NOVEC 1230 Fire

suppression
system

Submitted by: 113007

113013
113022

What is Fire?
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical
process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various
reaction products.

According to ISI - 2190/1979:

Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D fires

Fire Extinguishing agents

Water
Disadvantages- Conducts electricity, May spread Class B fires,
Freezes in cold climates, May carry pollutants as run-off water
Multi-Purpose dry chemical
Disadvantages-Obscures vision, More irritating than ordinary
dry chemical, Nozzle pressure may cause burning liquids to
splash
Regular dry chemical
Disadvantages-Leaves a residue, Obscures vision, Not good on
deep-seated Class A fires, Absorbs moisture and may "cake"
within container, May be irritating, Nozzle pressure may cause
burning liquids to splash

 Carbon di oxide
Disadvantages-Generally >35% concentration by volume
required for total flooding system, Toxic to humans at >4% by
volume, Dissipates rapidly - allows reflash, Has a
cooling/chilling effect on some electronic components
Halon 1211
Disadvantages-Acutely toxic at >4% by volume (dizziness,
impaired coordination and cardiac effects), Must be used at
>5% by volume, Toxic decomposition products are generated
by fire, Vapor density = 5.7 (collects in pits and low areas),
Production restricted per Montreal Protocol due to depletion of
ozone layer.

Why Novec 1230?

Environmentally-sustainable
technology
Properties

Novec

Halon13

HFC-

HFC-

01

Ozone Depletion

1230
0.0

227ea
0.0

125
0

12

Potential (ODP)1
Global Warming

6900

3500

3400

0.014

65

33

29.0

Potential (GWP)IPCC2
Atmospheric

Lifetime
(years) Organization (WMO) 1998, Model-Derived Method.
1
World Meteorological
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 Method.

Margin of human safety surpassing all chemical

agents, CO2 and inert gas mixture
Agent
Use
Concentrati
on1

Novec
1230

HFC125

HFC227ea

Inert
Gas

CO2

4.2-5.9%

8.712.1%

6.258.7%

34.240.6%

30-75

NOAEL2

10%

7.5%

9%

43%

<5

Safety
Margin

69-138%

nil%

3-44%

6-26%

Lethal at
Design
Concentration

1 2008 NFPA 2001 and NFPA 12.

2 NOAEL for cardiac sensitization (halocarbons) and effects specific to CO2

Extinguishing mechanism of Novec

1230 Fluid
Novec

1230

fluid

extinguishes

principally

via

the

second

mechanism removing heat from the fire.

Upon discharge, Novec 1230 fluid creates a gaseous mixture with
air. This agent/air mixture has a heat capacity much larger than
that of air alone. A higher heat capacity means that this gas
mixture will absorb more energy (heat) for each degree of
temperature change it experiences.
At a proper system design concentration, the agent/air mixture
absorbs sufficient heat to upset the balance of the fire triangle.
The amount of heat the fire loses to the surroundings is increased
by the presence of the agent. This causes the combustion zone to
cool to the point that the fire extinguishes.

Applications

Data Processing Centers

-

Computer Rooms

Data Storage Facilities

Telecommunications
-

- Switching Centers
Commercial
and
Military

Gas Compressor Rooms

Offshore Oil Exploration

Rigs
Transportation
- Mass Transit Vehicles
Recreation
-

Merchant Marine Vessels

Pleasure Craft

- Race Cars
Cultural Facilities

Control and Paint Rooms

Museums

Engine Rooms

Libraries

- Storage Rooms
Military Systems

- Archives
Medical Facilities

Storage Areas

Combat Vehicles

- Marine Engine Rooms

Manufacturing Facilities

Petrochemical

Pumping Facilities

Gas

Aviation

&

Facilities

Cellular Sites

- Engine protection
Commercial Marine

Oil

System Components
1. Agent Storage Components - Storage components consist of the
cylinder assembly(s), which contains the Novec 1230 fluid, and the
cylinder bracket(s), which holds the cylinder assembly securely in place.
2. Agent Fluid Distribution Components - Distribution components
consist of the discharge nozzles used to introduce the Novec 1230 fluid
into a protected hazard along with the associ ated piping system used to
connect the nozzles to the cylinder assembly.
3. Trim Components - Trim components complete the installation of the
suppression system and consist of connection fittings, pressure gauge,
low-pressure supervisory switch, electric valve actuator, and manual
valve actuator.

