mep-fire-ltd

Stay Safe This Christmas: Essential Fire Safety Tips

ross@kangaroouk.com (Ross Keevins) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:24:42 GMT

As the festive season is upon us, homes across the UK are filled with lights, decorations, and the warm glow of candles. Yet, amidst the joy, it's crucial to keep safety at the forefront of your celebrations. Each year, fire services respond to hundreds of incidents related to Christmas decorations and activities. These accidents are not just statistics; they're preventable events. Make fire safety at Christmas a priority in your holiday preparations and enjoy a worry-free festive period.

Fire Safety Precautions

Now's the perfect time to focus on fire safety precautions that can protect your home and loved ones. The festive period often leads to an abundance of decorations, increased use of open flames, and electrical overloads, all of which heighten fire risks. But fear not! By following a few straightforward tips, you can safeguard your home against potential mishaps.

Begin by inspecting your home for any potential fire hazards. Look for worn-out wires, overused extension cords, and overloaded power sockets. It's easy to overlook these safety pitfalls when you're excited about decking the halls. Also, make sure to keep all exits clear of decorations. In the event of an emergency, you'll want a swift and unobstructed path to safety.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to fire safety. Ensure that everyone in your household knows where the fire extinguishers are located and how to use them. A quick demonstration can make all the difference. Moreover, take the time to educate children about the dangers of fire and hot surfaces. Youngsters are naturally curious, so setting clear boundaries and explaining the risks can help prevent accidents.

Finally, don't forget to review your insurance policy. Check that it covers fire damage, especially if you've made recent renovations or added significant contents to your home. Peace of mind comes from knowing you're covered in the unfortunate event of a fire.

Christmas Trees Safety

A beautifully decorated Christmas tree is often the centrepiece of festive celebrations, but it can also be a significant fire hazard if not handled properly. Fortunately, with a few mindful practices, you can keep your tree safe while still enjoying its beauty.

First and foremost, selecting a fresh tree is crucial. Fresh trees retain moisture, which makes them less likely to catch fire than their dry counterparts. When you get your tree home, keep the stand filled with water to prevent the needles from drying out and becoming a fire risk.

When positioning your tree, keep it away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, and heaters. These can quickly dry out a tree, turning it into a potential fire hazard. And remember, your tree should never block doorways or escape routes. In an emergency, you need all exits clear and accessible.

Decorate your tree with care. Opt for non-flammable decorations and make sure they're securely placed. The last thing you want is an ornament falling and causing a spark. With these fire safety tips, your Christmas tree can be both a festive delight and a safe feature in your home.

Christmas Lights Safety

Christmas lights bring a sparkling magic to homes during the festive season, but they also come with risks if not used properly. Before you start stringing up those twinkling fairy lights, take a moment to consider their safety.

Always inspect your lights for frayed wires and broken bulbs before plugging them in. Damaged lights are a common cause of electrical fires. Additionally, ensure that your lights have a British Standard safety mark, which indicates they meet the necessary safety standards.

For outdoor lighting, use only lights designed for external use. These are weatherproof and can withstand the elements, reducing the risk of electrical hazards. And, crucially, always turn off all lights before leaving the house or going to bed. This simple habit can prevent overheating and potential fires.

Lastly, avoid overloading extension leads with too many lights or decorations. This can cause overheating and lead to a fire.

Candle Safety Tips

Candles add a warm and cosy ambiance to any room, but they also pose a significant fire risk if not used carefully. Always place candles in sturdy holders and keep them away from flammable materials such as curtains and decorations. It's also vital to extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep. Unattended candles are a leading cause of house fires.

For households with pets and children, it's essential to keep lit candles out of their reach. Curious hands and wagging tails can easily knock over candles, leading to accidents. Consider switching to LED candles, which offer the flickering glow without the fire risk.

Finally, watch out for draughts. Even a gentle breeze can cause a candle flame to flare up, increasing the risk of fire. Keep candles sheltered from winds to maintain a steady flame.

Safety with Christmas Decorations

When it comes to Christmas decorations, safety should always be a top priority. While they're meant to bring joy and cheer, they can also pose fire risks if not used correctly.

First, keep all decorations away from open flames and heat sources. Whether it's a candle or a fireplace, decorations can ignite quickly if placed too close. Opt for flame-retardant decorations to further reduce fire risks.

Ensure that all decorations are securely fastened. A falling decoration can come into contact with a heat source and ignite. Also, inspect any electric decorations for safety before hanging them. Faulty wiring can lead to sparks and, ultimately, fires.

Be cautious with metallic decorations. They can conduct electricity, so avoid placing them near power sources. By following these decoration safety tips, you can deck the halls with confidence and peace of mind.

Importance of Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are your first line of defence against fires, providing critical early warnings that can save lives. It's essential to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially during the festive season when fire risks increase.

Regularly test the batteries in your smoke alarms, ideally once a month, and replace them annually. A non-functioning smoke alarm is as good as no alarm at all. Install alarms high on walls or ceilings for optimal performance, as smoke rises.

Consider interconnected smoke alarms for whole-house alerts. This way, if one alarm goes off, all others will sound, giving your family more time to escape. Smoke alarms provide precious minutes in the event of a fire, so don't underestimate their value.

Creating an Escape Plan

Having an escape plan is crucial for fire safety. It's not just about knowing how to get out during a fire; it's about ensuring everyone in your home knows too.

Start by agreeing on a meeting point outside your home in case of fire. This ensures everyone knows where to go and helps you quickly account for all family members. Regularly practice escape routes to ensure everyone is familiar with the plan.

Teach children how to escape independently if necessary. In an emergency, they may need to act quickly, so it's vital they know what to do. Make sure every room has at least two ways to exit in an emergency, providing multiple escape options.

Lastly, adjust your escape plans for guests or family members with mobility issues. Their safety is just as important, and a well-thought-out plan can make all the difference.

General Safety Advice for the Festive Season

While the festive season is a time of joy, it's important to remain vigilant and keep safety top of mind. With a few general safety tips, you can enjoy the holidays without worry.

Never leave cooking unattended. It's easy to get caught up in the festivities, but unattended cooking is a leading cause of household fires. Dispose of wrapping paper and rubbish promptly to avoid clutter and potential fire hazards.

Inform guests about the location of exits and safety equipment. In an emergency, everyone should know how to get to safety quickly. Monitor alcohol consumption, especially when cooking or using open flames, to prevent accidents.

The festive season brings both joy and increased fire risks. By taking proactive steps such as inspecting your home, educating your family, and preparing escape plans, you can keep your celebrations safe. So, this Christmas, why not make fire safety your gift to your family?

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For additional peace of mind, why not consider a fire suppression system in your home. MEP Fire is here to help you find the correct model for you. Get in touch with our team today, and we’ll make sure that you have everything you need to make the correct decision.

Fire Extinguisher Gases: What You Need to Know

ross@kangaroouk.com (Ross Keevins) — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 17:25:53 GMT

When a fire breaks out, it doesn't just threaten property; it endangers lives and disrupts livelihoods. The difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic blaze often hinges on the swift and effective use of a fire extinguisher. But how much do you really know about the gases inside these life-saving devices? From water to foam, dry powder to CO2, each extinguisher type serves a unique purpose and requires a nuanced understanding to wield effectively. Have you ever wondered why certain extinguishers are filled with different gases and how they combat fires so efficiently?

Understanding Fire Extinguishers and Their Importance

Fire extinguishers are quintessential tools in fire safety, acting as the first line of defence against small fires before they escalate into full-blown disasters. Their presence is reassuring, providing peace of mind to building occupants, workers, and even students. Knowing that a properly maintained extinguisher is within reach can be the difference between a minor mishap and a major emergency.

Importance of Fire Extinguishers in Fire Safety

Fire extinguishers are not just metal canisters hanging on walls; they are critical safety devices that provide immediate action against incipient fires. When a fire starts, every second counts, and having the appropriate fire extinguisher on hand can prevent a small spark from becoming a raging inferno. Think of them as the unsung heroes in your fire safety toolkit, quietly standing by, ready to jump into action.

These devices help contain fires, offering precious time while awaiting professional firefighters. They act as a buffer, reducing the potential for extensive damage and giving occupants a chance to escape safely. Regular maintenance and fire risk assessments are paramount to ensure that extinguishers function effectively when needed. A neglected extinguisher is as good as no extinguisher at all.

Types of Fires and the Role of Fire Extinguishers

Fires are not one-size-fits-all, and neither are fire extinguishers. Different fires require specific extinguishing agents, and understanding these differences is crucial in selecting the right tool for the job. Fire extinguishers are categorised based on the classes of fires they can combat, from Class A involving ordinary combustibles to Class B with flammable liquids, and beyond.

Knowing the classes of fire and corresponding extinguisher types can make all the difference in a critical moment. The wrong extinguisher could exacerbate a fire rather than quell it. Thus, fire safety education should emphasise understanding these classifications, equipping you with the knowledge to act swiftly and smartly in an emergency.

Water Fire Extinguishers: Properties and Applications

Water fire extinguishers are among the most common and straightforward types found in many environments. Their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness make them a popular choice for combating fires involving ordinary combustibles.

Properties of Water Fire Extinguishers

Water fire extinguishers primarily target Class A fires , which involve materials like wood, paper, and textiles . The cooling effect of water makes it ideal for these fires, as it reduces the temperature of the burning material, effectively extinguishing the flames. A typical litre water fire extinguisher is simple to operate, making it accessible for people with minimal training.

Besides being user-friendly, water extinguishers are also eco-friendly and cost-effective . They contain no harmful chemicals and are easy to maintain, requiring only periodic checks to ensure they are full and functional. This ease of use and maintenance makes them a staple in many fire safety plans.

Suitable Applications for Water Fire Extinguishers

Water extinguishers find their ideal applications in environments like schools, offices, and homes, where Class A fires are prevalent. However, it's crucial to remember that water extinguishers should not be used on electrical fires or flammable liquids, as this can lead to dangerous situations.

Additionally, water extinguishers lose effectiveness in freezing conditions, so they should be placed in environments where temperatures remain above freezing. Fire safety plans should include proper placement and signage for water extinguishers, ensuring they are easily accessible when needed.

Foam Fire Extinguishers: How They Work and When to Use Them

Foam fire extinguishers offer a versatile solution for tackling both Class A and B fires . Their unique ability to form a barrier between the fuel and the fire makes them a valuable resource in various fire-prone environments.

Mechanism of Foam Fire Extinguishers

Foam extinguishers work by spreading a layer of foam over the burning material, effectively smothering the fire and preventing re-ignition. This foam extinguisher mechanism is particularly effective on liquid fires , where the foam acts as a barrier, stopping the fire from accessing more fuel.

The versatility of foam extinguishers makes them suitable for environments with mixed fire risks. They are effective on both solid combustibles and flammable liquids, providing a comprehensive solution for many fire safety needs.

Ideal Scenarios for Using Foam Fire Extinguishers

Foam extinguishers are particularly effective for fires involving flammable liquids, such as petrol or oil , making them ideal for environments like warehouses and factories. However, they should not be used on electrical fires, as the water content in the foam can conduct electricity.

Proper training ensures that personnel know when and how to deploy foam extinguishers, maximising their effectiveness and ensuring safety. Education on the use of foam extinguishers is essential for any workplace with potential liquid fire hazards.

Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers: Types and Suitable Fires

Dry powder fire extinguishers are versatile tools capable of tackling various fire types. Their adaptability makes them a popular choice in environments with mixed fire risks, including vehicle protection and workshops.

Different Types of Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

Dry powder extinguishers come in standard and specialised types, each designed for specific fire scenarios. Standard dry powder extinguishers are effective against Class A, B, and C fires , covering a broad range of potential hazards. On the other hand, specialised powders are formulated to tackle metal fires, such as those involving magnesium or aluminium.

Choosing the correct purpose powder fire extinguisher depends on the specific fire risks present in the environment. Understanding these risks is crucial for selecting the right extinguisher and ensuring effective fire safety measures.

Fires Suitable for Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

Dry powder extinguishers are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for various fire risks, including those found in vehicles and workshops. However, caution is necessary when using them in confined spaces, as the powder can obscure vision and create a challenging environment.

Regular training is essential for the effective use of dry powder extinguishers, ensuring that personnel are prepared to respond swiftly and safely to fire emergencies. This training should cover both the operation of the extinguisher and the specific fire types it is designed to combat.

CO2 Fire Extinguishers: Benefits and Limitations

CO2 fire extinguishers are known for their effectiveness against electrical fires , making them a popular choice for environments with sensitive equipment, such as offices and data centres.

Advantages of CO2 Fire Extinguishers

CO2 extinguishers are ideal for electrical fires, as they leave no residue and do not damage sensitive equipment. By displacing oxygen, the carbon dioxide fire extinguisher effectively smothers the fire, cutting off its oxygen supply and extinguishing it quickly.

The clean nature of CO2 extinguishers makes them preferable in environments where cleanliness is paramount. They are particularly well-suited for offices and data centres , where other extinguishing agents might cause damage or leave behind residue.

Limitations and Considerations for CO2 Fire Extinguishers

Despite their advantages, CO2 extinguishers have some limitations. They have limited reach and coverage, making them less effective for larger fires. Additionally, the rapid discharge of CO2 can cause cold burns if not handled properly, necessitating proper training for users.

In confined spaces, CO2 extinguishers may require additional ventilation, as the displaced oxygen can create a hazardous environment. Regular inspections are necessary to keep carbon dioxide extinguishers pressurised and ready for use, ensuring their effectiveness in an emergency.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers: Effective for Class F Fires

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are specifically designed to combat Class F fires , which involve cooking oils and fats . Their unique properties make them an essential tool in commercial kitchens.

Role of Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers in Class F Fires

Wet chemical extinguishers are tailored for kitchen fires, where they cool and emulsify fats, preventing re-ignition and minimising damage. These wet chemical fire extinguishers are highly effective on cooking oil and fat fires, making them invaluable in environments where such fires are a risk.

The rapid effectiveness of wet chemical extinguishers helps minimise kitchen damage and protect both personnel and property. Their design and function are optimised for the specific challenges posed by Class F fires.

Proper Usage and Handling of Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers

Training is essential for the safe and effective deployment of wet chemical extinguishers. Proper instruction ensures that users are prepared to handle these extinguishers correctly, maximising their effectiveness and ensuring safety.

Wet chemical extinguishers should be easily accessible in commercial kitchens, where the risk of Class F fires is high. Users should follow manufacturer guidelines for safe handling and application, keeping these l itre wet chemical fire extinguishers in optimal condition for emergency use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What gas is used in a fire extinguisher?

The gas used in a fire extinguisher depends on the type of extinguisher. Common gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen, and dry chemical agents.

What are the four types of chemicals used in fire extinguishers?

The four main types of chemicals used in fire extinguishers are water, foam, dry powder, and CO2. Each type is designed to combat different classes of fires.

Do fire extinguishers expire?

A fire extinguisher do expire or require maintenance after a certain period. Many home-use fire extinguishers are disposable and typically have a lifespan of 5 to 15 years. Manufacturers usually stamp an expiration date or manufacture date on the label. If it’s past this date or around 10-12 years from the manufacturing date, it’s time to replace it. Rechargable fire extinguishers are generally more durable, and rather than needing replacement, they require periodic maintenance. They should be professionally inspected and recharged every 6 years, regardless of usage, and hydrostatically tested every 12 years to ensure they can handle high pressure safely. However, even if it hasn’t reached the end of its lifespan, any of these signs mean the extinguisher should be replaced or serviced: Visible damage, corrosion, or rust on the cylinder; A missing or broken seal or pin; Low pressure indicated by the gauge (if equipped).

Fire Suppression for Data Centres: Ensuring Safety and Security in Your Server Room

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 16:28:18 GMT

In today's digital age, data centres serve as the backbone of countless businesses, housing critical infrastructure that powers operations and stores invaluable information. As the demand for data storage swells, so does the necessity of safeguarding these vital environments against potential threats. Among these, fire poses a particularly devastating risk, capable of causing irreversible damage in mere moments. Ensuring robust fire suppression systems in your server room is not just a precaution—it's a lifeline. But what exactly constitutes an effective fire suppression strategy, and how can it seamlessly integrate into the complex tapestry of your data centre's security measures?

Importance of Fire Suppression Systems in Server Rooms

The value of fire suppression systems in server rooms cannot be overstated. These systems act as sentinels, safeguarding not just your hardware, but the very data that drives your business forward. In an environment where every second counts, the ability to swiftly neutralise a fire can mean the difference between a minor hiccup and catastrophic downtime.

Fire protection systems are crucial in preserving your critical infrastructure. They ensure that your servers and networking equipment remain operational, even in the face of potential disasters. By investing in these systems, businesses protect their investments and maintain continuity of operations. This is especially pertinent as data centres become increasingly central to the business landscape.

Facility managers understand that prioritising fire safety is integral to operational success. They know that a comprehensive fire suppression strategy can mitigate unique fire risks inherent to server rooms. IT professionals, too, appreciate the cost-saving benefits of preventive measures, recognising that avoiding fire-related downtime can save substantial amounts in the long run.

Types of Fire Suppression Systems for Server Rooms

Navigating the myriad options for fire suppression systems can feel overwhelming. However, understanding the key characteristics of each type can guide you toward the right choice for your server room.

Water mist systems offer a focused approach, using minimal water to extinguish fires without drenching your equipment. This method cools the fire zone rapidly, reducing the risk of damage. However, the installation of such systems can be costly due to specialised equipment and infrastructure requirements.

Gas-based systems, like FM-200 and NOVEC 1230, provide clean agent fire suppression solutions that leave no residue. These systems are ideal for environments where cleanliness is paramount, as they extinguish fires without leaving behind harmful by-products. However, they require airtight rooms to function effectively, which can be a significant consideration during installation.

However, they require airtight rooms to function effectively, which can be a significant consideration during installation.

Inert gas systems, such as Argonite and Inergen, displace oxygen to suffocate fires. These systems are environmentally friendly and safe for occupied spaces, making them a popular choice. Yet, they can require considerable space for the storage of gas cylinders, which may limit their applicability in smaller server rooms.

Pre-action sprinkler systems represent a hybrid of dry and wet pipe systems, offering enhanced safety by reducing the risk of accidental discharge. These systems only release water when heat detection confirms a fire, providing a double layer of security. However, they demand regular maintenance to remain effective.

Foam suppression systems, while less common in server rooms, offer unique coverage for specific high-risk areas. They're particularly suited for environments with flammable liquids but may be unsuitable for sensitive electronics due to the nature of the suppressant.

Installation Considerations for Fire Suppression Systems in Server Rooms

When installing a fire suppression system, a professional assessment is essential to determine the most suitable solution for your needs. Experts from MEP Fire can provide invaluable insights, tailoring recommendations to fit your specific requirements.

The layout of your server room significantly influences the choice and placement of suppression systems. Factors such as ceiling height, equipment arrangement, and room size all play into the decision-making process. Moreover, integrating fire suppression systems with existing infrastructure ensures seamless operation during emergencies, reducing potential disruption.

Compliance with local regulations and industry standards is non-negotiable. Installation must adhere to these guidelines to guarantee both safety and legality. Working with knowledgeable professionals can help you navigate these requirements, ensuring a smooth and compliant installation process.

Ongoing communication with stakeholders is vital throughout the installation process. Engaging all parties ensures that everyone understands the system's capabilities and limitations, promoting a cohesive approach to fire safety.

Best Practices for Maintaining Fire Suppression Systems in Server Rooms

Maintaining your fire suppression system is as crucial as the installation itself. Regular inspections and testing ensure that systems remain in peak condition, ready to act when needed. Routine maintenance prevents system failures and extends the lifespan of your equipment, protecting your investment.

Staff training is another critical component of an effective fire suppression strategy. By familiarising personnel with system procedures, you enhance their response capabilities, ensuring swift and efficient action in the event of a fire.

Documentation of all maintenance activities provides a clear record for audits and assessments. This transparency not only aids in compliance but also helps in evaluating system performance over time.

Collaborating with certified professionals ensures that maintenance is conducted to the highest standards. These experts can offer fire suppression services tailored to your system's needs, guaranteeing compliance and performance.

Regulations and Standards for Fire Suppression in Data Centres

Adhering to regulations and standards is paramount in the implementation of fire suppression systems in data centres. Industry standards, such as ISO and NFPA guidelines, provide a framework for safe and effective fire suppression. Compliance with these standards ensures your systems meet the necessary safety criteria.

Local fire codes dictate specific requirements for data centre safety. Understanding and adhering to these codes is crucial for legal protection and operational credibility. Regular reviews of regulations keep your systems up-to-date with current best practices.

Certification from recognised bodies provides stakeholders with assurance that your systems are effective. This certification not only enhances operational credibility but also instils confidence in clients and partners.

Integrating Fire Suppression Systems with Other Security Measures in Server Rooms

A comprehensive approach to server room safety involves integrating fire suppression systems with other security measures. Alarm systems play a crucial role, alerting personnel immediately in case of fire incidents. This rapid response capability is essential for minimising damage and ensuring safety.

Access control systems restrict unauthorised entry to critical areas, adding an additional layer of security. These systems prevent tampering and potential sabotage, safeguarding your data centre's integrity.

Surveillance cameras provide real-time monitoring and incident documentation, allowing for a swift response to potential threats. Regular drills and simulations prepare staff for coordinated emergency responses, ensuring that everyone knows their role in an emergency.

Why Choose MEP Fire for your Fire Suppression Systems in Data Centres?

Our expertise and our innovative approach in this industry have revolutionised our clients' experiences, particularly those who have installed relevant systems in their customers' data centres.

MEP Fire's integrity, experience, expertise and proven track record ensure the ideal solution for selecting the most suitable fire suppression system to enhance safety in this high stakes environment.

Only the best is enough here at MEP Fire. Based in the United Kingdom, our commitment to paying attention to every detail ensures that clients consistently receive the best advice and products, resulting in optimal workplace outcomes. This dedication is fundamental to our ethos.

If you're in the market for a fire suppression system within a data centre such as a server room, we recommend you speak to a professional expert here at MEP Fire. Simply call us on 01628 963415 or proceed to the contact us section in the top right-hand corner of our website and submit the relevant information.

Inert Gas Fire Suppression: Does It Offer Effective Protection for Museums and Libraries?

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 16:03:32 GMT

Museums and libraries are custodians of history, safeguarding irreplaceable collections and the structures that house them. Fires within these institutions not only threaten a country's heritage but also the cultural and historic items housed within them. Case studies from around the globe underscore the devastation that fire incidents can wreak upon cultural heritage, such as that witnessed in the 2018 National Museum of Brazil fire, which consumed many millions of items, erasing centuries of history in hours.

