Professional Documents
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FM200
FM200
FM200
but is still in accordance with NFPA and NOAEL (No adverse affect level for Cardiac sensitization)
16. Is it a requirement to have a sign posted on the entry door of the location protected by DuPont FM-200?
17. Is DuPont FM-200 accepted on the U.S. EPA's SNAP list? I cannot find FM-200 in the Federal register
documents.
18. Are FM-200 cylinders required to be located outside the room being protected?
19. Is your product accepted by SOLAS for marine applications?
20. How often do I have to inspect and test the system?
21. Is there a height limitation in sub-floors protected by DuPont FM-200?
22. After a discharge is the residual DuPont FM-200 left in the space hazardous to responding firefighters in
protective gear? Does the gear (which is WMD rated by the manufacturer) need to be taken out of service to be
decontaminated?
23. Are there any post-activation purge/ventilation requirements for your system?
24. Should we install a backup sprinkler system?
25. What are the criteria for sealing up a DuPont FM-200 protected space and how quickly must the door to a
linear accelerator space, for example, close prior to release of the gas?
26. Are there training programs available for DuPont FM-200 that fire departments can receive regarding
applications, safety, and precautions?
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2. Who uses DuPont FM-200 systems?
DuPont FM-200 systems are a trusted choice for waterless fire protection. Our customers are businesses,
governments, universities, hospitals, and museums around the world with valuable assets to protect against fire. Over
100,000 systems are installed in over 70 countries. Applications range from computer and electronic suites to military
vehicles. From the largest Fortune 500 companies to small art museums: all rely on DuPont FM-200 systems for
fast, effective, and safe fire protection.
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3. How are DuPont FM-200 systems designed?
DuPont FM-200 is stored as a liquid in pressurized cylinders. When discharged, the liquid flows through a piping
network into the protected area, where it vaporizes. The amount of gas delivered from each nozzle is carefully
calculated to deliver the proper amount of FM-200 to each protected area.
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5. How will the Kyoto Protocol affect DuPont FM-200 systems?
The Kyoto Protocol concerns itself solely with emissions reduction. The Kyoto Protocol is an effort by the developed
nations of the world to find a way to define a baseline and ultimately reduce emissions of substances that contribute
to global climate warming. It makes no reference to a ban on the use of any HFCs, whether in fire protection or other
uses.
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6. How do I know DuPont FM-200 will be available in the future?
There is currently no movement to ban DuPont FM-200 or any threat to do so. Remember, FM-200 was created in
response to the need for a clean gaseous fire suppressant to replace ozone-depleting Halon 1301 systems. It is
thoroughly tested, meeting rigorous American and international standards. It is also the only HFC product approved
for fire protection in Germany, a country known for its tough environmental standards.
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7. Are there any countries where DuPont FM-200 cannot be used?
There are no overall or outright bans on DuPont FM-200 anywhere. However, there are a few notable exceptions
where certain countries have created barriers limiting the ability to sell DuPont FM-200 fire protection systems.
Denmark has a general ban on all chemical extinguishants dating back to 1977, over a decade before FM-200 was
invented. Iceland, which enjoys close ties with Denmark, has adopted a similar position. The Swiss government has
stated that HFCs such as FM-200 can be used in cases where the safety of persons in aircraft, special army vehicles,
and atomic installations could not otherwise be adequately assured.
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8. How can I be sure that DuPont FM-200 is safe for people?
Exhaustive testing has been conducted to assess the safety of FM-200, giving it the most comprehensive toxicity
database of any clean agent. In fact, FM-200 is so safe that it is used as a propellant in pharmaceutical inhalers that
dispense asthma medications. FM-200 is a single, pure compound; there is no active ingredient in FM-200.
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9. Is thermal decomposition a problem with DuPont FM-200?
The vast majority (>95%) of applications of FM-200 involve the protection of Class A hazards. Extensive testing shows
that the levels of HF produced in extinguishing typical Class A fires are well below hazardous levels based on the
dangerous toxic load (DTL) of HF. Moreover, these levels present no threat to electronics or other sensitive
equipment. For fast-growing Class B fires, HF levels may exceed the human DTL depending upon the size of the fire
and the volume of the protected area, and HF levels may also present a threat to equipment. In most cases this is a
moot point, as the temperatures and levels of toxic combustion products such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,
and smoke render the atmosphere toxic and corrosive even before the discharge of FM-200. There is no such thing as
an "ordinary combustible fire." Fires are not combustible, they are undergoing combustion.