System Components(contd.)
4. Slave Arrangement Components - Slave arrangement
components consist of the pneumatic valve actuator(s), actuation
check valve, vent check, actuation hose, and fittings required for a
multiple cylinder (slave) arrangement.
5. Supplemental Components - Supplemental components
include the discharge pressure switch and manifold check valve.
They supplement the core equipment or complete a specific multicylinder configuration.
6. Control Panel - This device monitors the condition of the electric
actuator, detectors, warning devices, cylinder pressure, and any
manual release and abort stations. All electric or electronic devices
must connect to the control panel in order to function.
7. Detection and Alarm Devices - Detection devices coupled with
manual release and abort stations maximize system efficiency while
audible and visual alarm devices alert staff of alarm conditions.

Typical Clean agent System

Layout

Case Study
the library serves as an important
resource for history scholars as
well as a point of reference for
educators, students and interested
visitors
The singular collection consists of
rare books, art and photographs
and primary source documents etc
In December 1999, the library
suffered an accidental discharge
of its fire suppression system,
which was originally installed two
decades earlier. Fortunately, no
loss or significant damage was
incurred by the discharge, but the
cleanup process was substantial
and costly

Daughters of the Republic of Texas

Library, in San Antonio, Texas

 Upon completion of the feasibility study, the board retained the

services of, a premium brand of Tyco Fire Suppression & Building
Products. The system chosen as the best option to meet all their
specific needs was the Novec 1230 clean agent fire suppression
system.
The Novec 1230 systeminstalled throughout the Daughters of the
Republic of Texas Library, support offices, and library vaultprovides
continued fire protection of the irreplaceable art, photographs, books,
documents, and maps representing the cultural heritage of Texas.
The Novec 1230 system is ideally suited for the protection of libraries,
archives, and document repositories as it can be discharged on books,
precious artifacts and other delicate items without causing harm.
The Novec 1230 systeminstalled throughout the Daughters of the
Republic of Texas Library, support offices, and library vaultprovides
continued fire protection of the irreplaceable art, photographs, books,
documents, and maps representing the cultural heritage of Texas.

Ceiling-mounted agent
discharge nozzle and
notification device.

Novec 1230 Fire protection fluid

cylinders provide manual back up

Manual release stations

Clean agent fire extinguisher

GAS SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

CALCULATIONS
The Novec 1230 system is installed in Library and Store &
Pharmacy of a hospital. It provides continued fire protection of
the costly medicines and irreplaceable photographs, books,
documents. The contents of the library are protected by this
fire suppression system that does not cause damage while still
being environment friendly.

Design calculations for Library area

Step 01: Determine hazard volume
Library- 46 (l) x 325 (b) x 10 (h) = 14950 ft 3

Step 02: Determine Volume of solid, permanent structures, or

equipment.
Area of each column
Volume

= 2.42ft2

= 2.42 x 10

= 24.2ft3

No. of pillars occupying room area = 7

Total Volume

= 24.2 x 7 = 169.4 say 170 ft 3

Step 03: Calculate reduced volume

Reduced volume

= Step 1 ans. step 2 ans.

