Argonite Marketing Guide

SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
Fire Suppression System
SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
NEW TECHNOLOGY FIRE PROTECTION
ALTERNATIVES FOR FIXED HALON SYSTEM
OZONE DEPLETION
- CFCs and Halons damage the upper atmosphere

- Protective ozone layer is broken down by interaction with
chlorine atoms in these chemicals
- Montreal Protocol brought into force, reducing emissions
and then production of these products.
GLOBAL WARNING
- Now that the issue Ozone depletion is being addressed,

attention is being focussed towards global warning.
- All halocarbon agents have Global Warning Potential (GWP)
- Inert gas extinguishants have zero GWP
HALON PRODUCTION PHASE OUT
- For most countries the production of Halon will be totally

forbidden according to the Montreal Protocol by the end
of 1999
- One of the alternatives to Halon today is Argonite
SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

Tel. +39 02 903011 - Fax +39 02 90361663
E-Mail address : Paolo.Rossi@Silvani-Fire.com
Web Site : www.silvani-fire.com
SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
NEW GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
HOW DO THEY WORK?
- There are three basic mechanisms in fire extinguishing:

Oxygen
1- Chemical inhibition
Concentration
2- Cooling
3- Oxygen depletion
21% When releasing the Argonite an inactive atmosphere is

established in the entire room, where a fire has started.
Normal level Within a few minutes the fire will be suffocated as the
oxygen content will be decreased from the normal
21% to 11-13%.
15 %
Lower limit 15% oxygen or lower is the limit for a fire in most flammable
liquids and solid material.
for a fire
11-13% oxygen makes it possible to stay in the protected
room for a shorter period of time, even after release, with
12,5 % no risk for humans in cases of confinement.
Level after
release NEW “CLEAN AGENTS”
HALOCARBONS INERT GAS
- FM200 (HFC 227ea) - ARGONITE (IG 55)

(heptafluoropropane) - INERGEN (IG 541)
- Fe13 (HFC 23) - ARGOTEC (IG 01)
(trifluoromethane)
- CEA 410
(perfluorobutane)

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
HALON 1301
Halon 1301’s primary extinguishing property is Chemical

inhibition. It also has a slight cooling effect.
Chemical inhibition is the fastest mechanism in extinguishing

fires.
Chemical inhibition is only effective on flames and will have

no effect on smouldering fires.
NEW HALOCARBON AGENTS

Fm200, Fe13, CEA 410
All new halocarbon agents act primarly by the cooling effect

of the gas on the fire surface and surrounding environment.
Discharge time 10 seconds
The new halocarbons are fast acting but can cause :

- dramatic reduction in temperature
- shock cooling of sensitive equipment
- positive and negative room temperatures
- fogging during discharge

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
ISO LISTED EXTINGUISHANTS-CHEMICAL

Extinguishant Chemical Formula Trade name Standard
CF3I Trifluoroiodomethane CF3I Triodide ISO 14520-2
FC-2-1-8 Perfluoropropane CF3CF2CF3 FC 308 ISO 14520-3
FC-3-1-10 Perfluorbutane C4F10 FC 410 ISO 14520-4
FC-5-1-14 Perfluorohexane CF3(CF2)4CF3 FC 614 ISO 14520-5
HCFC Blend A plus NAF S-III ISO 14520-6
HCFC 124 Chlorotetrafluoroethane CHC1FCF3 FE-241 ISO14520-7
HFC 125 Pentafluoroethane CHF2CF3 FE-25 ISO 14520-8
HFC-227ea Heptafluoropropane CF3CHFCF3 FM-200 ISO 14520-9
HFC 23 Trifluoromethane CHF3 FE-13 ISO 14520-10
HFC 236fa Hexafluoropropane CF3CH2CF3 FE-36 ISO 14520-11
ISO LISTED EXTINGUISHANTS-INERT GAS

