FK-5-1-12, or FK5112, is the industry designation for a type of clean fire extinguishing agent.
In practice, FK5112 is popular in areas where no chemical powder should be left behind after a discharge: electrical rooms, server rooms, data centers, MDB cabinets, control panels, or anywhere holding critical electronic equipment. The actual choice should still account for the product model, how it is used, the site conditions, and the technical documents for that specific product.
For the overview of this type of extinguisher, read Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers
How is FK-5-1-12 related to Perfluorohexanone?
FK-5-1-12 and Perfluorohexanone are the same chemical substance. They simply go by different names, depending on the naming system and the context.
Perfluorohexanone is the common chemical name, describing the structure of the substance. It is a ketone with six carbon atoms (hexa), where every hydrogen atom has been replaced by fluorine (perfluoro). Its chemical formula is C6F12O.
FK-5-1-12 is the international code set by standards bodies such as ASHRAE and ISO to identify this clean agent within the fire protection industry.
For a detailed look at the chemical name, read What is Perfluorohexanone?
How is PAF-222 related to FK-5-1-12?
PAF-222 is a product solution from PAF GLOBAL using an agent from the FK-5-1-12 clean agent group. It comes in several forms depending on the model and the design: clean agent extinguishers, automatic extinguishing devices, or suppression systems for critical areas.
This article is not primarily about PAF-222, though. It is here to help you understand the types and names of the agents before you decide. For the product detail, read What is PAF-222?
Why FK-5-1-12 is used as a clean agent
FK-5-1-12 is widely used in clean agent fire suppression systems because it keeps the damage after a discharge low. That suits areas holding electrical equipment, electronic equipment, or valuable assets that should never meet residue or chemical powder.
Leaves no chemical powder behind
Clean and non-conductive. On discharge the agent evaporates fully into a gas. There is nothing awkward to clean up, and it does not conduct electricity, so IT servers, electronic devices and important documents come through undamaged.
Read more at Residue-Free Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers
High dielectric strength
In both its liquid and vapor states, FK-5-1-12 has a dielectric strength roughly 2.3 times that of dry air.
Which means that even discharged straight onto electrical equipment that is running, with current flowing through it, it will not cause a shock. Read more at What is Non-Conductive (Dielectric)?
Effective on fires, and safe for the equipment
Puts fires out fast. FK-5-1-12 works mainly through a cooling effect, pulling heat out of the fire and interrupting the chemical chain reaction of combustion, which brings the fire under control quickly.
Environmentally friendly
Does not deplete ozone. Its ozone depletion potential is ODP = 0.
Very low global warming impact. Its global warming potential is GWP < 1, which is extremely low.
Breaks down quickly in the atmosphere. Its atmospheric lifetime is only about 5 days, so it does not build up in nature.
Safety for people
Some gaseous agents, CO2 and certain inert gases among them, put a fire out by starving it of oxygen, dropping the oxygen level in the room. That can leave people short of air and cause them to lose consciousness.
FK-5-1-12 works differently. It puts the fire out by pulling heat out of it.
What areas does FK-5-1-12 suit?
Non-conductive, residue free, safe for people and easier on the environment, FK-5-1-12 suits enclosed spaces holding high value assets, or equipment that is sensitive to moisture and chemical residue:
Data center / server room: rooms housing servers
Control room / network room: network and communication control rooms
Telecom switches / base stations: telecommunication switching stations
Libraries and museums: protecting antiques and artwork
Document archives: contracts, financial records, or critical legal data
Bank vaults: safe deposit box areas and assets
Labs and cleanrooms: holding measuring instruments or reactive chemicals
Medical imaging rooms: culture rooms, MRI, or CT scan rooms
Pharmaceutical facilities
Plant control rooms: in industrial factories, power plants, or oil refineries
Switchgear and electrical rooms: MDB cabinets or high voltage control cabinets
Generator rooms and UPS rooms
Engine rooms and yachts: certified by international maritime classification societies such as DNV and ABS
Aviation control towers and flight simulators
Read more at Fire Extinguishers for Data Centers / Server Rooms / Electrical Rooms
How does FK-5-1-12 differ from other agents?
Setting FK-5-1-12 against the other popular agents makes the differences clearest, across effectiveness, human safety, environmental impact, and what happens to the equipment.
Environment. This is the biggest gap. HFCs carry a GWP as high as 3,220 and are being phased down under the Kigali Amendment, while FK-5-1-12 sits at GWP < 1, which leaves it far less exposed to future restrictions.
Life safety. CO2 puts a fire out by diluting the oxygen in the room below the level people can breathe, which makes it life-threatening in an occupied space. FK-5-1-12 works by cooling instead, so people can still breathe and get out safely.
Damage after a discharge. Dry chemical powder leaves dust scattered across the room, which corrodes circuit boards and can destroy them for good. FK-5-1-12 evaporates completely and leaves nothing behind.
For the detailed comparisons, read FK-5-1-12 and HFC-227ea, Clean Agent and Dry Chemical, or Clean Agent and CO2
What to check before choosing a product that uses FK-5-1-12
SDS (safety data sheet), to verify chemical information, precautions and proper storage.
Datasheet, to check product models, key specifications and instructions for use.
Certificates for the standards that apply to the actual product.
Test reports from laboratory testing.
Product specifications, such as cylinder size, agent fill weight and gross weight.
Environmental questions such as PFAS, or any chemical claim, should be verified against the actual documents. Read more at What is PFAS-free and PFAS non-detected?
What to read next
Now that you know FK-5-1-12 is the technical designation for this clean agent, these related topics on names, products and applications follow on:
What is Perfluorohexanone?
The chemical name commonly found on an SDS, a datasheet, or a certificate.What is PAF-222?
The detail on the PAF-222 solution, PAF GLOBAL's flagship product.What is Non-Conductive (Dielectric)?
Non-conductive properties, in the context of extinguishers for electrical equipment.Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers
An overview for anyone buying clean agent extinguishers.Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems
How FK-5-1-12 and other clean agents are used in fixed suppression systems.Fire Extinguishers for Data Centers / Server Rooms / Electrical Rooms
For anyone choosing extinguishers or systems for areas holding electrical equipment where downtime is expensive.FK-5-1-12 and HFC-227ea
For anyone comparing clean agents before deciding.Contact for Consultation
To request more information from PAF GLOBAL.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is FK-5-1-12?
A clean fire extinguishing agent, stored as a liquid and readily evaporated. It was developed to replace older extinguishing gases that deplete the ozone layer or add to global warming, Halon 1301 and FM-200 among them.
2. How is FK-5-1-12 related to Perfluorohexanone?
They are the same chemical substance, called by different names depending on the naming system and the context.
3. How is FK-5-1-12 used with electrical equipment?
It suits electrical equipment in enclosed spaces particularly well: MDB cabinets, control cabinets, data centers, server rooms and switchgear rooms.
4. What should be checked before buying a cylinder or system that uses FK-5-1-12?
Ask for the SDS, the datasheet, the certificate, and the test reports where they exist, along with the product model details.