= 14950-170 = 14780 ft 3~418.52m3

Step 04: Determination of NOVEC 1230 Quantity
Q = V* CF *C

Alt

Where, Q- Agent quantity required [kg]

V = Hazard volume [m]
CF = Flooding factor [kg/m]
C

Alt

= Altitude correction factor

Therefore, Q

= 418.52x 0.5875x 0.90

= 221.29
Hence required agent quantity = say 225Kg
To check the concentration C reached in the hazard the
following formula can be used:

Where,
Q = agent quantity supplied from the system [kg] (at sea level)
V = hazard volume [m]
s = specific vapour volume [m/kg] = 0.0664 + 0.000274 * T (at sea level)
T = max. Hazard temperature [C]

Altitude = 542m
A quantity of 225 kg Novec 1230 has been calculated at an
altitude of 542 m.
At sea level this would result in 225 kg / 0.943 = 250 kg Novec

Specific vapour volume(s) for Novec 1230:

Formula: S = 0.0664 + 0.000274 * 40 =0.077
C= (250 x 0.0773 x 100) / 418.52+ (250 x 0.0773)
= 1932.5 / 437.84
= 4.41% (Concentration is less than NOAEL* (10%) okay
for occupied space)
*No Observed Adverse Effect Level

Step 06: Determination of number and size of tanks

required
Nominal

P/N

Cylinder
Size
600 lb
900 lb
1000 lb

20508
20509
20510

Fill Capacity
Minimum
Lb
kg

Maximum
Lb
Kg

lb

Kg

304
455
561

609
910
1000

346
471
766

157.0
213.6
346.5

137.9
206.4
254.5

Empty Weight

276.2
412.7
453.6

* 75% of max. filling

Tank fill level

actual filling(kg)/max. filling(kg)

1 x 412.7 kg tanks required - filled with 250kg Novec 1230

Step 07: Determination of number

Number of nozzles:
Total Volume of hazard area / coverage area of each nozzle
360 Pattern: 418.52/ 292 = 1.43 say 2
180o Pattern: 418.52/ 146 = 2.86 say 3

Step 08: Pipe Size Estimation

Total quantity = 250 kg Novec 1230
(in 10 s) from 2 nozzles
12.5 kg/s
Find the next higher value in "Max.
Flow" column
Estimated Pipe size = 50 mm (2)

Pipe

Pipe

Intern

Min

Max

Type

Diame

al

Flow

Flow

ter

Diame

(kg/sec) (kg/sec

40T
40T
40T
40T
40T
40T

15 mm
20 mm
25 mm
32 mm
40 mm
50

ter
15.8
20.93
26.64
35.05
40.89
52.5

0.454
0.907
1.59
2.72
4.08
6.35

)
1.361
2.495
3.855
5.67
9.072
13.61

40T
40T
40T

mm
65 mm
80 mm
100

62.71
77.93
102.25

9.072
13.61
24.95

24.95
40.82
56.7

40T

mm
125

128.2

40.82

90.72

40T

mm
150

154.05

54.43

136.1

mm

Step 09: Pressure Venting

Where, A
Q
V

=
=

p =

Novec 1230 flow (kg/s)

specific volume of agent (m/kg)*
max. allowable pressure increase (Pa)**

VHOM
=
mixture***
c2 =

required free venting area (m)

specific volume of the homogeneous air / Novec 1230

resistance coefficient for the opening****

* Use 0.072 m/kg for Novec 1230.

** A value between 100 and 300 Pascals should be used if there is no
other value offered by the client or clients representative.
*** 0.42 is a good average value for 4.2% Novec 1230 concentration.
**** 0.5<c 2<1; to simplify the formula, use c 2=1

 250 kg Novec 1230 to be discharged (within 10 seconds).

Maximum overpressure allowed = 300 Pa.
A

= [(25 x 0.072)/ (300 x 4.2)] x 1

= 1.8 / 35.5
= 0.05 m2

Therefore, 0.05 m free venting area is required.

gn Layout of Novec1230 gas suppression system for Li

Design Layout of Novec1230 gas suppression system for

Store & Pharmacy

Conclusion
The designing of Novec 1230 gas fire suppression system is
achieved based on design criteria provided by one of the
leading supplier of the product Tyco. We are positive that we
have fulfilled the design requirements for the selected two
areas of the building i.e., library and store & pharmacy of a
hospital. Even though the initial cost of the installing Novec
1230 clean agent is high, it has its own advantages over the
conventional fire extinguishing systems of protecting the
environment and irreplaceable valuable things.

Thank you..!!