Argonite Fire Extinguishing System

Contents

1. Basics of the product

2. Environment

3. Safety

4. Standards and approvals

5. Testing, commissioning and handling

6. System Design

7. Components

8. Calculation and documentation

9. VdS software

10. Summary

11. Examples

Basic Properties

What is Argonite?

• Argonite is an inert gas blend consisting of a 50:50 mixture of Argon & Nitrogen - two gases found naturally in the atmosphere

• Argonite is harmless to personnel at the design concentration

ISO Listed Inert gases

Extinguishant Chemical Formula Trade Name Standard

IG-01 Argon Ar Argon/Argotec Argonfire

ISO 14520-12

IG-100 Nitrogen N2 - ISO 14520-13

IG-55 Nitrogen (50%) Argon (50%)

N2 Ar

Argonite ISO 14520-14

IG-541 Nitrogen (52%) Argon (40%) Carbon Dioxide (8%)

N2 Ar Co2

Inergen ISO 14520-15

Ar

Extinguishant Chemical Formula Trade Name Standard

IG-01 Argon Ar Argon/Argotec Argonfire

ISO 14520-12

IG-100 Nitrogen N2 - ISO 14520-13

IG-55 Nitrogen (50%) Argon (50%)

N2 Ar

Argonite ISO 14520-14

IG-541 Nitrogen (52%) Argon (40%) Carbon Dioxide (8%)

N2 Ar Co2

Inergen ISO 14520-15

Ar

Why Argon and Nitrogen?

• The use of Argonite results in a gas mixture with a density similar to that of air, thus:

– Hold times are greatly increased

– Need for room sealing reduced

– Release of an Argonite system produces some cooling effect but not sufficient to cause fogging

Cup-Burner Test Comparison: Argon/Nitrogen Blends

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ArgonNitrogen

Exti

ng

uis

hin

g C

on

c.%

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

Hold Times: Argonite versus Nitrogen

2120

18

16

14

12

O2

1350mm

150mm

2250mm

465mm900mm

12,1%(%)

ARGONITE

2250mm

1350mm900mm465mm150mm

10 12,4%

1

NITROGEN

O2

2120

18

16

14

12

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Mixture of air before and after release of Argonite

78,1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0,1

78

21

0,3

17

70,2

12,5

0,30

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Air Argonite/Air

Argon

Nitrogen

Oxygen

CO2

Environment

Argonite - A Clean Agent

• Zero Ozone Depletion Potential

• Zero Global Warming Potential

• No Secondary Combustion Products are Produced

Safety

Where Argonite can be used

• Can extinguish fires in almost all flammable substances

• Suitable for extinguishing fires in flammable and combustible liquids and gases

• Non-conductive, therefore excellent for extinguishing fires involving electrical equipment

• No residue, excellent for protecting delicate artefacts and high-value assets

Where Argonite cannot be used

• Fires in chemicals containing their own oxygen supply and which are capable of rapid oxidation in the absence of air(such as cellulose nitrate & gunpowder)

• Mixtures containing oxidising materials(such as sodium chlorate & sodium nitrate)

• Chemicals capable of undergoing autothermal decomposition (such as organic peroxides & hydrazine)

• Reactive metals (such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, titanium and zirconium)

• Reactive hydrides

Applications

• Telecommunication

• Computer rooms

• Control rooms

• Cabinets

• Archives

• Others

Residual Oxygen Concentrations

• NFPA Class A ROL 10% - 12.5%:

• NOAEL - 12% oxygen:

– Above 12% leave area within 5 minutes

– 10 - 12% oxygen, leave area within 3 minutes

• LOAEL - 10% oxygen:

– Below 10% only unmanned areas

Standards

And

Approvals

Industrial Approvals

• FM (Factory Mutual) Approval Project Id. no.: 30119811

• Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada under Project Id. No. Cex1200; 34036

• VdS - Approval initiated under Kidde Deugra

• LPCB (Loss Prevention Council Board in UK) Project Id. no.: CP 70129 – BC 6749

• FESC (Japan) Appraisal No. YO-130

• CNBOP (Poland) Nr. 1314/2003 Type KD-300

• SSL (Australia) No. Afp – 1628

• Ref- Chapter 18 in Manual No. MA-01-9006-0100

Recognition of Argonite

• NFPA, National Fire Protection Association. (NFPA 2001, 2000 edition No. IG-55)

• Danish Institute of Fire Technology (DBI)

• Det Norske Veritas (DNV)

• EPA's SNAP program (Significant New Alternatives Policy)

• LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board)

• SSL, Activfire register of Fire Protection Equipment

• Further to the above type approvals, many local authorities around the world have approved/recognised the use of Argonite for Fire Extinguishing systems: CNPP – CNOP – BV - LR

