FK-5-1-12 is a chemical clean agent for fire suppression, best known by the trade name Novec 1230. Chemically a fluorinated ketone, it is stored as a liquid and discharged as a colourless, electrically non-conductive gas that suppresses fire in seconds without leaving residue. FK-5-1-12 stands out for its environmental profile: an extremely low global warming potential and an atmospheric lifetime of around five days. MEP designs, supplies and installs FK-5-1-12 systems for data centres, server rooms and other sensitive risks across the UK.
FK-5-1-12 extinguishes fire primarily by physical means, heat absorption and inhibiting the chain reactions. The agent has a very high heat capacity, so when it floods the enclosure it rapidly removes thermal energy from the fire, cooling the combustion reaction below the point at which it can sustain itself. Stored as a liquid, it vaporises instantly on discharge and reaches design concentration within about ten seconds. Because it works by cooling rather than oxygen reduction, the design concentration stays well within safe limits for occupied spaces.
FK-5-1-12 combines fast, clean, equipment-safe suppression with the best environmental credentials of any chemical agent: a global warming potential of around 1, zero ozone depletion and a five-day atmospheric lifetime, so it is not restricted by F-gas phase-down. It stores as a liquid, keeping the cylinder footprint small. Because its manufacture is affected by changes in the wider chemicals market, we can advise on long-term availability and alternatives so your investment is protected. All systems are designed to BS EN 15004.
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FK-5-1-12 is a clean agent fire suppression fluid, widely known as Novec 1230. It is a fluoroketone stored as a liquid and discharged as a gas to extinguish fire without residue.
Yes. FK-5-1-12 is the chemical designation and Novec 1230 is the best-known trade name for the same agent.
Mainly by absorbing heat. Its high heat capacity cools the fire below the temperature needed to sustain combustion, rather than reducing oxygen.
Yes. It has a global warming potential of about 1, zero ozone depletion and an atmospheric lifetime of only around five days, so it is not affected by F-gas phase-down.
Yes, when designed to BS EN 15004. The design concentration provides a good safety margin for occupied spaces.
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