INERGEN® Suppression Systems

INERGEN® was developed in the 1980s by Torbjørn Laursen after conducting various tests and making a thorough study of human respiratory physiology.

Agent Used: A mixture of inert gases—52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8% carbon dioxide.

Features:

• Non-toxic and safe for occupied areas.
• Extinguishes fire by reducing oxygen levels below the threshold required for combustion.
• Does notproduce harmful by-products when discharged.
• Suitable for protecting valuable assets and sensitive equipment.

Typical Applications: Data centers, archives, museums, telecommunication facilities, and other areas where electronic equipment is prevalent.

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Argonite Suppression Systems

Argonite, developed in the 1990s, is a well-known clean agent fire suppression system.

Agent Used: A mixture of 50% argon and 50% nitrogen.

Features:

• Non-conductive and leaves no residue.
• Extinguishes fire by reducing oxygen concentration.
• Safe for use in occupied areas.
• Environmentally friendly with no global warming potential.

‍Typical Applications: Server rooms, power plants, museums, and archives.

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Nitrogen Suppression Systems

Use of nitrogen as a fire suppression agent has gained popularity in recent decades due to its effectiveness and environmental safety.

Agent Used: Pure nitrogen gas.

Features:

• Reduces oxygen levels to suppress fire.
• Safe for occupied spaces.
• No harmful residues or toxic by-products.
• Abundant and environmentally friendly.

Typical Applications: Data centers, storage rooms, archives, and places with sensitive electronic equipment.

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Argon Suppression Systems

History: Argon-based suppression systems have been in use since the 1990s, gaining traction due to their clean and safe nature.

Agent Used: Pure argon gas.

Features:

• Non-toxic and leaves no residue.
• Extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen.
• Safe for occupied spaces.
• No environmental impact.

Typical Applications: Laboratories, museums, data centers, and any area with sensitive electronic devices.

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Carbon Dioxide Suppression Systems

Carbon dioxide has been used for fire suppression since the early 20th century.

Agent Used: Carbon dioxide gas.

Features:

• Extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen and reducing the temperature.
• Leaves no residue.
• Not safe for occupied spaces due to risk of asphyxiation.
• Fast-acting and effective for a wide range of fires.

Typical Applications: Industrial environments, electrical equipment, and areas not usually occupied by people.

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FM200®Suppression Systems

FM200®, developed by DuPont in the 1990s, is a popular clean agent fire suppression system.

Agent Used: Heptafluoropropane (or HFC-227ea).

Features:

• Fast-acting and effective in extinguishing fires.
• Safe for occupied areas.
• Leaves no residue and is non-conductive.
• Environmentally friendly with a low global warming potential.

Typical Applications: Data centers, telecommunication facilities, museums, and libraries.

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NOVEC Suppression Systems

NOVEC 1230, developed by 3M in the early 2000s, is a newer clean agent fire suppression system.

Agent Used: Novec 1230 fluid.

Features:

• Fast-acting and effective.
• Safe for use in occupied areas.
• Leaves no residue and is non-conductive.
• Very low environmental impact with a short atmospheric lifetime.

Typical Applications: Data centers, telecommunication rooms, museums, and archives.

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Aerosol Suppression Systems

Aerosol fire suppression systems have been in use since the late 20th century, particularly for special hazards.

Agent Used: Solid aerosol-forming compounds.

Features:

• Compact and space-efficient.
• Effective at extinguishing fires.
• Leaves minimal residue compared to traditional extinguishants.
• Not pressurized, reducing the risk of accidental discharge.

Typical Applications: Enclosed machinery spaces, electrical cabinets, and vehicles.

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Wet Chemical Kitchen Suppression Systems

Developed in the mid to late 20th century specifically for commercial kitchen environments.

Agent Used: Potassium-based wet chemical agents.

Features:

• Specifically designed to tackle grease fires by saponification.
• Cools the surface and prevents re-ignition.
• Safe for use in kitchens with food preparation areas.
• Easy to clean up after discharge.

Typical Applications: Commercial kitchens, including restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks.

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Water Mist Systems

Water mist technology has evolved since the1940s, with significant advancements in the late 20th century.

Agent Used: Fine water droplets.

Features:

• Uses significantly less water compared to traditional sprinklers.
• Effective at cooling and suffocating the fire.
• Safe for use around people and electronic equipment.
• Minimal water damage.

Typical Applications: Museums, data centers, historic buildings, and areas where water damage needs to be minimized.

Firetrace Suppression Systems

Firetrace was founded in 1984 and has since developed into a leading provider of specialized fire suppression systems designed to address specific risks in enclosed spaces and critical equipment.

Agent Used: Firetrace systems can use various agents including clean agents like NOVEC 1230, CO2,Foam, and dry chemicals depending on the application and environment.

Features:

• Direct and indirect release options: Direct release systems discharge the agent directly from the detection tubing, while indirect systems use tubing to detect fire and then release the agent through separate nozzles.
• Quick and automatic fire detection and suppression.
• Suitable for small, enclosed, and difficult-to-access spaces.
• Flexible tubing allows for easy installation in complex environments.
• Minimizes collateral damage due to the localized nature of suppression.

Typical Applications:

• Electrical enclosures and cabinets.
• CNC machines and other industrial equipment.
• Vehicle and engine compartments.
• Data cabinets and server racks.
• Wind turbines and other renewable energy installations.

BlazeCut Suppression Systems

BlazeCut was established in 2013, with a focus on providing innovative and compact fire suppression solutions specifically designed for small enclosures and specialized applications.

Agent Used: BlazeCut systems primarily use HFC-227ea (commonly known as FM200®) as the suppression agent. Some models may also use other clean agents or dry chemicals based on specific needs.

Features:

• Compact and flexible: The BlazeCut T-Series utilizes a unique tube-based design that allows it to be easily installed in tight and confined spaces.
• Automatic activation: The system activates automatically when the temperature inside the protected enclosure reaches a certain level, causing the detection tube to rupture and release the extinguishing agent directly onto the fire.
• No power required: BlazeCut systems do not need an external power source, making them highly reliable and suitable for various environments.
• Minimal maintenance: The simplicity of the system ensures low maintenance requirements and easy inspection.
• Non-toxic and residue-free: The use of clean agents ensures that there is no damage to sensitive equipment or the need for extensive cleanup after discharge.

Typical Applications:

• Electrical cabinets and control panels.
• Automotive and marine engine compartments.
• 3D printers and other manufacturing equipment.
• Communication and data cabinets.
• Kitchen hoods and small cooking appliances.

Want to learn more?

Canco Services specializes in the design, installation & maintenance of these suppression systems. If you have a question, just give us a call at 0818 999 777 or email us at info@cancoservices.ie