• Ref- Chapter 18 in Manual No. MA-01-9006-0100

Testing &

Commissioning

Component Listing / Testing / Approvals

• Valve BAM II-4149/2000 and II-5194/1999, Bauarts Zulassung number 05-DK-86 300 bar cylinder with valve, National Board of Occupational Safety and Health CTP 2332/00

• LPCB listed - www.brecertification.co.uk/pdf/Part7.pdf

• VdS: Initiated - www.vds.de

• FM: Project 30119111, Class 5611, Dated 20-08-2003

• UL: Completed, awaiting certificate

• SSL: Listed - www.activfire.gov.au

Fire Testing Performed by;

• IMO - ISO 14520 – Vds – CEA – FM – ULC - LPCB (LPS 1230)

• Ref- Chapter 18 in Manual No.MA-01-9006-0100

System

Design

Single Area cylinder bank arrangement

1. Bracket

2. Cylinder

3. Contact pressure gauge unit

4. Cylinder valve

5. Interconnecting pilot hose

6. Support for manifold

7. Manifold

8. Restrictor

9. Distribution piping

10. Discharge nozzle

11. Check valve

12. Discharge hose

13. Solenoid valve actuator unit with contact pressure gauge

14. Label for cylinder

15. Single core cable for remote pressure monitoring

Typical Argonite Installation

Evaluation of Risk / Hazard

• Integrity of enclosure

• Geometry of enclosure to include all voids

• Unclosable openings (air conditioning units – OFF)

• Pressure relief vents to free air

• Determine nature of hazardous materials involved

• Extinguishing value

• Extended discharge

• Evaluation of cylinder storage room

• Diverter valve system

Calculation of Room Volume

• All voids and open spaces such as window recesses should be included in the calculated volume

• Fixed building structures such as pillars can be taken out of the calculated volume

• Objects that can potentially be moved, such as cupboards or racking cannot be deducted from the calculated volume

Storage

• Stored as a pressurised gas

• Filling pressure 150, 200 and 300 bar @ 15°C

• Storage remote from the risk area - or inside if permitted by local authorities

• Cylinder fill can be read directly from a pressure gauge

Operating Pressure

• Manifold: 150 / 200 / 300 bar

• Distribution pipes: 30 - 60 Bar

• A pressure-reducing orifice is fitted between the manifold and the discharge pipe network

• Hydraulic calculation programme determines the necessary pipe and orifice sizes

Discharge and Hold Time

• Discharge time 60 seconds to achieve 95% of the design concentration according to NFPA 2001

• Recommended minimum hold time 10 minutes,or “as required by the authority having jurisdiction”

System Features

• Means of activation

– Solenoid valve, Pneumatic, Manual*Single solenoid valve can control up to 60 cylinders

• Contact pressure gauge and pressure gauge fitted on each cylinder valve

• Valve incorporates a bursting disc for relief of excess pressure

Diverter Valve Systems

• If more than one area is to be protected, a centralised cylinder battery can be used

• The size of the battery is calculated from the volume of the largest room and provides a single discharge into any one of the protected areas at a time

• The total cost can be reduced due to the smaller number of cylinders required compared to stand-alone systems

Extended Discharge

• Not safe to use in a manned area

• Must be considered for rooms with unclosable openings

• Rate determined by a door fan test

• Constant flow arrangement

• Separate pipe work

Calculation of Quantity of Argonite

• Minimum design concentration defined by risk and design standard

• The design quantity must be adjusted to compensate for the ambient pressure when installation is carried out more than 900m from standard sea level equation

Extinguishing Values: Class A & C Fires

ISO NFPA

Design conc. 28,7% 31.5%

Safety factor 30% 20%

Minimum design conc. 37,3% 37.9%

Propellant factor 10% 10%

Required design conc. 40,2% 40.17%

Minimum

ISO NFPA

Extinguishing Concentration 31% 31.6%

Safety factor 30% 20%

Minimum Design Concentration

40.3% 37.9%

Propellant factor

10%

10%

Final Design Concentration

42.6%

40.2%

ISO Defined “Higher Hazard” Electrical Risks

•Where cable bundles of diameter greater than 100mm are present in the protected space.

•Where open cable trays with a fill density > 20% of the cable tray cross section are present in the protected space.

•Where horizontal or vertical stacks of cable trays occur (a stack is defined as parallel cable trays within a proximity of 250mm)

•Where electrical and electronic equipment with a collective power consumption of >5kW within the protected space remains energised during the course of the extinguishant deployment.

Extinguishing Values: Class B Fires

ISO NFPA

Extinguishing Concentration 36.5% 35%

Safety factor 30% 30%

Minimum Design Concentration

47.5% 45.5%

Propellant factor

10%

10%

Final Design Concentration

49.8%

47.8%

Temperature Limitations – Storage and Operation

• ISO 14520: Min -20°C Max +50°C

• NFPA 2001: Min -29°C Max +54°C

• IMO: Min -20°C Max +55°C

Evaluation of Cylinder Storage Room

• Floor capable of carrying the load?

