May-2018

Rev. 2

Total Flooding Systems

70 bar

with
3M Novec™1230 Fire Protection Fluid

C6 Fluoroketone

- Design Guideline -
Note: This guideline has been prepared with the best information available at the time of publication.
Changes in standards mentioned or technical changes may apply without further notice.

BKR Guideline for Sapphire Plus Systems R2.docx

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Design Guideline For Sapphire Plus Suppression Systems

Revision

Rev. 1 4 April 2018 First release (Draft)

Rev. 2 8. May 2018 Container pressure - temperature chart added (page 15)
Pipe requirement chart added (page 15)

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1) General Information

Novec™1230 has been developed as an alternative to Halon 1301, production of which ceased at the end of
1993, under the agreed adjustments made to the Montreal Protocol in November 1992.
Novec™1230 contains no Bromine or Chlorine and has therefore an Ozone depleting potential (ODP) of zero.
Sapphire Plus systems utilize one or more storage containers arranged to provide the protected area with a pre-
determined quantity of gas.

Sapphire Plus containers are designed to hold Novec™1230 in liquid form and Nitrogen, which is used to super-
pressurize the container to 70 bar (1015 psi) 20°C.

Handling and installation of Sapphire Plus equipment should only be carried out by persons experienced in
dealing with this type of equipment.

2) Properties of Novec™1230

Under normal conditions Novec™1230 is a colourless and low odour fluid with a density around 11 times greater
than air. It has negligible vapour pressure and is super-pressurized with Nitrogen to 70 bar (1015 psi) when used
in the Johnson Controls Sapphire Plus suppression systems. It contains no particulates or oily residues and is
produced under ISO 9001 guidelines to strict manufacturing specifications ensuring product purity.
Present understanding of Novec™1230 is that firefighting is through heat absorption and chemical means.
Novec™1230 decomposes at temperatures in excess of 500°C and it is therefore important to avoid applications
involving hazards where continuously hot surfaces are involved. Upon exposure to the flame Novec™1230 will
decompose to form halogen acids (HF). Their presence will be readily detected by a sharp, pungent odor before
maximum hazardous exposure levels are reached. It has been concluded from fire toxicity studies that
decomposition products from the fire itself especially carbon monoxide, smoke, oxygen depletion and heat may
create a greater hazard.

Agent Designation: FK-5-1-12

Chemical Formula:
Boiling Point @ 1 atm.:
Vapour Pressure @ 20°C:
Gas Density @ 1 atm. / 20°C:
Liquid Density @ 20°C:
CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2
49 °C (120 °F)
0,40 bar (5,85 psig)
13.6 kg/m³ (1.95 lbs./ft³)
1610 kg/m³

3) Approvals

The Sapphire Plus system approvals and listings include, but are not limited to:
 UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Inc. Listed.
 Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
 FM Approved.
 EN 12094 (CE).

Only approved components shall be used in a Sapphire Plus system.

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4) Safety of Novec™1230

Design Conc.1) NOAEL 2) Safety Margin 3)

FK-5-1-12 (Novec™1230) 4.5% - 5.8% 10% 122% - 72%
HFC-227ea (FM-200®) 6.4% - 8.4% 9% 41% - 7%
Halon 1301 5% 5% Nil

1) Typicaldesign concentration surface class A

2) No Observable Adverse Effect Level
3) % of design concentration added to design concentration to reach NOAEL concentration

5) Environmental Comparison1)

Ozone Depletion Potential Global Warming Potential Atmospheric Lifetime

(ODP) (GWP) 2) (years)
FK-5-1-12 (Novec™1230) 0 1 0.014
HFC-227ea (FM-200®) 0 3350 38.9
Halon 1301 12 6900 65

1) 5th IPCC report

2) The EU F-Gas Regulation does not apply to Novec™1230. The regulation only applies to F-Gases with GWP > 1.

6) General System Design

Manifolded System Modularized System

All containers must be the same Different container sizes and different
size and the same fill density. fill densities are acceptable.

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7) Hazard Analysis

Note: A thorough hazard analysis is important for a qualified system design.

