Transcript Document

Best Practices and NFPA
Codes for Clean Agent
Systems
Session #FAC 7.1 Suppression
Jeremiah Crocker, P.E.
Business Development Manager
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Jeremiah Crocker, P.E.
• Masters in Fire Protection Engineering
• 7 years of Fire Protection R&D experience
• Registered Professional Engineer: Fire
Protection
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Best Practices
and NFPA
Codes for Clean
Agent Systems
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Agenda
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System Type Selection
Detection Method and Control Logic
Enclosure Integrity Issues
Periodic Maintenance Requirements
Unintentional Discharge Prevention
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Understanding Your Risk
Challenge
Results
Sensitive Equipment, Valuable
 Minimize Downtime
Data, Continuous Process
 Preserve Valuable Data
 Protect Sensitive Electronic
Equipment
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Compliance
Automatic Sprinkler Systems
• Provides building protection
• NFPA compliant system
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Typically Double Interlock
• You should utilize current technology to
reduce cost and improve installation time
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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
• Discharge Frequency
• Environmental Concerns
Each of These Factors Can Impact System Selection
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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
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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
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Tanks & brackets
• Agent delivery system
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Discharge hose, piping & nozzles
• Actuation system
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Valve actuator
Actuation connection components
• Suitable Enclosure
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Pressure Relief
Room Integrity
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Clean Agent Application Example
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Clean Agent Categories
Halocarbon Agents
Inert Gas Agents
IG-541 (Argon-CO₂-N2)
IG-100 (Nitrogen)
IG-55 (Argon-Nitrogen)
IG-01 (Argon)
Halon 1301
HFC-125
HFC-227ea
FK-5-1-12
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 and Challenges - Halocarbons
Benefits
• Widely Available
Challenges
• Cost of agent
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Small Footprint
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Room Integrity
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Lower Installed Cost
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Limited Pipe Runs
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Rapid Recharge
Availability
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Variable Environmental
Characteristics
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Inert Gas Systems
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Inert Gas agents are composed of atmospheric gases
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Class A hazards: concentrations from 34.2% to 37.9%
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Class C hazards: concentrations from 38.5% to 42.7%
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Tanks are pressurized to 150, 200, or 300 bar
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60-120 seconds to discharge
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Room integrity less of a concern
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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
• Environmentally Benign
• Cost of Agent
• Egress Safety
• No thermal shock
• Increased Retention Time
• Selector Valves
• Pipe Distances
Challenges
• 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:
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Cross-zone Detector Spacing – 250 sqft
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Air Sampling at HVAC Return
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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 0.8–1.5% obs/ft
• Photoelectric 2.0–4.0% obs/ft
• Laser 0.02–2.00% 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
• Ease of maintenance
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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
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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 Pressure…Shall be
Checked.
NFPA 2001 – Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
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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.
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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 Accidental Discharge.
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For More Information:
http://www.nfpa.org/
http://www.fssa.net/
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Questions?
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Thank You!
Jeremiah Crocker P.E.
Business Development Manager
[email protected]
(603) 496-5207
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