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10. Isn't DuPont FM-200 a lot more expensive than other options?
Not when you consider the total installed cost of a DuPont FM-200 system is usually only a small fraction of the
earnings potential of the assets being protected. A DuPont FM-200 system takes up to seven times less storage
space than other fire suppression systems. And it's difficult to put a price on safety and peace of mind. DuPont FM200 systems offer the fastest fire protection available.
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11. Why should I install anything more than a sprinkler system?
Water sprinklers do offer effective fire protection for buildings and structures. Water sprinklers are designed to
control fires, limiting the spread of the fire and contain it to its original location long enough to allow professional
firefighters to respond and extinguish the fire before a total building loss can occur. Unfortunately, water will also
ruin computers, electronics, artwork, and more--the very things you wanted to protect. By comparison, a
DuPont FM-200 system provides fire protection for critical or irreplaceable assets contained within a structure. It's
designed to detect and extinguish fires at their earliest stages to prevent any damage or downtime from occurring.
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12. Is water mist as good as a DuPont FM-200 system?
No. Water mist is not a gas, and will not penetrate all portions of an area like DuPont FM-200 gas will. Extensive
testing has shown that water mist systems perform poorly on small fires and are best suited for the suppression of
large fires. Therefore, water mist is not well suited for small or shielded or obstructed fires, exactly the type of fires
most DuPont FM-200 systems are designed to extinguish. It's also crucial to remember that water is electrically
conductive and can be extremely damaging to sensitive electronic equipment or valuable assets.
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13. How can I be sure a DuPont FM-200 system is the right strategy for my application?
If your application is an ordinary combustible, electrical, or flammable liquid fire, then a DuPont FM-200 system is
most likely right for you. The more valuable the assets you wish to protect (including people), the more sense it
makes to use a DuPont FM-200 waterless fire protection system. There are a few instances where a DuPont FM200 system would not be the right choice for fire suppression. Applications not appropriate for a DuPont FM-200
system include:
Applications involving chemicals that are capable of self-oxidizing or generating their own oxygen even without the
presence of air, such as gunpowder and cellulose nitrate; or compounds that are very unstable and can spontaneously
combust, such as hydrazine (rocket fuel) and many peroxides. Processing facilities or areas using pure powdered
forms of metals. Fires fueled by reactive metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, titanium, zirconium,
metal hydrides, and the radioactive elements uranium and plutonium require a different extinguishing strategy. Other
applications where questionable chemicals are part of the fire hazard.
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14. Can I use DuPont FM-200 on Class C fires?
DuPont FM-200 gas is non-conductive and is suitable for the protection of Class C hazards (hazards involving
energized electrical equipment). Testing has demonstrated the ability of FM-200 to suppress typical Class C fires, for
example fires involving electrically energized cable bundles.
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15. Where can I get a quote on a DuPont FM-200 system?
DuPont has teamed up with the top fire protection equipment manufacturers in the world to provide state-of-the-art
DuPont FM-200 waterless fire protection systems. Please contact us to obtain more information on how a
DuPont FM-200 system can best protect your facilities and valuable assets.
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16. Is it a requirement to have a sign posted on the entry door of the location protected by FM-200?
DuPont FM-200 systems in the United States are typically installed in accordance with NFPA 2001 Standard for
Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems. Section 4.3.5.5 of the NFPA 2001 (2204 edition) states: 4.3.5.5 Warning and
instruction signs at entrances to and inside protected areas shall be provided. The "shall" designation in the NFPA code
is a requirement, not an option.
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17. Is FM-200 accepted on the U.S. EPA's SNAP list? I cannot find FM-200 in the Federal register documents.