The following questions should be answered:

Information needed Why?

Applicable design standard.
Fire class (fuel type).
Hazard dimensions and shape.
Solid - impermeable - structures which may reduce
the gross hazard volume (e.g. beams, columns).
Expected minimum hazard temperature.
Hazard altitude.
Expected maximum hazard temperature.
Information about separate hazard voids (e.g. floor
voids, ceiling voids).
Installations and equipment inside the hazard.
Place for the agent container(s) 1)
Connected reserve required?
Acceptable pressure change for the hazard.
Special requests from client and/or authorities.
To determine the minimum design concentration.
Hazard volume determines the agent quantity,
Hazard shape affects the number of nozzles and the
pipe isometric.
Reduces the hazard gross volume used to calculate
the agent quantity.
Affects the agent quantity required to achieve the
minimum design concentration.
To calculate the maximum achieved concentration.
Each void needs separate nozzles to guarantee that
the minimum design concentration will be achieved
anywhere inside the hazard.
May affect the nozzle quantity and the pipe and
nozzle arrangement.
To determine the pipe isometric.
Effects the system setup (a system with a connected
reserve needs a manifold).
To consider pressure venting.
May affect the system design and layout.

1) EN 15004 - Container Arrangement

Arrangements shall be made for container and valve assemblies and accessories to be accessible for inspection, testing
and other maintenance when required.
Containers shall be adequately mounted and suitably supported according to the systems installation manual so as to
provide for convenient individual servicing of the container and its contents.
Containers shall be located as near as is practical to the enclosure they protect, preferably outside the enclosure.
Containers can be located within the enclosure only if sited so as to minimize the risk of exposure to fire and explosion.
Containers shall not be located where they will be subjected to severe weather conditions or to potential damage due to
mechanical, chemical or other causes. Where potentially damaging exposure or unauthorized interference are likely,
suitable enclosures or guards shall be provided.
NFPA 2001 - Storage Container Arrangement
Storage containers and accessories shall be located and arranged so that inspection, testing, recharging, and other
maintenance activities are facilitated and interruption of protection is held to a minimum.
Storage containers shall be located as close as possible to or within the hazard or hazards they protect.
Agent storage containers shall not be located where they can be rendered inoperable or unreliable due to mechanical
damage or exposure to chemicals or harsh weather conditions or by any other foreseeable cause. Where container
exposure to such conditions is unavoidable, then suitable enclosures or protective measures shall be employed.

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8) System Design

8.1) Minimum Design Concentrations for Novec™1230

ISO 14520 EN 15004 VdS 2381 NFPA 2001

2016 Edition 2008 Edition 2016-06en 2015 Edition
Surface Class A 5.3 % 5.3 % 5.8 % 4) 4.5 %
Higher Hazard Class A 1) 5.6 % 5.6 % --- ---
Class B (Heptane) 2) 5.9 % 5.9 % 6.1 % 5.9 %
Class C 3) not mentioned not mentioned not mentioned 4.5 % 5)

1) ISO 14520-1 § 7.5.1.3 І EN 15004-1 § 7.5.1.3

It is recognized that the wood crib and polymeric sheet class A fire tests may not adequately indicate
extinguishing concentrations suitable for the protection of certain plastic fuel hazards (e.g. electrical
and electronic type hazards involving grouped power or data cables such as computer and control
room under-floor voids, telecommunication facilities, etc.). An extinguishing concentration not less than
that determined according to clause 7.5.1.3, or not less than 95% of that determined from the heptane
fire test in Annex C, Clause C.6.2, whichever is the greater, should be used under certain conditions.
These conditions may include:
(1) Cable bundles greater than 100 mm in diameter
(2) Cable trays with a fill density greater than 20 percent of the tray cross-section
(3) Horizontal or vertical stacks of cable trays (closer than 250 mm)
(4) Equipment energized during the extinguishment period where the collective power consumption
exceeds 5 kW
NFPA 2001 - A.5.4.2.2 (7)(g)
Where any of the following conditions exist, higher extinguishing concentrations might be required:
(1) Cable bundles greater than 100 mm in diameter
(2) Cable trays with a fill density greater than 20 percent of the tray cross-section
(3) Horizontal or vertical stacks of cable trays (closer than 250 mm)
(4) Equipment energized during the extinguishment period where the collective power consumption
exceeds 5 kW

2) For design concentrations for any other class B fuel see design standards or contact Tyco Technical
Service.

