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