Libraries and museums worldwide recognise the need for advanced fire suppression systems to protect their invaluable collections. Instances where inert gas fire suppression systems have been implemented reveal the efficacy of these solutions - with examples including The British Library in the UK and The Lenbachhaus, Munich's Municipal Art Gallery in Germany.

TRADITIONAL FIRE SUPPRESSION METHODS

AND THEIR DRAWBACKS

Traditional fire suppression methods in libraries and museums, such as water-based sprinkler systems and chemical retardants, pose significant risks to valuable items. With sprinklers, while effective at extinguishing fires, the liquid can irreparably damage sensitive materials like paper, archive materials and canvas through water saturation, mould growth, ink run-off and more. Chemical suppressants, though less invasive, can introduce corrosive residues that degrade artefacts over time, causing surface etching, colour alteration, and material breakdown for example. These methods often require extensive cleanup, disrupting operations and permanently lowering the quality of cultural artefacts, prompting the search for alternative solutions like inert gas fire suppression systems.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND INERT GAS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

Inert gases display remarkable chemical properties, being very stable and non-reactive. In the context of fire suppression, these gases, predominantly argon, nitrogen, and a mix of the two, known as inergen or argonite, suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen in the protected area to a level where combustion is no longer sustainable, yet allowing sufficient oxygen for humans to breathe.

Inert gas fire suppression systems provide effective fire extinguishment by rapidly diluting oxygen, without the cooling effect of water - reducing the oxygen concentration in the room from 21% typically found in ambient air to <12%.

ABOUT INERT GASES

Nitrogen and argon, the primary inert gases used in fire suppression, are colourless, odourless, and tasteless. They constitute a significant portion of the Earth's atmosphere, with nitrogen forming about 78% and argon around 1%. Their non-reactivity stems from their atomic structure, which inhibits them from easily forming chemical bonds with other elements, a characteristic that proves pivotal in fire suppression.

Unlike water or chemical-based suppression systems, inert gas leaves no residue and does not involve any chemical reaction with fire. The principle behind this system is simple: by reducing the oxygen level, the fire ceases because it lacks one of the three elements fires need - fuel, heat, or oxygen.

INERT GAS SUPPRESSION SYSTEM OPTIONS

Choosing the right system involves considering the volume and layout of the protected area and the nature of the stored materials. Systems are customisable to the specific needs as required. Libraries and museums, which house invaluable items, benefit from these specialised systems. Argon (Ar) displaces oxygen and is ideal for enclosed spaces with delicate artefacts, documents, or electronics. Nitrogen (N2), abundant and sustainable, reduces oxygen concentration to extinguish fires and is suitable for larger areas needing rapid gas distribution. Inergen, a blend of Nitrogen, Argon, and a small amount of Carbon Dioxide, supports safe evacuation by maintaining breathable air during a fire - it's optimal for spaces frequented by personnel and visitors.

Given these properties, libraries and museums globally are adopting inert gas suppression systems to safeguard irreplaceable items, recognising that the preservation of cultural heritage warrants state-of-the-art fire protection strategies.

THE ADVANTAGES OF INERT GAS SYSTEMS FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

Libraries and museums safeguard objects/materials of irreplaceable cultural value. These institutions demand fire suppression solutions that offer protection without compromising the integrity of the treasured artefacts and materials within. These systems cause no damage to sensitive materials, avoiding deterioration, electronic damage, or loss of historical value. As a result, artefacts, documents, artworks and more remain unscathed after discharge, helping ensure their preservation for future generations. Additionally, with no post-discharge cleanup required or restoration, normal operations can resume quickly, minimising downtime.

Concerning the safety of any occupants, inert gases work by maintaining oxygen levels above 10%, which is still safe for humans, giving enough time for evacuation. Systems can be designed with pre discharge alarms, alerting staff and visitors of the need to evacuate when deployed. These systems are fine-tuned to balance fire suppression necessities with the need to provide a window for safe exit.

Systems utilising inert gases offer the dual benefit of fire suppression and preservation, sustaining the legacy of artefacts and other valuable materials for future generations while prioritising the safety of individuals on site.

DESIGNING THE RIGHT SYSTEM: INTEGRATION AND INSTALLATION

A bespoke inert gas fire suppression system ensures the safety of any contents without inflicting damage common with water-based methods. Crafting a tailored system involves meticulous attention to the environmental and structural nuances of each site.

KEY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR NEW CULTURAL SPACES

Experts conducting installations in cultural institutions face unique challenges. Maintaining the architectural integrity of historical buildings while installing modern fire suppression systems demands a nuanced approach. Every system component, from nozzles to piping, should blend seamlessly with the environment to avoid detracting from the cultural experience. What's more, the zoning of each area should be precise to ensure thorough protection and minimal disruption in the event of deployment, preserving the delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality.

THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATING INERT GAS SYSTEMS WITH EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

The integration of inert gas fire protection systems into existing structures involves many different aspects. Careful positioning of gas cylinders and discreet routing of distribution networks form the blueprint of a successful installation, maximising efficiency and minimising visual impact. Upon installation, rigid testing ensures each element performs as expected, providing reliable protection should the system need to be deployed.

DECIPHERING THE COSTS AND LONG-TERM VALUE OF INERT GAS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

When deciding whether to install an inert gas fire suppression system into different institutions, such as libraries and museums, stakeholders should compare the upfront and ongoing costs against the potential loss of irreplaceable materials and artefacts. Careful analysis of these costs helps in making informed choices for long-term protection.

THE COST CONSIDERATIONS FOR INERT GAS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

The total cost of inert gas fire suppression systems includes the purchase price, which varies based on the gas blend, system complexity, and coverage area. Installation expenses also need to be factored in due to the need for specialist technicians and adherence to safety standards. Additional costs may arise from necessary structural modifications to the enclosure, such as sealing works, to ensure the gas can be retained. Ongoing expenses include routine inspections and maintenance to ensure the system's functionality and reliability.

LONG-TERM INVESTMENT PROJECTIONS

Analysing the long-term investment benefits shows that investing in a fire protection system can be financially wise when discussing the high value contents including cultural artefacts, archives, papers and more. Without an effective fire suppression system, the costs of damage or loss of irreplaceable historical items could be extremely high.

Although the upfront costs of installing an inert gas fire suppression system can seem high, protecting against a potential fire is crucial. Evaluating the value of historical and cultural assets shows the significant risk of loss and highlights the lasting benefits of investing in thorough fire protection.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Traditional fire suppression methods, such as water-based sprinklers and chemical retardants, present significant risks to valuable cultural and historical items in libraries and museums. These systems can cause irreparable damage to delicate materials and often require extensive cleanup. In contrast, inert gas fire suppression systems offer a sophisticated solution, effectively extinguishing fires without harming sensitive objects.

Inert gases, like nitrogen, argon, and blends of both gases (Inergen), work by displacing oxygen to smother fires while leaving no residue behind. This method preserves the integrity of valuable items and any equipment, ensures minimal disruption to operations, and provides a safe environment for occupants with oxygen levels maintained above critical thresholds, giving time for evacuation.

Understanding the application of inert gas suppression systems in cultural institutions, like museums and libraries amongst others, is a strategic investment that balances fire protection with the preservation of irreplaceable contents. Although the initial costs may be high, the long-term benefits of safeguarding historical treasures and reducing potential damage often outweigh the expense. By carefully integrating these systems into existing structures, libraries and museums can ensure the protection of their collections for future generations while maintaining operational efficiency and safety.

WHY CHOOSE MEP FIRE FOR YOUR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

We have looked at inert gas fire suppression systems and whether it offers effective protection for libraries and museums, amongst other institutions. In the event of an unfortunate emergency, the safety of all personnel, data, contents and storage infrastructure remains key. Our expertise and innovative approach in this industry have revolutionised our clients' experiences, particularly those who have installed listed systems.

MEP Fire's integrity, expertise and proven track record ensure the ideal solution for selecting the most suitable fire suppression system to enhance safety in this high stakes environment.

Only the best is enough here at MEP Fire. Based in the United Kingdom, our commitment to paying attention to every detail ensures that clients consistently receive the best advice and products, resulting in optimal outcomes. This dedication is fundamental to our ethos.

If you're in the market for an inert gas fire suppression system, we recommend you speak to a professional expert here at MEP Fire to equip you with a plan moving forward. If you have an enquiry, simply call us on 01628 963415 or proceed to the contact us section in the top right-hand corner of our website and submit the relevant information.

How Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems Enhance Safety in High-Risk Environments

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:56:34 GMT

How Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems Enhance Safety in High-Risk Environments

At the forefront of innovative fire safety solutions, water mist systems operate by discharging fine droplets of water at high velocity, effectively suppressing flames and reducing heat in the event of a fire.

Designed to combat the spread of fire, these systems integrate different elements such as water storage, high-pressure pumps, and mist nozzles and are aligned with detection systems. These elements come together to detect and respond swiftly to a fire, releasing a water mist that envelopes the space, obstructs the oxygen supply, and cools the surrounding environment. Key components, including the mist nozzles, not only disperse water effectively over a larger surface area but also ensure minimal water damage, making these systems ideal for protecting delicate equipment and high-value areas such as data centres, industrial facilities, commercial buildings and more. Operating quietly behind the scenes, water mist systems serve as guardians in high-risk environments, suppressing fires promptly and efficiently.

THE MECHANISM OF FIRE SUPPRESSION USING WATER MIST

Understanding the scientific principles behind water mist fire suppression reveals why this method effectively controls, suppresses, or extinguishes fires. By transforming water into fine droplets, these systems create a mist that tackles the blaze through several simultaneous actions.

THE SCIENCE OF MIST-BASED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

When activated, a water mist system discharges microscopic water droplets at high velocity. These droplets absorb heat energy from the fire, which causes an immediate reduction in temperature. Essentially, a water mist system combats a fire by targeting one of the crucial elements that sustain it: temperature.

THE SCIENCE OF MIST-BASED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

Cooling: As the mist encounters flames, the water droplets evaporate. This phase transition from liquid to gas requires significant amounts of heat, which is extracted from the fire itself, leading to a cooling effect that diminishes the fire's energy.

Oxygen Displacement: Expansion of water vapour upon evaporation also displaces oxygen. Since oxygen is a necessary component for combustion, reducing its concentration around the fire limits the ability of the fire to spread.

Attenuation: The dense cloud of water droplets acts as a thermal barrier to inhibit heating by radiation, preventing the spread of fire. By inhibiting the transfer of heat to adjacent combustibles, the mist prevents new fires from igniting.

With a high surface area to volume ratio, the mist more effectively absorbs energy and blocks heat, offering superior protection in environments where controlling the spread of fire quickly is essential.

EXPLORING THE VARIETIES OF WATER MIST FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

Different environments and hazards require distinct fire suppression solutions. Water mist systems come in various forms to meet these diverse needs, each with specific applications and capabilities. The differences lie in the pressure at which water is released, affecting droplet size and more. Water mist systems typically use smaller pipework compared to sprinklers, making the install easier, more flexible, and gives better aesthetics, taking up less space in congested areas. They also typically include smaller space requirements / footprints (smaller storage tanks).

HIGH PRESSURE WATER MIST SYSTEMS

High pressure water mist systems operate at pressures exceeding 35 bar, typically operating at 70 bar or more. When activated, they produce a fine mist with droplets. These minuscule droplets rapidly absorb heat and reduce oxygen levels around the fire, extinguishing flames effectively. The high pressure generates a mist that can cover large volumes of space quickly and penetrate inaccessible areas, making this type of system ideal for machinery spaces, data centres, and power generation facilities.

LOW PRESSURE WATER MIST SYSTEMS

Low pressure systems generally operate at pressures below 12 bar, typically operating at 6 bar or more. They release larger water droplets, suitable for controlling and suppressing fires in occupancy spaces such as hotels, offices, and hospitals. These provide a solution in commercial, residential buildings and more where water damage is a major concern.

HYBRID WATER MIST SYSTEMS

Hybrid systems combine the features of high and low pressure systems, and include a high quantity of inert gas - nitrogen, for oxygen reduction. These systems typically operate at an intermediate pressure range and are effective in creating a homogenous distribution of water droplets. This enhanced distribution allows for a more rapid suppression of fire and heat, suitable for diverse environments, including warehouses, industrial facilities and more.

Each type of water mist system is designed with the intricacies of a facility's needs in mind, ensuring targeted fire protection. Whether it's the delicate instruments in a data centre or the more open spaces of a warehouse, the variation in water mist technology provides a specialised solution for fire threats.

APPLICABILITY IN HIGH-RISK ENVIRONMENTS

High-risk environments and areas housing sensitive equipment, demand advanced fire suppression strategies. Water mist fire suppression systems offer optimal protection in these settings due to their unique ability to cool the environment, reduce the oxygen level, and minimise water damage.

Equipment in high-risk areas frequently involves electrical components, which are highly vulnerable to water damage. For example, data centres, commercial buildings, industrial facilities and more, with delicate equipment, often adopt water mist systems as they deliver fine droplets capable of extinguishing fires without harming the infrastructure.

Integration of water mist fire suppression systems into these high-risk environments has led to reduced losses from fires, bolstered safety for individuals, and enhanced continuity of operations.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER MIST FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

Water mist fire suppression systems offer a leap forward in environmental stewardship. Unlike traditional fire suppression methods that may rely heavily on chemicals, these systems achieve effectiveness through fine water droplets. This distinction results in a significant decrease in chemical use, aligning more with environmentally conscious practices.

The minimalist design of water mist systems means they utilise water more efficiently. In a typical operation, these systems require substantially less water than traditional sprinkler systems, which not only conserves a vital resource but also reduces the risk of water damage during a fire incident.

Furthering their environmental appeal, water mist systems leave a minimal ecological footprint. Due to their efficiency and reliance on water, a naturally occurring non-toxic liquid, these systems align with sustainability goals. The lack of hazardous agents also means lower risks of contamination to surrounding ecosystems in the event of discharge.

The ecological footprint of fire suppression systems encompasses resource extraction, operational impact, and remediation after use. Water mist systems excel in this regard due to their minimal chemical use, lower water consumption, and negligible environmental impact after discharge. Their design and operation demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving environmental integrity.

ANALYSING THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF WATER MIST FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

Investing in water mist fire suppression systems can lead to significant savings over time. In the event of a fire, these systems minimise damage, resulting in lower repair costs, reduced downtime, and preservation of property and assets.

Though water mist systems have higher upfront costs than traditional methods, their longevity and efficiency can lead to lower total costs over their lifespan. Savings come from reduced water damage and decreased clean-up and restoration efforts post-fire.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Understanding the scientific principles behind water mist fire suppression highlights its effectiveness in controlling, suppressing, or extinguishing fires. By converting water into fine droplets, these systems address fires through cooling, oxygen displacement, and attenuation, significantly reducing the fire's intensity and preventing its spread. The versatility of water mist systems, including high-pressure, low-pressure, and hybrid varieties, ensures tailored protection for different environments, from data centres to industrial facilities. Their ability to minimise water damage makes them particularly suitable for high-risk areas with sensitive equipment.

Moreover, water mist systems are environmentally friendly, using minimal chemicals and less water, which conserves resources and reduces ecological impact. Financially, while the initial investment may be higher, the long-term benefits of reduced damage and maintenance costs make water mist systems a cost-effective choice. These systems offer a robust, sustainable, and efficient solution for fire suppression, ensuring safety and operational continuity in various settings.

WHY CHOOSE MEP FIRE FOR YOUR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS IN HIGH-RISK ENVIRONMENTS?

We have looked at how water mist fire suppression systems enhance safety in high-risk environments. In the event of an unfortunate emergency, the safety of all personnel, data, and storage infrastructure remains key.

Our expertise and innovative approach in this industry have revolutionised our clients' experiences, particularly those who have installed listed systems in their customers' premises.

MEP Fire's integrity, expertise and proven track record ensure the ideal solution for selecting the most suitable fire suppression system to enhance safety in these high risk environments.

If you're in the market for a water mist fire suppression system in a high-risk environment, we recommend you speak to a professional expert here at MEP Fire to equip you with a plan moving forward. If you have an enquiry, simply call us on 01628 963415 or proceed to the contact us section in the top right-hand corner of our website and submit the relevant information.

What Fire Suppression Systems Are Used in Backup Generators at Data Centres?

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:47:48 GMT

What Fire Suppression Systems Are Used in Backup Generators at Data Centres?

A fire detection and suppression system are designed to work together to detect, alert and raise the alarm, as well as suppress fires in a way that minimises damage to property, equipment and protects all personnel. Whilst fire detection systems include heat detection, flame detection, aspirating systems and more, today we're going to focus on the fire suppression solutions which can be used in backup generators at data centres.

Data centres are the cornerstone of our digital infrastructure, hosting critical servers and storage systems that keep our connected world running. Continuous power is essential for these facilities, especially during unexpected outages, as even a brief interruption / failure can lead to data storage corruption, system failures, and lost connectivity, affecting millions of users, including business customers.

Back up generators are a critical utility to ensure continuous data centre operation - protecting valuable and vast data stores / big data, serving as a critical safeguard against power outages that could disrupt operations, compromise data and file integrity / information security, and result in significant financial losses. They provide an immediate and reliable power source, ensuring the continuity of cloud services, including cloud backup, and supporting countless businesses that depend on digital platforms. However, back up generators are prone to fires - a number of fires have been recorded previously, so this presents challenges too - a further consideration for data centre fire suppression systems .

By preserving data integrity and supporting ongoing business operations, i.e. business continuity, backup generators uphold the data centre's commitment to delivering consistent and reliable services. This is vital for disaster recovery planning and compliance with industry standards, making backup generators a cornerstone of data centre resilience and operational stability.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BACKUP GENERATORS

Whilst providing emergency power solutions, back up generators present a unique challenge for fire protection. The risks increase due to the flammable fuels required for their operation, be it diesel, natural gas and more. Furthermore, high temperatures, created by the generators themselves, which is above the auto ignition temperature of the fuels typically used, means that any fluid leaks can cause fires too. To complicate matters further, they are usually located externally away from buildings, which means that remote fire protection solutions are then required.

Historically, instances of fires originating from backup generators have resulted in significant downtime and financial losses for data centres.

Specific Fire Risks Presented by Backup Generators

Fuel system leaks could lead to pooling of flammable substances.
Overheating can occur if cooling systems fail or if there is an overload.
Electrical short circuits may arise from faulty wiring or insulation breakdown.
Faulty exhaust systems have the potential to accumulate heat or spew hot gases, which could come into contact with combustible materials.

Given the important role backup generators play, an effective fire suppression system designed specifically for data centre backup generators is crucial. This isn't just an optional add on, it's a key element in ensuring the resilience and reliability of vital data centres.

EXPLORING FIRE SUPPRESSION SOLUTIONS FOR BACKUP GENERATORS IN DATA CENTRES

Data centres rely on backup generators to maintain operations during power outages. Consequently, deploying effective fire suppression systems in these areas is critical. Fire suppression solutions must be efficient, fast-acting, and minimise potential damage to equipment. Diverse fire suppression systems nowadays offer a range of choice and benefits.

COMMON TYPES OF FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS USED FOR BACKUP GENERATORS

Gas suppression systems, utilising inert gases are common. These systems, designed to extinguish fires without harming electronic equipment, quickly reduce oxygen levels. However, there are considerations such as room integrity and agent storage.

Water mist systems, emitting fine droplets, absorb heat and replace oxygen around the fire. These systems are effective and less damaging than traditional sprinkler systems, but require specific designs to address varied hazards uniquely present in backup generator spaces.

INERT GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS IN DATA CENTRE BACKUP GENERATORS

Inert gas extinguishing systems represent a modern fire suppression technology engineered for safeguarding environments, including those housing data centre backup generators. However, although inert gas systems are usually suitable for this type of fire hazard, there are usually issues containing the room integrity to achieve the required gas retention time, typically 10 minutes, due to the ventilation system.

Nevertheless, the system can be designed to incorporate an extended discharge, quantifying the agent loss and then including additional agent to accommodate for the loss - this makes inert systems a viable solution. Clean agent systems benefit from a quick discharge and extinguishing effect minimising potential fire damage. What's more, clean agent systems are a more seasoned fire extinguishing solution that have stood the test of time in comparison to water mist systems, being a newer technology.

The primary mechanism of action for inert gas systems lies in their ability to reduce the oxygen concentration within the protected space swiftly. By lowering oxygen levels to below the threshold required to sustain combustion, these systems effectively smother fires without causing damage to delicate components or leaving residue that could impact equipment functionality.

Inert gas extinguishing systems effectively target and suppress the fire by swiftly reducing the oxygen levels in the protected area.
These systems operate without introducing moisture, minimising any potential damage to backup generators and related electronic equipment.
Deployment of inert gas systems enhances safety for data centre personnel during fire incidents by maintaining a non-toxic and non-conductive environment.

The installation of inert gas extinguishing systems necessitates customisation to suit the specific needs of the site. The design and layout of the area housing backup generators are crucial to ensuring the system operates at peak efficiency. Developers of these systems continually innovate to meet the stringent requirements of protecting high-value assets such as backup generators within data centres.

WATER MIST SYSTEMS IN DATA CENTRE BACKUP GENERATORS

Water mist systems represent a sophisticated technology designed to extinguish fires in critical environments, such as data centres with backup generators. Cylinder based water mist systems are ideal in this environment as they are stand alone with cylinder-based water storage so pipework isn't required to be installed from the buildings main fire protection system.

These systems discharge a fine spray of micro water droplets. Due to their small size, these droplets have a larger surface area to volume ratio than those produced by traditional sprinkler systems. Water mist systems are ideal for high heat output hazards, such as with backup generators, as the water quickly turns to steam displacing the oxygen.

In comparison with traditional water-based systems, water mist systems offer a significant advantage due to the reduced amount of water needed to achieve fire suppression. This reduces the risk of water damage to sensitive equipment, which is a paramount concern in data centre operations where backup generators are present.

Water mist systems target the fire's heat source directly and quickly.
These systems use substantially less water, mitigating potential water damage to backup generators and related equipment.
Deployment of water mist can create a safer environment for data centre personnel during a fire event.

The installation of water mist systems must be customised to the specific needs of each data centre. The area housing backup generators requires proper design and layout to ensure the maximum effectiveness of the system. Developers of these systems continuously innovate to ensure they meet the stringent demands of protecting high-value assets such as backup generators within data centres. Note that system approvals are available for this type of application and system - FM5560 for example.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Both water mist and inert gas extinguishing systems offer fire protection solutions for backup generators at data centres. Water mist systems discharge micro water droplets that absorb heat efficiently and reduce oxygen levels, using significantly less water to minimise potential damage to sensitive equipment. Their standalone cylinder-based design makes them practical and easy to install. Inert gas systems, on the other hand, reduce oxygen concentration to smother fires without moisture, protecting electronic components without leaving residue. They are highly effective, though they may require extended discharge designs in ventilated areas. It is worth noting that clean agent systems are a more seasoned fire extinguishing solution that have stood the test of time in comparison to water mist systems, being a newer technology. However, regardless of the system chosen, customisation is crucial for both systems to ensure optimal performance in their operating location.