3) Fire class C:
Europe: fires involving flammable gases
US (NFPA): fires involving energized electrical equipment.

4) This concentration applies to IT/machinery rooms, electric control and distribution rooms and cable
floors only.

5) Minimum extinguishing concentration class A = 3.3%.

Minimum design concentration class C = Minimum extinguishing concentration class A x 1.35 (safety
factor) = 3.3% x 1.35 = 4.5% (3M information Nov. 2014)

Important!
The above design concentrations are not applicable (and are not to be used) for Marine applications.

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8.2) Novec™1230 Flooding Factor Table

Table 1: Novec™1230 weight requirements per volume of protected space (kg/m³)

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8.3) Altitude Correction Factor

At elevations above sea level, Novec™1230 has a greater specific volume because of the reduced atmospheric
pressure. A system designed for sea level conditions will therefore develop an actual higher concentration at
levels above sea level and an actual lower concentration at levels below sea level.

EN 15004 and ISO 14520, §7.7: The design quantity of the extinguishant shall be adjusted to compensate only
for ambient pressures that vary more than 11 % (equivalent to approximately 1000 m of elevation change) from
standard sea level pressure (1,013 bar absolute).

Table 2: (EN 15004 and ISO 14520, §7.7)

If hazard altitude is not listed in the table, find the altitude next lower than the hazard altitude and determine the
correction factor.
Calculation method: h < 1000 m: altitude correction factor = 1
ℎ 5,255
h ≥ 1000 m: 𝐾H = (1 − )
44331
Where h = altitude (m).

NFPA 2001, §A.5.5.3.3: Although adjustments are required for barometric pressures equivalent to 3000 ft
(915 m) or more above or below sea level, adjustments can be made for any ambient pressure condition.
Calculation method: h < 5500 ft: altitude correction factor = (-0.000036 x h) + 1
h ≥ 5500 ft: altitude correction factor = (-0.000030 x h) + 0.96
Where h = altitude (feet).

8.4) Novec™1230 Design Quantity

Q  V  CF  CAlt
Where Q = Agent quantity required to achieve design concentration [kg]
V = Hazard volume [m³]
CF = Flooding factor [kg/m³] (see Table 1)
CAlt = Altitude correction factor

Example:

Type of hazard: Computer room (higher hazard class A)

Design Standard: EN 15004
Gross volume: 18.0 m x 12.0 m x 4.0 m = 864 m³
Minimum hazard temperature: 20°C
Maximum hazard Temperature: 30°C
Altitude: 1600 m

QDesign = 864 m³ × 0.826 kg/m³ × 0.83=592.4 kg

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8.5) Dead Volume Consideration

Dead volume results from pipe sections where Novec™1230 agent remains after the system discharge. This
agent is not available to achieve the design concentration.
The Novec™1230 quantity in the dead volume must be stored additionally to the design quantity.

Single Hazard System - Main only

Manifold Size Dead Volume Novec Quantity in Dead Volume *

DN 65 0.41 L 0.66 kg
DN 80 0.64 L 1.02 kg
DN 100 1.11 L 1.78 kg
DN 150 2.52 L 4.03 kg
*1.6 kg/L

Single Hazard System - Main and Reserve

Dead Volume Novec Quantity in Dead Volume

Manifold Size
Manifold End Each Main Container Manifold End Each Main Container
DN 65 0.41 L 0.95 L 0.66 kg 1.52 kg
DN 80 0.64 L 2.13 L 1.02 kg 3.41 kg
DN 100 1.11 L 3.69 L 1.78 kg 5.90 kg
DN 150 2.52 L 8.41 L 4.03 kg 13.46 kg

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8.5) Dead Volume Consideration (continued)