The U.S. EPA 40 CFR directs the use of substitutes for halon replacement. FM-200 is indeed included in the U.S. EPA
SNAP listing of halon alternatives. You will find HFC-227ea, the ASHRAE chemical description of the chemical
heptafluoropropane, listed as "acceptable for occupied areas" under the EPA's Significant New Alternatives Program
(SNAP). FM-200 is the DuPont brand name for our HFC-227ea fire extinguishing agent.
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18. Are DuPont FM-200 cylinders required to be located outside the room being protected?
DuPont FM-200 cylinders may be placed in or out of the protected space, depending on the needs of the client.
Both NFPA 2001, Clean Agent Standard and ISO 14520 allow the cylinders to be placed within or outside the protected
space. It is always a good idea to keep the cylinders as close to the protected area as possible and remember to
account for ease of access for service and maintenance.
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19. Is your product accepted by SOLAS for marine applications?
Several of our OEM Fire System partners have marine systems that comply with SOLAS 74, under the IMO MSC Circular
848. As a result, DuPont FM-200 is currently being implemented as an agent of choice for many commercial and
military vessels.
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20. How often do I have to inspect and test the system?
NFPA 2001, 4-1.1, requires clean agent systems be thoroughly inspected by competent personnel at least annually.
Section 4-1.3 requires a semi-annual check of the agent quantity and cylinder pressure.
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21. Is there a height limitation in sub-floors protected by DuPont FM-200?
In general, there is no limit to the height of protection in a sub-floor. In fact, if the sub-floor were 3 meters high it
would be treated exactly like a room for purposes of design. Each manufacturer maintains a system listing to a
maximum nozzle height. Rooms exceeding this height are effectively protected using multiple layers of nozzles, each
layer remaining within the height limitation. There are minimum heights for sub-floors to account for the practical
installation of nozzles and piping. Limitations on system design are the responsibility of the specific system
manufacturers and their respective listings and approvals. You should contact your specific system manufacturer for
further clarification of the limitations on their particular system.
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22. After a discharge is the residual DuPont FM-200 left in the space hazardous to responding fire fighters in
protective gear? Does the gear (which is WMD rated by the manufacturer) need to be taken out of service to be
decontaminated?
The key to responding to a post FM-200 discharge is to evaluate the scope and nature of the fire event. If there was
no fire event, the agent can be safely and quickly removed through conventional air handling (turn on the AC, open
the doors and windows) and will pose no danger to the respondents or the employees working in the space.
DuPont FM-200 is safe for people to breath at normal design concentrations.
In the event of a fire, most DuPont FM-200 systems are designed to respond while the fire event is still in the
earliest stages and very small. In a typical electronic computer facility the fires are low energy, slow growth events.
Early detection limits the potential for fire damage and combustion by products. Modern electronics, however, can
give off a wide range of noxious byproducts when burned. For this reason, it is recommended that firefighters employ
SCBA when re-entering a space. DuPont FM-200 will generate some HF as a result of extinguishing the fire.
In general, there is no requirement to decontaminate firefighter gear after responding to an FM-200 event. There
will be little or no residue, other than possible combustion products from the fire, within the protected space.
Repeated fire tests have been performed, without ever decontaminating the fire suits used by the technicians.
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23. Is there any post-activation purge/ventilation requirements for your system?
There is no requirement within NFPA 2001 for a dedicated exhaust system when using DuPont FM-200. NFPA
requires that the post-extinguishment atmosphere be ventilated in a safe manner. With most installations, this can be
accomplished by simply turning on the air handling units and allowing enough time to dissipate any smoke in a postfire event.
Some jurisdictions have implemented additional local requirements concerning ventilation systems. You should check
with your local authorities.
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24. Should we install a backup sprinkler system?
DuPont FM-200 systems are usually installed specifically to protect the contents of an enclosure and the ongoing
operations of the protected space. Sprinkler systems provide structural protection for a facility or building - Tough to
burn a brick or mortar. Both systems can be installed within a given space, but provide very different levels of
protection against damage.
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25. What are the criteria for sealing up a DuPont FM-200 protected space and how quickly must the door to a
linear accelerator space, for example, close prior to release of the gas?