WHY CHOOSE MEP FIRE FOR YOUR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS IN BACKUP GENERATOR AREAS?

Our expertise and our innovative approach in this industry have revolutionised our clients' experiences, particularly those who have installed relevant systems in their customers' data centres.

If you're in the market for a fire suppression system within backup generators or other areas of a data centre such as a server room, we recommend you speak to a professional expert here at MEP Fire to equip you with a plan moving forward. If you have an enquiry, simply call us on 01628 963415 or proceed to the contact us section in the top right-hand corner of our website and submit the relevant information.

What Is a Fire Suppression System and How Does It Work in Data Centres?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Fri, 31 May 2024 15:04:07 GMT

What Is a Fire Suppression System & How Does It Work in Data Centres?

In the world of data centres, where vast amounts of critical information are processed and stored daily, fire poses a significant threat, not only to the physical hardware, but to the invaluable data and continuity of operations that sustain businesses worldwide in everyday life. Fire suppression systems are key in this high-stakes environment, serving as the first line of defence in the event of a fire. Such systems are designed to detect and extinguish fires rapidly and effectively, minimising damage and preventing disastrous data loss or downtime.

Below, we look into what a fire suppression system is and how it operates within the unique ecosystem / space of data centres, highlighting the essential functions and advanced technologies that combine to protect these areas. Join us as we delve into the critical role of fire suppression in safeguarding our technological infrastructure.

The Critical Importance of a Fire Suppression System in Data Centres

Data centres and their server rooms are the backbone of our modern digital world, housing the critical servers and infrastructure that keep businesses and services operational around the clock. Fire represents one of the most severe threats to these vital assets. An effective fire suppression system is not just a regulatory requirement but a key component in safeguarding technology and data that drives our day-to-day activities.

Protecting Sensitive Data and Equipment

The primary goal of fire suppression in data centres, including a server room, is to protect irreplaceable sensitive data and high-value equipment from damage. Fires can destroy hardware and lead to data loss, which can have catastrophic consequences for businesses and their clients. Strong fire suppression systems act rapidly and effectively to prevent such disasters.

Minimising Downtime and Operational Disruption

Business operations are heavily reliant on data centre functionality. A fire event, without proper suppression in place, can cause significant downtime. Implementing a robust fire suppression solution can help to contain and extinguish fires quickly, minimising downtime and ensuring that operations can resume with minimal disruption.

Ensuring Business Continuity

Beyond immediate fire damage, the presence of a sophisticated fire suppression system is a cornerstone of any sound business continuity plan within data centres. By reducing the risk of extended outages and data loss, a well-designed system keeps a data centre - and the businesses it supports - running smoothly, even in the face of disaster.

Data Integrity: Preserves the integrity of digital assets.
Asset Protection: Guards against significant financial losses due to damaged equipment.
Reputation Management : Maintains customer trust by ensuring reliable service delivery.

The role of fire suppression in data centres extends far beyond merely extinguishing flames; it encompasses the preservation of the core elements that enable a business to thrive in a digital era. From securing sensitive data to maintaining day-to-day operations, fire suppression systems are integral to ensuring that data centres remain safe, functional, and efficient.

How Fire Suppression Systems Work in Data Centres

Data centres require advanced fire suppression systems designed to protect critical infrastructure without causing damage to the equipment. Here's how these systems work to ensure the safety and continuity of operations.

Detection and Alarm: The First Line of Defence Against Fires

Fire suppression systems in data centres are equipped with highly sensitive detectors that recognise the early signs of a fire, such as smoke or an increase in temperature - heat. Once a potential fire is identified, alarms are triggered to alert personnel and initiate an automated suppression response.

Activation and Discharge: Responding to Fire Incidents

Following the detection of a fire, the fire suppression system quickly activates. It can discharge either chemicals, inert gases or liquid suppressants-sometimes a combination of them-depending on the system in place. These agents are designed to swiftly extinguish fires or inhibit their growth, all while minimising collateral damage to sensitive data centre equipment.

The Aftermath: Containment and Clean up

Once the fire is suppressed, the system's focus shifts to containment to prevent reignition and facilitate clean up. The chosen suppression medium influences the complexity of the post-fire clean up; gases may require minimal effort, whereas liquids might necessitate a more involved process.

A professional fire suppression system in a data centre is integral to ensuring business continuity and data integrity. It's a complex system of detection, action, and post-event recovery that must be meticulously maintained and regularly inspected to ensure its effectiveness.

Types of Fire Suppression Systems Used in Data Centres

The choice of a fire suppression system in data centres is critical to ensuring both the safety of personnel and the protection of valuable IT equipment. Different systems are tailored to meet the unique requirements of these facilities, prioritising rapid response, minimal collateral damage, and system reliability. Below are the primary types of fire suppression systems employed in data centres.

Chemical Fire Suppression: Targeted Extinguishing Without Water Damage

Chemical fire suppression systems utilise chemical agents to extinguish fires quickly by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire itself with minimal damage to electronic equipment. These systems are highly effective in data centre environments and are non-conductive, preventing short circuits of components.

Inert Gases and Clean Agent Systems: Protecting the Server Environment

Using inert gases / clean agents, these systems suppress fires by reducing oxygen levels in the protected area. They are designed to be environmentally friendly and safe for use in occupied spaces, all while maintaining the integrity of the hardware.

Water Mist Systems: High-Tech Solutions

Whilst traditional water sprinkler systems are less commonly used in data centres due to the potential for water damage to sensitive equipment, advancements in fire suppression technology have led to the development of water mist systems. These systems emit a fine mist that cools the environment and extinguishes flames without the same level of risk associated with standard sprinklers. Moreover, such systems often have precise activation criteria to minimise accidental discharge.

Data centres require highly specialised fire suppression systems that ensure the safety of the equipment without compromising operational continuity. Whether opting for chemical, inert gas, clean agent, or water-based technologies, the choice must align with the facility's design, regulations, and the overarching aim to preserve both physical and digital assets.

Final Thoughts

Fire suppression systems in data centres are crucial for safeguarding sensitive data and high-value equipment from damage. They minimise downtime and operational disruption by swiftly containing and extinguishing fires, ensuring business continuity. These systems preserve data integrity, protect against financial losses, and maintain customer trust. Understanding their operation and choosing the right suppression medium are essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of data centres - MEP Fire can help with this.

Why Choose MEP Fire For Your Fire Suppression Systems in Data Centres?

We have emphasised the necessity of installing fire suppression systems in data centres. In the event of an unfortunate emergency, the safety of all personnel, data, and storage infrastructure remains key.

Our expertise and innovative approach in this industry have revolutionised our clients' experiences, particularly those who have installed listed systems in their customers' data centres.

MEP Fire's integrity, expertise and proven track record ensure the ideal solution for selecting the most suitable fire suppression system to enhance safety in this high pressure environment.

If you're in the market for a fire suppression system within a data centre, we recommend you speak to a professional expert here at MEP Fire to equip you with a plan moving forward. If you have an enquiry, simply call us on 01628 963415 or proceed to the 'contact us' section in the top right-hand corner of our website and submit the relevant information.

Is Argon the Same as Argonite IG55?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 10:00:00 GMT

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Is Argon the Same as Argonite IG55?

As fire extinguishers have been so prevalent over the years, other forms of fire suppression are still relatively unknown to the wider public when protecting their property.

However, there is now a new form of fire suppression that will automatically detect the fire using smoke or heat detectors and then release a fire suppression fluid into the surrounding area.

Argon and Argonite are some of the suppression fluids that are commonly used in these fire suppression systems, but there are a lot of queries surrounding whether argon and Argonite IG55 are the same. Let’s uncover the answer to this question so you have a definitive answer and can make informed decisions.

What is Argonite?

Argonite is essentially a mixture of two naturally occurring gases, argon and nitrogen, which is often used in fire suppression systems to protect all of your valuable assets and people in various places of work.

Using this fire-suppressing method will be extremely effective due to its ability to extinguish fires without causing damage to you, your staff, sensitive equipment, or the environment.

In the event of a fire breaking out, Argonite is released into the protected area when triggered by smoke and heat detectors. This clean agent system of gases removes the oxygen that the fire needs to burn, effectively suffocating it. This immediate decrease in oxygen creates an environment where the fire cannot sustain itself, leading to a quick and efficient suppression.

If you’re considering investing in a fire protection system , Argonite is particularly popular in places where traditional water-based fire suppression systems would be impractical or harmful, such as data centres, museums, libraries, and electrical or telecom rooms.

Both gases have non-conductive properties, which also make them a perfect option for safeguarding any electrical equipment that you have in your workplace or home.

Overall, this adaptable and environmentally friendly fire suppression system is known for its speed, efficiency, and minimal cleanup after use, making it an ideal alternative for protecting all of your critical assets while prioritising the least environmental impact possible.

Argon and Argonite IG55: Are They the Same?

In short, Argon and Argonite IG55 are not the same because, although Argonite contains argon within its makeup, it also contains nitrogen to partner with argon gas. In fact, Argonite contains 50% argon and 50% nitrogen, meaning it uses another naturally occurring gas during fire suppression.

Argon is a noble gas that reduces the oxygen content of a space where a fire is present. It is a quick and easy way to put out a fire by removing the oxygen required for the fire to continue to spread.

Argon is an excellent choice for protecting hazards and priceless items because it is non-toxic and leaves no residue. However, because it is only using one naturally occurring gas, it might take a higher concentration to completely put out a fire in some scenarios.

Whereas, Argonite is a much more popular option within most environments because it offers certain advantages like quicker extinguishing and reduced risk to sensitive equipment due to the efforts of both argon and nitrogen.

Advantages of Argonite (IG55) Fire Suppression Fluid

When making the final decision about what fire suppression system and fire protection fluid you’re going to use, it can be a challenging time for those who haven’t had any experience with these systems before. Yet, here we’re going to run through the advantages of Argonite IG55 fire extinguishing, so you can gauge whether this can be a good decision for your property:

Effective Fire Suppression: This fire-suppressant displaces oxygen with a concentration of around 40%, engineered for total flooding, putting out a fire within 60 seconds of being released into the protected area.
Reduced Risk of Re-Ignition: The nitrogen within Argonite maintains a stable environment, reducing the possibility of fires re-igniting.
Zero Cleanup: Argonite is non-destructive and secure for all of your sensitive equipment in your application since it leaves no residue behind.
Environmentally Safe: Argonite has no negative effects on the environment, meaning it has no ozone depletion potential and no global warming potential.
Versatile Application: Because of its efficiency and non-damaging traits both during and after the event of a fire, it is suitable for a variety of environments, with some of the popular ones being data centres, museums, and control rooms.

This list of Argonite’s core benefits, if suited to your application, will be sure to deal with a fire hazard better than any fire blanket or traditional fire extinguisher due to the fact that human intervention is not required.

Instead of worrying about how you’re going to deal with a fire outburst, you can gather your people and leave the building in quick succession, while the automatic fire extinguishing system does the rest for you.

How Many Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems Are There?

In relation to how many inert fire suppression systems there are on the market, there are two common options used in the industry: Argonite IG55 fire suppression systems and Inergen 541 fire suppression systems. While IG55 systems use 50% argon and 50% nitrogen, IG541 systems use 52% argon, 40% nitrogen, and 8% carbon dioxide.

Both systems reduce the oxygen levels in a protected area, effectively extinguishing fires by depriving them of the oxygen they need to burn. However, the main difference between the two is the carbon dioxide element.

With Inergen having CO2 in its triplet of gases, this can cause hyperventilation, meaning that it could potentially become riskier for a human compared to Argonite (which contains no carbon dioxide) when breathing it in during evacuation.

Understanding if an Argonite IG55 Suppression System is Suitable For Your Business

With so many different types of fire suppression systems to choose from nowadays, it can be challenging to make a final decision. Although Argonite IG55 systems may be suitable for your application, guessing that they are or aren’t will not be the correct choice.

In order to see if this inert gas fire suppression system is suitable for installation on your property, it is always necessary to speak to specialists. This means they can come out and assess important factors like the type of application, the amount of storage space you have, and many more.

With tons of positive feedback from our clients, this continues to help us move up and down the country, installing the correct fire suppression systems in each environment. If you want to find the right fire protection system for you, reach out to us today, and we’d love to help you out!

Looking at the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Inergen Gas System

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:00:00 GMT

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Looking at the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Inergen Gas System

Due to the high risk of fire in a lot of workplaces around the world because of the vast range of flammable materials, equipment, and assets, it is imperative that you look for a solution that doesn’t require human intervention.

Luckily, fire suppression systems have been tried and tested in multiple applications and provide excellent automatic fire suppression methods. Yet, not every application requires the same fire protection system.

Therefore, in today’s blog, we’re going to run through the advantages and disadvantages of an Inergen Gas system to see whether this could be a valuable option for your domestic or residential property .

What is an Inergen Gas System?

An Inergen gas system is an automatic fire protection system that is used to extinguish fires in enclosed spaces by reducing the oxygen level to 12-15%. It relies on an individual blend of gases, including nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide, to stop a fire from spreading around the application.

In terms of how much of each gas is required, an Inergen (IG55) system will use 52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8% carbon dioxide to stop consistent combustion. When a fire breaks out, it releases this precisely mixed gas into the protected area.

No matter how it is ignited, a fire will always require oxygen to burn, so by lowering the available oxygen, the Inergen fire suppression system removes the fire's main energy source, leading to rapid suppression

Notably, Inergen gas is also safe for humans due to it being powered by naturally occurring gases. It maintains a safe and breathable atmosphere for anyone in the room during and after release.

Unlike some other fire suppression methods, the Inergen gas system leaves no residue, meaning you can quickly return to your home or work after the fire has been extinguished.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Inergen Gas System

Although on paper, Inergen gas systems look like an optimal alternative for all fire suppression needs in every building, there are some core advantages and disadvantages that will help you make a more informed decision on whether they’ll suit your needs or not.

Advantages of an Inergen Gas System

Firstly, we’ll walk through some of the main benefits you can expect from an Inergen gas fire suppression system, as there are many that may align with your property when searching for the correct fire suppression system:

Safe for human consumption: Due to the fact that it releases naturally occurring gases rather than unnatural substances, it is breathable for humans during evacuation from the building.
Quick-fire suppression: When the sensors detect heat and smoke, Inergen is released into the space affected, extinguishing the fire within 40 seconds.
No risk for the environment: If you install an Inergen system, you can expect it to leave no lasting effect on our planet due to its environmentally friendly nature. It has no ozone depletion potential or global warming potential, meeting all the conditions of our future environmental standards.
Leaves no residue: In the aftermath, often there is a cleanup that is required, whether that be chemicals , water, foam, or gas. Yet, with these gas suppression systems, you won’t have to worry about any sensitive assets being affected.
Your equipment will be safe: Following on from the previous benefit, these naturally occurring gases will not impact your equipment due to the quick disposal of the gas after extinguishing the fire (short atmospheric lifetime).

Disadvantages of an Inergen Gas System

Even though the benefits are extremely positive for most businesses looking for the quickest and most efficient method of extinguishing a fire, there are some disadvantages that you need to be aware of with these gas systems before asking a provider for an Inergen system:

Requires more steel for manufacturing the cylinders: Because Inergen gas systems require high-pressure steel cylinders, they will take more effort to construct.
Hefty storage requirements: Due to their requiring more energy and storage room, you will need a good amount of space if you want to use these cylinders for fire suppression.
Regular maintenance: To ensure that these systems are performing at their highest standard, they need regular maintenance, which may in turn cost you more money as a business.
Suitable for enclosed spaces: These gas fire extinguishing systems are only extremely effective in enclosed spaces rather than in larger locations where some fire extinguishing agents could perform better.
Price: Installing an Inergen fire protection system is not as affordable as some of the other fire suppression systems you can purchase on the market.

What Are the Suitable Applications For an Inergen Gas System?

As we stated above, Inergen systems do their best work in enclosed spaces. Some examples of suitable applications for these inert gas fire suppression systems would be:

Computer and data centres
IT rooms
Server rooms
Telecommunication rooms
Manufacturing spaces
Medical facilities

These are just a few examples of where Inergen can efficiently suppress flames when an involuntary or voluntary fire occurs in your application.

As they leave no corrosive by-products and also have non-conductive properties, they are safe for electrical equipment, and because they effectively reduce oxygen levels while being non-toxic, they have no environmental impact. These qualities make them a preferred choice for safeguarding both people and valuable assets.

Should You Choose an Inergen Gas System For Your Business?

In regards to whether you should choose an Inergen system for your business, this depends on whether you have the correct requirements for it to fit in your desired location. To understand if it is possible, the best thing you can do is speak to an expert in fire suppression system installation, as they will give you the necessary information to see whether it is feasible.

If you were to do this alone, there are many factors that can go wrong, such as: the smoke and heat detectors not working, the fire suppression liquid not coming out, and many more possible problems.

To ensure you don’t make this mistake and obtain the correct fire suppression system, MEP Fire is here to help you find the correct model for your business or home. Get in touch with our team today, and we’ll make sure that you have everything you need to make the correct decision.

Comparing Novec 1230 Fire Suppression to Other Clean Agents

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 10:54:08 GMT

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Comparing Novec 1230 Fire Suppression to Other Clean Agents

If you’ve been searching for a solution to protecting your staff, family members, and friends from potential fire hazards, fire extinguishers simply aren’t the most practical method anymore when extinguishing a flame.

Automatic fire suppression systems are the modern-day fire protection method that allows you to evacuate without human intervention. There are many different types of fire suppression fluids that you can choose from when safeguarding your home or business with fire protection systems.

Novec 1230 gas is one of the most popular suppression fluids that can be purchased for companies, but we’re going to put it up against the other clean agents to see if there is a better alternative for you when looking for automatic detection and protection.

How Do Clean Agents Work?

In regards to how clean agents work, they use environmentally friendly inert gases or chemical agents to extinguish fires rapidly while minimising the damage to your equipment and our planet. These agents work by removing one or more elements required for combustion, such as heat, oxygen, or fuel.

To elaborate on this point, depending on the clean agent fire suppression system you invest in, it will quickly spread into the affected area as a gas, soaking up the heat and cooling the fire. Further, they stop the chemical chain reactions (reducing the oxygen level of the fire) that allow a fire to continue, meaning they effectively extinguish the fire without leaving residue.

With a fire needing heat and oxygen to spread, clean agents block both of these instances from happening. You may be thinking, well any type of fire suppression system can do this. However, the factor that makes clean agents stand out is that they are eco-friendly.

Due to their low ozone depletion potential, global warming potential, and short atmospheric lifetime, their quick suppression and little to no cleanup make them a worthwhile choice for fire suppression in situations where protecting sensitive equipment, your staff, and keeping business moving forward are essential.

How Many Types of Clean Agents Are There?

There are three different types of clean agents that you can purchase for your fire suppression system: Novec 1230, FM-200 and inert gases. Although there are other clean agents available, these three in particular have been tried and tested as the most elite clean agents that will do the most efficient job.

These agents are not only effective, safe, and suited for a variety of infrastructures, but they all leave no residue in the aftermath of a fire and work by either lowering oxygen levels or preventing the chemical reaction of fuel fires.

Novec 1230 Fire Suppression: A Complete Comparison to Other Clean Agents

Although clean agents are required for optimal fire safety and protecting our planet, we also know that each type of clean agent will not suit every application or scenario. That is why we’re looking to put 3M Novec 1230 fire suppression up against the other clean agents available to see what could be applicable for your domestic or residential property moving forward.

Novec 1230 Fire Suppression and Inert Gases

Firstly, 3M Novec 1230 fluid suppresses a fire by removing the heat and oxygen from the fire when automatic sensors are triggered by the heat and smoke of the flames. Whereas, inert gases focus solely on reducing the oxygen level of the flames to prevent re-ignition.

Both leave no residue behind in the aftermath, meaning businesses can return to work quickly while their equipment is safe. However, the main difference between Novec 1230 fluid and inert gases is that a Novec 1230 fire protection system uses a chemical agent, while inert gases use naturally occurring gases.

Therefore, certain applications are suited for both clean agents, meaning one application may need a chemical agent but another may need a naturally occurring gas instead.

Novec 1230 suits applications such as data centres , museums, IT rooms, etc. due to its non-conductive chemical properties. Similarly, inert gases are also suited for electronic applications, but they will be installed in applications where chemical agents aren’t needed.

As for storage and efficiency, you will need around 18 Inergen cylinders to do the same job as three Novec 1230 cylinders, so depending on your storage capacity, Novec 1230 fluid will be more efficient in that regard. Yet both are the top choices when it comes to their individual advantages.

Novec 1230 Fire Suppression and FM-200

As you look closer at Novec 1230 fire protection fluid and FM-200, you will soon see that Novec 1230 clean agent fire suppression systems are more environmentally friendly (1 global warming potential rating) than FM-200 (3500 global warming potential rating), meaning that you’ll become much more energy-efficient in your place of work.

Regardless, in reference to storage, both fire suppressant agents are very closely matched, with FM-200 being slightly more storage efficient—yet, they’re both great choices. Furthermore, this is also the case with how much suppression fluid is used during the extinguishing process; FM-200 requires less fluid to dispose of a fire compared to Novec 1230.

Both extinguishing agents, however, are powerful, fast-acting and remove both heat and oxygen from the oncoming flames, making them two of the most efficient extinguishing systems on the market.

What Clean Agent Fire Suppression System Should You Choose?

With the differences being minor between all three clean fire suppression systems, the little details such as cost, storage efficiency, and environmental impact will ultimately be the deciding factor in what clean agent fire protection system you choose.

The best way to do this is to contact a specialist to come out, measure what’s best for your building, and see whether your company values align with the option they recommend. For example, if they recommend the FM-200 model but you want the environmental benefits of the Novec 1230 system, they’ll see if there’s a way that can work within your application.

If you want to speak to our team, who have received positive feedback from around the country, allowing us to supply fire suppression systems to those who need them the most, don't hesitate to get in touch with us, and we’ll see if we can help you decide on the correct fire extinguishing system for your property.

The Strategy Behind a CO2 Fire Suppression System

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 10:11:24 GMT

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The Strategy Behind a CO2 Fire Suppression System

Whether it's safeguarding your home or protecting the vital assets of your thriving business, fire suppression systems are the unsung heroes that stand between catastrophe and safety when a fire is detected.

Often, domestic homeowners or residential businesses will wait until a fire emergency happens before acting on the danger it presents, instead of removing the chance of it happening before an outburst occurs.

