What is the Novec 1230 replacement? Meet PAF-222 FK-5-1-12, a clean agent fire suppressant for data centers, server rooms, and electrical rooms
Among clean agent fire suppression systems, Novec 1230 has been one of the most popular agents, particularly in areas holding electronic equipment and critical assets: data centers, server rooms, electrical control rooms and communication rooms.
Many operators are now looking for a Novec 1230 replacement, driven by changes in production, supply and environmental regulation.
One alternative worth a look is PAF-222 FK-5-1-12, a clean agent for fire suppression systems that puts fires out without leaving residue behind, and suits protecting high value assets.
Why look for a Novec 1230 replacement?
On 20 December 2022, 3M announced plans to phase out all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025, fluorinated fluids in its product portfolio included. 3M later stated that it had exited the PFAS manufacturing business by the end of 2025.
That leaves anyone running a Novec 1230 system with several things to think about:
Refilling the agent, or maintaining the system, in future
Continuity of agent supply
Changing the manufacturer or brand of the agent
Compatibility with the existing system
Standards and certifications for the agent and equipment
Where environmental regulation is heading
Total lifecycle cost of the system
What is PAF-222?
PAF-222 is an FK-5-1-12 clean agent designed for clean agent fire suppression systems, aimed at protecting areas holding critical equipment and assets.
FK-5-1-12 is well known across the clean agent industry, and 3M's Novec 1230 is another trade name for an agent in the FK-5-1-12 group.
For product detail, see What is PAF-222. For the technical name of the agent, see What is FK5112 / What is FK-5-1-12. For the chemical name as it appears on SDS documents, see What is Perfluorohexanone
Can PAF-222 replace Novec 1230?
It can be considered as a replacement. Clean agent systems are designed around a number of factors:
Design concentration
Room volume
Quantity of agent
Storage pressure
Cylinder size and quantity
Piping size
Length of the piping system
Nozzle size and location
Discharge time
Detection and control system
So if you want to move from Novec 1230 to PAF-222, an engineer or specialist should inspect and redesign the system against the technical data for the agent and equipment you choose.
To compare the types of clean agent system before designing a new one, read more at Different types of clean agent fire suppression systems and Clean agent fire suppression systems
Comparing Novec 1230 and PAF-222
Topic | Novec 1230 | PAF-222 (FK-5-1-12) |
|---|---|---|
Type | Clean Agent | Clean Agent |
Main Agent | FK-5-1-12 | FK-5-1-12 |
ODP | 0 | 0 |
GWP | <1 | <1 |
Suitable for electronic equipment | ✓ | ✓ |
Data Center | ✓ | ✓ |
Server Room | ✓ | ✓ |
Electrical Room | ✓ | ✓ |
Leaves residue like dry chemical powder | No residue | No residue |
Key Issue | 3M brand phased out production | Current and future alternative |
What PAF-222 offers as a Novec 1230 replacement
1. It is a clean agent
PAF-222 can be used in systems that have to protect critical equipment and assets, and it leaves no agent residue behind once it has done its work.
That suits areas such as:
Data centers
Server rooms
Control rooms
Electrical rooms
UPS rooms
Communication rooms
Industrial control rooms
Electronic equipment storage rooms
Military areas and mission critical systems
2. No damage from agent residue
Unlike dry chemical powder or foam, which can take time and money to clean up after an incident.
Clean agents such as PAF-222 are designed for areas holding critical equipment, where the system has to be back in service quickly.
3. Suits protecting electronic equipment
In a data center or server room, damage from water, dry chemical powder or residue can cost more than the fire itself.
Choosing a clean agent system is one way to cut the risk to sensitive equipment.
4. Works as a transition path from Novec 1230
If you already run Novec 1230, moving to an FK-5-1-12 agent such as PAF-222 is one route to planning the continued use of a clean agent system.
Check the details of your existing system before changing agent, every time.
Who is PAF-222 for?
PAF-222 suits organizations that want a fire suppression system to do two jobs at once: protect against fire, and preserve critical assets.
Data center
Protects servers, network equipment, storage and the IT systems the business runs on.
Electrical room
Suits areas holding electrical cabinets, switchgear, control panels and critical electrical equipment.
UPS room
Protects areas holding backup power systems and the electrical equipment operations depend on.
Control room
Suits control rooms and automatic control systems that cannot afford long periods of downtime.
Telecommunication systems
Protects network equipment and communication systems that have to run continuously.
Security and defense agencies
Suits areas holding electronic systems, communication systems and mission critical equipment that need fire protection with minimal impact on the equipment.