Because DuPont FM-200 is a gas, it will flow freely wherever the air goes. This is one feature that makes
DuPont FM-200 extremely effective in getting into and around complex structures, finding and extinguishing fires in
the deepest recesses. It will, however, also leak out of the space with equal ease. Generally it is recommended that
doors and significant openings be closed prior to the discharge of the agent. This includes ventilation dampers,
windows, and other normal openings. For the integrity of the space, we recommend performing a room integrity test
with a door fan unit. With all of the normal openings closed, the door fan provides a slight positive and negative
pressure to the space and calculates the total cumulative volume of openings. Using this data allows us to derive a
hold time for the agent concentration. Hold time requirements are usually set by the AHJ and most conventional
enclosures look for ten minutes. This ensures thorough extinguishment and minimizes the potential for reflash of the
fire.
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26. Are there training programs available for DuPont FM-200 that fire departments can receive regarding
applications, safety, and precautions?
We do not have a training program specific to DuPont FM-200 systems, but we can forward information that we
have produced. Materials discuss the use and efficacy of the DuPont FM-200 agent. Contact us for additional
information on system components.
FM200 sustainability
Since the release of the Kyoto protocols, a question has surrounded the sustainability of HFC
gases for use within the fire protection industry.
Unlike the Montreal protocol which set about a ban of Halon 1301 and Halon 1211 (BCF), the
Kyoto protocol excluded HFC gases for use within the fire suppression industry. This ruling was
based on the position at the time as there was no synthetic alternatives to Halon 1301/1211 other
than HFC227, HFC125, FE36 and FE13 etc, all of which are global warming gases.
Environmental Issues
Growing pressure has been placed on the fire suppression industry to consider alternatives to
FM200/HFC125/FE36 and FE13 on the basis that there are alternatives to HFC gases. This
pressure has been growing outside the industry too with some of the largest companies ruling out
the use of HFC products within their facilities.
This latest development regards the shortage and pricing of the HFC227ea(FM200) and other
HFC gases will change the dynamics of our industry and raises the following questions:
Why use a fire suppression agent that may be restricted for the use of fire suppression in
time to come?
Why use an agent that is not good for our environment?
Why pay a premium for a product that could be restricted with such a high GWP?
Will there be sufficient stocks to sustain industry demand for both new systems and refills
The Future
Since the ban of Halon 1301, FM200 has been the market leading synthetic fire suppression
agent due to its lower price. We believe that this ethos has made FM200 the most popular
synthetic fire suppression medium over recent years. Due to the latest developments and the
new price hikes this will certainly make FM200 unpopular and we expect that this may have a
further impact on price and availability of the product in the future!
Currently the fire protection industry is struggling to provide prices and availability on FM200.
Prices have already gone up and there is uncertainty as to what the position will be in the future.
Care of Duty
Fire Suppression Limited exercises its duty of care and advises it's customers that there will be
an imminent/immediate shortage of FM200. All existing quotations for FM200 will no longer be
valid, however FSL advise that we do have an alternative and a solution to this problem.
FM200
HFC-277ea is a chemical gas comprises of Hydrogen, Fluorine& Carbon. A commonly known
brand is FM200.
General Information on HFC-277ea (FM200):
How HFC-277ea (FM200) extinguishes a fire is through bringing down the temperature, so that
the combustion reaction is unable to sustain itself.
HFC-277ea (FM200) is only suitable for total flooding applications where the protected area has
the structural integrity to contain the chemical gas that has been discharged.
Although HFC-277ea (FM200) has a Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), it however has a
Global Warming Potential of approximately 3800.
Upon discharge of HFC-277ea (FM200), a decrease in visibility in the protected room will occur
as the chemical agent is stored in the form of liquid. Mist will therefore be generated when
vaporisation occurs, causing condensation in the air.
Ads by Lights Cinema 1.5betaAlso, it is highly recommended that exposure to HFC-277ea (FM200)
during its discharge should be kept to a minimum as Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), a by-product from
the chemical reaction of halocarbon gas with heat will cause irritation to a bodys tissue surfaces,
and prolonged exposure with increasing concentrations could even prove to be lethal in the
absence of medical intervention.
How it works:
Similar to NN100, HFC-277ea (FM200) is activated after two stages of fire protection field devices
activation.
