Chemical gas suppression systems, also called clean agent systems, use engineered chemical agents to extinguish fire rapidly without water or residue. Unlike inert gases, chemical agents are stored as a liquid and vaporise on discharge, so they take up far less cylinder space, an advantage where plant room is tight. They are electrically non-conductive and safe for sensitive equipment, making them a leading choice for data centres, server rooms and control rooms. MEP designs, supplies and installs chemical clean agent systems across the UK.
Chemical agents extinguish fire mainly by absorbing heat, removing the energy the fire needs to sustain itself. Stored as a liquid under pressure, the agent flashes to a gas as it is discharged and floods the room within about ten seconds, faster than inert gases. Because they store as a liquid, far fewer cylinders are needed for the same protected volume, which reduces the footprint of the system and can simplify installation in space-constrained buildings.
MEP works with the two principal chemical clean agents: FK-5-1-12 (a fluoroketone, best known as Novec 1230) and HFC-227ea (a hydrofluorocarbon, known as FM-200). FK-5-1-12 has an extremely low global warming potential and a very short atmospheric lifetime, while HFC-227ea is a long-established agent now subject to F-gas phase-down. We help you choose between them based on environmental requirements, space, cost and long-term availability, and design the system to BS EN 15004.
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A gaseous suppression system that uses an engineered chemical agent, stored as a liquid, to extinguish fire quickly and cleanly without water or residue.
Chemical agents are stored as a liquid and mainly absorb heat to put out fire, so they need far fewer cylinders. Inert gases are stored as compressed gas and work by reducing oxygen.
The two main agents: FK-5-1-12 (Novec 1230) and HFC-227ea (FM-200). Each has different environmental and cost characteristics.
Yes, when designed to BS EN 15004 the design concentration is kept within safe limits for occupied areas, with a pre-discharge delay to allow evacuation.
HFC-227ea is subject to F-gas phase-down because of its high global warming potential. FK-5-1-12 has a very low GWP, though its supply and purity is affected by manufacturer changes, which we can advise on.
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