For guidance on choosing cylinders and systems specifically for data centers, server rooms and electrical rooms, read more at Fire extinguishers for Data Centers / Server Rooms / Electrical Rooms
So when should you switch from Novec 1230 to PAF-222?
If you still run a Novec 1230 system, plan ahead, particularly when you need to:
Refill agent → repair the system → expand the system → change cylinders → retrofit the system → install a new system
Before deciding to change agent, check at least five things.
1. Check the existing agent
Confirm that it is FK-5-1-12.
2. Check the piping
The existing pipework may need inspecting and recalculating against the properties of the agent you intend to use.
3. Check cylinders and pressure
Check that the containers and related equipment are suitable.
4. Check nozzles
Nozzle size and position.
5. Check standards and certifications
Choose agents and equipment with technical documentation and certification that meet the project requirements. For the certification documents to request and check before purchasing, see What are the certification standards of PAF-222
PAF-222 and the future of clean agent fire suppression
Change across the industry is pushing building owners and system managers to look further than "will it put the fire out."
A modern fire suppression system has to answer for:
Safety → asset protection → business continuity → environment → sustainability of supply
Which puts PAF-222 among the options for organizations planning a Novec 1230 replacement, or looking for a clean agent system on a new project.
What to read next after understanding Novec 1230 replacements
Now that you know what a Novec 1230 replacement is, and how PAF-222 FK-5-1-12 works as an alternative, these related topics follow on:
What is the HFC-227ea replacement
For anyone running FM-200 or HFC-227ea and weighing a system change.What is the difference between FK-5-1-12 and HFC-227ea
A detailed comparison of the technical properties of each agent.What is PAF-222
PAF GLOBAL's clean agent fire suppression products.What is FK5112 / What is FK-5-1-12
Agent names and basic technical terminology.What is Perfluorohexanone
The chemical name of the substance as it appears on SDS documents and datasheets.Clean agent fire suppression systems
For organizations designing and installing permanent systems for critical rooms.Different types of clean agent fire suppression systems
Comparing engineered pipe networks, pre-engineered cabinets and localized systems.Fire extinguishers for Data Centers / Server Rooms / Electrical Rooms
For teams planning protection where downtime is the expensive part.What are the certification standards of PAF-222
For checking the SDS, certificate and test report before purchasing.Contact us for consultation
To have the PAF GLOBAL team assess a replacement for an existing system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a Novec 1230 replacement?
A clean agent that can be used in clean agent systems to protect critical areas such as data centers, server rooms and electrical rooms. One route is to choose a product using FK-5-1-12 from another manufacturer, PAF-222 for instance.
2. Can PAF-222 be used instead of Novec 1230?
PAF-222 FK-5-1-12 can be considered as an option for transitioning away from Novec 1230 products.
3. What is the difference between PAF-222 and Novec 1230?
Novec 1230 is 3M's trade name for the FK-5-1-12 agent. PAF-222 is PAF GLOBAL's trade name for a product using the same agent.
4. Is PAF-222 suitable for data centers?
It suits designing clean agent systems for data centers and server rooms, since it is an agent built for areas holding critical equipment where damage from residue has to be kept down.
5. Does PAF-222 leave residue after extinguishing?
Clean agents such as FK-5-1-12 do not leave residue the way dry chemical powder does, which suits areas holding electronic equipment and critical assets.
6. Why look for a Novec 1230 replacement?
Because 3M announced the phase-out of PFAS-related substances by the end of 2025 and has stated it exited the PFAS manufacturing business, so users have to think about supply and long term use. If your existing system runs HFC-227ea or FM-200, read the transition guidelines at What is the HFC-227ea replacement.
7. Can PAF-222 be filled directly into an existing Novec 1230 system?
Check first. Even though both agents sit in the FK-5-1-12 group, the system should be inspected and redesigned around agent quantity, pressure, piping, nozzles and the product specifications.
8. Is PAF-222 suitable for electrical rooms?
It can be used to design clean agent systems for electrical rooms and areas holding electrical equipment, weighing the risk types, the characteristics of the room, and the system specifications.
9. Can PAF-222 be used instead of FM-200?
PAF-222 and FM-200 are different agents. Moving from FM-200 to PAF-222 means recalculating and redesigning the system. The original agent volume and design parameters should not be carried over directly.
10. What type of fire suppression system does PAF-222 suit?
Clean agent fire suppression systems, particularly enclosed spaces where the agent concentration can be controlled: data centers, server rooms, control rooms and electrical rooms.