How FM-200 Waterless Fire Protection System works?

FM-200 is stored in cylinders as a pressurized liquid for quick release. Due to its low boiling
point, it discharges as a gas which extinguishes fires promptly through a combination of
chemical and physical heat removal. Unlike other fire extinguishers, FM-200 does not muffle
flames by removing oxygen from the environment; instead it removes heat energy from fire. The
fire fighting system absorbs heat from the flame zone and disrupts the chemical chain reaction of
the combustion process. This helps put out the fire quickly, minimizing the risk of explosion and
collateral damage.

FM-200 is specially designed for marine fire

fighting and is distributed uniformly throughout the protected area of a vessel, such as the engine
enclosures, electrical controls, machinery compartments, and other marine applications. Water or
water mist may not penetrate inside cabinets or reach a fire that is underneath machinery
compartments, whereas the FM-200 gas can penetrate easily into obscure or hard to reach areas
with its 3-D capability.

Benefits

Fire fighting on ship pertains to the tactics and abilities of the crew. The FM-200 Waterless Fire
Protections System serves the purpose well. Here are a few of its benefits:

• Detecting and eliminating fire within 10 seconds.

• Preventing extensive fire damage and minimizing combustion by-products.
• Attributing to people-safety and environmentally friendliness.
 • Cutting down potential injuries.
• Eradicating the risk of collateral damage and downtime.
• Replacing ozone-depleting Halon fire suppression systems.
• Requiring minimal floor space for cylinder storage.
• No need of evacuation unlike CO2.
• Longevity – in pressurized cylinders, FM-200 remains unchanged for decades.
• Affordable and cost-effective compared to the loss of high-value assets.
• Manufactured under rigorous quality and purity standards.
• Applications flexibility — effective on Class A, B, and C fires

Applications

FM 200 Waterless Fire Protection is the most effective marine fire fighting system which is used
on numerous marine applications including:

• Engine compartments
• Electronic controls
• Electrical equipment
• Generator compartments
• Communication centres
• Bilges
• Paint lockers
• Flammable liquid storage areas
• Cargo spaces
• To replace existing Halon 1301 systems
• Can be used in place of CO2
• In all occupied spaces.
Future prospects

Fire dissemination, being one most unlikely but probable accidental peril at sea, now-a-days the
precaution measure with the FM-200 Waterless Fire Protection System is a common practice to
almost all marine vessels, including US Army Watercraft, Alaska Marine Highway System
ferries, German Coast Guard patrol boats, Turkish patrol boats, Inland waterway barges in
Europe etc.

Apart from saving marine lives and properties it is also beneficial in the long run as it is highly
environment-friendly. These are non-emissive and do not deplete stratospheric ozone. Hence it
has been approved for use around the world by international organizations like NFPA, FM
Global, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and International Marine
Organization.
Because of its advance technology and eco-friendliness the FM-200 Waterless fire fighting
system is assumed to remain the most efficient and beneficial marine fire fighting system, if not
the only, for a few more years to come.