Different types of clean agent fire suppression systems: Which one to choose for critical areas?
A clean agent fire suppression system uses an agent from the clean agent group, designed to leave no residue after a discharge. It suits areas holding electrical equipment, electronic devices or high value assets: data centers, server rooms, UPS rooms, electrical rooms, control rooms, MDB cabinets and control panels.
What is a clean agent fire suppression system?
A clean agent fire suppression system is an automatic system, or a portable extinguisher, that puts fires out with an agent that evaporates readily, does not conduct electricity, and leaves no residue behind. It was developed to replace Halon, the older generation of agents that deplete the ozone layer.
The main advantage is that on discharge the agent turns to gas and spreads through the space, putting the fire out quickly without damaging electrical equipment, electronic components or important documents. That sets it apart from water sprinklers and dry chemical powder, which leave a mess behind and can do serious damage to assets.
How are clean agent systems categorized?
Two ways: by the configuration of the system, and by the type of agent.
Categorization Method | What it looks at | Examples |
|---|---|---|
By system configuration | Installation layout and the coverage of the protected area | Piped network system, cabinet or modular system, detection tube system, localized automatic system |
By agent type | The chemical or gas used to put the fire out | FK-5-1-12, HFC-227ea, inert gas, and other clean agents |
In practice, buyers should look at both together. Picking the right agent but the wrong system configuration for the space, or good hardware with an agent that does not meet the project requirements, leaves you with a system that does not do what you actually need.
Types of clean agent system by installation layout
1. Engineered piped clean agent system
Here the agent cylinders connect to pipework, nozzles, a detection system and a control panel. When the system detects a fire, it releases the agent through the pipes into the area it was designed to cover.
Suits room or zone level protection:
Data centers
Server rooms
UPS rooms
Control rooms
Electrical rooms
Telecommunication equipment rooms
The advantage is that it can be designed to cover a whole critical room systematically. It needs accurate calculations, though, for room volume, openings, leakage, agent quantity, nozzle positions and the alarm sequence.
2. Cabinet or modular clean agent system
This puts the agent cylinders, the control unit and the release equipment into a single cabinet. It suits areas needing a fixed system where running a full pipework network is impractical, or where installation space is tight.
Suits spaces such as:
Small to medium sized server rooms
Certain types of electrical room
Control rooms
Critical equipment rooms with limited space
The advantage is that it is easier to place than a large piped network. The room size, volume, mounting position and discharge points still have to be assessed.
3. Fire detection tube suppression system
A fire detection tube system routes detection tubing through or close to the risk points. When the tubing reaches the temperature it is set for, it bursts and releases the agent straight at the heat source.
Suits specific risk points:
MDB panels
Control panels
Electrical cabinets
Inverter cabinets
CNC cabinets
Machinery control cabinets
This is for protecting the inside of a cabinet or a small risk point, not for flooding a whole room. So the choice should follow the cabinet size, the risk points inside it, how densely packed the equipment is, and any installation constraints.
4. Automatic temperature detection clean agent fire extinguisher (PZGW Series)
The automatic temperature detection clean agent fire extinguisher (PZGW Series) suits confined spaces needing localized protection, without installing a large pipework system.
Suits spaces such as:
Small electrical enclosures
Small closed or semi-enclosed spaces
Specific localized risk spots
Specific machinery or localized equipment
Do not assume a localized device can replace the main suppression system for a room or a building. The size of the space, the amount of agent, and the mounting position all have to be considered.
Types of clean agent
FK-5-1-12
FK-5-1-12 is the agent name you meet most often in clean agent systems and clean agent extinguishers. It is a common choice where residue after a discharge has to be avoided: data centers, server rooms, electrical rooms, and spaces holding critical equipment.
At PAF GLOBAL, the product name PAF-222 refers to a solution using this clean agent.
HFC-227ea / FM-200
HFC-227ea, or FM-200, turns up in the clean agent systems of older projects, particularly in spaces holding critical equipment. It does carry an environmental impact.
