HFC-227ea is a chemical clean agent for fire suppression, best known by the trade name FM-200. Chemically it is heptafluoropropane, stored as a liquid and discharged as a colourless, electrically non-conductive gas that suppresses fire within about ten seconds and leaves no residue. A long-established and widely used agent, it protects sensitive electronic and high-value environments efficiently, with a small cylinder footprint. MEP designs, supplies and installs HFC-227ea systems across the UK.
HFC-227ea extinguishes fire through a combination of heat absorption and chemical action, interrupting the combustion reaction at a molecular level. Stored as a liquid under pressure, it vaporises on discharge and floods the enclosure quickly, reaching design concentration in around ten seconds. This rapid knockdown, combined with a compact liquid store that needs relatively few cylinders, has made HFC-227ea one of the most widely installed clean agents worldwide over the past few decades.
HFC-227ea is a hydrofluorocarbon with a high global warming potential (around 3,220), which means it falls under the F-gas regulation phasing down HFC use across the UK and EU. Existing systems remain legal to own, maintain and refill, but availability and cost are expected to be affected over time. If you are specifying a new system, we can compare HFC-227ea against low-GWP alternatives such as FK-5-1-12 and inert gases so you make a future-proof choice. All systems are designed to BS EN 15004.
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HFC-227ea is a clean agent fire suppression gas, widely known as FM-200. Its chemical name is heptafluoropropane. It extinguishes fire quickly and leaves no residue.
Yes. HFC-227ea is the chemical designation and FM-200 is the best-known trade name for the same agent.
Through a mix of heat absorption and chemical interference with the combustion reaction, achieving rapid knockdown within about ten seconds.
HFC-227ea is subject to F-gas phase-down because of its high global warming potential. Existing systems can still be maintained and refilled, but new installs increasingly favour low-GWP agents.
Yes, when designed to BS EN 15004 the design concentration stays within safe limits for occupied spaces, with a pre-discharge delay to allow evacuation.
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