Selector Valve System - Equal Hazard Sizes - Main only

Dead Volume
Manifold Manifold End and Each 'Dead
Size Selector Valve End' Selector
Manifold End Valve*
DN 65 0.82 L 1.20 L
DN 80 1.28 L 1.88 L
DN 100 2.22 L 3.27 L
Note:
For the dead volume Novec Quantity in Dead Volume
of the selector valve Manifold Manifold End and Each 'Dead
manifold the 'worst Size Selector Valve End' Selector
case' arrangement is Manifold End Valve*
considered - agent
discharges through the DN 65 1.32 kg 1.92 kg
first selector valve. DN 80 2.04 kg 3.01 kg
DN 100 3.56 kg 5.23 kg
*Total number of selector valves - (minus) 1

Selector Valve System - Equal Hazard Sizes - Main and Reserve

Dead Volume
Manifold Manifold End and Each 'Dead
Size Each Main
Selector Valve End' Selector
Container
Manifold End Valve*
DN 65 0.82 L 0.95 L 1.20 L
DN 80 1.28 L 2.13 L 1.88 L
DN 100 2.22 L 3.69 L 3.27 L

Novec Quantity in Dead Volume

Manifold Manifold End and Each 'Dead
Size Each Main
Selector Valve End' Selector
Container
Manifold End Valve*
DN 65 1.32 kg 1.52 kg 1.92 kg
DN 80 2.04 kg 3.41 kg 3.01 kg
DN 100 3.56 kg 5.90 kg 5.23 kg
*Total number of selector valves - (minus) 1

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8.5) Dead Volume Consideration (continued)

Selector Valve System - Different Hazard Sizes

Note: The examples shown above are 'worst case' - the containers for the smallest hazard are installed
furthest away from the container manifold end and the smallest hazard is connected to the first
selector valve.

Dead Volume Novec Quantity in Dead Volume

Manifold Manifold End Each Each 'Dead Manifold End Each Each 'Dead
Size and Selector Container End' and Selector Container End'
Valve not Selector Valve not Selector
Manifold End Discharging Valve* Manifold End Discharging Valve*
DN 65 0.82 L 0.95 L 1.20 L 1.32 kg 1.52 kg 1.92 kg
DN 80 1.28 L 2.13 L 1.88 L 2.04 kg 3.41 kg 3.01 kg
DN 100 2.22 L 3.69 L 3.27 L 3.56 kg 5.90 kg 5.23 kg

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8.6) Novec™1230 Storage Quantity

Q Storage = Q Design + Q Dead Volume

Where Q Storage = Agent quantity to be stored [kg]
Q Design = Agent quantity required to achieve design concentration [kg]
Q Dead Volume = Agent quantity remaining in dead volume [kg]

Example:

Single hazard system - Main only

Design quantity = 592.4 kg

Estimated manifold size = DN 100 sched. 80 (see pipe sizes estimation § 8.10.2)
Dead volume quantity = 1.78 kg (see § 8.5)
Minimum storage quantity = 592.4 kg + 1.78 kg = 594.2 kg

Single hazard system - Main and Reserve

Design quantity = 592.4 kg

Estimated manifold size = DN 100
(see pipe sizes estimation § 8.10.2)
Number of containers = 3 (see § 8.8)
Dead volume quantity = 1.78 kg + 3 x 5.90 kg = 19.48 kg
(see § 8.5)
Minimum storage quantity = 592.4 kg + 19.48 kg = 611.9 kg

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8.7) Check the Maximum Achieved Novec™1230 Concentration

How to calculate?
1. Calculate the resulting flooding factor
2. Read resulting achieved concentration from the flooding factor table (at max. hazard temperature)

agent supplied(kg)
1. Resulting Flooding Factor: FFResulting 
altitude corr. factor  hazard volume (m³)

Example: Single hazard system - Main and Reserve

Supplied agent quantity Q = 612 kg

Volume V = 864 m³
Altitude correction factor cAlt = 0.83
Max. hazard temperature Tmax = 30°C

612 kg
1. Resulting Flooding Factor: FF Resulting = = 0.854 kg/m³
0.83 x 864 m³

2. Read resulting achieved concentration from the flooding factor table (at max. hazard temperature)

Resulting flooding factor = 0.854  Achieved concentration @ 30°C approx. 6%.