Therefore, here, we delve into the intricacies of CO2-based fire suppression, whether it’ll suit your application, and outline the integral role it plays in modern fire protection.

What is a CO2 Fire Suppression System?

In short, a CO2 fire suppression system is an automatic extinguisher that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to extinguish a fire by removing the oxygen and heat of a flame. Although the system has a primary focus on displacing the oxygen element of the fire triangle, it also comes out cool, attacking the heat element too.

C02 systems are optimal for removing class A, B, and C fires with their two different types of systems. Their first one is a total flooding system that discharges gas across an entire perimeter, protecting the full enclosure volume, and the other is a C02 local application system that provides a more streamlined process in a single area in one protected area.

CO2 is a colourless, odourless fire suppression agent that is classified as a gaseous fire suppression system, which essentially means they are clean agent systems.

The Strategy of How a CO2 Fire Suppression System Works

In regards to how a CO2 fire suppression system works, it will first detect the fire using a heat detector and then immediately release carbon dioxide into the area, displacing the oxygen in seconds within a minute of discharge.

The strategy behind this is due to the fact that fire needs oxygen to continue to burn and spread. Additionally, it also needs to maintain its heat to be effective. Yet, with a carbon dioxide fire suppression system, it attacks both elements of this fire triangle, leaving the fire no option but to disintegrate.

The great thing about these fire fighting systems is that, due to both aspects of the fire being attacked, there is no way of anything going wrong upon release, whether that be stopping the combustion via reducing oxygen levels or cooling the fire.

Key Features of a CO2 Fire Suppression System

Now that you understand the strategy of this inert gas and how it disposes of a fire, we believe it is important for you to understand some of the key features and benefits that you’ll notice, whether or not you fall under a company that needs a CO2 fire extinguishing system .

It is the most flexible fire extinguishing system
Zero global warming potential (GWP) or ozone depletion potential (ODP) and little atmospheric lifetime
It leaves no residue or water damage
It will be automatically released and act quickly to suppress the flames
It has a high success rate, meaning there is little chance of re-ignition
It is an electrically non-conductive gas

The Different Applications For CO2 Fire Suppression Systems

CO2 systems were one of the first fire-extinguishing systems to appear successful in the 1960s. The benefit of these life safety devices is that they’re suitable for lots of applications because they have been tried and tested across multiple sectors.

However, there are still certain applications that they thrive in after years of testing, so let’s dive into their most optimal placements:

Electronic Equipment

Due to the fact that CO2 fire extinguishers extinguish flames by displacing oxygen, there isn’t a lasting drenching effect in the aftermath of the fire like some chemical agents and water systems. Therefore, because no drenching effect or residue is left behind, your sensitive electronic equipment will still be able to function.

CO2 requires no cleanup, meaning your business can get up and running as soon as possible after you and your staff re-enter the building. This means that everything from data rooms , IT rooms, generator rooms, and many more will be safely protected with a carbon dioxide system.

Machinery

Similar to electronic equipment, machines in large industrial companies need power to run, which usually falls under electricity. If a fire were to break out and a traditional fire sprinkler system were deployed, your equipment would most likely never work again and, in the worst-case scenario, cause more life-threatening issues by exploding.

On the other hand, if you were to install an automatic CO2 extinguisher after expert room integrity testing and advice on which type would suit you, it would reduce the oxygen levels before the combustion could affect your working environment.

Common applications where you’ll find such machinery are industrial, agricultural, and many other manufacturing workplaces.

What is a Disadvantage of CO2 Fire Suppression?

In regards to what is a disadvantage of CO2 fire suppression, there is one that stands out quite clearly, and in short, it is that it can be dangerous to humans. Due to humans only being safe at CO2 levels below 7.5% and the average fire needing 34% CO2 levels to work effectively, being in the range of this fire suppression for prolonged periods will cause serious harm.

However, with updated technology, a lot of them have pneumatic sirens that will warn people about the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, meaning they can evacuate the building before it can affect their health.

Bottom Line

Although the carbon dioxide levels are a risk that CO2 fire suppression systems present, if they’re kept under control and people are notified to evacuate, the benefits, such as versatility, protection, fast suppression, etc., will all work together to keep you, your friends, and staff members safe.

If you’re wondering whether your room or building qualifies for this type of fire protection system, MEP Fire has received positive feedback on a national scale, allowing us to provide fire safety to people around the country. Alas, get in touch with our team if you have any quandaries about fire suppression installation, and we’ll be more than happy to help you!

Understanding Gas Cylinder Sizes For Each Clean Agent

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:45:00 GMT

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Understanding Gas Cylinder Sizes For Each Clean Agent

As you view fire suppression systems, selecting the right gas cylinder size is crucial for adequate protection. Whether you're considering Novec 1230, FM-200, or Inergen, each clean agent comes with specific cylinder options, measured in pounds and litres.

When choosing your gas cylinder sizes, you have to realise that this decision could be the difference between a fire outbreak causing massive damage and safety for you, your family, staff, or friends.

Thus, by the end of our article, we will have given you a clearer understanding of how to match cylinder sizes with your fire safety requirements. Let's explore each clean agent fire suppression fluid and what it aligns with!

What Are the Main Clean Agent Fire Suppression Fluids?

Clean agent fire suppression systems are renowned for swiftly and effectively suppressing flames while minimising damage to your property, staff, and supplies. They leave no residue, ensuring rapid recovery and getting back to business, along with protecting all of your sensitive equipment.

However, before looking into the gas cylinder sizes for each clean agent, you first need to understand what the main clean agent suppressant fluids you can purchase for your system are. Here are the main clean agents that are used within fire protection systems :

Inergen (IG-541)

If you look closer at the different components of Inergen systems, it is a blend of naturally occurring gases, including 52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8% carbon dioxide. Its primary focus is to reduce oxygen levels in the room in which it is installed to a level where the flame can no longer be lit or sustained, effectively suppressing fires without introducing harmful byproducts.

If you take the leap and install Inergen fire suppression systems on your property, you can expect it (like other clean agent fire suppression fluids) to be safe during evacuation, meaning there will be no long-term effects in the event of a fire. Instead, you can just focus on gathering all of your belongings and getting people outside while the protection system works its magic.

FM-200 (HFC-227ea)

In regards to HFC-227ea—more commonly known as FM-200 in the industry—it is an extremely popular clean agent. Essentially, when the system discharges the suppressant fluid, it extinguishes fires by absorbing heat and interrupting the combustion process.

FM-200 is widely used in areas where a more conventional water-based system is impractical due to its lack of drenching effect. On the other hand, water-based systems can have a drenching effect that will cause internal damage to your sensitive equipment, including electronic devices.

Novec 1230

Novec 1230, which was first seen as a halon replacement, is a fluorinated ketone that is renowned for its rapid-fire suppression capabilities compared to other extinguishing systems you can purchase on the market.

This clean agent is also incredibly environmentally friendly, with little atmospheric lifetime, ozone depletion potential, and global warming potential, along with leaving zero residues behind in the aftermath of a fire in comparison to a traditional inert gas system. Additionally, it is suitable for a wide range of applications, from data centres and server rooms to museums and IT rooms.

The Gas Cylinder Sizes For Each Clean Agent

Now that you have a brief overview of what each main clean agent is and how it can be used within the application you’re in, understanding the sizes of each gas cylinder will help you make an informed decision on what clean agent to choose from, in relation to the storage space you have within your building. Let’s take a look at the approximate gas cylinder sizes for each agent:

Inergen Cylinder Sizes

Inergen cylinder sizes will typically vary, based on the number of cylinders you feel you’re going to need to store the fire suppression agent, among a few other factors. The sizes are commonly specified in litres and the amount of KG's it takes to fill the clean agents; thus, this will indicate the amount of Inergen gas contained in each cylinder. Here are a few examples of Inergen cylinder sizes:

20.32 KG to fill: Approximately 67 litres at 200 bar
24.08 KG to fill: Approximately 80 litres at 200 bar
33.50 KG to fill: Approximately 80 litres at 300 bar
42.14 KG to fill: Approximately 140 litres at 200 bar
58.50 KG to fill: Approximately 140 litres at 300 bar

It's important to note that these are approximate conversions, as the volume of gas can vary based on factors such as supplier, pressure, and temperature. However, with your gas cylinders moving forward, we always advise that you hire an experienced specialist to come and view your property before blindly installing these systems within your application.

Novec 1230 and FM-200 Cylinder Sizes

Novec 1230 is similar in the sense that they’re also stored within various sizes of cylinders to give businesses options to choose from when needing a tailored experience. These are a few of the approximate Novec 1230 and FM-200 cylinder sizes, available in both 25 or 42 bar with their minimum and maximum fill range (measured in KG):

15 Litres: Fill Range - min. 6KG, max. 13.5 KG
30 Litres: Fill Range - min. 12KG, max. 27 KG
50 Litres: Fill Range - min. 20KG, max. 45 KG
80 Litres: Fill Range - min. 32KG, max. 72 KG
120 litres: Fill Range - min. 48KG, max. 108 KG
150 Litres: Fill Range - min. 60KG, max. 135 KG
180 Litres: Fill Range - min. 72KG, max. 162 KG

Which Clean Agent Cylinder Should You Choose For Storage Efficiency?

If we’re talking about how big the cylinder is and how much space it will take as an individual cylinder, Inergen cylinders require the largest storage area compared to 3M Novec 1230 and FM-200. Therefore, in that regard, if you only have a small storage capacity, Novec and FM-200 may work better for you.

However, in terms of the actual efficiency of the product, Inergen doesn’t need to be stored as a liquid or compressed gas; rather, it is stored at atmospheric pressure in cylinders. This unique trait allows for efficient storage without the need for high-pressure cylinders or bulky storage arrangements.

In essence, effectiveness changes depending on your application and the type of fire suppression system you’ll be using. Therefore, if you’re interested in finding out more about how you can install a fire suppression system in your building to best secure your people and equipment, speak to our team today via the Contact Us section, and we’d be happy to help!

The Different Types of Inert Gas Fire Suppression Fluids

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:17:10 GMT

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The Different Types of Inert Gas Fire Suppression Fluids

When looking for vital components for your safeguarding requirements on your property, protecting your loved ones, friends, and team members is essential for every event that could occur.

Fire safety is one of those things that could happen at any time in an application with multiple hazards, and in this article, we’re going to hone in on the various types of inert gas fire suppression fluids, shedding light on their distinct attributes, applications, and advantages so that you can make informed decisions for optimal protection.

What is Meant By Inert Gas?

In regards to what is meant by an inert gas, it refers to a type of gas that doesn't easily react with other substances. The various types of inert gases are chemically stable and don't readily combust or support combustion, whether that be in the event of a fire or the welding process, for example.

The reason behind these gases not being reactive is that they have an entire complement of electrons in their outer energy level, which ensures that they’re stable and unreactive to any chemical process.

As you look closer into the details of each clean agent fire suppression fluid, you will also notice that none of them has a distinct colour or smell when released into the atmosphere, and that too is because of the valence shell (which determines how atoms react with other atoms).

The Types of Inert Gas Fire Suppression Fluids Used For Protection Systems

Anyway, enough of the scientific explanations and reality behind all of the fluids we use for fire suppression.

In this section of the blog, we’re going to discuss each type of inert gas fire suppression fluid used in extinguishing systems so you can gain some valuable information on adding effective fire safety, minimising damage, and having an emergency response on hand at all times:

Argonite Gas

Argonite is an inert gas that uses a mixture of 50% argon and 50% nitrogen. The purpose of an argonite fire suppression system is to displace oxygen in a protected area so that it can effectively reduce the oxygen level to a level where combustion cannot be sustained.

It is one of the cleanest, non-reactive naturally occurring gases that you can implement in your fire suppression system; thus, it couldn’t be anything but an inert gas if it tried! The environmental benefits, such as no global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), little atmospheric lifetime, etc., contribute to the success of the suppression fluid.

Carbon Dioxide

Although you wouldn’t expect to see this on the list due to it not being part of the noble gas family, for fire suppression, it is still considered an inert gas due to the effective work done against flames.

Carbon dioxide, when placed in a fire suppression system, works on two of the core elements of the fire triangle by displacing oxygen and cooling the temperature of the fire. In terms of application, carbon dioxide is great for electronic systems, such as IT rooms and data centres.

Inergen Gas

Similar to argonite gas, it contains argon and nitrogen within the blend but also contains carbon dioxide. To be specific, there is 52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8% carbon dioxide in this inert gas.

Inergen gas works by reducing the oxygen concentration (until it falls below 15%) in the desired location, preventing the flames from spreading. This means that there will be no human intervention, and you, your staff, and sensitive equipment will be safe from any danger.

Novec 1230 Gas

Although you might know that 3M Novec 1230 is stored as a liquid within its cylinder, upon discharge, it is released as a gas through the spray nozzle. Therefore, this fluorinated ketone and impressive fire suppressant uses its cooling element in order to remove flames from the property.

Novec 1230 fluid is known for leaving no post-fire residues in the aftermath—perfectly suited for leaky enclosures—and, furthermore, has environmentally-friendly properties that, upon release, give off non-toxic gas.

FM-200 Gas

Similar to all of these inert gases, FM-200 is a non-reactive, non-flammable, colourless fluid that has been installed in many fire suppression systems in applications such as flight simulators, substations, and control rooms due to its effectiveness in interrupting the combustion process of an outburst of flames.

Perfect for class A, B, and C fires, this environmentally friendly option is safe for human consumption when evacuating the building and leaves behind no residue, minimising the downtime of your business or home when looking to get back inside.

Advantages of Using Inert Gas Fire Suppression Fluids

Although a lot of them have individual benefits that make them stand out compared to another agent, whether that be Novec 1230 vs FM-200 or Argonite vs Inergen , there are some common benefits that they all have. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of inert gas fire extinguishing systems as a whole:

Rapid Release Time: Although not all have them have the exact same release time—some are quicker than others—they’re all extremely quick compared to traditional extinguishing methods.
Zero Residue: All inert gas fire suppression systems leave behind no residue, ensuring that there isn’t a cleanup process that has to take place when you go back into the property.
Non-Flammable/Electrically Non-Conductive: All the suppression gases do not conduct electricity or cause thermal shock to sensitive components.
Adaptable: These systems are versatile in their applications, and no matter your building, you’ll be able to find an inert system for you.
Long-Term Storage: All inert gas cylinders are excellent for long-term storage, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about consistent maintenance.

Overall, any variation of inert gas fire suppression systems offers efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly fire protection solutions . If you want to understand how you can install one within your workplace, MEP Fire are your nationwide suppression specialists—get in touch if you want to see how you can install an effective solution today!

Pros and Cons of Novec 1230 For Fire Extinguishers

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 14:40:18 GMT

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Pros and Cons of Novec 1230 For Fire Extinguishers

As a revolutionary alternative to traditional extinguishing agents, Novec 1230 systems have become a preferred option for businesses and homes around the globe when it comes to fire suppression installation.

However, there has been some debate within the community about whether or not you should use 3M Novec 1230 as your main fire extinguishing agent, which we’re looking to uncover here.

In today’s article, we’re going to delve into the pros of using this mechanism and the Novec 1230 disadvantages too, as giving you knowledge about this cutting-edge fire suppression technology will help you make informed decisions about effectively safeguarding lives and property.

What Type of Agent is Novec 1230?

In relation to what type of agent Novec 1230 is, it is a clean agent known as a fluorinated ketone. If you use it within your extinguishing system, it rapidly extinguishes fires by removing heat and interrupting the combustion process, making it a highly effective option for protecting your sensitive equipment and valuable assets.

Clean agent systems are known for their environmentally friendly properties and suppression techniques, causing no damage to our environment or the ozone layer.

Not only does this give you a diverse and clean option within your domestic or residential property instead of using one that may cause harm to you and your staff, but they’re extremely effective for class A, B, and C fires too.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Novec 1230 For Fire Suppression Systems

If you look closer at the difference between 3M Novec 1230 fluid and traditional forms of extinguishing, such as fire blankets or standard fire extinguishers, it is clear that you would choose an automatic fire suppression system that can allow you and your staff or family to evacuate while minimising the damage to your building without any human intervention.

Whereas, if you used a traditional fire extinguisher or fire blanket, you would need trained and qualified humans to get rid of the fire, so there is no comparison in this regard.

However, in terms of comparing liquid forms for fire suppression systems, understanding the pros and cons of Novec 1230 for fire extinguishers will help you gauge whether this should be the suppressant fluid you end up choosing in your location. Let’s take a look at both in detail:

Novec 1230 Advantages

Firstly, we’ll delve into the Novec 1230 advantages, as there is a reason behind the increase in installation among properties around the globe with this suppression fluid. Here are some of the main standout benefits of why you would want to invest in this fire extinguishing agent:

Quick Suppression: If your building is primed for Novec 1230 fluid, this fluid can vaporise and evenly distribute its effectiveness within 10 seconds of being triggered by the detector or fire alarm
No Damage to Your Equipment: With it being a clean agent, non-conductive and non-corrosive, it is safe for all sensitive electronics and valuable equipment within your property
Environmentally friendly: As we briefly mentioned, Novec 1230 has a low global warming potential, ozone depletion potential and atmospheric lifetime, causing minimal harm to the environment compared to other agents due to containing no carbon dioxide or any other harmful gases
Safe for Everyone in the Building During Evacuation: Installing Novec 1230 is safe for human exposure at its designed oxygen concentration, providing an additional level of protection for building occupants
Residue-Free After the Event of a Fire: Due to the nature of this clean fire suppression fluid, it leaves no residue or water behind, eliminating the need for extensive cleanup and preventing secondary damage (meaning your business can be back up and running quickly).

Novec 1230 Disadvantages

Although clean agent fire suppression agents are some of the most popular on the market today due to their ability to quickly suppress fires and their environmental benefits, every fire protection system has its disadvantages. Here are some of the downfalls that you may need to be wary of if you’re considering installing this in your application:

Limited accessibility: Oftentimes, this suppressant can be difficult to find on the market due to the high demand in different regions
Expensive to install: Unfortunately, Novec 1230 can be expensive due to it being a premium, high-quality solution (there are some more cost-effective options out there)
Potential Misuse: Novec 1230 doesn’t thrive in every single application; thus, you must ensure that your property and Novec 1230 align
Complex Installation: In some cases, Novec 1230 fire suppression systems can be intricate and may require additional costs
Excessive Storage Space: With Novec 1230 needing to apply more fluid during the event of a fire in comparison to other systems, it can often require a lot more cylinders (which may be difficult for companies with little extra storage space).

Should You Invest in a Novec 1230 Fire Extinguisher?

Judging from the previous pros and cons that we have listed, investing in a Novec 1230 extinguisher would come down to the pros outweighing the cons. However, we believe that a Novec 1230 extinguisher will be an excellent option for businesses looking to provide optimal safety at all times while trying to minimise the environmental effects on our planet.

What these high-technology systems will ensure is that all occupants will remain safe, your equipment won’t be damaged in the aftermath of a fire breakout, and an efficient job will be carried out before the fire begins to spread around your building.

Overall, we believe that if an expert gives you the green light to say that this will fit your requirements and you have the budget to install this fire suppression system, this could be a life-saving investment in the event of potential fire hazards.

Final Thoughts

Using a fire suppression system, stored in cylinders, within your business or home nowadays will give you optimal protection, and now that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of Novec 1230, we hope that you can make an informed decision on what you require within your application.

However, if you’re still unsure about measurements, whether your building is suited for Novec 1230 fire suppression systems, and all the rest of it, MEP Fire are your nationwide experts for everything related to fire suppression.

Therefore, if you’re curious about moving forward with installing a fire protection system to protect you, your staff, friends, or family, get in touch with us today, and we’d love to see how we could help bring protection to your application as soon as possible.

A Complete Guide to Using an Automatic Fire Suppression System

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:55:56 GMT

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A Complete Guide to Using an Automatic Fire Suppression System

In an industry where decisions have to be made quickly, effective fire suppression needs to be at the top of your list so you can prioritise health and safety, whether that be within your residential or domestic venue.

In this informative guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about automatic fire suppression systems, their various types, working principles, and the benefits they offer.

Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or simply concerned about fire safety, here we delve into the world of automatic fire suppression and equip you with essential knowledge to protect what matters most.

What Are Automatic Fire Suppression Systems?

In regards to what an automatic fire suppression system is, they are advanced safety mechanisms created to detect and control fires, preventing them from spreading and causing lasting damage to your sensitive equipment, valuable property, and people within your building. These systems work automatically, without the need for human intervention.

If you take a look at the core elements of the fire suppression system installed on your property, they consist of various components like smoke detectors, heat sensors, alarms, and extinguishing agents (such as water, foam, or gas).

For example, water is effective against conventional fires , while gas or foam may be used for electrical or flammable liquid fires. The system typically either reduces the fire's heat, removes oxygen, or interrupts the chemical reaction necessary for combustion, extinguishing the flames and minimising fire-related destruction.

Without fire suppression systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, there is nothing more advanced on the market that will give you a rapid response and enhanced protection, saving lives, property, and assets like these automatic systems do.

Should You Invest in Automatic or Manual Fire Suppression Systems?

There is widespread debate and unknown territory for new fire suppression system owners when it comes to purchasing either an automatic or manual fire protection system.

However, you should look to invest in an automatic fire suppression system more often than manual systems due to their ability to detect and respond to fires without human intervention while offering quick and efficient fire control, minimising potential damage, and protecting occupants.

Often, when trying to extinguish a fire yourself within your team or household, there will be a lot of panic, and it may take you a couple of minutes to even begin the process of extinguishing. Yet, with an automatic system, they take all the stress off your shoulders, and you can just worry about evacuating as quickly as possible.

Yet, manual systems can be a cost-effective option for smaller areas or when budget limitations come into play. They also provide more control over when and where to discharge the extinguishing agent, preventing unnecessary damage from accidental activations.

Ultimately, your decision all depends on how important fire suppression and safety on your property are to you, because we believe that the extra investment for an automatic extinguishing system is critical (if the investment is feasible for you).

What Are the Different Types of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems?

If you’re looking for an automatic fire extinguishing system to install on your property, it is best that you look at the different types before deciding to purchase one blindly. As you look to suppress a fire, you must have a fire extinguisher that is suitable for your building - otherwise, it won’t dispose of the flames as effectively as it could.

Let’s unravel the main types of automatic fire suppression systems so you can better understand what can perform the best in the unfortunate scenario that could occur.