Extinguishant Chemical Formula Trade name Standard
IG-01 Argon Ar Argon ISO 14520-12
IG-100 Nitrogen N2 ISO 14520-13
IG-55 Nitrogen (50%) N2 Argonite ISO 14520-14
Argon (50%) Ar
IG-541 Nitrogen (52%) N2 Inergen ISO 14520-15
Argon (40%) Ar
Carbon Dioxide (8%) CO2
INERT GAS
All inert gases work on the principle of oxygen depletion

Discharge time 60 seconds
There is some cooling effect but this is not sufficient to cause
fogging or adverse pressure changes
Only positive pressures are generated

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
ARGONITE EXTINGUISHANT
DESCRIPTION AND PROPERTIES
WHAT IS ARGONITE?
Argonite is an inert gas blend consisting of a 50:50 mixture of two

gases found naturally in the atmosphere :
ARGON (Ar) - NITROGEN (N2)
Argonite is harmless to personnel at the design concentration
WHY Ar AND N2 ?
The use of Argonite results in a gas mixture with a density similar

to that of air thus :
- hold times are greatly increased
- need for room sealing reduced
SYSTEM RELEASE
50 % Argon
50 % Nitrogen One method is to release Argonite in the entire room :
total flooding application
- engineered or modular systems.
Another method is to release Argonite inside the protected unit
- modular systems
A CLEAN AGENT
Argonite has zero Ozone Depletion Potential

Argonite has zero Global Warning Potential
With Argonite no secondary combustion products are produced
Ar N2

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
WHERE CAN ARGONITE BE USED ?
Argonite can be used to extinguish fires in almost all flammable

materials
Argonite is suitable to extinguish fire in flammable liquids.
Argonite is not electrically conducting and is therefore very good
at extinguishing fires in electrical equipment.
WHO USES ARGONITE ? POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS
- Local Authorities - Computer Rooms

- Banks - Telecom. Rooms
- Process Plants - Switch Rooms
- Power Unit Manufactures - Process industry/Control Rooms
- Others - Substations/Control Rooms
- Control Cabinets
- Archive Storage
- Others
APPROVALS, TESTS & LISTING
- Bureau Veritas
- Danish Maritime Authority
- VdS, Components have been listed
- C.N.P.P.
- EPA
- Norske Veritas
- Lloyds Register
- LPCB Loss Prevention Certification Boad, UK
- NFPA 2001 - IG 55

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
EFFECTIVE AND SAFE
Argonite carries health and safety approval in many countries,

including :
- The German Hygiene Institute
- TNO Voeding of Holland
- US EPA SNAP List
- Approved for use in manned areas on automatic control by
the halon alternatives group (HAG), UK
- Indipendent fire tests at the Loss Prevention Council (LPC),
UK and CNPP, France
WORKING PRESSURE
- Argonite operates at a typical pressure of 12-60 bar

- A pressure reducing orifice is fitted upstream of the discharge
pipework
- Computer calculation determines the necessary pipe
orifice sizes
ARGONITE STORAGE
- Argonite is stored as a pressurized gas

- Filling pressure : 200 bar @ 15°C
- Bottles may be stored remote from the risk area
- Cylinder fill may be read directly from the pressure gauge

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
ARGONITE - A SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Safe for use in manned areas

- Environmentally clean
- Low cost agent
- Low refilling and maintenance cost
- No fogging
- Simple to handle
DISADVANTAGES
- Low working pressure

- Larger storage space requirement

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
AIR BEFORE
DISCHARGE ARGONITE SYSTEM DESIGN
The Basics
78,08%
SYSTEM DESIGN
21%
0,93%
In order to design a system, certain criteria must be ascertained,

0,04%
the main ones being :

- Dimensions of the room, including heights of all voids
- The position of the system cylinders
- The ambient temperature within the room
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Carbon
Dioxide
- Ventilation details
Argon
EVALUATION OF RISK
- What is the most probable place for a fire to start?

AIR AFTER - Worst possible situation
DISCHARGE - Is the room tight enough?
- Are there any false ceilings or elevated floors?
66,85%
- Total flooding or direct application?

