Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

NFPA 2001
2012 edition changes
3M Company
St Paul MN
January 2012

Company

Clean agents in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

Company

NFPA 2001
Halocarbon Toxicity

NOAEL limit 5 minutes

Above NOAEL PBPK
Physiologically-based
pharmacokenetic model
Models blood uptake

In no case
case, above LOAEL in
occupied spaces
Cardiac sensitization the
comparative measure

3.3.17 Lowest Observable Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL). The

lowest concentration at which an adverse physiological or toxicological
effect has been observed.
3.3.21 No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL). The
highest concentration at which no adverse toxicological or
physiological effect has been observed.

Company

NFPA 2001
Inert Gas Toxicity

NEL exposure limit 42% 5

minutes
Ab
Above
NEL to LEL 42% - 52%
3 minutes
In no case, above LEL unless
Space normally unoccupied
Limit exposure to maximum 30
seconds

In no case above 62% (< 8%

O2)
Space unoccupiable

NEL = No
N Effect
Eff t Level
L l 43% concentration
t ti (>12% O2 llevel)l)
LEL = Lowest Effect Level 52% concentration (>10% O2 level)

Company

Agent purity specifications

NFPA 2001 Tables 4.1.2 (a) (d)

Company

New 2012 of NFPA 2001 a review of changes

Table 1.4.1.2, finally, they got it right! CF23CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2
Under Safetyy in Chapter
p 1,, exposure
p
to the discharge
g of clean
agent during a local application discharge is discussed.
1.5.1.1* Any agent that is to be recognized by this standard or proposed for
inclusion in this standard shall first be evaluated in a manner equivalent to
the process used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA)
SNAP Program for total flooding agents.
A.6.1.3 Local concentrations of agent in the vicinity of the discharge often will
exceed the maximum permitted exposure limits described in Section 1.5.

1.6 Environmental expanded upon in the 2012 edition Annex.

Talk
T lk later
l t on th
that.t

Definitions of Final Design Concentration (FDC) and Adjusted

g Concentration ((AMDC)) are given.
g
Minimum Design
Company

New Edition of NFPA 2001 a review of changes

Data for FK5112 and HFC227ea high pressure systems up to 725
psig(50 bar) are included in the standard.
Table A.4.1.4.1(b) for Novec 1230 fluid shown.

Data for IG
IG-541
541 stored at 4350 psig(300 bar) is included in
standard
Added to Table 4.2.1.1.1(a) together with cylinder and pipe pressure reqmnts.
Figure A.4.1.4.1(k)??
A 4 1 4 1(k)?? Supposed to have been there,
there but doesnt exist
exist.
Company

Changes in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

Supervision of electric actuating devices mandatory January 1,
2016. Section 4.3.4.1 and 4.3.4.2
44.3.4.1*
3 4 1* Removal of an electric actuator from the agent storage container
discharge valve which it controls shall result in an audible and visual indication
of system impairment at the system releasing control panel.
4 3 4 1 1 Section 4.3.4.1
4.3.4.1.1
4 3 4 1 shall become effective January 11, 2016
2016.
4.3.4.1.2 Section 4.3.4.1 shall not apply to systems covered under Chapter 8 of
this standard with the exception of those systems included under 8.6.
4 3 4 2 Removal
4.3.4.2
R
l off an electric
l t i actuator
t t from
f
the
th selector
l t valve
l which
hi h it controls
t l
shall result in an audible and visual indication of system impairment at the
system releasing control panel.
4 3 4 2 1 Section
4.3.4.2.1
S ti 4.3.4.2
4 3 4 2 shall
h ll become
b
effective
ff ti January
J
1,
1 2016.
2016
4.3.4.2.2 Section 4.3.4.2 shall not apply to systems covered under Chapter 8 of
this standard with the exception of those systems included under 8.6.
Annex material discussing this new requirement is included in the 2012 Standard.
Company

Changes in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

4.3.6.1 through 4.3.6.5 Mandatory disconnect switch
(service disconnect switch) must be either
located within a lockable cabinet or
require a key to operate, and
mustt be
b a physical
h i l switch
it h which
hi h opens the
th connection
ti bbetween
t
the releasing control unit and the actuating device.