First stage activation of HFC-277ea (FM200) system:
When the first smoke detector is triggered, the alarm bell situated in the protected room will begin
to ring.
The Evacuate Area Immediately signage situated inside the protected room will start to flash.
Second stage activation of HFC-277ea (FM200) system:
Horn and strobe light situated inside the protected room will being to sound and flash respectively.
Upon the pre-determined 30 seconds countdown delay, HFC-277ea (FM200) will be discharged.
Gas Discharged signage situated outside protected room will begin to flash.
Other information:
Although HFC-277ea (FM200) is used in Singapore, it is banned in certain Scandinavian
countries like Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. For an alternative to HFC-277ea
(FM200) gas suppression system, another reliable gas suppression system will be NN100.
World halon designed for use with 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is
engineered to provide clean, fast, people-safe protection for applications
requiring
a
green
solution
to
fire
suppression.
The system is computer calculated to provide system discharge within 10
seconds
Even a small fire in critical facilities such as data processing centers, airport
control towers, clean rooms, laboratories and computer-controlled
manufacturing operations can result in catastrophic loss by interrupting vital
operations
and
damaging
high-value
equipment.
In these situations, it's important that fires be knocked down quickly before they have a chance to spread - and that sensitive electronics and
other equipment not be damaged in the process of putting out the fire.
3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is a highly-efficient extinguishing
agent
that:
Is
electrically
non-conductive
Is
non-corrosive
Rapidly
vaporizes
to
gas
during
discharge
Leaves
no
residue
Does not damage electronics, electronic media and delicate mechanical
devices
Can be safely used on energized equipment, helping to ensure continuity of
operations
during
a
fire
emergency
Safety
Advantages:
Another major advantage of 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is its
wide margin of safety in use - providing more flexibility in system design
compared with other halon alternatives and ensures that occupants can
safely egress the space since the NOAEL will not be exceeded.
Environmental
Non
Five-day
Global
Warming
atmospheric
Potential
Profile:
ozone-depleting
lifetime
of
1
For the 2nd year running, G8 Fire has been awarded UK Distributor of the year by the Fike Corporation, based
on gross sales activity in 2009. Last year for year end 2008 we received the Golden Pilot award, but for year
end 2009 we are now awarded the Flying nozzles.
Below is the presentation of the award to our Managing Director Kevin Cooper, from the Fike UK Managing
Director Mark Austin.
CCNNG Heath & Safety Training: by the ECITB for all G8 Engineers
Asbestos Awareness: to Regulation 10 of SI2739
On Inert extinguishing systems it has been widely recognized by British Standards, suppliers and installers for
many years, that when installing such systems there is a need for Over Pressure venting to overcome the spike of
pressure that can damage an enclosure. The venting requirement is recognized worldwide and is detailed in
EN15004, BS-ISO14520 and NFPA: 2001 standards. Due to issues with chemical gases that have pressure issues
also but in a different way, change has come for the possible requirement for 2 way venting for HFC227ea
(FM200) & Novec 1230 products in certain conditions. As guidance one or two way venting is now a
requirement for gases as below:
One way Venting is required always when using: a Full flood Inert gas extinguishing system such as IG01, IG55,
IG541, IG100 or typical manufactures names such as Argon, Proinert, Argonite, Inergen, etc
Two ways Venting is required sometimes when using: a Full flood HFC227ea or Novec 1230 chemical based
system. Due to negative pressure build up on discharge that turns into a positive, these gases only need venting
when the enclosure pass rate proven on an Integrity test reaches a certain Level. These levels are measured in
minutes by the test, and received as the known pass rate. The pass rate to which the room will need the extra
venting is as the approximate rule of thumb:
47 min+ pass rate for HFC227ea @ a boundary pressure limit (pressure impulse tolerance) of 500Pa
24 min+ pass rate for Novec 1230 @ a boundary pressure limit (pressure impulse tolerance) of 500Pa
The requirement for 2 way pressure venting on chemical gases will not be automatically quoted by G8 Fire for
on new installations, as this scenario is calculated to only affect say one in 500 systems and can only be proven
for the need with an Integrity test once the enclosure has been sealed.