- Do doors and windows close automatically at the detection of fire?
20,56%
ARGONITE DESIGN CONCENTRATION

12,5%
For most applications the design concentration of Argonite is 40%

0,02%
This results in an oxygen concentration of 12.5%

Nitrogen
Oxygen
Carbon
Dioxide
Argon

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
ARGONITE SYSTEM DESIGN
The Basics
DESCRIPTION OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
If there is more than one room in a building to be protected,

a centralised cylinder battery of Argonite can be used.
The size of the battery is calculated on the basis of the size of the
largest room and the risk of only one fire at a time
In this way the total cost can be reduced, as the total quantity
of Argonite is less when using a common cylinder battery
when compared with a similar number of single systems.
PRINCIPLES OF RELEASE

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
The Basics
WORKING PRESSURE
Argonite systems operate typically at a pressure of 12-60 bar

(for pipe schedules refer to design manual)
In some cases existing halon pipework can be re-used, which
will reduce installation costs.
HOW MUCH IS REQUIRED?
Standard design factor =0.72Kg/Argonite/cu.m

200 bar, 140lt cylinder hold 39.91Kg
- 1x140lt = 55 cu.m
- 2x140lt = 110 cu.m
- 3x140lt = 165 cu.m
- 4x140lt = 221 cu.m
- 5x140lt = 276 cu.m
- 6x140lt = 331 cu.m
- 7x140lt = 387 cu.m
- 8x140lt = 442 cu.m
CALCULATION OF ROOM VOLUME
Volume of the room is normally calculated as :
height x width x length
The calculation should include the volume of false ceiling

and raised floor

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
The Basics
HOW MUCH IS REQUIRED ?
Argonite systems usually consist of one or a number of 140 litre

cylinders
Typically :
140 lt - 39,91 Kg @ 200 bar

80 lt - 22,5 Kg @ 200 bar
67,5 lt - 19 Kg @ 200 bar
15,9 lt - 3,45 Kg @ 200 bar
CALCULATION OF NOZZLES
The Argonite nozzles are estimated to cover approx. 50 cu.m

each in the room.
In case of false ceiling and / or raised floor the rule of thumb is :
- the number of nozzles in the room divided by two

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
MARKET POSITIONING OF ARGONITE
MAJOR COMPETITORS OF ARGONITE
- Inergen Ansul/Wormald
- Fm200 Great Lakes
- FE-13 DuPont
MARKET POSITIONING OF ARGONITE
Argonite is totally environmentally neutral

Argonite is an inert blend to be positioned alongside Inergen
Comparison List
HALON ARGONITE INERGEN FM-200 FE-13
1301
Chemical CBrF3 50% N2 52% N2 CF3CHFCF3 CHF3
Formula 50% Ar 40% Ar
8% C02
Manufacturer - Locally Locally available Great Lakes DuPont
available
ODP approx. 15 0 0 0 0
GWP - 0 0 3300 12100
Atmospheric >110 - - 32-41 250
Lifetime
Required 1 10 10 1.7 2.5
storage volume
Storage pressure 25/42 150/200 150/200 25 40

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
SYSTEM TESTING AND VERIFICATION
PURPOSE
- Check the actual 02 concentration

- Check the efficiency of the extinguishment
- Check the tightness of the room
COST EFFECTIVE SYSTEM TESTING
- System integrity and effectiveness can be tested easily upon

commissioning due to :
- zero environmental impact

- relatively low refill cost
MAINTENANCE
Argonite systems for industrial applications
MONTHLY / ONCE A YEAR
- mounthly
- check the contents of the cylinder
- check that the cylinder valves are in a closed and sealed position
- check that the bleed valve is in the “standby” position
- once a year
- check that hoses are tightened and in good condition

- check that nozzles and pipes are in good condition

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
SYSTEM TESTING AND VERIFICATION
EVERY 5 YEARS / EVERY 10 YEARS
- Every 5 years
all electric “single-shot” cartridges are substituted every 5 years
- Every 10 years
normally control and pressure testing of the cylinders must be
carried out every 10 years

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
QUOTING A SYSTEM
PROTECTED VOLUME
- Calculate the total volume of the space to be protected.