Inert gas
Inert gas systems use inert gases, or certain gas mixtures, to control and put out a fire. They work mainly by lowering the oxygen level in an enclosed space designed for it. They suit some kinds of fixed system, but they need careful design, particularly around the safety of anyone working in the space, the pressure levels, and ventilating the room after a discharge.
CO2
CO2 is often compared with clean agents, because it leaves no chemical powder behind and can be used on certain electrical work. Even so, treat CO2 separately from the clean agent group, because of the serious precautions it needs around enclosed spaces, occupied areas and ventilation.
What areas suit a clean agent system?
Areas holding critical equipment, or where residue after a discharge cannot be accepted:
Data centers
Server rooms
Electrical rooms
UPS rooms
Control rooms
MDB panels
Control panels
Inverter cabinets
Telecommunication equipment rooms
Critical document archives and high value asset stores
Which system fits any of these should be judged against the real risk level on site.
What to check before choosing a clean agent system
Before choosing, put together this information:
What the assets are. Use it where water and chemical residue must not reach the equipment and the agent has to be non-conductive: server rooms, data centers, medical equipment rooms.
How well the room seals. The room has to be sealed tightly enough to hold the agent concentration for at least 10 minutes, so the fire cannot reignite.
Environmental sustainability. Choose an agent with ODP = 0 and a low GWP, such as FK-5-1-12, which has a GWP of less than 1. That reduces the exposure to future restrictions or production limits under international agreements.
Safety for people. The agent concentration has to stay within safe limits, not above the NOAEL, so it does not put anyone working in the area at risk.
Certification. The agent and the whole system should carry international approvals such as UL Listed and FM Approved, and be designed to NFPA 2001.
What to read next
Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems
The full overview of fixed clean agent suppression systems.Cabinet-Type Fire Suppression Systems
For areas needing a fixed cabinet system where a full piped network is impractical.Fire Detection Tube Suppression Systems
For MDB panels, control panels, electrical cabinets and localized risk spots.What is PAF-222
PAF GLOBAL's clean agent, and the related terms FK5112 and FK-5-1-12.What is FK5112 / What is FK-5-1-12
The agent names and technical terms used for clean agents.What is Perfluorohexanone
The chemical name you may find on an SDS, a datasheet or a certificate.Clean Agent and CO2
For comparing clean agents with CO2 before deciding.Contact for Consultation
To ask PAF GLOBAL for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many types of clean agent fire suppression system are there?
They are generally sorted two ways.
By system configuration: piped network system, cabinet or modular system, detection tube system, and localized automatic system, direct or indirect.
By agent type: vaporizing liquid agents such as FK-5-1-12 and HFC-227ea (FM-200), and the inert gas group, IG-541 and IG-55.
2. What areas do engineered piped fixed systems suit?
Medium to large rooms or zones: data centers, server rooms, UPS rooms, control rooms, or main electrical rooms. The piping and nozzle design has to be calculated against room volume, the risk areas, and the project requirements.
3. Do fire detection tube systems suit MDB panels or control panels?
They are well worth considering inside MDB panels, control panels and electrical cabinets, because the detection line can put a fire out directly at the source inside the cabinet before it spreads outside. The internal volume and the technical requirements still have to be evaluated first.
4. How does a cabinet system differ from an engineered piped system?
Cabinet system: the agent cylinder and control unit sit together in a single pre-engineered cabinet, which suits limited spaces and easy installation in small to medium rooms.
Engineered piped system: pipework distributes the agent to several nozzles, which suits larger rooms or multi-zone areas needing more complex coverage.
5. Can PAF-222 replace FM-200 or an existing legacy system directly?
It needs assessment by a professional engineer first. The storage pressure, discharge characteristics, required agent concentration, nozzle size and existing pipework may all need adjusting for compatibility and compliance.
6. Can PAF-222 replace Novec 1230 or an existing legacy system directly?
It can be used as a replacement, but it needs assessment by a professional engineer first. The storage pressure, discharge characteristics, required agent concentration, nozzle size and existing pipework may all need adjusting for compatibility and compliance.