Protecting property and people against fire is one of the basic challenges in the industry and the fire-sensitive environment. Extinguishing gases are used to suppress the fire to minimize possible firefighting damages. One of these gases is FM200, which is used as a fire-extinguishing system in many industrial environments.
FM200 is a fast extinguishing gas that minimizes the device by increasing this gas in the environment and extinguishes the fire without causing side effects to electrical and electronic objects and equipment. This gas becomes a safe and efficient alternative to traditional fire extinguishing systems such as water or powder.
The FM200 gas fire extinguishing system is used as an advanced and strong solution in dealing with fires. By creating a suitable combination of FM200 gas with composite components as a special composition, this system neutralizes by reducing the amount of consumption in the environment. Also, based on the physical and chemical principles of FM200 gas operation, this system extinguishes the fire quickly and efficiently without creating a secondary environment to the surrounding environment.
In this article, we investigated the characteristics, advantages, and applications of FM200 gas in different fire extinguishing systems. Also, points regarding the installation and maintenance of this system will be reviewed to maintain its efficiency and validity.
The clean agent fire extinguishing system consists of inert gases and chemical agents that are used for quick fire suppression. The clean agent includes FM-200 and Novec 1230. Since this agent is a gas, it does not leave any traces when extinguishing the fire. These extinguishers are safe for switchboards, servers, electronics, artwork, archives, and machinery. Traditional water-based fire extinguishing systems do not need to be cleaned after extinguishing the fire and are quickly restarted.
Advantages:
• FM-200 is a clean agent. The limited amount of this chemical agent used for extinguishing is not toxic or lethal to humans. Therefore, this system is safe to install in confined spaces.
• The FM-200™ fire extinguishing system leaves no trace after activation to extinguish a fire and is completely safe for equipment, electronics, and machinery.
• FM-200 is more economical compared to other fire extinguishing cleaners.
• A small amount of FM-200 is required for fire suppression. As a result, smaller or fewer cylinders are required compared to other agents such as Novec fluid.
Disadvantages:
• Compared to other clean extinguishing agents, FM-200 has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
• FM-200 does not contain halon gas but uses hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) for fire suppression, which is not environmentally friendly.
Is HFC 227 the same as FM-200?
FM-200 and HFC-227ea gas are the same product. FM-200 is the brand name used by Chemours (before the spin-off from DuPont) for the fire suppression gas HFC-227ea. HFC-227ea is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) used in fire extinguishing applications. This gas has been used as an environmental alternative to various gases such as halons because it has high safety potential, quick-fire extinguishing, and low environmental impact.
more about this subject: FM200 fire suppression system advantages and applications
What is the meaning of HFC-227ea?
HFC-227ea is the scientific name (chemical ID) for the gas derived from Hydrofluorocarbon (Hydrofluorocarbon) which is used as a fire retardant. This chemical is known by the chemical formula C3HF7. Another name for this substance, HFC-227ea, means ethane with seven fluorine atoms.
HFC-227ea is one of the fast-extinguishing gases used in fire extinguishing systems. Increasing the concentration of this gas in the environment minimizes oxygen and thus provides fire extinguishing. Also, since HFC-227ea is a hydrofluorocarbon and an environmental gas, it is a safe alternative to older gases such as halons that may leak into floors.
What is the reason behind the phase-out of FM-200?
FM-200, also referred to as HFC-227ea or Heptafluoropropane, has recently faced prohibition in compliance with environmental regulations designed to diminish greenhouse gas emissions and counteract global warming. The American Made in Innovation (AIM) Act, implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, mandates a gradual reduction in the usage of HFCs, including FM-200. This initiative commenced on January 1, 2022, intending to progressively decrease both HFC production and consumption. Although this process did not eliminate the utilization of FM-200, it did result in a significant reduction in its accessibility and an increase in its cost.
The primary objective behind phasing out FM-200 and other HFCs is to address their adverse impact on global warming. HFCs are recognized as potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The reduction in HFC production and consumption aligns with international endeavors to mitigate the environmental consequences associated with these gases. For instance, the 2016 amendment to the Montreal Protocol underscored the substantial influence of HFC use on global warming.
It is noteworthy that alternative fire suppression technologies, such as the cleaning agent Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12), carbon dioxide, and inert gas (Inergen), among others, remain unaffected by the EPA rule. In essence, the phase-out of FM-200 results from environmental regulations focused on diminishing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing global warming. This transition from FM-200 and other HFCs is part of a broader initiative to adopt alternative fire suppression technologies with lower environmental impacts.
Is FM-200 harmful or poisonous for humans?
The agent of this fire extinguishing system or FM-200 cannot be toxic or harmful to humans to the extent that it is used to extinguish the fire. For the design of the FM-200 fire extinguishing system, the concentration level of the cleaning agent is calculated very precisely for the safety of the occupied spaces. Also, FM-200 does not displace oxygen for fire suppression, so there is no risk of oxygen deficiency.
Conclusion
As a result, the FM200 fire extinguishing system is approved and used as an advanced and safe alternative to traditional systems containing fire extinguishing gases. This system demonstrates high efficiency and advanced technology with the possibility of quickly extinguishing fire, maintaining people’s and property’s safety, and protecting sensitive electrical equipment. In addition, due to the environment that quickly suppresses the fire without causing secondary damage to the environment and environmental objects, it is considered an efficient and environmentally friendly solution.