Include any ceiling and floor voids.
Example :
Ceiling volume : 23cu. m.

Room volume : 96cu. m.
Floor volume : 10cu m.
Total volume : 129cu. M.
PROTECTED VOLUME
- Determine the minimum expected cylinder storage temperature

( normally +20°C )
- Determine the minimum expected temperature within the protected

space : ( normally +20°C )
- Determine the design concentration for the space to be protected

normally 40%

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
ARGONITE MARKETING PROGRAMME
- Literature
Company Profile
Argonite Brochure
Argonite Data sheet
- Argonite Video
- Exhibitions
Firex 97 (UK)
- Advertising
- Argonite sales manual
ARGONITE
- Summary of sales and marketing presentations

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
SUMMARY
- Argonite is the natural alternative to halon :

Environmentally neutral
Zero ODP, Zero GWP
Cost effective :
installation cost
system testing & verification
system refilling
Suitable for use in manned area
Approved, tested & certified
Fully supported
- technically
- commercially
PIPE CALCULATION
- Argonite systems for industrial applications
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
- Program to calculate Argonite Systems

- The program was developed by Vds

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
INPUT/OUTPUT
- from the input :
pressure in Argonite cylinders

discharge time
max. Pressure in distribution pipes
pipe layout
Kg Argonite per nozzle
- the program calculates :
pipe dimensions
restrictor orifice diameters
nozzle orifice diameters
SYSTEM ENGINEERING
Case study

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
AGENT REQUIRED
- From table 2, determine the weight per cubic metre of Argonite

gas required
0,7214 Kg/cu. m.
Total gas quantity
Volume x 0,7214
129 x 0,7214 = 93,1 Kg
Determine the number and capacity of cantainers required
Total weight of gas / cylinder usable fill
93,1 / 39,9 = 2,33 (3 cylinders)

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
NOZZLE REQUIREMENT
- Determine position and quantity of discharge nozzles in accordance

with :
- coverage
- room dimensions
- building structure, including obstructions and equipment
- ceiling tile arrangement
ROOM INTEGRITY
- Determine additional design requirements with regard to room

intergrity, i.e. :
- data from room integrity test

- venting requirements
- unclosable openings
- Site survey may be required to confirm details
CYLINDER STORAGE
- Locate cylinder storage with regard to :
- system design requirements

- access
- temperature limitations
- environmental considerations
- floor and wall loading restrictions
- local authority regulations

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
PIPE LAYOUT
- Determine system pipe layout
- interconnection of nozzles back to cylinder manifold
ISOMETRIC DRAWING
- Produce system isometric drawing
- add dimensions
- add node points
DATA INPUT SHEET
- Transfer data into Argonite calculation input sheet
- interface between the drawings produced and the pipe network

calculation program

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
INPUT DATA DESCRIPTION
Sta = starting knot point

The starting knot point is the beginning of the section. In case of
a container valve entrance, the starting knot point must always be 0.
End = final knot point

The final knot point is the end of a section
All cylinder connections of a battery line have the same final knot
point. The final knot point may also be a nozzle number.
L= section length
The section length is the actual length of the pipe between the knot
points. The length of a section with restrictor should be 0.5m.
DH= difference in height

The difference in height is the actual geodetic difference between
the knot points considering the flow direction. (Up-positive,down-negative)
Ptyp= pipe type

The pipe type is determined by a two-digit code.
This code consists of the code for the pipe class (1X,2X,3X,4X)
and the code for the pipe roughness:
0=smooth pipe (e.g. Drawn)
1=galvanised steel pipe
2=hose
3=black pipe
which is placed at the position X of the pipe class.
So e.g. the number 23 means black pipe of the pipe class 2X.