5.3.5.1
5 3 5 1 and A5.3.5.1
A5 3 5 1 Rooms with a subfloor
subfloor
The space above the raised floor must simultaneously protect
the space below the raised floor, with detectors, pipe and
nozzles, or
if protecting the space below a raised floor only , NFPA 2001
now only permits the use of an inert gas clean agent system.
system
Company

Changes in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

Minimum design concentration for Class A fuels now the
greater of Class A MEC determined by the Class A approval
test times a factor of 1.2
1 2 or the heptane cup burner
extinguishing concentration, whichever is greater.
From the standard
5.4.2.4* The minimum design concentration for a Class A
surface fire hazard shall be determined by 5.4.2.1 (Class B)
or 5.4.2.2
5 4 2 2 (Class A),
A) whichever is greater.
greater
5.4.2.4.1 The extinguishing concentration, as determined in
5.4.2.2, times a safety factor of 1.2.
5.4.2.4.2 Equal to the minimum extinguishing concentration for
heptane as determined from 5.4.2.1.
So,
S the
th bottom
b tt Li
Line
Company

Bottom line.minimum Class A design concentration

is now at least MEC for heptane for the halocarbons
No change for the inert gases

Company

Changes in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

Minimum design concentration for Class C fire hazards with
electric power supplied at 480 volts or less shall be 1.35 times the
minimum extinguishing concentration determined by the Class
C
A
approval test.
From the standard
standard
5.4.2.5 The minimum design concentration for a Class C hazard
shall be the extinguishing concentration, as determined in 5.4.2.2,
Minumum2012Edition
times a safety factor of 1.35.
So, the bottom line
So
line
Requirements included in the body of the std!

Company

NFPA2001ClassC
DesignConcentrations
FK5112
FK
5 1 12
4.7
HFC125
9.0
HFC227ea
7.0
HFC23
17.0
IG01
IG
01
40 8
40.8
IG100
40.5
IG541
38.5
IG55
42.7

Changes in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

Spaces with energized electrical hazards supplied at greater
th 480 volts.
than
lt You
Y needd tto test
t t andd analyze.
l
standard
From the standard
5.4.2.5.1 The minimum design
g concentration for spaces
p
containing energized electrical hazards supplied at greater than
480 volts that remain powered during and after discharge shall
be determined by testing
testing, as necessary
necessary, and a hazard analysis
analysis.

Company

Changes in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

Design treatment for a smoldering combustion hazard (deep
seated fire hazard).
From the standard
5.4.2.6* The minimum design concentration for a smoldering
combustion hazard (deep
(deep-seated
seated fire hazard) shall be
determined by an application-specific test.
So, when all said and done

Company

Design guidance in 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

Class A, increase for halocarbons, no change for the inerts

Class B, no change
Class C, defined design concentration increased from the
minim m Class C = at least Class A
minimum
Company

Other changes in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 2001

The hold time or duration of protection requirement is
clarified to be 85% of the adjusted minimum design
concentration
t ti ((nott th
the fifinall ddesign
i concentration)
t ti ) tto be
b held
h ld att
the highest level of combustibles for a minimum period of l0
p
byy trained
minutes or for a time pperiod to allow for response
personnel.
For inert gas agent systems protecting Class A surface fire or
Class C hazards,
hazards the discharge time required to achieve 95
percent of the minimum design concentration for flame
extinguishment shall not exceed 120 seconds.
Annex C Enclosure Integrity Procedure has been rewritten
for clarity and a number of errors in the formula contained in
the 2008 Edition of NFPA 2001 have been corrected
corrected.
Company

Environmental - Paragraph 1.6*

1.6* Environmental Factors. When an agent is being selected
to protect a hazard area, the effects of the agent on the
environment shall be considered. Selection of the appropriate
fire suppression agent shall include consideration of the
following items:
(1) Potential environmental effect of a fire in the protected area
(2) Potential environmental effect of the various impacts,
impacts
including, but not limited to, ozone depletion potential (ODP)
and global warming potential (GWP) of the clean agents that
could be used

Company

NFPA 2001 Table A.1.6(a)

Comparative
p
table of agent
g
environmental properties
Explanatory material
comparing environmental
properties of various industries
i l di fifire protection
including
t ti
Comparison of the quantity of
greenhouse gases

Company

Questions?
Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
NFPA 2001
2012 edition changes
3M Company
St Paul MN
January 2012

Company