Chemical gas fire suppression systems
CO2 fire suppression systems
Inert gas fire suppression systems (Novec 1230, Inergen IG541 or Argonite gas IG55)
Watermist fire suppression systems
Pneumatic heat detection tube fire suppression systems
Condensed aerosol fire suppression systems
Foam extinguishing systems
Deluge extinguishing fire suppression systems
Wet chemical suppression systems
Fire sprinkler systems
Detection tube fire suppression systems

Each type of automatic fire suppression system is suited for different fire hazards and environments, making it essential to select the appropriate system based on the specific needs and risks of the area being protected. Thus, speaking to a suppression professional is paramount if you want your system to deliver the best results in the event of a fire.

Key Benefits of Automatic Fire Suppression Installation

Now that you have a clear vision of why automatic suppression is more effective than manual suppression and what the different types of automatic suppression systems you can install are, there are an extensive number of benefits that contribute to why this fire extinguishing method is so popular within modern businesses and homes around the globe.

Unattended protection: No one has to be present for the system to work its magic so everyone can leave the building promptly
Extensive range of systems: There is an abundance of these on the market for all different types of fires and environments, so you won’t be stuck for choice
Rapid release time: Some of these systems can detect and release fluid into the area of the fire between 10-60 seconds, meaning fire will be suppressed quickly
Reduces the chance of downtime and damaged equipment: Fires are often connected with financial losses, but these systems preserve business continuity and reduce insurance costs.
Protection at all times: These units offer constant monitoring, ensuring round-the-clock defence even when the premises are vacant or during non-operational hours.
Life Safety: They will protect occupants by suppressing fires and creating safe evacuation routes, enhancing overall safety from life-threatening injuries in residential and commercial spaces.

Bottom Line

Learning the importance of automatic fire suppression installation may have shocked a few of you or even made you more aware and alert to implement this in your business or home today. Our duty is to ensure lives are saved and businesses can stay up and running during the most difficult of hazards.

If you’re wondering where, how, or what automatic fire extinguishing system would work for your building, we recommend you get in touch with our team of specialists today. Whether you don’t know the type of system you need or want to install one immediately, we’re available 24/7 to give you our unrivalled support.

Is A Fire Suppression System Worth It?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 08:30:00 GMT

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Is A Fire Suppression System Worth It?

It is no secret that the value of all assets within your business is now more precious than ever. Whether that be sensitive equipment or even just the bills you’re paying each month to sustain your business.

Added to the fact that technology is advancing at a rapid rate, the price to pay if a fire outbreak occurs will rack up a hefty fine that no company wants to receive. To combat this, fire protection has to be understood by all business owners, but is a fire suppression system worth it for your specific company?

In this article, we will unravel this topic in detail to ensure that you and your staff members have an actionable answer to act upon within your fire safety protocols. Keep reading to discover whether fire suppression installation is necessary today!

What is a Fire Suppression System Used in Replacement Of?

Fire suppression systems are modern-day fire protection methods used to control and extinguish fires automatically when fire is detected. There are a multitude of extinguishing systems on the market that have different qualities to suit certain scenarios with their design and installation procedures.

However, the general consensus is that fire suppression systems are the most efficient way of sending heat detection warning signals and then releasing a compound into the atmosphere almost immediately to combat the combustion process.

Therefore, a fire suppression system nowadays is used as a replacement for traditional fire suppression methods, such as water-based systems and fire extinguishers by hand.

While these systems and extinguishers, such as sprinklers or fire extinguishers, are effective in some situations, there are environments where they may not be suitable or can cause additional or significant damage to your equipment and the staff involved.

Installing a fire suppression system, on the other hand, provides a much more effective alternative solution in most cases, offering targeted fire extinguishment without the use of water or human intervention.

These systems are often used in areas with sensitive equipment where a conventional water system would be detrimental or in spaces where quick suppression is required, such as server rooms, data centres, control rooms, and facilities with any other valuable assets.

The Importance of Fire Suppression Systems

In comparison to the old ways, the new fire suppression systems are manufactured to be a safer and more efficient way of suppressing flames in the event of a fire. Having a team of staff in your place of business and a plethora of expensive, invaluable equipment can be damaged instantly if you’re not prepared for it.

However, automatic fire suppression systems ensure that human intervention is not necessary and that fires are detected and dealt with in a matter of moments.

Let’s say that you stuck with the traditional fire extinguishing methods, such as fire sprinklers and fire extinguishers, and you weren’t best prepared for a fire to occur. Not only would that fire cause injuries and potential death within the workplace, but the entire infrastructure of your building could be taken away from you within a blink of an eye.

Human intervention and fire extinguishers take some time to begin the extinguishing process, and water-based systems can cause lasting damage to your equipment. Thus, you can rest assured that installing a high-tech fire suppression system will allow your staff to evacuate while suppressing the flames and protecting your valuable equipment.

Exploring How the Different Types of Fire Suppression Systems Work

As discussed, we know that all fire suppression systems automatically detect the heat of the fire through detection tubes and thermal sensors. Then, depending on the system you have in place within your application, the fire will be extinguished. If you want to invest in a fire suppression system, you need to ensure that this model is going to suit your premises in the best way possible.

Here are the most common types of fire suppression systems that are installed today and how they function at a high level at all times, no matter the intensity of the fire:

Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems

These systems use inert gases or dry/ wet chemical agents to extinguish fires without the need for water. In gaseous systems like FM-200 or Novec 1230, the agent is stored in cylinders or containers and released into the protected space upon fire detection.

Instead of removing the heat element, these gases displace oxygen instead, reducing its concentration and suffocating the fire.

Foam-Based Fire Suppression Systems

Although gaseous fire suppression systems are the most common and preferred on the market, foam suppression systems are also suitable for flammable liquid fires. Hence, if you’re in a line of business where this may be prevalent, this could potentially be the perfect fit for you.

The foam blanket works to completely separate the energy of the fire from oxygen, suppressing the fire and preventing the re-ignition of the initial flame.

Foam systems are commonly used in industries with a higher risk of fuel spills, such as chemical plants or fuel storage areas, so if you’re reading this and your work conditions match this setting, it may be worth considering this system instead.

Dry Chemical Fire Suppression Systems

Lastly, dry chemical fire suppression systems are another sought-after model in an array of industries today. They use dry powders, such as class A, B, and C powders, to smother fires within an instant.

These powders work by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire, forming a barrier between the fuel and oxygen. Dry chemical systems are adaptable and effective against multiple fire classes, giving you another alternative to the common gaseous or foam-based fire suppression methods.

Should You Invest in Fire Suppression Installation?

So, should you invest in fire suppression installation , and is it worth paying more money than an original fire extinguisher or water-based system? In short, yes, you should, because, as a firm, your priority should be to ensure that health and safety are taken care of in the best regard, as people’s lives should be more important than a slightly more expensive one-time payment.

Fire suppression systems give you the best chance of surviving a fire, leaving you with minimal to no damage in the aftermath. Whether it is the safety of multiple people or expensive equipment, if you use the correct fire protection system for your application, the results will be worth every penny.

If you need expert advice on what cost-effective fire suppression system will fit your needs for fire risk, MEP Fire are your nationwide fire protection specialists and will always be on hand whenever you need help via phone or email to help you make the all-important final decision. Get in touch with us today!

Understanding The Various Fire Extinguisher Clean Agents

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:30:00 GMT

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Understanding The Various Fire Extinguisher Clean Agents

When it comes to fire safety, having the right knowledge about different clean agents is essential for effective fire suppression as you look for the correct option to install in your own building.

In this article, we will explore a range of clean agents commonly used in fire extinguishing systems . We'll discuss what a clean agent is, their unique properties, advantages/ limitations, and applications, enabling you to gain a comprehensive understanding of their use.

This way, you, as a business or homeowner, can make informed decisions when selecting the appropriate, cost-effective solution for various fire hazards. Carry on reading as we unravel the intricacies of fire extinguisher clean agents and enhance your fire safety knowledge!

What is a Clean Agent?

A clean agent, also known as a gaseous fire suppression agent, is a type of fire suppressant that is designed to extinguish fires by displacing oxygen or removing heat and leaving no residue behind, causing no damage to the protected area. These agents are typically stored as a gas or a liquid that converts into natural gases upon discharge.

As touched on briefly above, a clean-agent fire extinguishing agent works by interfering with the chemical reactions involved in an oncoming fire, primarily by reducing the concentration of oxygen or interrupting the chemical chain reaction. When broken down, this deprives the fire of the necessary components to sustain its energy, effectively extinguishing it.

It is important to note that the clean agent, although it leaves behind no mess after the event of a fire, is also known as a ‘clean agent’ due to it having no short, medium, or long-term effects on our environment.

When you install these clean-agent fire suppression systems in your building, you will be safe knowing that they have no ozone depletion potential (ODP) and little to no global warming potential (GWP).

The Most Common Fire Extinguisher Clean Agents

As you discover and research the various clean agents available on the market, you will quickly realise that there are only three that stand out above the rest for performance, price, and quality. Let’s take a look at each of them individually so you can learn more about how they perform in their respective applications:

Inergen Gas Composition

The Ansul Inergen gas composition is built up of three different inert gases: nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide (CO2). With all of these gases forged together, the clean agent compound works effectively to remove the oxygen from the fire and prevent any further flames from spreading.

Not only will this inert gas efficiently minimise and remove the fire from spreading around your building, but Inergen also keeps the oxygen level between 12% and 21%, depending on the Inergen clean agent fire suppression system you invest in.

Novec 1230

Novec 1230 (3M Novec 1230) is an environmentally-friendly fire suppression fluid that is incorporated in many gaseous fire suppression systems with the set responsibility of minimising damage to equipment and humans by mitigating the flames of the oncoming fire.

However, this electrically non-conductive, non-toxic, colourless, and odourless compound hones in on removing the heat element of the fire with its cooling effect. These systems are often implemented in applications where water systems would only add more damage to the property, as Novec 1230 requires no cleanup in the aftermath.

FM-200

Similarly to Novec 1230, this clean-agent fire suppression liquid absorbs the heat of the fire when released into the atmosphere, leaving no residue behind and causing no lasting damage to your sensitive equipment.

FM-200 is discharged almost instantaneously into the chaotic environment and will begin fighting against the combustion process in seconds. This is also released as a gas rather than a liquid (like Novec 1230), but will have no impact on the effectiveness of the job at hand.

The Advantages and Limitations of Clean Agents

Every fire suppression system you look at will have positive and negative points that can be improved by another system. However, clean agents are one of the most effective ways to protect you, your staff, and sensitive equipment during a fire.

Thus, discovering the pros and cons of these compounds so you know whether they will suit your needs is paramount. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of clean agents:

Advantages

Quick response : With them being automatic fire suppression systems, as soon as a fire is detected, the clean agent will be discharged and suppress the flames within a matter of moments, whether that be by reducing the oxygen level or removing heat from the flame.
Environmental benefits : Clean agents are ‘clean’ for a reason, as they pose little to no threat to climate change (minimal or no global warming potential or ozone depletion potential).
Non-conductive : If you use these fire protection fluids, you won’t have to worry about a potential electric shock when suppressing flames around electrical equipment.
No Cleanup : With clean agents being effective in their suppression methods, they also leave no residue behind, meaning you can return to normal business operations soon after the fire outbreak.

Limitations

Not all are safe for human consumption : After being in the midst of the fire suppression area, if you stay there too long with certain clean agents, they may begin to cause harm to people if you’re exposed to high amounts.
Cost : With certain brands, these clean agents, due to how effective they are, can be pricey for a company to install in their place of business.
Regulatory issues : In some cases, clean agents will not be allowed in certain areas based on the specific regulations that may be set.

What Applications Are Clean Agents Suitable For?

Regarding what applications clean agent fire suppression systems are suitable for, there is a wide range of applications in which they are commonly used, including data centres, server rooms, control rooms, telecommunications facilities, museums, archives, and medical facilities.

Clean agents are ideal for spaces with valuable sensitive equipment and electronics, such as computer servers, data storage, communication equipment, and medical devices, as they provide rapid and effective fire suppression without causing water damage or leaving any long-term damaging residue behind.

Additionally, there are a certain few clean agents that are employed in industrial settings, power plants, and facilities similar to the ones stated above where traditional water-based systems simply are not feasible or may cause further harm.

Are Novec 1230 and Fluid FK 5-1-12 the Same Extinguishing Agent?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:31:10 GMT

Are Novec 1230 and Fluid FK 5-1-12 the Same Extinguishing Agent?

Choosing the correct extinguishing method for your surroundings can be a daunting task for residential and domestic properties when it comes to protecting your team members, family, and friends in the event of a fire.

Lately, there has been a lot of concern and questions about the effectiveness, safety, and similarities between clean agents, and we feel as though it needs to be cleared up so you can make informed decisions for your building when implementing a fire protection system.

That’s why, in this blog, we are delving into the characteristics, advantages, and considerations of both and uncovering the truth about whether Novec 1230 and Fluid FK5112 are the same extinguishing agent, so you don’t have to worry about choosing one or the other.

What is an Extinguishing Agent?

Regarding what an extinguishing agent is, they are substances or mixtures stored within a fire suppression system used to control, manage, and extinguish fires. They can all be stored in the form of a gas, liquid, or solid, designed to remove one or more elements of the fire triangle, such as heat, oxygen, or fuel.

Without this fire protection fluid, a fire would have no boundaries and could spread as far as it could reach, meaning the installation of fire protection products and services should not go unnoticed by companies and homes trying to implement optimal health and safety procedures.

Extinguishing agents nowadays are found more commonly in an automatic fire suppression system, which can detect and suppress a fire before you know it. Compared to traditional fire extinguishers or dialling the number for a fire engine, a fire can be suppressed within a matter of moments without any potential life-threatening risks.

Different Types of Extiniguing Agents

Although you know what extinguishing agents are there to do in terms of detection and suppression, it is worth noting the different types of extinguishing agents.

If you look closer at the ingredients used to extinguish a fire with an automatic fire suppression system, it is often a toss-up between water, foam, dry chemical powders, carbon dioxide (CO2), halon, and clean agent alternatives—depending on what your preferences and building are suited for. Let’s take a look at them all in detail and define their strengths and weaknesses.

Water: This will remove the heat element, cooling the fire by smothering the flames
CO2: This gaseous extinguishing agent displaces oxygen, suffocating the fire
Foam: The foam agent creates a blanket that separates the fuel from the oxygen, smothering the fire
Wet Chemical: This will cool the fire and create a foam layer to prevent re-ignition of the flame
Clean Agents: These environmentally-friendly agents will displace oxygen concentrations to suppress the fire without leaving any residue
Dry Powder: This powder essentially interrupts the chemical response of the fire, forming a border between fuel and oxygen
Halon: Similar to clean agents, they remove heat from the fire and do not leave residue in the aftermath of a fire
Dry Chemical Powders: If you use a dry chemical powder, this will interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire and prevent the release of flammable vapours.

Now that you understand the core practices of what each mixture and substance can achieve within fire suppression, although they all have unique properties, it is important to note that not every total flooding fire detection system can perform within your building.

This is why a fire assessment and requirements are checked before installation, as you want to make sure that the fire suppression system that is installed will do the most effective job.

FK5112 vs Novec 1230: Are They the Same?

In regards to whether FK5112 vs Novec 1230 are the same extinguishing fluid, in short, they are the same. Although there is some confusion about branding, Novec 1230 is just the trade name of the extinguishing agent, FK 5-1-12.

This means that together, they’re both clean-agent fire suppression fluids looking to protect facilities all over the world with their unique extinguishing processes. As we noted above, a clean agent fluid works by reducing the oxygen level of the fire while leaving no lasting damage to all of your sensitive equipment or building properties in the aftermath.

When the automatic detection system is triggered by the heat of the flames, the Novec 1230 fire protection fluid (also known as FK 5-1-12) in the fire suppression system is designed to quickly discharge and reach the right amount needed to put out the fire within 10 seconds. This is much faster than inert gases, which usually take 60 to 120 seconds to even get close to the job of 3M Novec 1230 fluid.

Benefits of Novec 1230 (Fluid FK 5-1-12) Clean Agents

Each design for your fire suppression system will be unique, but the performance of the clean agent fire suppression fluid will be the same regardless of whether it is installed correctly and within the vicinity of potential fire hazards. Here are some of the benefits of FK 5-1-12 that you will notice if you’re ever in danger of a fire outbreak:

1: Extremely Low Environmental Impact

As you search the market for other fire suppression methods, it is clear that clean agent systems win in terms of leaving no environmental damage. They have low ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP), helping keep our planet clean from any harmful chemicals.

2: Quick Response Discharge

As stated above, Novec 1230 (FK 5-1-12) only needs 10 seconds to reach and suppress the fire if installed in the optimal place within your building. This fluid could be the difference between someone’s life being saved or not, so enforcing it may be something you want to consider.

3: Flexible Applications

Although certain fire suppression systems can only be useful within certain applications, this fluid is extremely versatile in the areas where it can be efficient, such as server room fires, kitchen fires , museums, control rooms, etc.

4: Safe For People

When discharged, some gaseous or chemical-based fluids can be extremely harmful for human consumption, whether that be suffocation or long-term health risks. However, with this clean agent, they are non-toxic and have a low atmospheric lifetime—meaning that they have no effects on your health and won’t be in the air for long anyway.

5: Precise Suppression

Clean agent fire suppression systems are known for having excellent suppression rates, maximum coverage, and no aftermath cleanup; thus, your business won’t be out of action for long at all.

If you want to receive all the benefits that a clean agent fire suppression system brings to the table, reach out to our qualified experts today to see if you’re the right fit for immediate installation—contact us today!

Dissecting The Key Advantages Of Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:00:24 GMT

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Dissecting The Key Advantages Of Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems

In the world of fire protection, fire suppression systems have proven to be highly effective in safeguarding valuable assets and ensuring the safety of occupants during an outbreak of fire.

By using specially designed gases, gaseous fire suppression systems have an adequate fire suppression rate when used in the correct applications.

In this article, we will dissect the key advantages of gas suppression systems in fire safety and prevention. Carry on reading to learn how you could implement this in your workplace or home today!

What is a Gaseous Fire Suppression System?

In regards to what a gaseous fire suppression system is, this is a specialised fire protection system designed to suppress or extinguish fires in a venue without the need for water. Rather, these systems use various types of gases to displace oxygen from the fire area, effectively removing one of the key elements of the fire triangle.

As you look closer into the gases used in gaseous fire extinguishing systems, this includes fire suppressant agents such as clean agents (e.g., FM-200, Novec 1230), inert gases (e.g., nitrogen, argon), and carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases are stored in cylinders or containers under high pressure and are released into the protected space when a fire is detected.

However, they can’t be used in all areas and often specialise in certain surroundings. They are commonly used in critical environments such as data centres, server rooms, control rooms, museums, archives, and other spaces where water damage from traditional sprinkler systems could be detrimental.

Therefore, if you’re a business within these niches, this could be an excellent choice for you if you’re looking to take fire safety seriously, not only for you and your sensitive equipment but for all of your staff members. As long as they feel safe coming to work each day, that is all you can ask for!

Comparing Each Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Method

As we stated above, there are many opposing fire suppression methods that are used in different scenarios based on the application. However, to further understand each gas, we’re going to break down the key elements you need to know when storing these cylinders or containers within your workplace.

Inert Gases

Argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide are stored as gases within their cylinders or containers and can take up to 60 seconds to discharge into the atmosphere. As soon as the inert gases have displaced oxygen from the fire, they leave no residue behind, meaning you won’t have to clean up.

Novec 1230

Novec 1230 contains carbon, oxygen, and fluorine, but unlike inert gas fire suppression systems, these can be discharged within 10 seconds. Nevertheless, similar to inert gases, you won’t need to clean up any leftover residue after the fire suppression effects.

FM-200

This clean agent fire suppression system includes naturally occurring gases like hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon in its compound makeup. It is also released within 10 seconds and requires no cleaning up after the fire is extinguished.

What Are the Benefits of Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems?

Although there are different types of gas fire suppression systems that are typically suited to specific areas, their advantages certainly outweigh the minimal number of drawbacks that this automatic fire suppression system presents. Let’s delve deeper into them so you can align your fire safety methods with your building.

Perfect For Critical Environments

Gaseous systems are perfect for critical environments where any other water-based systems, such as fire sprinklers or water mist systems, are not feasible or may cause damage to your electrical equipment. These include locations such as data centres , server rooms, control rooms, museums, libraries, and healthcare facilities.

Often, traditional fire extinguishing methods such as fire blankets, fire extinguishers, etc. will not conduct electricity, meaning that you simply can’t extinguish the fire without causing lasting damage to your expensive electrical equipment.

Rapid System Response

Depending on the type of gaseous fire suppression system you choose, the majority of high-performing detection systems will perform automatically at a rapid rate. If they weren’t to act as fast as they do, the fire could spread to other areas of your building, causing problems that could end in serious injury or even death.

Therefore, the presence of a safe gaseous system will be released quickly and settle or extinguish the fire within a matter of moments.

Environmentally-Friendly

As you look closer at the specifications of the individual gaseous fire suppression systems, you will notice that each model won’t add to the effects of climate change. For example, they have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and little to no global warming potential (GWP) either.

Moving forward with fire suppression methods , this should be one of the biggest factors you consider as a business when choosing a system to install. Not only will our planet benefit from this, but your staff members will too, as you’ll learn shortly.

Non-Destructive Damage

Unlike water-based systems, gaseous suppression systems do not cause damage in the aftermath. They do not leave behind residue, water, or foam, making them suitable for protecting sensitive equipment, electronic equipment, and many other valuable assets in the long run.

This not only benefits you from having to invest in new equipment, but you will also have no cleaning up to proceed with after the event of a fire. Additionally, you will be able to reopen your business much quicker than someone who is not prepared for these unfortunate events to occur.

Human Safety

Gaseous fire suppression systems work with non-toxic agents, meaning that they pose no threat to your health or safety. Furthermore, with these systems working so swiftly, you will not have to worry about being in the presence of a fire. Once discharged, they displace the oxygen immediately from the fire, causing it to disintegrate within a matter of moments.

Overall, these systems are highly effective in preventing fire from spreading across your building and leaving no damage behind. To ensure that you’re not within the vicinity of the fire before the automatic fire suppression system detects it, we advise you and all of your staff to evacuate the building as quickly as possible.

Reasons To Buy The Novec 1230 Extinguisher

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 10:05:02 GMT

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Reasons To Buy The Novec 1230 Extinguisher

Within recent studies, 88% of fires in buildings across the UK were accidental. Although these accidents are bound to happen, preventing them from escalating should be your main priority as a business owner or homeowner.

Keeping everyone safe during these unfortunate events needs to be covered - even though it may seem uncommon, it only takes one small mistake to cause injuries and potentially death.

Whether it be cooking, cooking appliances, electrical equipment, etc - investing in a fire suppression system with effective fluid is paramount. A Novec 1230 extinguisher is one of the most sought-after products on the market today for efficient fire suppression - here are the reasons why you should buy this fire extinguisher system for your place of residence.