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
INPUT DATA DESCRIPTION
Dia=pipe internal diameter

Here you can enter the real internal diameter of the pipe (without
zinc. layer). If you do not enter any number, the program will choose
a pipe of the predetermined pipe class (first number of the pipe type)
with a suitable diameter from the component file for pipes.
90/B45=number of 90°/45° bends or elbows

If you want to enter bends, their number will be entered without sign.
Elbows are entered with a negative sign. Combinations are not possible
in one section.
T0/T90=t-distributor straight passage or 90°-branch

T.-distributors must always be entered at the beginning of a section.
Per section only one T-distributor can be entered.
Com=component or valve type

Here you have to enter the resistance coefficient or the three-digit
code (determined in the component file with codes) of the component
(e.g. a valve) which is situated in the section. In case of starting sections,
a total resistance coefficient for several components must be entered.
FL/MD
Depending on the section type:
starting section : number of storage containers
nozzle section : nozzle discharge quantity in Kg
pipe section : joining pipe
in case of a joining section you have to enter -1, otherwise 0.

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SILVANI
ANTINCENDI S.p.A.
ARGONITE
R
Y2K
COMPUTER OUTPUT
The print-out from the calculation package provides us with the following:
- confirmation of system pipe diameter

- restrictor orifice sizes
- nozzle orifice sizes
- discharge time
- pipe pressure
- confirmation of residual oxygen level
- recommended pressure relief opening
SYSTEM LAYOUT DRAWING
Details from this print-out are then transferred to the system layout
drawings, such as:
- pipe diameters
- nozzle orifice size and position
- calculation number

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SILVANI

- CFCs and Halons damage the upper atmosphere

- Now that the issue Ozone depletion is being addressed,

HALON PRODUCTION PHASE OUT

- For most countries the production of Halon will be totally

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

HOW DO THEY WORK?

- There are three basic mechanisms in fire extinguishing:

21% When releasing the Argonite an inactive atmosphere is

HALOCARBONS INERT GAS

- FM200 (HFC 227ea) - ARGONITE (IG 55)

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

Halon 1301’s primary extinguishing property is Chemical

Chemical inhibition is the fastest mechanism in extinguishing

Chemical inhibition is only effective on flames and will have

NEW HALOCARBON AGENTS

All new halocarbon agents act primarly by the cooling effect

Discharge time 10 seconds

The new halocarbons are fast acting but can cause :

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

ISO LISTED EXTINGUISHANTS-CHEMICAL

ISO LISTED EXTINGUISHANTS-INERT GAS

All inert gases work on the principle of oxygen depletion

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

Argonite is an inert gas blend consisting of a 50:50 mixture of two

Argonite is harmless to personnel at the design concentration

The use of Argonite results in a gas mixture with a density similar

Argonite has zero Ozone Depletion Potential

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

Argonite can be used to extinguish fires in almost all flammable

WHO USES ARGONITE ? POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS

- Local Authorities - Computer Rooms

APPROVALS, TESTS & LISTING

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

Argonite carries health and safety approval in many countries,

- Argonite operates at a typical pressure of 12-60 bar

- Argonite is stored as a pressurized gas

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

- Safe for use in manned areas

- Low working pressure

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

In order to design a system, certain criteria must be ascertained,

the main ones being :

- What is the most probable place for a fire to start?

- Total flooding or direct application?

ARGONITE DESIGN CONCENTRATION

For most applications the design concentration of Argonite is 40%

This results in an oxygen concentration of 12.5%

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

DESCRIPTION OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

If there is more than one room in a building to be protected,

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

Argonite systems operate typically at a pressure of 12-60 bar

HOW MUCH IS REQUIRED?

Standard design factor =0.72Kg/Argonite/cu.m

CALCULATION OF ROOM VOLUME

Volume of the room is normally calculated as :

height x width x length

The calculation should include the volume of false ceiling

SILVANI ANTINCENDI S.p.A. - Via Redipuglia, 8 - 20010 Bareggio (MI) Italy

HOW MUCH IS REQUIRED ?

Argonite systems usually consist of one or a number of 140 litre

140 lt - 39,91 Kg @ 200 bar

The Argonite nozzles are estimated to cover approx. 50 cu.m