What is GWP? Why is it important for choosing fire extinguishing agents

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What is GWP? Why is it important when choosing a fire extinguishing agent?

Aug 24, 2026

GWP, or global warming potential, compares the climate impact of different greenhouse gases against carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is set at a GWP of 1.

In fire suppression, and particularly with clean agents, GWP has become one of the deciding factors when choosing an agent. Some agents put fires out very effectively but carry a high GWP, while alternatives such as FK-5-1-12 have a very low GWP and are used where HFC-227ea was once the default.

In Thailand, this group of agents is sold under products such as the PAF-222 clean agent fire extinguisher, for B2B applications and areas holding critical equipment.

So if you are choosing an agent for a data center, server room, electrical room, control room, or any mission critical space, GWP is not something to skip over.

What is GWP?

GWP stands for global warming potential. It is an index measuring how much a given gas can contribute to global warming compared with CO₂ over a set time horizon.

The figure normally quoted is GWP100, the impact assessed over 100 years, which is the metric used across climate policy and greenhouse gas accounting.

Put simply:

GWP = how many times more warming potential a substance carries than CO₂, over a specified time frame.

So a substance with a GWP of 1,000 means releasing 1 kilogram of it has a warming impact comparable to releasing 1,000 kilograms of CO₂, over the GWP time horizon specified.

GWP is a relative potential, though. It does not mean the substance will cause exactly that much impact regardless of how much of it is actually released.

Why does CO₂ have a GWP of 1?

CO₂ is the reference substance for calculating GWP, so it is defined as:

CO₂ = GWP 1

Comparing any other gas against it tells you whether that substance carries more or less warming potential than CO₂ within a given time frame.

The EPA explains that GWP compares how much energy different gases absorb once released, normally over a 100 year time frame.

What is GWP100?

You will often see the term written as:

GWP100

The 100 refers to impact assessed over a 100 year period.

Other time frames can be defined scientifically, 20 years or 500 years for instance, because gases differ in atmospheric lifetime and in how they absorb radiation.

So when you compare GWP values, check two things:

Which data source is the figure from, and what time frame does it use?

The same substance can carry different GWP values depending on the dataset and the scientific reports behind it.

The same discipline in reading numbers off documents applies elsewhere. PFAS test results are a good example. Read more at What is the difference between PFAS-free and PFAS non-detected?

How does GWP relate to fire extinguishing agents?

Choosing an agent used to come down largely to one question:

"Does this agent put fires out well?"

Fire suppression design now involves considerably more, including:

Suppression efficiency
Safety for users
Impact on equipment
Quantity of agent required
Standards and certifications
Environmental impact
GWP
ODP (read more at What is ODP?)
Long term availability

For clean agent systems running HFCs in particular, GWP has become one of the key points of comparison.

If the names and terminology of clean agents are new to you, start with What is FK5112 / What is FK-5-1-12?, and see how they differ from traditional agents at What is the difference between clean agents and dry chemical powder?

What is the GWP of HFC-227ea?

HFC-227ea, the agent behind the systems widely known as FM-200, is a good example of a high GWP agent.

US EPA data lists HFC-227ea at GWP100 = 3,220 in one reference dataset, and the EPA also shows 3,350 in the IPCC AR5 dataset used in its calculator.

That difference is exactly why you have to name the source or dataset whenever you quote a GWP figure. Numbers from different datasets should not be compared without saying where each came from.

Whichever dataset you use, though, the point holds:

HFC-227ea carries a high GWP compared with alternatives such as FK-5-1-12.

For a detailed technical comparison, read more at What is the difference between FK-5-1-12 and HFC-227ea?

What is the GWP of FK-5-1-12?

FK-5-1-12 is a fluorinated ketone agent used in clean agent systems.

US EPA data lists FK-5-1-12 in the total flooding agent group with GWP < 1 and ODP = 0 in its SNAP data.

Technical documents and research papers on FK-5-1-12 report GWP values of around 1 or lower, depending on the evaluation methodology and the dataset referenced.

So it is fair to say FK-5-1-12 is a clean agent with a very low GWP compared with HFC-227ea.

GWP comparison: HFC-227ea vs FK-5-1-12

Properties	HFC-227ea	FK-5-1-12
Agent Type	HFC	Fluorinated Ketone
GWP100	Approx. 3,220–3,350*	Very Low / <1*
ODP	0	0
Clean Agent System	✓	✓
Protects Electronic Equipment	✓	✓
Used in Total Flooding Systems	✓	✓
Environmental Direction	Higher GWP	Very Low GWP

How is PAF-222 related to GWP?

PAF-222 is a clean agent fire extinguisher using FK-5-1-12 as its main agent, which gives it a significant environmental advantage on GWP.

Set against HFC agents such as HFC-227ea, the gap is substantial.

The shape of it is simple enough:

HFC-227ea / FM-200 → HFC → high GWP

Against:

PAF-222 / FK-5-1-12 → fluorinated ketone → very low GWP

The European Commission lists FK-5-1-12 as one of the available alternatives for fire protection applications that traditionally used HFC-227ea and other HFC agents.

To compare the PAF-222 clean agent fire extinguisher with the extinguishers in common use, read more at What is the difference between PAF-222 and conventional fire extinguishers?

Why does a low GWP matter when choosing an agent?

1. It reduces the potential climate impact

An agent with a low GWP carries less warming potential when compared under the same assessment framework.

So for an organization that takes environmental sustainability seriously, a low GWP agent is one of the factors worth weighing.

2. It supports the HFC phase-down

Many countries are now phasing down HFC production and consumption.