Achieved concentration is less than NOAEL (10%) – the system is acceptable for occupied space.

Equation to calculate the achieved concentration:

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8.8) Number and Size of Agent Containers Required

Each Sapphire Plus container assembly consists of

 Container
 Container valve with pressure gauge
 Siphon tube
 Label

Containers are fitted with a label which provides handling, maintenance and recharge instructions.
All containers are designed for vertical mounting only.

Each assembly may be provided with a range of Novec™1230 fills to suit the design requirements.
After filling, the containers are super-pressurized with dry nitrogen to 70 bar (+5% at a temperature of 20°C).

Operating temperature range -20°C to +50°C -20°C to +65°C

Minimum fill density (kg Novec™1230 / litre container volume) 0.3 kg / L 0.3 kg / L
Maximum fill density (kg Novec™1230 / litre container volume) 1.4 kg / L 1.35 kg / L

Table 3a: Sapphire Plus containers manufactured in accordance with ISO 9809-2 and are
stamped TPED or DOT/TPED

Height from Novec™1230 Filling

Nominal Valve Container
Floor to Maximum
Volume Size Diameter Minimum
Valve Outlet at +50°C at +65°C
(L) (mm) (mm) (mm) (kg)
15 25 204 694 4.5 21 20.3
30 25 229 972 9 42 41
45 25 267 1071 14 63 60.8
60 50 267 1425 18 84 81
120 50 360 1546 36 168 162
150 1) 50 360 1888 45 210 202.5
180 2) 50 406 1783 54 252 243
1) Only supplied from Marinette factory 2) TPED only

Table 3b: Sapphire Plus containers manufactured in accordance with IS:7285 (Pt 2) under BIS
and CCoE approval (PESO)

Height from Novec™1230 Filling

Nominal Valve Container
Floor to Maximum
Volume Size Diameter Minimum
Valve Outlet at +50°C at +65°C
(L) (mm) (mm) (mm) (kg)
34 25 267 865 10.5 47 44
80 50 267 1794 24 112 108
120 50 406 1317 36 168 162
180 50 406 1837 54 252 243

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Sapphire Plus Pressure-Temperature Chart

Distribution Pipe Requirements

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Example: Determine an appropriate TPED container and the number of containers for +50°C
Minimum storage quantity 'Main only' = 595 kg Novec™1230.
Minimum storage quantity 'Main and Reserve' = 612 kg Novec™1230

Main Only Main and Reserve

Maximum Minimum Actual Actual Minimum Actual Actual

Container
Filling at Number of Container Container Number of Container Container
Size
50°C Containers Fill Quantity Fill Density 1) Containers Fill Quantity Fill Density 1)

(L) (kg) (-) (kg) (kg/L) (-) (kg) (kg/L)

120 168 4 149 1.24 4 153 1.28
150 2) 210 3 199 1.33 3 204 1.36
180 252 3 199 1.11 3 204 1.13

1) Maximum fill density at 50°C = 1.4 kg/L.

2) Only supplied from Marinette factory

Note: The container fill density affects the pressure available throughout the discharge and therefore the
hydraulic flow calculation result. Depending on the flow conditions and pressure drop in the distribution
pipe system a high fill density may result in hydraulic errors.

Above examples:
 Main only: 3 x 180 L container recommended - each filled with 199 kg Novec™1230.
 Main and Reserve: 3 x 180 L container recommended - each filled with 204 kg Novec™1230.

