FM200 in an underground sub-station

[Fishy]

One of our contractors has recommended FM200 fire suppression for an underground electrical sub-station.  I recall reading somewhere that FM200 is banned in certain countries, and that there may be issues with testing / maintenance?  We've always leant towards water fog systems in the past.

Am I being over-cautious - are any forum members aware of reasons why FM200 may not be suitable?

[PhilHallmark]

One of our contractors has recommended FM200 fire suppression for an underground electrical sub-station.  I recall reading somewhere that FM200 is banned in certain countries, and that there may be issues with testing / maintenance?  We've always leant towards water fog systems in the past.

Am I being over-cautious - are any forum members aware of reasons why FM200 may not be suitable?

As far as I am aware: FM200  - Great Lakes Corporation and FE227 - Du Pont (both HFC227ea)) is not banned in any European countries. I am led to believe it is to be phased out in future as other replacement environmentally vapourising gases are developed. But these things take time.
The only maintenance issues with these systems is the 10 year pressure testing of the cylinders (i.e. removing bottles of the system whilst still leaving the site with fire protection), but I am led to believe this can be avioded if your insurers have copies of your maintenance for the previous 10 years of full unbroken mechanical inspection. This gives the system a working time span of 20 years.

[Ashley Wood]

I am told that Scandinavian countries and Germany have banned chemical gases. this is part of the 'KYOTO' Protocol. Big debate at the moment on whether this will effect FM200, FE13, NAFS3 etc. One thing you would have to have with a gas system is a low level extract system to purge the area after discharge, this could be a problem with a below ground installation. You cannot just open the door and let it out! Also, you cannot discharge it at street level, it has to go above street level. I would stick with the fog system. No purging, no environmental impacts now or in the future, no room integrity issues, etc. As you probably know there are several good systems on the market now. The ones I know that have been tested on switch gear and have the reports available are Fogtec & Hi-Fog (Marioff).

Hope this helps.

[AnthonyB]

I've heard that the chemical compounds are next on the Euro hit list and that inert gas mixtures (Argon, Nitrogen, etc) will have a longer life of service as a result.

As stated by others, water mist is often a useful solution with less environmental concerns.