The United States, for instance, has the AIM Act, which mandates an 85% reduction in the production and consumption of regulated HFCs from baseline levels by 2036.

In the European Union, measures under the F-Gas Regulation drive reductions in F-gas greenhouse gases and promote alternatives with a lower climate impact.

So the choice of agent for a new system should account for both what suits today and where the regulation is heading.

If you currently run HFC-227ea or FM-200, read the transition guidelines at What is the HFC-227ea replacement?, and if you run Novec 1230, read What is the Novec 1230 replacement?

3. It helps with long term planning

Fire suppression systems are typically designed to run for many years.

So before installing a new one, a project owner should be asking more than:

"Can this agent be used today?"

They should also be asking:

Where is the regulation on this agent heading?
How much environmental impact does it carry?
Are there alternatives with a lower GWP?
Can it be supplied in the long term?
Are there standards and certifications behind it?

4. A low GWP does not automatically make an agent "the best"

This is worth pausing on.

GWP should not be the sole criterion for the decision.

A fire suppression system has to account for other factors as well:

🔥 Suppression efficiency The agent has to put out the class of fire the area actually presents.

👨‍🚒 Safety Design concentration and safety requirements have to be considered, carcinogen concerns among them. Read how to check at What is a carcinogen-free fire extinguisher? How to verify from SDS and Certificates

🏢 Space characteristics The space has to suit the system chosen, particularly for total flooding.

🧰 System design Agent quantity, cylinder size, piping and nozzles all have to be calculated to the system specifications.

📜 Standards and certifications Check that the equipment and agent carry certifications appropriate to the project. Read more at What are the certifications for PAF-222?

🌱 Environmental impact Weigh GWP, ODP, and the other environmental factors. More on ODP at What is ODP?

The European Commission itself states that no single alternative suits every application. The replacement has to be chosen against the product type, the equipment, and the operating conditions.

Why are PAF-222 and FK-5-1-12 attractive for clean agent systems?

FK-5-1-12 is one of the agents used as an alternative where a fire suppression system needs to reduce its reliance on HFCs.

The EPA lists FK-5-1-12 among total flooding agents with a GWP of less than 1 and ODP = 0.

The European Commission, meanwhile, lists FK-5-1-12 as one of the alternatives to HFC-227ea in fire protection applications.

Which lets PAF-222 be put forward as an option for projects that need a clean agent system and are prioritizing a low GWP.

If you want to start with portable extinguishers before committing to a permanent installation, read more at Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers

Why does GWP matter for data centers?

A data center is one of the areas where fire suppression deserves a high priority, because of what it holds:

Servers
Network equipment
Storage
UPS
Electrical equipment
Control systems
Communication systems

Choosing an agent means balancing:

Safety + efficiency + asset protection + environmental impact

Clean agent systems using FK-5-1-12 are deployed in data centers and critical facilities by a range of system manufacturers.

The non-conductive property of the agent matters just as much. Read more at What is non-conductive (Dielectric)?

So GWP is another variable to weigh from the design stage, not after the system has already been chosen.

What should you look at before choosing an agent?

A simple six factor check works well.

1. Fire performance

What classes of fire can it suppress?

2. Safety

What are the safety requirements and limits?

3. Asset protection

How does it affect servers, electrical equipment, and other critical assets?

4. Environmental impact

Check GWP, ODP, environmental properties, and PFAS. Read more at What is the difference between PFAS-free and PFAS non-detected?

5. Standards and approvals

Are the standards and certifications appropriate for the project?

6. Long term availability

Can you source the agent and maintain the system over its life?

For guidance on choosing equipment by area type and risk level, read more at Choosing fire protection equipment to suit your area and risk

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is GWP?

GWP stands for global warming potential. It compares the warming impact of a greenhouse gas against CO₂, which has a reference value of 1.

2. What is GWP100?

GWP100 is global warming potential assessed over a 100 year time frame, the most widely used period for evaluating greenhouse gases.

3. Is a lower GWP always better?

On climate impact, a lower GWP generally means less warming potential when compared under the same framework and dataset. But choosing an agent also means weighing safety, efficiency, standards, and how well the system suits the space.

4. What is the GWP of HFC-227ea?

The EPA lists the GWP100 of HFC-227ea at approximately 3,220 in one dataset, and 3,350 in the AR5 dataset used in its calculator. So name the source and the GWP set whenever you quote a figure.

5. What is the GWP of FK-5-1-12?

The EPA lists FK-5-1-12 in total flooding systems with a GWP of less than 1 and ODP = 0.

6. Why is FK-5-1-12 used to replace HFC-227ea?

Because it works as a clean agent and carries a very low GWP compared with HFC-227ea. The European Commission lists FK-5-1-12 as one of the alternatives to HFC-227ea in fire protection applications.

7. Is PAF-222 a low GWP agent?

PAF-222 uses FK-5-1-12 as its primary agent, so it counts as a very low GWP clean agent solution, because the GWP of FK-5-1-12 is extremely low compared with HFC-227ea.

8. Are GWP and ODP the same?

No. GWP measures global warming potential, ODP measures ozone depletion potential. They are different metrics. Read more at What is ODP?

9. Does a low GWP mean the agent is always safer?

Not necessarily. GWP is an environmental impact metric, not a direct measure of safety for people. Choosing an agent also means weighing safety, design concentration, standards, and system specifications. See how to verify this from documents at What is a carcinogen-free fire extinguisher? How to verify from SDS and Certificates

10. Should an agent be chosen on GWP alone?

No. Weigh at least suppression efficiency, safety, asset protection, standards and certifications, environmental impact, and long term availability.