume FM-200 is needed for extinguishing purposes, resulting in far less space being taken up than with many other gaseous extinguishing systems on the market.

Its short atmospheric life has made FM-200 an acceptable option with many environmentalists. Atmospheric life is believed to have a direct link with global warming, and FM-200 withstands favourable comparison with the other Halon 1301 alternatives on the market, some of which have extended atmospheric lives. 

Replacing halon with fm-200
The Gielle Marine System is the most optioned system as a Halon replacement system. Often, the system can be dropped into existing pipework reducing retrofit time and costs.

Halon 1301 Drop-In: The combination of the aforementioned features allows the system to be used as a virtual “drop-in” replacement for existing halon installations. Most changes are limited to agent storage cylinder and nozzle replacement.

Here’s why:

Life Safety. The FM-200 clean agent works by interrupting the fire on a molecular level, not by taking oxygen from the protected space. So it is the preferred fire suppression agent for protection of shipboard spaces where crew or other occupants may be present.

FM200 (HFC 227ea) is known chemically as Heptafluoropropane.

FM200 is a colourless gas which is liquified under pressure for storage. Like Halon 1301 it has a low toxicity level and is superpressurised with Nitrogen to 24.8bar (360psi). It rapidly extinguishes most commonly found fires through a combination of chemical and physical mechanisms.

Features
Zero ozone depleting potential
Safe for use in occupied areas
Suitable for protection on a range of high value risks
Existing Halon/CO2 control systems can be adapted for use with FM200
Requires minimal storage space
Like Halon, no clean-up required after discharge
Low pressure system
Listed in BPFSA Code of Practice, NFPA 2001 and draft ISO
standard
Listed in the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Significant New Alternatives (SNAP) programme for the total flooding of occupied spaces UL and FM approved as a component in approved systems


Environmental Features:
FM200 contains no bromine or chlorine and therefore has zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP).

The atmospheric lifetime of FM200 is between 31 and 42 years which along with its zero ODP presents a long-term solution to fire protection requirements.

Safety:
FM200 has been found to be less toxic than Halon 1301, which makes it safe for use in the fully automatic mode in occupied areas.

Typically FM200 requires a design concentration of 7%, which is well below the 9% No Observable Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) on cardiac sensitisation. The NOAEL for Halon 1301 is only 5% (the same as its design concentration).

Applications:
FM200 is immediately available to protect most hazards
traditionally protected using Halon 1301. It is effective in the protection of data processing, telecommunications and electronic equipment as well as most flammable liquids and gases.

Replacing Halon with FM200
Existing Halon and CO2 control systems meeting the requirements of the relevant national or international standards are ideally suited for use with FM200 and can be modified to operate as part of an FM200 system.


HFC-227ea fire suppression agent is an acceptable replacement for Halon 1301. HFC-227ea has a zero ozone depleting potential, a low global warming potential, and a short atmospheric lifetime. It is particularly useful where an environmentally acceptable agent is essential, where clean up of other media presents a problem, where weight versus suppression potential is a factor, where an electrically nonconductive medium is needed, and where people compatibility is an overriding factor. Examples of typical applications are: Data Centers, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Rooms, Telecommunications Facilities, etc.

HFC-227ea is an odorless, colorless, liquefied compressed gas. It is stored as a liquid and dispensed into a hazard as a colorless, electrically nonconductive vapor that is clear and does not obscure vision. It leaves no residue and has an acceptable toxicity for use in occupied spaces at design concentrations (approximately 5.8-7% by volume). HFC-227ea extinguishes a fire by a combination of chemical and physical mechanisms. HFC-227ea does not displace oxygen and therefore is safe for use in occupied spaces without fear of oxygen deprivation. The minimum design concentrations should be in accordance with NFPA 2001 (Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems).