Best Practices and

NFPA Codes for

Clean Agent
Systems
Session #FAC 7.1 Suppression
Jeremiah Crocker, P.E.
Business Development Manager
1

Jeremiah Crocker, P.E.

Masters in Fire Protection
Engineering
7 years of Fire Protection R&D
experience
Registered Professional Engineer:
Fire Protection

Best Practices
and NFPA
Codes for Clean
Agent Systems

Agenda
System Type Selection
Detection Method and Control Logic
Enclosure Integrity Issues
Periodic Maintenance Requirements
Unintentional Discharge Prevention

Understanding Your Risk

Challenge

Results

Sensitive Equipment,

Minimize Downtime

Valuable Data,

Preserve Valuable Data

Continuous Process

Protect Sensitive
Electronic Equipment

Compliance
Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Provides building protection
NFPA compliant system

Typically Double Interlock

You should utilize current

technology to reduce cost and
improve installation time

Electric/Pneumatic is an over 30
year old technology
Eliminate the need for full flow
discharge tests per NFPA with
fluid delivery calculation software
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Selecting the Best System

Hazard Considerations:
Equipment Type &
Sensitivity
Water, Noise, Heat, etc.

Hazard Size & Footprint

Redundancy (Reserve
Supply)
Room Integrity
Enclosure Type
Pressure Relief

Ventilation/Air Movement
Each of These Factors Can Impact System Selection
Discharge Frequency

Clean Agent Standard NFPA 2001

Standard on Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems, 2012
Edition
Sets Design, Installation and
Maintenance Standards for
Clean Agent Systems
Annex Material Explains Certain
Information in Depth, i.e., Room
Integrity Testing
NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
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IT Equipment Standard -NFPA 75

Additional Guidance on:

Hot/Aisle Cold/Aisle

Under Floor Protection

High Airflows

Acoustics (Future)

NFPA 75 Standard for Fire Protection of IT Technology Equipment

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Defining Clean Agents

Total Flood Gaseous Agent

Enclosure required!

Safe for Occupied Areas

Environmentally Acceptable
Electrically Non-Conductive
Leaves No Residue

NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

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Clean Agent System

Components
Detection & Control
Agent

Agent Storage

Tanks & brackets

Agent delivery system

Discharge hose, piping & nozzles

Actuation system

Valve actuator
Actuation connection components

Suitable Enclosure

Pressure Relief
Room Integrity

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Clean Agent Application Example

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Clean Agent Categories

Halocarbon Agents

Inert Gas Agents

Halon 1301
HFC-125
HFC-227ea
FK-5-1-12

IG-541 (Argon-CO-N2)
IG-100 (Nitrogen)
IG-55 (Argon-Nitrogen)
IG-01 (Argon)

Suppression Method
Heat Absorption

Suppression Method
Oxygen Reduction

One Common Goal

Fire Suppression
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Halocarbon Systems
Halocarbon agents are stored as a liquid; dispersed
as a gas
Class A hazards: concentrations from 4.5% to 8.0%
Class C hazards: concentrations from 4.7% to 9.0%
Tanks are charged with Nitrogen to 360 psi
10 seconds to discharge
Room has to be well sealed
Thermal decomposition products
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Halocarbon - Typical System Components

System Piping

Control Panel

Electric Actuator

Agent Cylinders

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Benefits

Benefits and Challenges Halocarbons

Challenges

Widely Available

Cost of agent

Small Footprint

Room Integrity

Lower Installed
Cost

Limited Pipe Runs

Rapid Recharge
Availability

Variable
Environmental
Characteristics

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Inert Gas Systems

Inert Gas agents are composed of atmospheric gases

Class A hazards: concentrations from 34.2% to 37.9%

Class C hazards: concentrations from 38.5% to 42.7%

Tanks are pressurized to 150, 200, or 300 bar

60-120 seconds to discharge

Room integrity less of a concern

Pressure relief critical

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Inert Gas Typical System Components

System Piping

Pressure Reducer

Electric Actuator

Control Panel
Agent Cylinders

Selector Valves
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Inert Gases
Benefits and Challenges
Benefits

Challenges

Environmentally
Benign
Cost of Agent
Egress Safety
No thermal shock
Increased
Retention Time
Selector Valves
Pipe Distances

Footprint (# of
Cylinders)
Higher Installation
Cost
Pressure Relief is
Critical
Recharge
Availability
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Clean Agent Summary

Halocarbon Agents

Inert Gases

Suppress by Heat
Absorption
Less $ to install, More $
to refill
Like Tight Enclosures
and Short Distances
Have a Smaller
Footprint

Suppress by Reduction
of O2 Levels
More $ to Install. Less $
to Refill
Tolerate Loose
Enclosures and Long
Distances
Need More Floor Space

Hazard Specific Considerations Will Impact Selection

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NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code

6.12.1 Fire alarm control

units used for automatic or
manual activation of a fire
suppression system shall be
listed for releasing service

6.12.2 Releasing devices for

suppression systems shall
be listed for use with
releasing service control
units.

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Detection and Control Reference

Addresses Suppression
Specific Issues:

Cross-zone Detector Spacing 250

sqft

Air Sampling at HVAC Return

Operation Sequencing

Regular fire alarm systems are NOT the same as releasing fire
alarm systems.

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Detection and Control Sequence of

Operation
Manual Devices

Early Warning Detection

Spot Detection
HVAC Controls
Notification Devices
Control Panel

Pre-Action Valve

Agent Cylinder

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Typical Detection & Control Sequence

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Spot Smoke Detection

Obscuration Level
Ionization 0.81.5% obs/ft
Photoelectric 2.04.0%
obs/ft
Laser 0.022.00% obs/ft
Passive
Requires smoke to
migrate to detector
Addressability
Ability to pinpoint alarm
location

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Air Aspirating Smoke Detection

Obscuration Levels
Aspirating 0.0015
6.2500% obs/ft
Active
Allows for optimized
placement
Multiple Alarm Levels
Hazard-specific smoke
levels
Improved Accessibility

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Room Integrity Issues

Retain the Agent
Stop Air Exchange
Provide Pressure
Relief

Methods

Fan Testing
Discharge Testing
Venting Calculations
Venting Components
Annual Verification

Establish and Maintain Over the Life of the System

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Room Integrity Demonstrated

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Clean Agent Standard NFPA 2001

Requires Inspection of
Enclosure Every 12 Months or a
Documented Control Program
Requires Enclosure Re-Test if
Uncertainty Exists.

NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

29

Enclosure Venting Reference

All Clean Agent Types

Require Venting
Calculations

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NFPA 2001 Periodic Maintenance

Reqs.
7.1.1 At Least Annually, all
Systems Shall be Thoroughly
Inspected and Tested for
Proper Operation by Personnel
Qualified in the Installation
and Testing of Clean Agent
Extinguishing Systems.

7.1.3 At Least Semiannually,

the Agent Quantity and
PressureShall be Checked.

NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

31

System Inspection Reference

This Guide Provides
Suggested Checklists and
Forms That Comply with
NFPA Requirements to be
Used by Inspection and
Maintenance Personnel

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Preventing Unwanted Discharge

#1 System Owner
Headache!
Usually a Result of
Maintenance or
Untrained Personnel
Communicate with
System
Maintenance
Provider.

33

Causes for
Non-Fire Related
Discharge

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Best Practices and NFPA Codes

for Clean Agent Systems
Summary:
1. Select a System Type Based on Complete
Hazard Conditions and Requirements.
2. Ensure the Hardware and Detection &
Control Systems are Compatible.
3. Address Room Integrity and Maintain it.
4. Enlist Qualified Personnel to Maintain the
System
5. Institute Best Practices to Prevent

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For More Information:

http://www.nfpa.org/

http://www.fssa.net/

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Questions?

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(603) 4965207

Jeremiah.cro
cker@tycofp.
com

Business
Developmen
t Manager

Jeremiah
Crocker P.E.

Thank You!

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