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8.9) Minimum Number of Nozzles and Nozzle Size

Nozzle Coverage Area:

180° Nozzle 360° Nozzle Temperature Approval

Standard Area 10.9 m radius 6.9 m radius -20°C to 50°C European

Coverage Max. 96 m² Max. 96 m² -20°C to 55°C UL/FM

Extended Area 15 m radius 9.1 m radius 0°C to 50°C European

Coverage Max. 167 m² Max. 167 m² 0°C to 54°C UL/FM

180° Nozzle 360° Nozzle

Standard
Coverage
Max. 96 m²

Extended
Coverage
Max. 167 m²

Nozzle Protection Height:

Approval Protection Height

All 4.3 m

 Available nozzle sizes: 15/20/25/32/40/50 mm (1/2", 3/4”, 1”, 1¼”, 1½”, 2”).
 Estimated maximum agent quantity for a 50 mm nozzle (sched. 40 pipe): approx. 25 kg/s
Note: Depending on the pressure drop in the distribution pipe system the maximum acceptable flow rate
may be 30 to 40 kg/s.
 Nozzles should be located no more than 300 mm below the ceiling.
 360° nozzles should be located as close to the center of the hazard as possible.
 180° nozzles should be located on the longer side wall, max. 300 mm away from the wall.
 Nozzles should be as equally spaced as possible.

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Example: Extended nozzle coverage.

Hazard = 18.0 m x 12.0 m x 4.0 m = 864 m³

Design quantity = 595 kg

Note: The maximum discharge time for a Sapphire Plus system is 10 seconds.

A) Minimum number of nozzles:

 check maximum protection height (4.3 m) vs. height of hazard

 check estimated maximum discharge quantity per nozzle (~25 kg/s for 50 mm nozzle) vs. agent flow rate
 check nozzle coverage vs. hazard area

Hazard height = 4.0 m - Maximum protection height = 4.3 m > 1 nozzle layer
Agent flow rate = 59.5 kg/s - Maximum nozzle flow rate approx. 25 kg/s 1) > minimum 3 nozzles
Hazard floor area = 216 m² - Maximum coverage area per nozzle = 167 m² > minimum 2 nozzles
1) Note: Depending on the pressure drop in the distribution pipe system the maximum acceptable flow rate

may be 30 to 40 kg/s.

Coverage area 2 nozzles:

For the above example:

 Coverage area and coverage height: minimum 2 nozzles 360° or 2 nozzles 180°
 Nozzle flow rate: minimum 3 nozzles may be necessary depending on the pipe isometric (pressure drop).

B) Estimate nozzle size:

 Check agent flow [kg/s] per nozzle.

 Use pipe size estimation table (§ 8.10, table 4) to estimate the nozzle size.

Total agent flow rate = 595 kg / 10 seconds = 59.5 kg/s

 2 nozzle system: Agent flow rate per nozzle = 59.5 kg/s / 2 nozzles = 29.75 kg/s/nozzle
Estimated nozzle size = 65 mm (2 1/2")  not available.
 3 nozzle system: Agent flow rate per nozzle = 59.5 kg/s / 3 nozzles = 19.83 kg/s/nozzle
Estimated nozzle size = 50 mm (2")  available.

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8.10) Pipe Run and Pipe Sizes

8.10.1 System Limitations

Flow limitations at tee splits

Bull Tee Side Tee

30-70% 90-65%
Minimum length of 10 x nominal
pipe diameter around a tee

70-30% 10-35%

Pipe arrangements at tee splits

Correct Incorrect

Note: Tee outlet pipes must always be in a horizontal plane.

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8.10.2 Pipe Size Estimation

Use table 4 to estimate the pipe size according to the agent flow rate.

Very important: Table 4 is for estimation purpose only.

Theoretically the maximum flow rates can be as double as high as the listed maximum
estimated flow rates.The maximum flow rate depends on the pressure drop in the distribution
pipe system.
The hydraulic flow calculation software must be used to determine the final pipe
sizes.

Table 4:

Example: Design quantity = 595 kg / 10 s = 59.5 kg/s

Find the next higher value in "Max. Flow" column

Estimated sizes:
Manifold (schedule 80): DN 65 based on estimation table, but must be minimum DN 80 if the
container size is > 45 L. For manifold details see component section in the 'Design Manual'.
Main distribution pipe = 65 mm (2 1/2") for both, schedule 40 and schedule 80 pipes.