What is Novec 1230 Fluid?

Regarding what Novec 1230 fluid is, this is a clean agent or halogenated fire suppression fluid that thrives in the event of a fire by removing the heat of the fire. This non-conductive odourless and colourless fluid leaves no residue behind after disposing of the flames - hence it being a clean agent.

Flames will tend to generate some extortionate heat energy within any given environment. When the fire is detected, this fluid will absorb all of the heat presented by the fire and lower the temperature to the point where it is no longer dangerous to a human… and the equipment you have installed within your residential or domestic property.

Whether you use a fire sprinkler system or a total flooding system, this is where you will typically find 3M Novec 1230 for optimal use.

The Main Benefits of Purchasing a Novec 1230 Extinguisher

As a brick-and-mortar company or household with people close to you and expensive equipment from top to bottom - assessing the fire risks should be within your annual schedule.

Fire safety shouldn’t be overlooked and in this next section, we’re going to discuss the main reasons why you should install a Novec 1230 extinguisher system within your business or home:

1 - Unrivalled Effectiveness of Novec 1230 Fluid

When searching for cylinders and fire suppression systems with the quickest success rate, Novec 1230 fire protection fluid is certainly one of the leading suppressing agents.

With a maximum of 40 seconds needed to extinguish a fire, it will most likely be dealt with before everyone evacuated the building! With no lasting damage created by this fast-acting fluid, you won’t have to stress about it spreading to different locations within your area.

2 - An Environmentally-Friendly Extinguisher

If you look into the history of 3M Novec 1230 fluid, you will notice that it has been awarded with a variety of green building certifications and for good reason. With low global warming potential (GWP), zero ozone depletion potential and a short atmospheric lifetime - you will not have to worry about the contribution towards climate change with this fire protection system.

3 - No Cleaning Up to Complete in the Aftermath

Even though it is stored as a liquid, the evaporation moves 25 times quicker than water, thus, it is fair to say that this will be cleared in a matter of moments after the event of a fire. Novec 1230 has a vapour pressure of 12 times that of water, meaning that it can be transferred from a liquid to a gas almost instantaneously.

Consequently, whether you run a large enterprise or are looking to keep your family safe, with this fluid disappearing so quickly - you can return to normal operations within a short period.

4 - Electrical and Valuable Equipment Will Be Safe

No matter your place of residence (domestic or residential), as we stated earlier - this fire extinguishing system is non-conductive, meaning you don’t have to worry about contact between this fluid and your electrical equipment.

Hence, there will be no liquid found in the midst of your electrical equipment causing any long-term damage. Using this fluid in sectors such as data centres and server rooms - along with any valuable assets will be optimal.

5 - Regulations are Often Met

As fire safety is being checked more regularly across the country, there are specific regulations in place in certain parts of the UK. One of those regulations that you could potentially face is the need to install a clean agent fire suppression system within your premises and in that case, Novec 1230 fluid will suit these conditions.

6 - Safe For Humans Evacuating

Novec 1230 is a clean agent and along with protecting our environment, you can also expect it to cause no harm to humans during the evacuation of the building. Building occupants, especially if it’s a large property, can be stuck in the fire hazard for two or three minutes. Thus, the fire protection fluid needs to be safe for humans to deal with.

This clean agent has a considerably favourable safety profile for humans due to its low toxicity levels. Of course, if you’re within the vicinity of this fluid for excess amounts of time, it may cause some inhalation risks. Yet, if you evacuate the building for proper ventilation - you will not have to worry about any health implications.

Should You Consider Using Novec 1230 Extinguishers as Your Fire Suppression Method?

Considering a 3M Novec 1230 fire suppression system as a means of protecting yourself should certainly be an option you take into account due to the environmental safety, safety for humans, protection of equipment and ease of clean up after the fire.

Although there are many reasons to buy a Novec 1230 extinguisher, you have to verify that it aligns with the regulations within your location - as they can vary. Furthermore, when speaking to experts about carrying out a fire assessment of your building, it may turn out that they recommend a different type of fire suppression system that suits your business or home better.

If you like the sound of the benefits and feel as though this could be a good option for your business, get in touch with your nationwide fire suppression specialists here at MEP Fire and our friendly team of professionals will run through what we would advise for your specific establishment.

Fire suppression systems aren’t a one-size-fits-all approach and that is why there are different models available. Yet, if you call our experienced team today, we can further help you with a fire suppression system that will prove the best solution for you. We look forward to hearing from you!

How Do Mist Fire Suppression Systems Work?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:35:29 GMT

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How Do Mist Fire Suppression Systems Work?

Among the range of fire suppression systems available on the market today, the technology and effectiveness of these fire protection models are becoming increasingly sought-after for businesses and homes around the world.

One of the most popular today is the water mist fire suppression system, as it has been shown to be highly effective in extinguishing flames from creating an emergency.

However, to understand this fire suppression method in more detail, in this guide, we’re going to cover how mist fire suppression systems work and what situations they can be suitable for (if you’re looking to enhance your health and safety precautions). Carry on reading to learn more!

What Are Mist Fire Suppression Systems?

Regarding what are mist fire suppression systems, this application uses tiny water droplets (using less water) to extinguish and manage an onrush of flames. Most of these systems are atomised at high pressure - meaning that these techniques can attack both elements of the fire triangle to mitigate fires.

Depending on what high-pressure water mist system provider you choose to go with, you will receive alternative spray and sprinkler heads to suit the requirements of your facility. To meet the conditions of becoming a ‘water mist fire suppression system’ the heads must produce droplets smaller than 1000 microns to be considered in this branch of fire protection systems.

This fire protection method is known for having an exceptionally high heat capacity, implying that it can deal with an assortment of fire outbreaks due to its capability of being able to change the energy of the temperature.

They are often stored within centrifugal pumps, water storage tanks or nitrogen cylinders. Depending on your specifications and measurements - your fire suppression experts will be able to guide you through the process of what you require.

How Do Mist Fire Suppression Systems Work When Extinguishing Fires?

Among the processes of extinguishing or controlling fire from spreading further, mist fire suppression systems have a particular process that they follow in order to work effectively. Let’s run through the step-by-step procedure below so you can gauge how quickly this automatic fire suppression system will work:

The fire is first detected through heat detection triggers in the system
The highly-pressurised water droplets are released into the atmosphere
The small droplets, this will reduce the oxygen levels of the fire
The droplets will also remove the heating element of the fire
Both heat and oxygen will be absorbed by the fire-suppressant agent and smothered
The fire will be then either controlled or put out completely

During this quick, step-by-step process, no human intervention will be required as the automatic triggers will force the fire-suppressing agent to do its job. Thus, everyone involved in the incident can evacuate the building in an immediate fashion.

Time and time again these systems have been proven to work in multiple scenarios without the need for fire blankets, fire extinguishers, etc. Consequently, if you’re looking for a fire suppression system that will save you from endangering your family, friends and staff - investing in an automatic water mist fire suppression system should be considered.

What Applications Do They Suit?

In relation to what applications mist systems suit, there are a specific bunch of applications that this system will thrive in. Not to say it won’t do good work in other scenarios, but the list below mentions the few applications that mist fire suppression systems specialise in:

Power generators
Cable tunnels
Plant rooms
Machinery spaces
Food processing equipment

Although you may be thinking that these water mist models should be a ‘no-go’ when it comes to electrical and expensive equipment - they typically do their best work within these environments.

So, why do they suit sensitive equipment? Well, these mist systems offer smaller droplets than a traditional sprinkler system, meaning that it has no way of affecting your equipment. Whereas, a fire sprinkler system has bigger droplets, hence they can get into your sensitive equipment and potentially damage the performance.

Advantages of Using Water Mist Systems

Utilising fire suppression systems to automatically detect and extinguish fire will always be more effective than humans using fire extinguishers and other fire protection methods. However, if you’re specifically looking at investing in a water mist system, you will need to know exactly the advantages it can provide for your property in the event of a fire.

Automatically detects and extinguishes fire
Uses less water during the fire extinguishing process (higher efficiency)
Installation is typically a simple procedure due to the small pipework required
No water damage to your property and equipment after extinguishing the fire
The need to buy large water tanks will be less frequent due to the efficiency (cost-effective)
Attacks both elements of the fire triangle for an effective job
Flexible design options (customisable pipe routing and cylinder arrangements for all applications)

Health and safety are paramount within your organisation or home, regardless of the number of staff and equipment you have. Each individual should feel comfortable coming to work every day without thinking that certain safety protocols are not being followed. A quick side note is that all systems should be rigorously tested when fire safety becomes a top priority.

Installing a water mist system in one of the specific applications above instead of using a fire blanket or fire extinguisher could potentially save lives and here at MEP Fire, we believe that domestic and r esidential fire suppression systems should be implemented in all properties.

Should You Choose a Water Mist Fire Suppression System?

As we mentioned above, there are clear applications that this fire suppression system suits. However, this doesn’t mean that with the right planning and installation, it can’t work in other environments.

These water mist systems are extremely versatile and with the combination of the correct advice, installation team, servicing and maintenance, etc - this could be the optimal solution for your fire suppression needs.

Nevertheless, we would always recommend you speak to a team of professionals before you bite the bullet and get a water mist fire suppression system installed in your workplace.

Here at MEP Fire, we have unrivalled experience in giving advice and fitting water mist systems, therefore, if you want to see if your business qualifies for this installation - speak to us today and we’ll be more than happy to help!

Is Inergen Gas Considered Harmful?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 08:40:58 GMT

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Is Inergen Gas Considered Harmful?

Considering fire safety within a residential or domestic property should be on a list of the highest priorities you put in place when managing a building full of either family, friends and staff members.

In today’s era, fire suppression systems are by far the most favoured and effective methods of detecting and extinguishing a fire when an outbreak occurs. However, even though they’re practical, are they safe for humans?

During this article, we’re going to discuss a few popular fire suppression methods for health and in particular Inergen. Is Inergen Gas considered harmful for people in the midst of fire suppression? Find out more here by reading on below!

What Fire Suppression Systems Aren’t Safe For Humans?

Regarding what fire suppression systems aren’t safe for humans, the only clear answer is CO2 fire suppression systems. With the need for 34% carbon dioxide, the human body would not be able to endure this type of exposure for long before experiencing unconsciousness or even death.

Why Are CO2 Systems Dangerous to Humans?

Assessing the dangers of CO2 when thinking of investing in a fire extinguishing system may be something you may want to consider. If there isn’t a clear path to evacuation, this system shouldn’t be on your list of desired systems to choose from.

Although this suppressing agent does an excellent job of reducing the oxygen level of the fire, if a human stays in the building with this amount of carbon dioxide flowing in the air - the lungs won’t be able to withstand the sheer amount of gas going into the body.

These systems replace oxygen with carbon dioxide, meaning asphyxiation (suffocation) within a confined area can be extremely likely. Using C02 systems within a large area with lots of space and an easy path to leaving the building can be particularly effective, however.

What Fire Suppression Systems Are Safe For Humans?

The most common fire suppression systems that you will find safe for humans are water mist, clean agent (chemical agent and inert gas) and fire sprinkler suppression systems. All of these systems contain fluids and extinguishing agents that will not cause any damage to your long-term health.

To get a better insight into each of the fire suppression models that you could potentially install in your workplace or home, we’re going to break down each secure fire suppression system and how it works to keep you safe during evacuation - whilst still performing at a high level.

Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems

As a building occupant, you want to ensure that during a fire, you have a system in place that will prevent an outburst of flames that damages your expensive equipment and endangers other people.

Water mist fire suppression systems are highly-pressurised designs with small droplets of water. Due to it being pressurised and water-based, this attacks both the oxygen level of the fire and cooling element too - with zero chemicals that could cause harm to humans… apart from getting a bit wet.

Fire Sprinkler Suppression Systems

Fire sprinkler models are similar to water mist systems but have bigger droplets of water, meaning there is a possibility of total flooding and your equipment being damaged.

Yet, for human consumption, these designs will cause no harm to an individual apart from being drenched in water. We would not recommend these systems for high-quality fire suppression, however.

Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems

Lastly, clean agent fire suppression systems are highly-effective in protecting humans from any short and long-term health implications. Whether this is a chemical gas agent such as Novec 1230, FM-200 or an inert gas fire suppression method such as Inergen - these fire suppressant agents are not only safe for humans but excellent for our environment.

Choosing a clean agent fire suppression method is the most prominent technique of keeping our planet safe, keeping others inside your building safe and furnishing an effective job when clearing the flames and leaving no residue. Thus, if you’re looking to tick all the boxes, we would recommend looking into these approaches.

Is Inergen Gas Harmful to You During Fire Suppression?

In regards to is Inergen gas harmful to you during fire suppression, the simple answer is no. Although it has 8% of carbon dioxide upon extinguishing, it is filled with non-toxic, naturally occurring gases - meaning the oxygen level will still be at a safe level for you to breathe efficiently.

Even after the fire has been extinguished, this inert gas system leaves no residue behind. Therefore, if you were to touch or move any equipment - there would be no proceeding health implications. This fast-acting inert gas extinguishes a fire in under 60 seconds and leaves no toxic liquids behind.

Inergen, along with other clean agent fire suppression systems that use naturally occurring gases such as Novec 1230 and FM-200 are the safest for human consumption during the event of a fire due to a number of factors.

Why Are Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems Safest For Humans?

Once you explore your options within clean agents, you will notice that all of the systems use naturally occurring gases, meaning that the gases are non-toxic. Although Inergen and FM-200 contain carbon dioxide, there are extremely minimal amounts disposed of during an outburst of flames.

Inergen has a split of 52% nitrogen, 40% argon and only 8% carbon dioxide while FM-200 contains small amounts of carbon within its chemical makeup. These clean agents, although they may contain little or no carbon dioxide will allow humans to breathe properly whilst evacuating the building.

Whilst you’re evacuating the property, these environmentally-friendly substances will be working against the combustion process and reducing the oxygen level of the fire.

Choosing the Correct Fire Suppression System Provider

If you have a building full of hard-working staff and are looking to implement optimal fire safety within the establishment while protecting our planet - we would certainly recommend these cost-effective clean agent fire suppression systems.

MEP Fire is your nationwide product and service provider for all your fire suppression needs. Hence, if you want to speak to an expert about what fire suppression system will suit your building - book a site survey with our team and we’ll be more than happy to help you provide peace of mind within your residential or domestic property, today!

Argonite vs Inergen: Which Fire Suppression Is Best?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Thu, 25 May 2023 15:44:13 GMT

Argonite Against Inergen: Which Fire Suppression Is Best?

Fire safety management and risk assessments within workplaces nowadays are becoming more regulated by the year - with new rulesets and advice being shared… compared to in the past where it was overlooked.

While this is a positive breakthrough, there is still room for improvement when it comes to learning about what fire suppression methods are best for certain situations and environments.

In this post, we will be discussing the topic of Argonite vs Inergen and which fire suppression is best for putting a stop to fire hazards. Let’s take a closer look and see if there is a distinguishable winner between the two. Read on to learn more!

What is an Argonite Fire Suppression System?

Regarding what an Argonite fire suppression system is, the two main compounds that make up the naturally occurring gas are argon and nitrogen. There are zero chemicals put into the Argonite cylinders as all of the gases are given innately through the environment.

With this being a naturally occurring gas fire suppression system, there are some clear environmental advantages such as zero zone depletion potential (ODP), no global warming potential (GWP) and also zero atmospheric lifetime.

Argonite fire suppression systems have smoke and fire detectors, paired with nozzles and distribution piping to release the Argonite from the cylinders into the area where the fire is causing damage.

This extinguishing agent reduces the oxygen concentration to anywhere from below 15% all the way to 21%, meaning that the flames will be suffocated within 60 seconds upon release time.

What is an Inergen Fire Suppression System?

In relation to what an Inergen fire suppression system is, Inergen is made up of three naturally occurring gases (nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide). These three gases are all naturally occurring, meaning that this system creates no environmental damage (zero ozone depletion potential, zero global warming potential and zero atmospheric lifetime).

Therefore, Inergen and Argonite are similar in the regard that they’re both excellent fire-suppressing agents for our environment and will cause little to no human health consequences additionally.

These clean agents are highly regarded as some of the most eco-friendly cylinders you can purchase for your sector of work - if they suit your interior design. A quick note is that if you’re wondering how the naturally occurring clean suppression agents are split when released, it will be 52% nitrogen, 40% argon and just 8% carbon dioxide.

This combination of gases works by reducing the oxygen level to around 12% (still safe for humans to be in the building) meaning it will extinguish the fire in less than 60 seconds whilst people can vacate the building safely without any further human intervention.

Argonite vs Inergen: Comparing the Two Agents

Now that you understand the premise of how both clean suppression agents work when released from their cylinders, Argonite vs Inergen is a debate that still continues within the fire safety community. Here, we’re going to compare the two to see if there is a clear winner… or if both are just suited to different scenarios.

Let’s take a look at the five main success factors (environment, safety, price, storage efficiency and speed of fire suppression) of a great fire suppression system and see which one comes out on top:

1 - Environment

When you look closely at these two gas fire suppression systems, it is notable that both of these use naturally occurring gases to extinguish the onrush of flames. Therefore, there is no ozone depletion potential, global warming potential or atmospheric lifetime.

Thus, this means that there is no clear winner in this department because they both do just as good a job as they can to prevent any environmental damage when disposing of an emergency.

2 - Safety

As for the safety precautions, they are similar, but there is a winner. With them both being inert gases , they both reduce into similar levels of oxygen when discarding the oncoming flames. Both can reduce the oxygen concentration to around 12%, meaning that humans will be safe in this environment for no more than ten minutes.

However, after ten minutes, people will begin having trouble breathing and this could be detrimental to their health. Consequently, ensuring that you have clear fire exits in the event of a fire will diminish the number of people left in the building after ten minutes.

Overall, with Inergen having Co2 in their mixture of gases - this can cause hyperventilation - meaning that it could potentially become more dangerous for a human compared to Argonite (which contains no carbon dioxide).

3 - Price

This point is where they start to pull away from each other. With Inergen having a limited number of suppliers available to the masses of companies, you’re more likely to find more cost-effective deals when you choose Argonite.

If price is a detrimental factor to the fire suppression system you want to install in your workplace, Argonite (IG-55) is going to be a more affordable option - compared to Inergren (IG-541).

4 - Storage Efficiency

To put it into perspective, with Inergen cylinders, you will need 18 cylinders to do the same job as three Novec 1230 fire suppression cylinders in the event of a fire. However, how do Inergen and Argonite compare?

Well, with the standard concentration of the gas being between 36-38%, they are both similar in how much gas would need to be utilised - thus, there is no clear difference in this regard.

Speed of Fire Suppression

With similar capabilities in gas concentration levels, this means it takes both Argonite and Inergen systems up to one minute to dispose of the fire. Therefore, for speed of fire suppression, Argonite and Inergen are exactly the same - if not milliseconds apart.

Is There a Winner Between Argonite and Inergen?

With both of these fire suppression systems having almost identical mixtures of compounds, it is challenging to determine any major differences. However, if you look closely at our analysis, you will notice that IG-55 (Argonite) will be more readily available to a consumer and will be safer for humans - leaving it to be the overall winner.

Yet, each inert gas is an extremely effective fire suppression technique for any workplace they’re stored in, so don’t be afraid to test both out!

Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems For Your Hospitality Venue

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 15 May 2023 14:03:21 GMT

Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems, For Your Hospitality Venue

Fire safety in the hospitality industry can often be overlooked when regarding the safety of your friends, family or even guests staying in a hotel. However, within your hospitality venue, you should always want to be one step ahead of the potential emergencies that could occur.

Fires are much more common than what you’d believe. If you’re not prepared for what could occur, this could be life-threatening to everyone involved. Additionally, if you’re in control of this situation - you wouldn’t want this resting in your hands.

Today, we’ll be exploring the need for kitchen fire suppression systems for your hospitality venue, what they achieve, why you need them and what rules you must follow within the fire protection regulations. Carry on reading to learn more!

What Are the Fire Safety Regulations for Hospitality Venues?

As you unravel the hospitality venues, these fire safety rules will apply to hotels, restaurants, domestic properties, pubs, and many more within the hospitality industry. Within a commercial or residential kitchen, S.K.P restaurant, pub cooking equipment, etc - there are a multitude of ways that a fire can break out.

Thus, if you’re looking to protect your peers, you should first run through the guidelines to see what has to be put in place in order to meet the demands of the government. Here is a quick checklist that will ensure that you meet the standards of what is required:

Looking at any potential risks that could cause a flame outburst
Putting measures in place to reduce the possibility of a fire occurring
Regular fire assessments will need to be carried out
Align your staff to tell you about any potential fire hazards
Installing fire extinguishers or fire suppression systems for fire safety
Ensure that your staff are trained in the event of a fire
Always planning ahead in case an impromptu fire starts
Make sure there are fire exits that are easily accessible

Avoiding a fire that is unlikely to happen can be laborious to stay mindful about. Yet, if you were to put systems in place - this could prevent you from needing to worry about human intervention if a fire was ever to break out.

What Will Kitchen Fire Suppressions Accomplish?

As you look through the multiple hospitality venues that need to be covered within this fire safety message, whether you need a restaurant fire suppression system, an automatic kitchen fire suppression system and any other specifically designed system to prevent fires in hospitality - you must be cautious of installing the correct automatic extinguisher.

Automatic kitchen suppression systems use fusible links which will melt as the heat of the fire begins to break through - meaning that the wet chemical, foam, mist, etc can be released as soon as the fire is detected.

Therefore, if you’re running a hospitality venue, you will have the freedom to let the fire suppression system reduce the oxygen level of the fire whilst you evacuate everyone in the building to safety.

Even if you had a fire extinguisher in your building that needs human intervention, this doesn’t always secure that everyone will remain safe - especially if you didn’t train your staff.

Whereas, if you hire specialists to install a kitchen fire suppression system, any electrical or gas-powered fires will be extinguished within an instant (oftentimes leaving little to no damage or renaming residue).

Benefits of Having a Kitchen Fire Suppression System For Your Hospitality Venue

Now that you understand the premise of what the kitchen fire suppression system achieves when it is installed into your commercial kitchen - gauging what you can benefit from these systems will be an important factor to consider when looking to implement the correct fire suppressant in your hospitality venue. Here are the standout advantages of these systems:

1 - Safety of People and Expensive Equipment

The main priority of fire safety is keeping your friends, family, staff and important business equipment safe with the least amount of damage being apparent. Kitchen fire suppression systems automatically suppress the flames of the fire without any human intervention, meaning your full attention can lead to evacuating the scene.

