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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Technical Advice => Topic started by: Keltic on May 09, 2008, 07:20:38 PM
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Hi All
I have been asked to find out if our FM200 fire suppression system will have to be replaced in years to come ?
One of our directors was told that it does not meet the Kyoto agreement and will be outlawed in the future.
Does anyone know if this is true or is it just someone trying to get us to upgrade and spend more money ?
Many thanks for any advice or pointers given.
Regards
Keltic - An Englishman living in Scotland
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There has been questions on FM200 since it's introduction andit's not our first choice - we offer HFC227ea (FM200) if requested or Novec1230 with nitrogen.
Natural gases we go Nitrogen or Argon.
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Buzzard, could you reccomend some homework for me as to which does what and why pick one over the other, I was thinking use Inergen.
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I was more worried about having to remove or replace our existing FM200 system because the gas is not compliant with kyoto.
Is this true and if so is there something that shows this ? I have goggled it but to no avail.
Many thanks
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FM200 is a HFC and is one of the six greenhouse gases addressed by the Kyoto Protocol. Although not banned at the moment I think there is a good chance pressure will be applied in the future to limit its use.
Check out http://www.berr.gov.uk/sectors/ccpo/kyotoprotocol/page20655.html
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FM200 will soon be the next Halon - below an internal update we circulated in 2007-
EC Regulation No 842/2006 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases now applies to extinguishing systems filled with HFC & PFC
HFC's covered are:HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC-41, HFC-43-10mee, HFC-125, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-152a, HFC-143, HFC-143a, HFC-227ea, HFC-236cb, HFC-236ea, HFC-245ca, HFC-245fa, HCF-365mfc.
Note - Commonly used agents such as FM200 & FE 13 are HFC's
The PFCs listed are perfluoromethane, and any agent whose name ends in -ethane, -propane, -butane, -pentane, -hexane and –cyclobutane.
The main requirements are:
1) PFC's are now illegal like the Halons are.
2) HFC's are legal, but subject to leakage check requirements:
- All system cylinders must have pressure gauges or indicators
- Systems over 300kg must have a leakage warning alarm
- Users should carry out and record regular checks for leakage;
• Weekly in accordance with the normal maintenance requirements
- In addition, detailed leak detection checks by a certified person (likely to be the system servicing company)must be carried out as follows:
• At least every 12 months for systems having more than 3 kg gas
• At least every 6 months for systems having more than 30 kg gas
• At least every 3 months for systems having more than 300 kg gas
• Leakage inspection within 1 month after a leak has been repaired
These systems are most commonly found in buildings to replace Halon use in data & comms/IT rooms, sometimes found in transformer/distribution rooms in place of CO2
Because of these additional & cost generating burdens, we advise the use of inert gas, water mist or CO2 based systems in preference to the HFC's.
full text
http://www.fia.uk.com/objects_store/FIA%20f-gases%20guidance%20version%202%2015-11-07.pdf
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TWsutton and AnthonyB
Many thanks for this information !
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Strange how a lot of companies were talking about FM200 not being ozone friendly and still being an HFC over 15 years ago.......!!??
We all new this was coming way back when.....
I've got some general info of the various gasses, email me of you would like a copy.