General Piping Practices and Rules

 Pipe and fitting material must comply with the design standard and with local regulations.
 Always try to design a pipe run as short and as symmetric as possible. That minimises hydraulic problems.

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9) Pressure Venting

The designer of a fire suppression system should be aware, that the discharge of any gaseous extinguishing
agent into an enclosure will change the pressure within that enclosure, which could affect the structural integrity
of the enclosure.
NFPA 2001 § 5.3.6
The protected enclosure shall have the structural strength and integrity necessary to contain the agent
discharge. If the developed pressures present a threat to the structural strength of the enclosure, venting shall
be provided to prevent excessive pressures.
For pressure relief vent area or equivalent leakage area, see 5.1.2.2(28)

Fire Industry Association (FIA) UK: FIA Guidance on Pressure Venting Issue 2 March 2012.
"The US based Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) have issued a “Guide to Estimating Enclosure
Pressure and Pressure Relief Vent Area for Applications Using Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems”.
This guidance has been based upon experimental data attained via collaboration with various industry
participants, including a number of multinational organisations.
The FSSA work is by far the most in-depth investigation to-date, on the estimation of enclosure pressure and
total vent area requirements."

The following input parameters are required to use the calculation methodology:
• Extinguishing agent
• Protected enclosure volume
• Extinguishing system discharge time
• Extinguishing concentration
• Relative humidity of enclosure.

1. If the enclosure strength is known it is possible to calculate the required total vent area.
2. If the total vent area is known then it is possible to calculate the expected pressure excursion following
an extinguishing system discharge.

Parameter Unit Definition

+vePE Pa Positive Pressure Excursion
-vePE Pa Negative Pressure Excursion
TotalVentArea m² the sum of the free vent area and the natural leakage area
Volume m³ Protected enclosure volume
Conc % Suppressant concentration used in the protected enclosure
td s Gaseous firefighting system discharge time
%RH % Relative humidity within the enclosure
+veEPL Pa Enclosure positive pressure limit
-veEPL Pa Enclosure negative pressure limit
Positive free vent area required to ensure that the positive pressure excursion
+veFVA m²
is below the enclosure positive pressure limit (+veEPL)
Negative free vent area required to ensure that the negative pressure
-veFVA m²
excursion is below the enclosure negative pressure limit (-veEPL)

CAUTION: The magnitude of both +veEPL and –veEPL for each extinguishant have limits of applicability.
The calculation methodology is based on experimental data and therefore the prediction of the
calculation tool must remain within the data envelope investigated. Calculations based on
parameters outside the limits of applicability will not be accurate and it is strongly advised that
such calculations are treated accordingly.
If the relative humidity level is not known, 50% is the recommended value to use.

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Pressure Venting (continued)

FK-5-1-12 (Novec™1230): Limits of applicability:

6s ≤ td ≤ 10s
4.2% ≤ Conc ≤ 6.0%
20% ≤ RH% ≤ 80%
+veEPL ≤ 240 Pa
-veEPL ≤ -1200 Pa

1. Required Total Vent Area for FK-5-1-12 (Novec™1230):

 Enclosure strength must be known

Positive Total Vent Area

Negative Total Vent Area

Example: Hazard volume = 864 m³

Design concentration = 5.6%
Hazard pressure limit = 200 Pa positive, 400 Pa negative
Discharge time = 10 seconds

("Johnson Controls - Fire Suppression Products - Pressure Vent Area Calculation Issue 18")

BKR Page 22 of 23
 May-2018
Rev. 2

Design Guideline For Sapphire Plus Suppression Systems

Pressure Venting (continued)

2. Pressure Excursion for FK-5-1-12 (Novec™1230):

 Total vent area must be known (total vent area is defined as the sum of the free vent area
and the natural leakage area). This could be known from a door fan test.

+vePE

-vePE

Example: Hazard volume = 864 m³

Design concentration = 5.6%
Total vent area available (e.g. known from door fan test) = 0.05 m²
Discharge time = 10 seconds

("Johnson Controls - Fire Suppression Products - Pressure Vent Area Calculation Issue 18")

BKR Page 23 of 23