With most fire suppression systems acting quickly, you often don’t have to worry about any long-lasting damage to your equipment too. Therefore, if you have fire exits in multiple locations - this should be a prompt evacuation.

2 - Versatility

Not all providers offer this, but here at MEP Fire - with our kitchen fire suppression systems we offer a range of different systems within this area to suit different areas. What works for a hotel may not work for a restaurant, thus we provide detailed advice on which out of the three systems you should choose.

The standard system, dual agent system and Ansud RED fire suppression system all have different capabilities and suit opposing situations. Consequently, if you decide to install a commercial kitchen fire suppression system, speak to experts here at MEP Fire to gain guidance on which system will be best for you.

3 - High-Performance

If you look at the other fire suppression solutions such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets, you will come to the conclusion that automatic fire suppression systems will always outperform their counterparts.

With fire blankets and fire extinguishers, you will need an operator there to extinguish the flames. The tribulation with having an operator in a kitchen fire is that it can sometimes be challenging to reach certain areas and will be much slower acting than a fire suppression system.

Therefore, having a trusted fire suppression service provider that has had excellent reviews in the past will be everything you need to obtain an automatic fire suppression system that will perform at a high level.

Final Thoughts

Implementing a fire detection network into your hospitality venue, regardless of the building you own, will give you optimal fire safety - meaning you won’t have to stress about your fire safety regulations ever again.

This should be a must in your venue as health and safety should be your main priority at all times, no matter how unlikely it is to happen.

If you want to install a commercial kitchen fire suppression system with a team of professionals who will specifically design it suited for your situation, MEP Fire is your trusted fire protection team looking to ensure fire safety is taken seriously wherever you’re located. Get in touch with us today!

How Does Novec 1230 Work: A Detailed Understanding

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 08 May 2023 12:36:53 GMT

How Does Novec 1230 Work: A Detailed Explanation

Fire suppressant agents come in many different variants. From foam and wet chemicals to Co2 and dry powder - the list is extensive. However, there are undoubtedly fire-extinguishing agents that outperform others in opposing situations.

Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each agent is critical when installing a fire suppression system in your residence or business. If you install one that isn’t suited to your area, you may face severe damage, injuries and potentially broken expensive equipment.

One extinguishing agent you’ve probably heard of if you’re viewing fire suppression systems is Novec 1230. Well, how does Novec 1230 work? That is what we’ll be discussing in this post. So if you’re on the market for an extinguishing agent - let’s see if this suits your surroundings.

What is Novec 1230?

In relation to what is Novec 1230, this is a clean agent fire suppressant that is partnered with the chemical family of halocarbons. This fluorinated ketone works most effectively when the room is 4% and above as it is extremely efficient in detonating onrushing flames.

Neither toxic nor unsafe for humans, this incredible clean agent is always popular when businesses are looking to install a commercial fire suppression system. Every rule and regulation that is presented by NFPA 2002, UL, ULC, etc meets the demands of what is required to be adequately safe for humans (before and after a fire outbreak).

Suitable for both electrical and gas-powered equipment, any specific fire can be dealt with by the 3m Novec 1230 fluid. Nowadays, businesses offer this fluid in an assortment of cylinders, suitable for all scenarios.

Therefore, if you’re looking to install a fire suppressant that could potentially save lives and expensive flammable materials and equipment - you may want to carry on reading to hear where it can be placed and the additional advantages this 3m Novec 1230 fire protection fluid can provide.

How Does Novec 1230 Work For Your Business or Home?

Regarding how Novec 1230 works, it first begins being reserved as a liquid (paired with pressurised nitrogen) which then automatically detects the fire with its heat trigger system. From here, 3m Novec 1230 is spread into the atmosphere where the fire is spreading and removes the heat of the fire with its cooling effect.

If you use a fire blanket or fire extinguisher, it could take an excessive amount of time to deteriorate the flames with human intervention. However, as soon as this clean agent fire suppression system’s detection process is engaged, it will remove the heat from the fire within moments when it discharges as a gas.

If you look at the time it takes a person to extinguish a fire and compare it to the 6-10 seconds it takes for Novec 1230 to be released - there is no comparison in what extinguishing system will be more effective.

This fire protection fluid also has the capability of leaving no residue behind, meaning this will be the perfect installation if you want a successful fire extinguishing process - partnered with no harmful chemicals being left in your building and consumed by humans re-entering.

Benefits of the Novec 1230 Suppressant Fluid

As you look closer at the different types of fire suppressant liquids, you will notice that they all have their own unique properties. Whether this is a benefit or drawback compared to other fluids is open for debate when you look closer at each one individually. Here, we will show you the advantages you can expect to see if you install Novec 1230 into your fire suppression system:

Extinguishes the onrush of flames within seconds of entering the fire hazard
Protects your family, friends and/or staff members from sustaining long-term injury (or potentially life-threatening consequences)
Specialises in class A, B and C fire risks
Will protect any precious electrical equipment, leaving no residue behind (meaning your device will still work at its full potential)
Has a ‘Blue-Sky Warranty’ - ensuring that there is no global warming potential with this 3M fluid
Considered the most ‘environmentally-friendly’ suppressant liquid on the market
Will detect and suppress a fire that occurs with heat-detecting sensors/triggers
Novec 1230 fluid evaporates, meaning there are no consequential health risks
The ozone depleting potential is zero with this clean agent fluid

There are a multitude of continuing benefits that you will notice when you begin to use 3M Novec 1230 liquid in your fire suppression system and will always be a trustworthy source when you need to protect those closest to you in your environment.

The Applications Suited to Novec 1230 Fluid

Every automatic detection fire suppression system has applications and environments that they thrive in compared to others. In regards to the Novec 1230 fluid, here are the top applications in which you will see optimal results:

Data centre applications
Medical environments (hospitals, pharmacies, etc)
Power generation facilities
Telecommunication
Industrial sector

These are the top 5 applications that 3M Novec 1230 will thrive in, along with many others. However, the common pattern you will notice within these business sectors is that they’re highly stacked with electrical appliances.

With this fluid being manufactured by 3M, it is first stored as a liquid but then released as a gas. Thus, your electrical appliances within these highly-regarded business sectors will face no repercussions if a fire does break out.

Final Thoughts

Although this inert gas is typically more expensive than a few other fire-suppression fluids, the benefits of using this fluid for fire hazards offer the most environmentally friendly and effective fire suppression necessary for your workplace.

The advantages outweigh the disadvantages and investing in this could potentially save lives and business-saving equipment to run another day. If you’re unsure of whether there are any other environments to which this fluid is sufficient, do not hesitate to reach out to our expert team for any more advice.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to take your fire safety to the next level with top-of-the-line fire suppression systems, MEP Fire are your nationwide specialists. We’re always available to travel across the country to protect the lives and property of your business - speak to our professionals today!

Understanding How Inergen Gas Works

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Tue, 02 May 2023 14:57:07 GMT

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Understanding How Inergen Gas Works

Fire suppression systems are designed in many different ways, suitable for opposing fires that can break out within other locations. Matching up your system and fire suppressant fluid is necessary for optimal performance!

Fire safety is often overlooked and businesses or homes typically opt for a manual fire extinguisher or fire blanket - rather than a fire suppression system.

In today’s post, we’re going to discuss what Inergen is, how it works and why automatic Inergen fire extinguishing systems are so important moving forward within your health and safety regulations. Carry on reading to learn more!

What is Inergen: A Detailed Understanding

Regarding what is Inergen, this is a clean agent and natural fire suppression suppressant that allows for humans to be present during the extinguishing process. Therefore, when evacuating in the event of a fire, you won’t have to worry about the long-term effects the gas can have on your health.

Inergen is typically within automatic fire suppression systems, meaning that as soon as the fire is detected - this gas will be released into the atmosphere and relieve any onrushing flames from becoming a life-threatening danger.

If you take a closer look at the gases that are merged to create this fire extinguishing agent, it uses nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide (all naturally occurring gases) to function in the environment it is released into.

With it being one of the most environmentally-friendly compounds that you can use in your fire suppression system, you can expect zero ozone-depleting potential to partner with zero global warming potential and zero atmospheric lifetime. This makes sure that you, your loved ones, staff members and our planet experience no long-term damage.

Is Inergen Gas Explosive?

In short, no, Inergen gas is not explosive. With all of its naturally occurring gases working together, this means that there are no toxic or flammable assets that are released from this clean agent fire suppressant.

In fact, it does the exact opposite. Inergen substances work against the fire outbreak by reducing the oxygen level of the flames in quick succession before they can cause any lasting damage.

If you install an Inergen system within your workplace or home, you can expect to keep your potentially expensive electrical equipment and staff members away from any potential fire hazards.

Applications For Your Inergen Fire Suppression System

As you look closer into the businesses and places where you can store Inergen fire suppression systems, there are many different establishments in which this non-conductive medium can work effectively. Let’s take a closer look below:

Telecommunications - With there being a myriad of different electronic devices that are in this sector such as wireless connection devices, telecom equipment, etc - Inergen navigates and reduces the oxygen level of electrical fires at an optimal speed.
Data Centres/ Computer Rooms - Similarly to the previous sector, data centres and computer rooms store a lot of important data, assets and important information within their electronic devices. Thus, Inergen will work to protect these fires from potentially damaging vital information and keep your devices at full functionality.
Manufacturing - Within the manufacturing niche, there are a number of different electrical equipment that are consistently in use with present staff members. Storing an Inergen fire suppression system will allow you to protect your staff and expensive equipment from life-threatening and business-damaging expenses.
Medical Facilities - As there is an abundance of life-saving formulas and medicines that protect the lives of people, keeping that equipment secure in storage is critical. Inergen can allow your staff to flee the area, whilst the Inergen leaves no residue behind and keeps your medical facility in top condition.

The Full Process of Inergen Being Triggered and Released

If you’re looking to put out a fire without any lasting repercussions, you need an effective solution to act quickly without any human intervention. Fire suppression systems are the leading candidate in making this possible, but how does it work? Let’s take a look at the full process of how Inergen works when it is triggered and released into the area of the hazard.

No matter the location of the Inergen fire suppression system from the applications above, in case of an emergency - the heat from the beginning of the fire will be automatically detected and triggered by this system.

From here, Inergen will be released from the fire extinguishing cylinders and attack the oxygen levels of the fire. With there being no chemicals used in this gas, you will be able to breathe as normal during this process and vacate the building.

While you’re removing yourself for fire safety purposes, Inergen will be asphyxiating the flames and preventing re-ignition constantly until it can’t detect any more heat. As this gas works to remove the flames within 40 seconds, you, your staff and your precious equipment will experience no damage - meaning you can continue your day-to-day duties immediately after.

A quick disclaimer is that the levels of oxygen typically vary from 12-15% during this procedure - thus, you’ll take deeper breaths compared to previously. However, it is entirely safe for you to operate and evacuate in oxygen at this grade.

In Conclusion

Although your storage capacity needs to be broad for the sheer number of Inergen cylinders that you will require (three Novec 1230 cylinders have the same effect as 18 Inergen cylinders), if you want an environmentally friendly, practical fire suppression method that is safe for humans and our planet, Inergen is a great choice.

Inergen works at a fast, efficient rate that protects your electrical equipment and staff members from receiving any damage. Thus, if you opt to go with a more affordable fire protection system such as a fire blanket or even a fire extinguisher, there is no way all your equipment will be left untouched - often leading to more expensive consequences.

If you’re on the market for a highly-rated inert gas fire suppression system with a team of professionals who can assist you in making the right decision depending on your workplace environment, look no further than MEP Fire.

Our team of experts will happily listen, assess and prescribe you with one of our top-of-the-range systems that will give you peace of mind in the event of a fire, year-round.

Which Gases Are Used In A Suppression System?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 11:53:56 GMT

What Gases Are Used In a Suppression System?

As you assess all of the chemicals that are released from fire suppression systems, you will find that not all of these systems release gas into the atmosphere in the event of preventing a harmful fire.

However, for a lot of the successful ones, gas fire suppression systems seem to do an excellent job when called upon. You may think that these gaseous fire protection systems are mainly the same gas, but this isn’t the case as there are many opposing gases that can extinguish the fire effectively.

Today, we’re going to cover which gases are used in a suppression system to give you a better understanding of what to expect when investing in the health and safety of your domestic or commercial property. Carry on reading to learn more!

What Gases Are Produced in Different Fire Suppression Systems?

In relation to what gases are produced in different fire suppression systems, there are a multitude of effective gases that will begin and end the process of detecting, alarming and automatically extinguishing a fire. Here are the different types of gases that play this huge role:

Inert gas
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Clean agent gases
Halon

These are the 4 different types of gases that are typically stored within a gaseous fire suppression system. Although, even though there are 4 types - there are many gases within these categories that are classified under the name of these gases, yet hold their own name.

Exploring the Usefulness of Each Gaseous Fire Suppression System

Now that you know the 4 different types of gaseous fire extinguishing systems that you can invest in, exploring the usefulness and features of each gaseous fire suppression system will provide you with a better understanding of what could potentially suit your workplace or home environment.

This will give you the best chance of optimal health and safety for your family, friends or colleagues. Avoiding serious health risks and expensive equipment being damaged is paramount - thus, let’s explore each fire suppressant in detail:

Inert Gas Suppression Systems

All different types of inert gas fire suppression systems have an environmentally friendly approach to suppressing fire and that is by reducing the oxygen level in the fire and keeping people safe with their human-friendly gases. Here are the different types of inert gas suppression systems:

Argonite Gas Suppression Systems

In regards to what is an argonite gas suppression system, this is a blend of 50% argon and 50% nitrogen that reduces the oxygen concentration of the onrushing flames to the point where the fire can’t ignite any longer - whilst being completely safe for the presence humans when evacuating the building.

This environmentally friendly compound has no ozone depletion potential, meaning that when released into the atmosphere - it will have no impact on adding to the nature of global warming. Often, gases seem to add global warming potential. Yet, this mix of argon gas and nitrogen will extinguish a fire and leave no damaging health issues behind.

These argonite fire suppression systems act quickly to suppress the flames (only taking 1 minute in the majority of situations) - whilst leaving no harmful residue behind in the aftermath of a fire hazard.

Inergen Gas Suppression Systems

Inergen is also classed as a clean agent as it protects humans from the dangers that a fire can issue.

Inergen typically takes a wide storage capacity but can reach extremely far with its detection and extinguishing of flames, but can also be suited for leaky enclosures in a tight space. Thus, the mixing of chemical agents with fire will prevent you from harm (even if it is a huge building).

Nitrogen Gas Suppression Systems

This substance will act the same as the other inert gas suppression systems by reducing the oxygen level of the fire in enclosed spaces. However, nitrogen is excellent as it won’t decompose or produce any by-product in the aftermath of the fire - meaning you won’t have to worry about a massive cleaning project after your building has suffered.

Clean Agent Gas Suppression Systems

Clean agent fire suppression systems are similar to inert fire suppression systems in the fact that they are safe for humans, have no global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion effect. However, the key difference between these two is that chemical clean agents remove the heat of the fire - rather than reducing the oxygen level of the flames.

This cooling element is achieved by either the HFC-227ea clean agent suppressant or the FK-5-1-12 chemical agent. Now what is the difference between the two? Well, HFC-227ea is known as FM-200 and FK-5-1-12 are known as Novec 1230. When comparing these two clean agents, you will first notice that 3M Novec 1230 is more environmentally friendly than FM-200.

In terms of cost and storage, you will be spending less money investing in FM-200 as it requires fewer cylinders to do the same job as Novec 1230. However, both of these clean agent fire extinguishing systems have an extreme benefit when being installed into your home or business (both automatically spread into the flames and remove the heat of the fire in quick succession).

Halon Gas Suppression Systems

Global warming and ozone depletion have not always been on the radar of fire suppression system providers over the years and before this became necessary - Halon fire suppression systems were extremely popular for homes and businesses' health and safety procedures.

However, with studies showing that it has an effect on our planet’s ozone layer - only minimal amounts of halon gas suppression systems are available on the market nowadays.

Carbon Dioxide Gas Suppression Systems (CO2)

Lastly, we have carbon dioxide fire suppression systems which still play a major role in fire protection across the globe. Similar to inert gas, carbon dioxide suppression consists of removing the oxygen from the flames.

However, dissimilar to inert gas, carbon dioxide can be seriously damaging to a human's health if stuck in the building for a long period of time and can end up suffocating you if you’re not quick to evacuate (due to the oxygen concentration falling below 15%).

We at MEP Fire would only recommend investing in these systems if you have expensive electrical equipment that needs to be protected thoroughly. There is no residue left with this total flooding system - meaning that your equipment will be left undamaged.

Although this is a cost-effective alternative, we would recommend you invest in your fire safety protocols with an effective system that also keeps everyone safe in case of an extreme emergency. Yet, if you only have electrical equipment to protect, this can be a brilliant investment.

Key Takeaways

The 4 types of gases are inert gas, clean agent gas, halon gas and carbon dioxide
If you want to keep people safe, use a clean agent or inert gas suppression system
If you want to protect your electrical equipment, use a carbon dioxide system
Novec 1230 is more environmentally friendly than FM-200
FM-200 is more affordable and requires less storage space compared to Novec 1230
Ensure that you have a fire suppression system installed in your home or business
Health and safety should not be overlooked

Inergen vs Novec - Which Fire Suppression Is Best?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:11:01 GMT

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Inergen vs Novec - Which Fire Suppression Is Best?

Fire suppression is a protocol that should be a part of every business and home looking to implement an optimal health and safety level for everyone involved - from friends, family and staff members within your team.

Finding the finest fire extinguishers, whether that be water chemical, foam, mist, CO2 ( carbon dioxide ), etc is always a debate that many discuss when enforcing a new fire suppression system within their desired area.

One that we hear of often is the Inergen vs Novec argument and which inert gas fire suppression is best when it comes to extinguishing flames effectively. Carry on reading further to learn more about the two elements, how they compare to each other and whether there is a winner of the two!

A Closer Look at Inergen vs Novec 1230

Fire protection agents are typically effective as they’ve been researched heavily to prevent flames from spreading and in most cases, putting out the fire completely. Whether this is via a reduction of oxygen levels or a cooling effect (or both), fire suppression systems have certainly changed the way we view fire safety nowadays.

However, today we’re taking a closer look at Inergen vs Novec 1230 fire suppression systems and assessing whether there is a standout performer between the two clean agents. Does one clean agent outperform the other in all areas or does it depend on the scenario? Let’s break down the key elements.

1 - The Flexibility of Both Clean Agents

When it comes to the flexibility of each clean agent, you must look at the distance between the cylinders and where the fire suppressant agent can reach (whether this be vertical or horizontal distance) and also whether the clean agent can cover multiple rooms.

Inergen systems certainly wins this debate, as multi-room functions can be installed. This clean agent can be far away from the scene of events and still perform optimally. Whereas, if you choose Novec 1230, this clean agent fire suppression system will have to be as close to the potential fire hazards as possible in the event of a fire for it to work efficiently.

Furthermore, due to you needing to install Novec 1230 closer to the potential fire hazards - if a fire occurs in another room, this substance won’t be able to assist your needs in any way (as it won’t be able to detect the fire).

2 - Quality of the Cylinders

In complete contrast to the previous point, Novec 1230 has a huge advantage in terms of quality and the number of cylinders required to prevent flames from spreading through the premises. 3M Novec 1230 will only require a minimal amount of cylinders for optimal performance, but Inergen will always require a hefty amount.

Not only does this cost you more money when buying cylinders more frequently, but you will have to own an adequate storage room, as Inergen requires more energy. Of course, some businesses will have the space and money to afford this, but the laborious task of ordering these cylinders consistently will be time-consuming.

3 - Environmental Considerations

As you look closely at these two clean agent gas suppression systems, they will automatically be additionally more environmentally friendly compared to other fire suppression methods. However, comparing the two within this area of debate - they both land on an equal playing field.

This is due to an array of factors. Naturally, Inergen is the more environmentally friendly compound due to the 3 naturally occurring gases it uses. Nonetheless, because it uses so many cylinders at a time compared to Novec 1230, they seem to meet in the middle.

In terms of being more environmentally friendly, however, Inergen clearly wins. Yet, using that many cylinders at once will cause more delivery transport for each job - meaning it will be closer to the clean agent of Novec 1230.

With both having no ozone depleting potential or global warming potential, they line up nicely to help the environment along the way. In fact, if you use 3M Novec 1230, you get a 20 year blue sky warranty due to the environmental benefits.

4 - Human Safety

As you compare the two clean agent fire suppression systems, one of the key measurements is how it will affect others when it is spread across the room of the onrushing fire. Being cautious of the concentration levels and the amount of oxygen that a person will receive during evacuation is paramount when designing a fire suppression system .

When you look closely at the two substances that are released, Inergen has a safety margin/factor of 7% - 26% and Novec 1230 has a safety margin/factor of 88% - 138%. Therefore, Novec has the upper hand when it comes to protecting humans when evacuating the building.

Especially if it is not an easy building to navigate and evacuate, this could have adverse effects on people rushing around. Not only will they be experiencing smoke and flames, but the concentration levels of Inergen could add damage on top of that.

5 - Price of Both Clean Agents

When you look at the price, cylinder for cylinder - Inergen will win every day. However, because Inergen requires more cylinders to effectively dismiss a rush of flames - if you want a cheaper compound, you should choose Novec 1230.

You will need approximately 18 Inergen cylinders to do the same job as only 3 Novec 1230 cylinders. Thus, the results are clear that the sheer volume of Inergen cylinders will always cost you more than investing in Novec 1230 cylinders.

Final Thoughts Between the Two Clean Agents

In conclusion, a lot of the decisions made when choosing between Inergen and Novec 1230 depend on the size of your project, the storage access you have and the money you have to invest in optimal fire protection systems.

Consequently, if you believe that you have the storage access and money to afford the Inergen substance, we would recommend that you choose this clean agent. On the other hand, if your project size is small, you have little storage capacity and money to invest - Novec 1230 will always win.

They both share individual benefits and some of the decisions will be based on your ethos in the workplace or at home. If you want to be more environmentally friendly, you will go with Novec 1230. Likewise, if you want people to be in less danger, Novec 1230 will be the choice of clean agent also.

However, if you would rather have more flexibility (covering more distance with your fire system), Inergen will win every time. We hope this has helped you make the crucial decision of the clean agent to go for within your domestic or commercial property. If not, contact us here at MEP Fire and we’d love to help you with your final judgement.

Can Novec 1230 Be Considered Harmful?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:36:50 GMT

Is Novec 1230 Considered Harmful?

Fire safety is a topic that is sometimes looked past when examining commercial buildings and domestic properties, but it is something that should not be taken lightly - as the health and safety of your staff, family and friends should always be the top priority.

There are many fire suppression systems that can put out flames and smoke effectively - yet, most extinguishers nowadays use different types of chemical agents or cooling systems to achieve this.

