A clean agent fire suppression system is a type of fire protection system that uses a gaseous substance to extinguish fires. Clean agents are electrically non-conductive, non-corrosive, and leave no residue after discharge. This makes them ideal for use in areas with sensitive electronic equipment or other high-value assets.

Need for Fire Suppression Systems

Fire suppression systems are essential for protecting people and property from the devastating effects of fires. While water sprinklers are the most common type of fire suppression system, they are not suitable for all applications. For example, water sprinklers can damage electronic equipment and other sensitive materials. Clean agent fire suppression systems offer a safe and effective alternative for protecting these types of assets.

---

How Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems Work

Clean agent fire suppression systems work by displacing the oxygen in a protected area, which extinguishes the fire. Clean agents can also cool the fire and absorb heat, which further helps to prevent the fire from spreading.

Types of Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems

There are three main types of clean agent fire suppression systems:

• FM-200: FM-200 is a colorless, odorless gas that is stored as a liquid and discharged as a gas. It is one of the most widely used clean agent fire suppressants. FM-200 works by displacing the oxygen in a protected area and absorbing heat.
• Novec 1230: Novec 1230 is a colorless, odorless gas that is stored as a liquid and discharged as a gas. It is a newer clean agent that is known for its environmental friendliness. Novec 1230 works by displacing the oxygen in a protected area and absorbing heat.
• Inert gas: Inert gases such as nitrogen and argon are also used as clean agent fire suppressants. Inert gases work by displacing the oxygen in a protected area, which extinguishes the fire.

Benefits of Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems

Clean agent fire suppression systems offer a number of benefits over other types of fire suppression systems, including:

• Safe: Clean agents are safe for people and animals, even when present in high concentrations.
• Non-damaging: Clean agents do not leave a residue after discharge, which prevents damage to sensitive equipment and materials.
• Effective: Clean agents are very effective at extinguishing fires quickly.
• Environmentally friendly: Many clean agents are environmentally friendly and have a low global warming potential.

Applications of Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems

Clean agent fire suppression systems are commonly used in a variety of applications, including:

• Data centers: Clean agent fire suppression systems are ideal for protecting data centers and other critical infrastructure from fires.
• Computer rooms: Clean agent fire suppression systems can be used to protect computer rooms and other areas with sensitive electronic equipment.
• Museums: Clean agent fire suppression systems can be used to protect museums and other cultural institutions from fires.
• Hospitals: Clean agent fire suppression systems can be used to protect hospitals and other healthcare facilities from fires.
• Aircraft: Clean agent fire suppression systems are used in aircraft to protect passengers and crew from fires.

Choosing the Right Clean Agent Fire Suppression System

The right type of clean agent fire suppression system for your application will depend on a number of factors, including the type of hazards you are protecting, the size of the protected area, and your budget. It is important to consult with a qualified fire protection professional to determine the best type of clean agent fire suppression system for your needs.

Installation and Maintenance of Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems

Clean agent fire suppression systems must be installed and maintained by qualified professionals. Installation and maintenance requirements will vary depending on the type of system you have. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and have your system inspected regularly to ensure that it is in proper working order.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are a few other things to consider when choosing a clean agent fire suppression system:

• Discharge time: The discharge time is the amount of time it takes for the clean agent to be discharged into the protected area. The discharge time should be fast enough to extinguish the fire before it spreads.
• Agent concentration: The agent concentration is the amount of clean agent that is present in the protected area after discharge. The agent concentration must be high enough to extinguish the fire, but not so high that it is dangerous to people and animals.
• Cost: Clean agent fire suppression systems can be expensive to install and maintain. It is important to factor in the cost of the system when making your decision.

Is a Clean Agent Fire Suppression System Right for Your Building?

Whether or not a clean agent fire suppression system is right for your building depends on a number of factors, including the type of hazards you are protecting, the size of your building, and your budget.

Clean agent fire suppression systems are ideal for protecting buildings with sensitive electronic equipment or other high-value assets. They are also a good choice for buildings where there is a high risk of fire, such as data centers, computer rooms, and museums.

However, clean agent fire suppression systems can be more expensive than other types of fire suppression systems, such as water sprinklers. They also require specialized installation and maintenance.

Here are some of the benefits of using a clean agent fire suppression system in your building:

• Safety: Clean agents are safe for people and animals, even when present in high concentrations. This is important for buildings where people live or work, or where there are animals present.
• Non-damaging: Clean agents do not leave a residue after discharge, which prevents damage to sensitive equipment and materials. This is important for buildings with high-value assets.
• Effective: Clean agents are very effective at extinguishing fires quickly. This helps to minimize damage to your building and its contents.

Here are some of the drawbacks of using a clean agent fire suppression system in your building:

• Cost: Clean agent fire suppression systems can be more expensive than other types of fire suppression systems.
• Installation and maintenance: Clean agent fire suppression systems require specialized installation and maintenance.
• Environmental impact: Some clean agents, such as Halon, have a negative impact on the environment. However, there are now more environmentally friendly clean agents available, such as FM-200 and Novec 1230.

If you are considering installing a clean agent fire suppression system in your building, it is important to consult with a qualified fire protection professional. They can help you to assess your needs and choose the right system for your building.

Clean Agent Fire Suppression System Inspections and Maintenance

Clean agent fire suppression systems require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they are properly functioning and ready to protect people and property in the event of a fire. The following is a summary of the inspection and maintenance schedule for clean agent and CO2 fire suppression systems, based on NFPA 2001 and NFPA 12:

Clean Agent Systems

• Every 6 months: Verify clean agent cylinder weight.
• Every year: Test all clean agent system control panel equipment, including initiating devices and equipment. Perform room integrity testing.
• Every 5 years: Inspect containers.

CO2 Systems

• Every 6 months: Verify CO2 cylinder weight and pressure.
• Every year: Test all components of the CO2 control panel, including initiating devices and equipment.
• Every 5 years: Conduct a hydrostatic test if cylinders have been previously emptied.
• Every 12 years: Conduct a hydrostatic test if cylinders have never been emptied or the system has never discharged.

In addition to the above, the following inspection and maintenance tasks should be performed on a regular basis:

• Check all initiating devices and verify time delays for system discharge.
• Ensure releasing device activates properly.
• Verify abort device and manual release are functioning.
• Check the orientation of all discharge, pipe fittings, and nozzles.
• Check batteries and signal.
• Verify the as-built drawings and flow calculations.

It is important to note that this is just a general overview of the inspection and maintenance requirements for clean agent and CO2 fire suppression systems. The specific requirements for your system may vary depending on the type of system, the manufacturer’s recommendations, and local codes and regulations. It is always best to consult with a qualified fire protection professional to develop a specific inspection and maintenance plan for your system.