Clean Agent System

[Cris-w]

Dear Everyone
I‘m sorry. I have been puzzled by two questions regarding the gas fire extinguishing system. I have checked both the NFPA and FM standards, but there is no clear answer. I hope someone can provide an explanation.

1. Why is it that the certified fire extinguishing concentrations of IG541 systems from different manufacturers are not the same, while those of FM200 systems are all identical?

2. Why is the FM200 system not suitable for combined distribution, and why is there no selector valve that meets the certification requirements?

Advance thanks!!!

 

[cdafd]

1. Different chemicals and mixtures of them,,, just look at the SDS for each of them.

2. Not sure your question, can you restate. Are you asking can there be say one system. And a valve that directs the agent to where the detection has activated???

 

[Cris-w]

1. Different chemicals and mixtures of them,,, just look at the SDS for each of them.

2. Not sure your question, can you restate. Are you asking can there be say one system. And a valve that directs the agent to where the detection has activated???

Hello Cdafd
Thank you very much for your reply.
1. I'm still a bit confused. Since they are all Class C fires, the fire extinguishing concentrations of IG541 systems certified by FM from different manufacturers are different, such as 38.6, 39.89... However, the certified fire extinguishing concentrations of FM200 systems are all the same.

2. What I mean is why the FM200 system can't, like the IG541 system, use just one set of the system to protect multiple protected areas through selector valves.

Best regards

 

[DM2]

With regard to IG-541, I don't know of a manufacture that has difference design concentrations than another. There are differences between different voltages for Class C hazards however. I'd be interested in the manufacturers you're comparing and where you're getting your references. Concentrations have changed of the years, which is yet another story. I deal with a number of different manufactures and have yet to see a different design concentration between them, especially with IG-541.

There are also differences based on the country and applicable standard. It would be helpful if you referenced the country standard (assuming US since your referenced UL and FM).

With regard to FM-200 (now harder to get) all of the manufactures have guides for using a single cylinder to protect multiple hazards...it's been that way since I enter the business in the early 80's. As far as selector valves, most have them too...not sure who doesn't actually. There are conditions that do limit using a cylinder to protect multiple hazards...an example would be a cylinder that's stored out side of a climate controlled space (off shore platforms is one example).