However, today we’re going to discuss whether Novec 1230 can be considered harmful for humans when evacuating a building (or being in the building for a sustained period of time). Carry on reading to learn more!

What is Novec 1230?

I n regards to what is Novec 1230, this is a clean agent fluid that automatic fire suppression systems use in the event of a fire to suppress and put out the flames. The automatic system will detect the fire, sound a fire alarm and then begin the fire suppression procedure.

The 3M Novec 1230 fluid is exceptional at protecting not only people’s lives but harming your expensive electrical equipment, gas-powered equipment and machinery too. Without this clean agent within your fire suppression system, it would not work effectively against the heat element of the fire triangle.

Novec 1230 fire suppression fluid belongs to the halocarbons family, which also partners with HFCs (hydrofluorocarbon) and fluoro ketones. Due to this being a clean agent fire suppression system, the global warming potential (GWP) is much smaller than a lot of other fire extinguishing agents on the market.

What Does Novec 1230 Do?

Novec 1230 essentially takes away the heat from the oncoming fire and extinguishes any flames that are occurring in the proximity. Without this rapid decline of flames and smoke, this would cause many injuries and damage to humans and the expensive equipment you have stored.

Other agents work by reducing the oxygen level in the fire (which is also highly effective) but this clean agent focuses solely on the cooling aspect of the fire triangle. So that you can understand this clean agent in a better light, we believe that exploring the advantages and disadvantages will help divide the true potential of what Novec 1230 can do:

Advantages of Novec 1230

When you look closer into the details of Novec 1230, gauging what its strengths are for your personal fire safety is essential. Some scenarios, properties and equipment suit different fire suppression methods. Let’s explore the advantages of Novec 1230 below:

This fluid is eco-friendly and safe for humans to be in the vicinity of without worrying about suffocation.
Novec 1230 has the flexibility of being installed in most places of work and homes due to optimal health and safety.
This fire protection substance immediately evaporates after finishing the extinguishing process - making the aftermath easy to deal with.
Novec 1230 leaves no residue after the fire meaning the cleaning procedure that typically occurs will not be necessary (perfect for sensitive and pricey equipment).

Disadvantages of Novec 1230

The Novec 1230 fluid clearly has some excellent benefits for many homes and businesses, but there are other fluids that will simply outperform Novec 1230 in certain situations. Take a look below to learn more about the disadvantages and whether this clean agent system suits your personal conditions.

There are many other fire suppression systems on the market that are much more affordable to install. Not just the price of this can be expensive but the installation can be delicate to work with and take some professional craftsmanship to see optimal results.
This is not commonly known in the industry and therefore can be harder to purchase - meaning that it can become a time-consuming task to refill your suppression system in time - in the case of another fire.
Can often take up more storage space as this fluid needs more compound in order to effectively protect you from ignited flames.
More 3M Novec 1230 cylinders will have to be purchased, compared to a regular fire suppression system.

Is Novec 1230 Dangerous?

I n short, compared to many other fire suppression systems - Novec 1230 is not considered harmful to humans. With this being a clean agent, this means that it has no ozone depletion potential and evaporates quickly - ensuring that the people surrounding the fire have no suffocation risk.

In shown studies, it has been tested that it doesn’t affect the human body in any way apart from possible minimal irritation of the eyes. This non-toxic fluid is not only excellent at its main purpose of extinguishing fires as quickly as possible, but humans will serve no major health ramifications.

Additionally, in tests done by experts, this is not a cancerous chemical either, thus, if a fire does occur and you’re in the building as this chemical spreads - you will not have to stress about potential cancerous cells.

Novec 1230 vs FM-200: Highlighting the Similarities and Differences

One of the most common questions we see is how Novec 1230 and FM-200 differ in terms of their compound output and vice versa. Exploring the similarities and differences between the two will assist your decision of purchasing the right fire suppression system for your home or company:

Similarities

I n reference to what the similarities are between these two compounds, the main similarity is that both of these chemicals are clean agents when released from the fire suppression cylinders.

Furthermore, when released from the cylinders, they are both released as gases (carbon dioxide) during the beginning first stages of fire suppression.

Differences

The obvious difference is that they share different names which insinuate that they’re distinguishable fire suppressant agents.

However, the differences are more apparent as you look closer into these two substances in detail. Although they share clean agent properties, Novec 1230 is widely renowned for being considerably more environmentally friendly.

On top of that, Novec 1230 when located in its cylinders are stored as a liquid traditionally, whereas when you turn to FM-200 and assess the compound - it is stored as a gas instead.

Overall, both of these clean agents are effective in different applications when serving the purpose of saving people’s lives and costly equipment - thus, installing a fire suppression system should always be a significant priority!

What Is A Fire Suppression System: A Comprehensive Guide

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 10:00:07 GMT

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What Is A Fire Suppression System? A Comprehensive Guide

No matter whether you own a business or are looking through the health and safety regulations for your household, fire suppression systems are designed to be an integral part of keeping your premises in check - in the unfortunate event of a fire.

Businesses in every sector around the UK are always susceptible to flame ignition in the workplace - especially if you work with electrical equipment and/or gas-powered equipment.

Today, we’re going to dive deep into what a fire suppression system is and all the details surrounding what you need to know in order to install one safely and effectively for optimal fire safety in the workplace. Carry on reading to see our guide!

What is a Fire Suppression System?

In regards to what is a fire suppression system, it is an automatic fire protection system that controls and extinguishes a fire in any surrounding area using either oxygen reduction or cooling effects such as carbon dioxide or water.

Whether this be in a home or business environment, these active fire protection systems are typically flexible in where they can be placed within a property. The purpose of fire suppressing agents is to automatically detect and begin the process of suppressing the fire before it harms any people and/or expensive equipment.

No matter the type of automatic fire suppression system, they are always manufactured to prevent human intervention - thus everyone can evacuate the building before the fire and smoke have the time to cause any harm.

When it comes to the fire suppression system you invest in, you will always hear alarms sounding when the fire is detected - giving you a chance to leave the building as soon as possible.

What Are the 5 Types of Special Suppression Systems?

The 5 types of special suppression systems are chemical agents, dry chemicals, carbon dioxide, commercial kitchen and foam. All of the above special suppression systems have different specialities but all attack at least one facet of the fire triangle when extinguishing a fire.

There are now also water mist and fire sprinkler systems that are present for people to use which most people would think that they only focus on the cooling aspect of the fire triangle. However, these water mist and fire sprinkler systems have evolved into systems that can both reduce the oxygen level of the fire and cool the fire.

Why Use an Automatic Fire Suppression System Instead of a Traditional Fire Suppression System?

We believe that you should always use an automatic fire suppression system instead of a traditional fire suppression system because traditional protection fire systems require human intervention to initiate the extinguishing process. Whereas, the automatic system won’t need human intervention, as it will detect fire immediately and begin the extinguishing process.

Furthermore, there are no more advantages that traditional systems have over automatic fire suppression systems - especially if you invest in tried and tested automatic fire protection systems that have been proven to help homes and businesses all around the UK.

Not only are you safer, but your equipment will be much less likely to be damaged when the fire is detected many times quicker than an average human. Insurance companies can often be difficult to work with in the event of an emergency because they will believe that you should have something installed to prevent any worry.

Yet, if you install a system and it causes less damage to your business, insurance companies will be fair, as you had something installed in the first place to prevent this from causing eternal damage.

Types of Fire Suppression Systems

Among the many alternatives you have to protect yourself from harmful fires, there are a multitude of fire suppression systems that can be installed to suit your personal needs. Here are the main types of fire suppression systems:

Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems
C02 Fire Suppression Systems
Watermist Fire Suppression Systems
Commercial Fire Suppression Systems
Sprinkler Fire Suppression Systems
Chemical Gas Fire Suppression Systems
Condensed Aerosol Fire Suppression Systems

All of the above use opposing methods to attack the fire triangle and these systems will suit different placements and environments when looking to double down on fire safety within your workplace or home.

Some are more environmentally friendly than others, using clean agent fire suppression as opposed to gas suppression systems.

Some will suit electrical equipment more than gas-powered equipment and vice versa. Speaking to an expert about what system you would require is what we here at MEP Fire would recommend - as you never know what could happen within a typical day.

If you feel like speaking to an expert about what system you should install in your workplace or home, we’d love to hear from you and give you our professional opinion. Thus, you can install a system that will provide optimum health and safety - no matter where you are.

How Long Does it Take to Install a Fire Suppression System?

In regards to how long it takes to install a fire suppression system, this depends on whether it is a pneumatic or electrical system. Pneumatic systems only take up to 4 hours to install, whereas electrical systems take multiple visits - taking up to 16 hours for a full installation .

Of course, the length of time is determined by the quality of installation, the professional experience that the person installing the system has and also the dexterity that it takes to install the system into a particular part of your commercial or domestic building.

Therefore, you can never be too sure about the exact timeframe that it will be finished. Yet, these are the ballpark numbers to expect when hiring a professional team to come out and help with the procedure.

Final Thoughts

Fire extinguishing systems and services in our opinion are something that every business needs to consider when looking for security in their home or workplace. You can’t replace a life and preventing this with smart automation systems should be something you’re looking to do immediately when starting a company or protecting your loved ones.

We hope that this has given you more purpose when it comes to health and safety as one small and sudden fire can change the lives of many. Make that change today and make the investment in your very own fire suppression system.

How to Calculate Cylinder Quantities

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:51:11 GMT

How to Calculate Cylinder Quantities

We receive a lot of questions revolving around gaseous fire suppression systems however one of the most common is "how many cylinders does a room require?"

We've therefore gone ahead and made a free to use online calculation tool.

By simply inputting the protected enclosure's volume, the tool will calculate how much extinguishing agent is require and in turn advise how many cylinders of each size would be needed.

There are some additional design parameters that may effect the quantity such as temperature and altitude compensation however the tool has been based on the most common inputs, 20°C and <100m in elevation. The tool is used for estimation purposes a competent contractor will need to be engaged to verify final quantities (or simply drop us an email!).

Use Cases

1.) Consultants can use the tool as a starting point when preparing specifications

2.)End Users can use the tool to get a rough idea of how much space is required to house the fire suppression system

3.) The tool can be used during surveys to guide the customer there and then on possible cylinder locations

4.) Installation teams can use the tool to verify designs during installation

5.) Service engineers can use the tool to verify extinguishing agent quantities during regular PPM visits or system take overs.

6.) Room Integrity Testing operatives can use the the tool to verify design concentrations and cylinder quantities

Servicing

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:53:14 GMT

Fire Suppression System Servicing & Maintenance

When you’re servicing a system, it’s important to know how the whole thing works. It would be very easy for an electrical engineer to overlook an issue with pipework or a mechanical engineer to miss an electrical installation error.

That’s why companies will often employ different specialists to service their Fire Suppression System. They’ll need an electrical engineer, a mechanical engineer, and a room integrity test engineer.

Our team of engineers are the whole package! Often they will pick up on issues that have been missed by an electrical engineer, such as incorrect pipe configurations, lack of support, out of date detectors or nozzles in the wrong place.

The easiest way to avoid these issues being missed is to hire us in the first place!

We work strictly for the fire suppression trade, so our engineers represent your team, and they do so with great pride and professionalism.

Check out our blog post on Room Integrity Testing and send any enquiries to hello@mepfire.com for a response within 24 hours.

What is Enclosure Integrity Testing?

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:37:47 GMT

W hat is Enclosure Integrity Testing?

Enclosure integrity testing is a process used to determine the adequacy of an enclosure to contain the extinguishing agent post discharge. The test is typically performed on a new enclosure prior to it being put into service and once per annum on existing enclosures protected by clean agent extinguishing systems.

Enclosure integrity testing generally consists of two parts: a pressure test and a leakage test. The pressure test is used to determine the enclosure's ability to withstand the internal pressure that may be exerted on it. The leakage test is used to determine how long the chosen extinguishing agent will hold for above the suggested minimum concentration. Typically the design standard will insist the concentration is maintained for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Importance of Testing

The room integrity test is a vital part of any gaseous extinguishing system. Without verifying the enclosure integrity, the system may not function as desired.

Achieving the extinguishing concentration is important but maintaining that concentration is also critical to protect sensitive assets and prevent re ignition.

Test Method

The most common method is to use a calibrated manometer to measure the pressure inside the enclosure and the pressure exerted by the testing fan. Under the guidance of EN 15004-1, the fan will be set to pressurise the enclosure up to 50 pascals. 5 measurements will then be recorded betwen 0 and 50 pascals, usually in intervals of 10. Once recorded, the fan will then be spun around and repeated for 5 measurements between 0 and -50 pascals.

Once the details of the extinguishing system have been input, the results can then be used on the room integrity testing software to calculate the leakage area inside the enclosure and how long the agent would hold for if the system were to discharge.

Expert Advise

Enclosure integrity testing is a critical part of the enclosure design and commissioning process. It is important to ensure that the enclosure will be able to protect its contents as per the specified design standard.

As we're experienced in design and room integrity testing we're well positioned to support with any questions that may arise including why rooms fail and what solutions are available.

Fire Suppression Installation

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:44:35 GMT

Fire Suppression System Installations

Most of the systems that we install here at MEP Fire, are Gaseous fire suppression systems, which are designed in the UK in accordance with BS EN 15004 parts 1 - 10. We also install a range of other specialist fire suppression systems such as high and low pressure water systems, condensed aerosol systems, kitchen fire suppression and detection tube systems when required.

Due to the lack of training courses in our industry niche, we ensure our engineers have completed the relevant manufacturers training courses along with any necessary health and safety related training to demonstrate competence. All of our lead installation engineers also have a number of years of on-site experience and any up and coming engineers are shadowed by someone until they have supervised time spent. Handling pressurised equipment leaves no margin for error.

Why choose MEP Fire Ltd?

We work for the trade exclusively, so we will be a part of your team - the end client will never even hear about us. We aim to stick to our schedules as tight as possible, so you can expect our engineers to be on site on time and for the work to be completed on schedule.

We are backed by a lot of experience. We know the ins and outs of the equipment we handle, and the limitations that come with each ensuring compliance through out the project.

Transparency is one of our key mantras so you will be kept informed of progress throughout and if we'll give you the heads up using our experience if we feel there's any potential hold ups on the horizon giving our clients a chance to mitigate.

We are also well located to cover the whole of the UK, with engineers located in the North and South of England. We will also travel to mainland Europe for the right project.

What sort of lead times do we work to?

Of course each project varies in complexity and therefore the time frames can fluctuate. Having said that, our engineers are highly experienced and so once we’ve assessed your project we will be able to accurately estimate the time required.

It normally takes about 2 weeks from your initial enquiry to our engineer coming to the site, however if your project is time sensitive and you need us sooner be sure to let us know and we will do all we can to meet your needs.

The systems we install

We support the full range of Inert products, which reduce the ambient oxygen level in the enclosures down to below the level required for a fire to combust, as well as a full range of chemical and natural gases.

Novec 1230 is designed for the protection of commercial and industrial facilities. It belongs to a family of chemicals called halocarbons and includes fluoroketones. This system extinguishes fires quickly by removing heat and disturbing the spread of fire. Less storage space is required as it is stored as a liquid and discharged as a gas.

IG55, otherwise known as Argonite, is an Insert Gas Fire suppressions system that is a mixture made of 50% Argon and 50% Nitrogen. It is non-conducting, odourless, colourless, and flavourless. It is non-corrosive and can be used at normal temperatures. It is stored in high pressure cylinders in the form of compressed gas .

IG541, otherwise known as Inergen, is an Insert Gas Fire suppressions system that is a blend of naturally occurring gases made up of 42% Nitrogen, 50% Argon and 8% Carbon Dioxide. It does not damage the earth’s ozone layer, is no risk to people, and will limit damage to equipment. The extinguishing agent is stored and released as a gas therefore allowing a clear and safe exit from the premises.

FM-200 is a clean agent fire suppression system which is waterless, non-toxic, and is safe to use in occupied spaces where people work.

We also work with a range of Water Mist systems. These systems are ideal for high heat output hazards especially in remote locations where traditional systems may not reach such as back up generators. The watermist system can be offered as a standalone system compromising stored water cylinders and nitrogen cylinders as the propellant.

The Water Mist system incorporates fine droplets of spray, which is versatile and highly efficient, using less water consumption than a traditional sprinkler system. These systems are also ideal for use in heritage buildings, atriums, tunnels, and data centres.

We can help deliver fire suppression for any situation, whether it be a busy kitchen, an integral server room, or even a hospital or school.

We work for the trade on a white label basis, so all of our work will be under your business

Conclusion

Get in touch on our contact page to discuss your fire suppression installation needs and find out more about our Fire Suppression System Maintenance & Repair services.

Cold / Hot Aisle Containment

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 08:28:18 GMT

Data Centre Containment and Fire Protection

Due to the ever changing world of Data Centre cooling, there are a variety of approaches and air distribution methods found in today's Data Centre's. It's essential when designing a fire protection system that the key airflow paths and plenums are identified.

The air distribution mechanism will usually present a hurdle for the fire suppression system and the aspirating smoke detection system.

There are 3 common approaches we come across:

The containment dividers in the diagram above are generally vinyl transparent plastic sheets. While these plastic sheets serve to control and contain airflow, they can cause complications with fire protection systems in terms of partitioning and disrupting discharge patterns.

Gas Suppression

Where Cold Aisles are part of the room being protected, we try to include nozzles in the aisles wherever possible. This is because of a requirement in BS EN 15004 that “the type, number and placement of nozzles shall be such that the design concentration is achieved in all parts of the enclosure”.

The cold aisle would be shielded from the direct discharge pattern of the room nozzles. We have, therefore, adopted a holistic approach to protecting the entire risk whereby the designer will treat cold or hot aisles as similar to enclosures such as floor voids or ceiling voids, areas where nozzles are considered necessary to achieve a homogenous mixture of agent throughout all enclosures.

One further consideration is that halocarbon agent nozzles need a certain level of clearance in the horizontal plane of the nozzle orifices in all directions in which the nozzle directly discharges (to both sides and in front of the nozzle for the 180° variant).The optimal location for the nozzle is therefore in the centre of the longest wall of the cold aisle, with at least 1.2m clearance to either side and in front of the nozzle. If a wall or other significant obstruction is within 1.2m of the nozzle’s direct discharge pattern, additional agent will be needed to compensate for expected loses.

Aspirating Detection

Contained aisles use a supply and return air distribution system, where the IT equipment supply or return airflow is completely or partially enclosed to minimise air mixing. This contained approach is recognised as hot aisle/cold aisle configurations. For reasons of energy efficiency and cooling effectiveness the contained approaches using hot and cold aisle designs are now common approaches found in data centres.

Ceiling sampling points are recommended for fire sources outside of IT cabinets. Direct sampling of the hot air return ducts or the interior of the equipment cabinets are areas for placement of sampling.

Although spot detectors are considered for these containment applications, their performance can actually be degraded by high airflow and the limitation of being able to detect smoke at a spot location rather then passing matter, aspirating detection can overcome these limitations. Outputs from the aspirating detection systems can be useful for the automatic release of vinyl curtains, allowing them to open prior to operation of the fire suppression system .

The hazards Data Centres present

marley.welland@mepfire.com (Marley Welland-Fulford) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 20:58:46 GMT

The Hazards Data Centres Present

For an ever increasing part of the world’s population, daily life depends on reliable data centres. Whether this is cloud

computing generally, online banking, email, data backup or social media, several billion devices globally rely on smooth functioning data centres .

It’s essential, therefore, that data centres deliver consistent reliability, all day, every day, year after year. While there are several possible causes of disruption – extreme weather and power outages for example – fire represents a genuine hazard with potentially catastrophic results.

Minimizing the risk of fires occurring is essential, and so is the capability to respond quickly and effectively if a fire does break out.

Although major fires in data centres are rare, even small fires can endanger life and cause considerable damage. Data centre design should take account of this, with an awareness of the presence of electricity (a possible cause of initial combustion), flammable materials and the need to maintain a clean environment free of dust and fluff.

To remain safe and reliable, data centres require a combination of fire-safe design, passive fire protection, fire detection equipment and highly effective fire suppression systems suited to these very particular environments.

Fire suppression technology that's available

1.) Inert Gas Fire Suppression

Inert Gas Fire Suppression is one of the most common types of extinguishing method for data halls and server rooms. By depleting oxygen levels to around 12% where combustion can no longer take affect but is still safe for human exposure, an Inert systems creates an atmosphere that starves any opportunity for a fire to develop.

There are 4 different mixtures of Inert gases available which are usually sold under more widely recognised trade names:

IG-55 - 50% Argon and 50% Nitrogen

Other names: Argonite

IG-541 - 52% Nitrogen, 40% Argon and 8% CO2

Other names: Inergen

IG-100 - 100% Nitrogen

Other names: Nitrogen

IG-01 - 100% Argon

Other names: Argon

Inert Gas Systems work well in data centre environments due to there flexibility with pipe work configurations, holding no environmental footprint and leaving no residue once discharged leaving your assets unscathed. In recent years it has become known that the discharge of an Inert system can create a risk to old vulnerable hard drives due to the noise output from each nozzle degrading their read a write lasers however this issue has been overcome by the industry introducing new bafflers which can be retrofit onto each discharge nozzle and limits the sound output.

2.) Chemical Gas Fire Suppression

There are currently two chemical (otherwise known as synthetic) gas suppression systems widely available. Chemical gas systems work by cooling the fire whilst inhibiting any free radicals to put a stop to the chemical chain reaction.

FK-5-1-12

Other names : Novec 1230

HFC-227ea

Other names: FM-200

Chemical systems work well in server halls as they can easily be split into a modular system with cylinders located around the rooms perimeter so there's no need for a dedicated storage room. Chemical gas systems also have a much smaller footprint in comparison. FM-200 is no longer the favoured option due to the F-Gas regulation being introduced and it's bad environmental properties.

3.) Watermist Systems

All Watermist systems work in the same way. A fine mist of water droplets reduces the temperature of the air and that of any potential fuel; water will penetrate the source of the fire and some water droplets will turn to water vapour which in turn reduces the localised oxygen supply around the fire. Additionally the mist of water will reduce the level of smoke and hot gases. This four-fold combination leads to highly effective fire suppression with reduced water consumption when compared to sprinklers - they are ideal around electronic equipment and in kitchens or other enclosed spaces.

High Pressure

High pressure systems work at pressures above 35 bar but typically operate at 70 bar or more

Low Pressure

Low pressure systems work at pressures below 12 bar but typically operate at 6 bar or more

Watermist systems are becoming a popular fire protection option in the hyperscale space as the concern of losing the assets is reduced by available redundancies to protect the data transfer. New Paragraph

mep-fire-ltd

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