NFPA-12 Edition 2005

What IMPACT will the changes to NFPA-12 have on the design and installation of a CO2 system?

NFPA-12 Edition 2005

Reasons for changes Continuing effort to improve/enhance product features and system designs for life safety on both:

Existing Installations New Systems

NFPA-12 Edition 2005 Who does this affect?

Manufacturers Designers Installers Service End-users/Owners

NFPA-12 Edition 2005

Application /systems affected:

Total Flood CO2 systems applied to Normally Occupied Spaces Total Flood CO2 systems applied to Occupiable Spaces Local Application Systems

Definitions per NFPA-12 Edition 2005

3.2.4 Normally Occupied Area. An area or space where, under normal circumstances, persons are present. 3.2.5 Normally Unoccupied Area (occupiable). An area or space not normally occupied by people but could be entered occasionally be brief periods. 3.2.8 Unoccupiable Area. An area or space which cannot be occupied due to dimensional or other physical constraints.

Existing Systems
1.3.1 Retroactivity. All (NO, Occupiable., Local if exposing personnel) existing systems shall be upgraded to meet the requirements for . . . Safety signs in paragraph 4.2.2 Lockout valves in paragraph 4.2.3.6 & 4.2.3.6.1 Pneumatic time delays & pre-discharge alarms in paragraph 4.4.5.7 1.3.2 These upgrades shall be completed by June, 2006

Safety Signs
4.2.2.1 Warning signs should be affixed in a conspicuous location . . . In every protected space At every entrance to protected spaces In spaces near the protected spaces where it is determined carbon dioxide could migrate creating a hazard to personnel . . .

Safety Signs
The safety sign Format Color letter style of signal words message panel letting lettering size safety symbols shall be in accordance with ANSI Z535.

WHEN ALARM OPERATES VACATE AREA IMMEDIATELY. A CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHMENT DISCHARGED INTO A NEARBY SPACE MAY COLLECT HERE.

WARNING
C70-1034-2

Carbon dioxide gas discharge into nearby space can collect here. When alarm operates vacate immediately. Carbon dioxide gas may cause injury or death.

Personnel Safety NFPA 12 continued

Typical Warning signs shall be affixed in conspicuous locations:

WARNING
CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH
WHEN ALARM OPERATES VACATE IMMEDIATELY

Typical Warning signs

WARNING
CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH WHEN ALARM OPERATES DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED

Typical Warning signs

WARNING
CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH WHEN ALARM OPERATES OR WINTERGREEN SCENT IS DETECTED, DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED

Typical Warning signs

CAUTION
CARBON DIOXIDE GAS DISCHARGE INTO NEARBY SPACE CAN COLLECT HERE. WHEN ALARM OPERATES VACATE IMMEDIATELY. CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH

Typical Warning signs

CAUTION
CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH VENTILATE THIS AREA BEFORE ENTERING. A HIGH CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CONCENTRATION CAN OCCUR IN THIS AREA AND CAUSE SUFFOCATION

Typical Warning signs

WARNING ACTUATION OF THIS DEVICE WILL CAUSE CARBON DIOXIDE TO DISCHARGE. BEFORE ACTUATING, BE SURE PERSONNEL ARE CLEAR OF AREA

Safety Signs
Exception: Existing installations where facilities have written caution / warning sign procedures in place to provide: information and directions to personnel have a training programs established to educate personnel about signage then said sign procedures can be used in place of ANSI Z535.

Stop/Maintenance (lock-out) Valve

Items Required to Comply with NFPA 12 Edition 2000

NFPA 12 Paragraph 1-6.1.7 To prevent accidental or deliberate discharge, a lockout shall be provided when persons not familiar with the systems and their operation are present in a protected space. NFPA 12 Paragraph 1-8.4 Supervision of automatic systems and manual lock-out valves shall be provided unless specifically waived by the A.H.J.
LOCKOUT VALVE W/ LIMIT SWITCH CO NOZZLE

CO NOZZLE

CHECK VALVE
CHECK VALVE

MANIFOLD
MANIFOLD

CO CYLINDER

CO CYLINDER

No Lockout

With Lockout

Changes Required to Comply with NFPA 12 Edition 2005

CO NOZZLE

CHECK VALVE

MANIFOLD

CO CYLINDER

Typ. Arrangement

w/ Mech Time Delay & Siren

New Systems
4.1.3 Carbon dioxide total flood extinguishing systems shall not be used in normally occupied enclosures if other fire extinguishing agents can be used to provide an equivalent level of fire protection to carbon dioxide. When CO2 is determined to be the most suitable agent of choice the designer / installer shall provide documentation . . . to verify that CO2 is the most suitable fire suppression agent available.

Examples where CO2 should not be used

Control Rooms Computer Rooms Data Centers IT Equipment Rooms / Centers Telecommunication Rooms Laboratory Rooms Libraries Museums

NFPA 12: Marine Systems

2 separate valves shall be provided for releasing CO2 into any protected space. 1 valve shall control discharge from the CO2 storage. The 2nd valve shall control CO2 discharge into the protected space(s). A separate manually operated control shall be provided to operate each valve A set of controls shall be located outside at least one of the main means of egress from each protected space. Audible predischarge alarms and a minimum 20 second time delay shall be provided that depend on no source of power other than CO2.