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Clean Agent
Fire Suppression


Clean Agent Fire Suppression System
 

When protecting your property from fires, traditional methods like water-based sprinkler systems may not suit every situation. That's where gaseous fire suppression, also known as clean agent fire suppression, comes in. And when designing and installing such systems, Hegel Engineering Sdn Bhd is a trusted name in the industry.

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Gaseous fire suppression works by using inert gases or chemical agents to extinguish fires without leaving behind any residue or causing damage to your property. This makes it an ideal solution for critical areas such as data centres, museums, art galleries, and other places where traditional water-based systems could cause significant damage.

 

At Hegel, we provide design and installation services for clean agent fire suppression systems, ensuring that your property is protected from fire hazards effectively. Our team of experts has extensive experience designing and installing these systems, and we use only the latest technologies and equipment to ensure they are practical and efficient.

We understand that every property is unique, so we customise our design and installation services. We work closely with our clients to understand their specific requirements and design a system that meets their needs while adhering to the highest safety and regulatory standards.

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With Hegel's clean agent fire suppression systems, you can have peace of mind knowing that your property is protected against fire hazards effectively, without the risk of damage from water or other traditional extinguishing methods. Contact us today to learn more about our design and installation services and take the first step towards protecting your property with the latest fire suppression technology.

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  • FM200 System

  • Inergen System

  • Intertec System

  • IG55 System

  • SR200 System

  • Argonite System

  • Novec 1230 System

  • Water Mist System

  • Carbon Dioxide Gas System

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Protected hazards

 

Gaseous clean agent systems have become increasingly popular in protecting mission-critical hazards beyond electronics. These innovative systems have proven to be highly effective in protecting valuable assets, including data centres, server rooms, and critical infrastructure.

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One of the most notable features of gaseous clean agent systems is their ability to quickly extinguish fires without leaving residue or damage behind. This makes them ideal for environments where sensitive equipment or materials must be protected.

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But beyond electronics and data centres, gaseous clean agent systems can also protect a range of other mission-critical hazards. For example, they can protect industrial machinery, chemical storage facilities, and art collections.

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In industrial settings, gaseous clean agent systems protect valuable machinery and equipment from fire and other hazards, ensuring that operations continue uninterrupted. In chemical storage facilities, these systems can prevent the release of hazardous materials in a fire or other emergency.

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And for those with priceless art collections, gaseous clean agent systems can provide an extra layer of protection against fire and smoke damage.

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With their versatility and effectiveness, it's clear that clean gaseous agent systems have become an invaluable tool for protecting mission-critical hazards of all kinds. So whether you're looking to protect electronics, machinery, or even priceless artwork, a clean gaseous agent system may be just what you need to keep your assets safe and secure.

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  • Military and government facilities where the loss of equipment and extended downtime can lead to lapses in defence systems

  • Control centres for national air space

  • Missile-guidance centres

  • Airline flight-control servers

  • Consumer-product credit card transaction computers

  • Intelligence servers

  • Satellite communication systems

  • Research and development computing data hubs

  • Engine test cells with accompanying data.

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Types of clean agents

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NFPA 2001 provides crucial guidance on the two main categories of gaseous clean agent systems widely used in fire suppression. These systems are essential for protecting mission-critical applications from the devastating consequences of fires. Inert gases, such as IG-541, work by depleting oxygen to extinguish fires, while halo-carbon-based agents, such as HFC 227ea, interrupt the molecular reaction of fires by disrupting the fire tetrahedron.

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When comparing these two types of systems, it is essential to consider various factors such as cost to refill, shelf life, and environmental impact. Halo-carbon-based systems offer several benefits over inert gas systems. First, they require lighter suppression agent cylinders, which occupy less storage space. This is a critical consideration during design, especially in structures where weight is a concern. Additionally, fewer halo-carbon cylinders are required to protect the same volume, making them an ideal choice for buildings with limited storage space.

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Furthermore, halo-carbon-based systems have lower cylinder pressures than inert gas systems, reducing the likelihood of piping and fitting failures during release. This means there is less risk of a system malfunction that could potentially exacerbate a fire. Also, the pressure relief venting of the protected enclosure is typically less common with halo-carbon systems.

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When selecting a clean gaseous agent system, it is crucial to consider each facility's unique needs and requirements. The team must weigh the pros and cons of each system type and choose the one that best meets their needs. With NFPA 2001 as a guide, facilities can make an informed decision that will help them protect their mission-critical assets from fire damage.

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Construction requirements

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Protecting your business and employees from the potential harm of a fire is a top priority, and choosing the right fire suppression system is a critical component in achieving this goal. While inert gases can reduce oxygen levels to a safe level for humans and prevent fire, halo-carbon-based agents are designed to extinguish fires while heat, fuel, and oxygen are present. In addition, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other standards require that clean gaseous agents are maintained at a minimum concentration threshold for a specific duration known as the "hold time."

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The hold time is critical in allowing the clean gaseous agent to extinguish the fire and effectively reduce the possibility of re-ignition. To ensure that the hold time is achieved, it is essential to maintain room integrity, which refers to sealing the room to prevent the clean gaseous agents from leaking out. This involves filling holes and leakage paths in walls and ensuring that divisions in the protected area are continuous to the roof or floor/ceiling assembly above. Dampers or HVAC equipment controlled by the fire alarm system may also be required to maintain room integrity. Finally, seals around doors with automatic closers may also be necessary to minimize leakage.

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Measuring room integrity during construction is done through a "door fan test," which uses specialized equipment to pressurize the enclosure and measure leakage rates. This test ensures that your fire suppression system works effectively and that your business and employees are safe from harm. Ensuring your business's and employees' safety should be a top priority. A clean gaseous agent fire suppression system with adequate room integrity can go a long way in achieving this goal.

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Detection systems

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Adequate fire suppression systems require early detection and rapid response to prevent the spread of fire. Clean agent systems are especially effective in containing fires at the incipient stage, so using smoke-sensing detectors to identify combustion products early on is crucial. Conversely, delayed detection through heat-sensing detectors can result in more extensive fires, especially with halo-carbon-based agents that can release hazardous byproducts through thermal decomposition.

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Choosing the right control panel is another critical aspect of fire suppression systems. The panel must be listed for fire suppression agent release and cross-listed with the solenoid that releases the clean gaseous agent into the piping network. This requirement, mandated by NFPA 2001, ensures seamless communication between the control panel and the clean agent system.

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Unlike other fire protection systems that involve a single trade, clean agent systems require the coordination of multiple businesses, including detection/controls, piping, mechanical shutdowns, and room integrity. Therefore, a robust specification ensures seamless coordination among these trades. Third-party system testing is also recommended to ensure its reliability and effectiveness. Considering these considerations, you can choose the right clean agent system that meets your fire suppression needs and keeps your property and people safe.

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Clean Agent Fire Suppression Gas Refill and Recharge

 

If you're running a building or facility with a Clean Agent fire suppression system, you understand how critical it is to recharge the system after each use or discharge. The system responds quickly to any electrical fire, preventing significant damage to your valuable assets like data centres, archives storage, and computer rooms.

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A fully functioning Clean Agent system reacts promptly and diffuses the fire before it can spread and cause further damage. However, once the system has been triggered, it needs to be recharged to be ready to handle the next fire emergency.

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Without refilling the Clean Agent gas, your system will not be as prepared to put out the subsequent fire. Therefore, even a small fire could lead to substantial property loss or damage if it cannot be contained quickly.

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It's crucial to prioritize the recharge of your Clean Agent system to ensure the safety of your personnel, assets, and business operations. Recharging the system will restore its ability to react and extinguish fires, reducing the risk of further damage to your building or facility.

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Our company offers expert Clean Agent fire suppression system maintenance, including timely refilling of your system. We understand the importance of protecting your business from the devastating effects of fire damage, and we're committed to helping you achieve this goal.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you ensure your Clean Agent fire suppression system is always in optimal working condition.

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Clean Agent Gas Composition

 

In today's world, fire suppression is a crucial component of safety measures. Therefore, it is essential to have a reliable and effective fire suppression system in place to safeguard people and property. Inergen, Argonite, IG55, NOVEC 1230, FM200, and SR200 are some of the most advanced fire suppression systems available. These systems utilize different chemicals and gases to extinguish fires, each with unique features.

Inergen is a fire suppression system that employs a mixture of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and an inert gas such as helium, neon, argon, krypton, or xenon. It is widely used in data centres, telecom facilities, and other sensitive areas because it is non-toxic and non-conductive. Inergen reduces the oxygen concentration in the air, effectively extinguishing the fire without leaving any residue.

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Argonite and IG55 are other popular fire suppression systems that use a mixture of nitrogen and argon. These systems are environmentally friendly, as they are naturally present in the atmosphere and do not contribute to ozone layer depletion or greenhouse effects. As a result, they are instrumental in areas where water damage needs to be avoided, such as server rooms and museums.

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NOVEC 1230 is another advanced fire suppression system that uses a proprietary chemical called dodecafluoro-2-methyl pentane-3-one. This compound is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and has zero ozone depletion potential. NOVEC 1230 works by reducing the heat energy of the fire, effectively extinguishing it without leaving any residue.

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FM200 and SR200 are other popular fire suppression systems that use heptafluoropropane, a colourless and odourless gas widely used in gaseous fire suppression systems. These systems work by absorbing heat energy from the fire and reducing the oxygen concentration in the air, effectively extinguishing the fire without leaving any residue.

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In conclusion, the choice of fire suppression system will depend on the nature of the environment in which it is to be deployed. Inergen, Argonite, IG55, NOVEC 1230, FM200, and SR200 are all highly effective and reliable systems that can provide optimal protection against fire damage. By investing in a sound fire suppression system, you can safeguard your property and assets and ensure the safety of your staff and customers.

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Let's Work Together

Drop us an email at sales@hegelengineering.com for a free quote or click on our Customer Service Whatsapp chat icon to speak to any of our Commercial Specialist.

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