• Floor Loading

• Maintenance area ambient storage temperature

• Closed piping involved

Weight per metre of 80 ltr cylinders

150 bar 200 bar 300 bar Single row 350 Kg 360 Kg 530 Kg Double row 690 Kg 720 Kg 1050 Kg Triple row 1040 Kg 1090 Kg 1580 Kg

Nozzle Requirements

• Determine position and quantity of discharge nozzles in accordance with:

– Coverage

– Room dimensions

– Building structure including obstructions and equipment and voids

– Ceiling tile arrangement

• Nozzles can be positioned to discharge in different directions, e.g. downwards / upwards or at a 45 degree angle taking advantage of the direction of spray to create uniform mixture

Nozzle Coverage Guidelines

• “Specific area coverage determination in m² of discharge nozzles in an Argonite system would be an inaccurate, almost un-measurable task as the actual throughput of a particular nozzle size depends on the upstream pressure and the related size of orifice”

• VdS

– 1 nozzle to cover no more than 30m²

– Maximum of 6m between nozzles

– No further than 3m from a wall

• FM / UL

– 1 nozzle to cover no more than 110m²

– Maximum of 10.5m between nozzles

Calculation of Nozzle Quantity

• Determine nozzle Quantity by ensuring appropriate coverage

• Rule of thumb for false ceilings and floor voids are:

– For each Void use the same number of nozzles as in the room

• Obstructions must always be considered

Components

Cylinder Valve

• Available for 150, 200 and 300 bar cylinder pressure

• New 300 bar components tested according to ISO 12094

• Pressure tested to 1065 Bar by BAM in Germany

• Can be unscrewed manually

• Simple release system

• Simple refilling

Cylinder Range

• 150, 200 and 300 bar pressure

• With fill capacities of -15.9 L, 67.5 L and 80 L

• 67.5 L Cylinder has the same diameter as 45 kg CO2 Cylinder

• Contents are stored as a compressed gas which makes the cylinders easier to move

Release / Monitoring Units

• Solenoid valve / manual release unit

• Solenoid valve release unit

• Contact pressure gauge unit

• Standard and Eex solenoid valve available

• Contact pressure gauge features gold contacts

Diverter Valves

• Available in;

½”, 1”, 1½” & 2”

• All with dual action pneumatic actuator

System Components

• Discharge manifolds single & multiple areas

• Pressure relief device

• Pressure gauge

• Pilot Manifold

• Solenoid valve 3/2 way, Manual Override

• Standard and Eex actuation

Restrictors

• Available in sizes of ½”, 1”, 1½” and 2” with following threads:

– F / F, NPT/NPT

– F / F, NPT/BSP*

– M / F, NPT/NPT

– M / F, NPT/BSP

*Used on Manifolds

Discharge Nozzles

• Available in sizes of ½”, ¾”, 1” & 1½”

• Thread male, NPT or BSPT

Distribution Piping (60 bar)

• Sch 40 & Sch 80 ANSI B36.10 ASTM 53/A106 Grade B

• BS 1387, API 5L

• DIN 2442

• DIN 2448

• DIN 2458

System Testing

• System integrity and effectiveness can be tested easily upon commissioning due to:

– zero environmental impact

– low refill cost

• Test equipment availableincluding:

– 3 O2 measuring gauges

– 1 Peak pressure gauge

Purpose of System Testing

• Check the actual O2 concentration

• Check the fire extinguishing efficiency

• Check the tightness of the room

Reduction of Oxygen Level

Handling Cylinders

• Weight of 300 bar, 80 L cylinders approx. 150 kg

• Ensure protection cap is on when cylinder not secured

• Cylinder trolley available for handling

Calculation Tools

Oxygen Calculation Input: AQT Spreadsheet

• Minimum design concentration %

• Net room volume

• Altitude of room (min. 900 m)

• Room temperature

• Storage pressure

• Max. allowed peak pressure (5mbar)

Oxygen Calculation Output: AQT Spreadsheet

• Number of cylinders required

• Final O2 concentration %

• Recommended pressure relief opening

Hydraulic Calculation Programme

VdS Flow Calculation Program

• Verification of distribution piping

• Verification of discharge time

• Determination of restrictor orifice

• Determination of nozzle (s), orifice (s)

• Determination of resulting O2 concentration

VdS Flow Calculation Program - definitions

• “Filling pressure” = filling pressure at 20°C (155 bar, 207 bar, 310 bar)

• “Container working pressure” = container pressure at half discharge point

• “Container working temperature” = at halfway stage of discharge

• Design quantity = quantity needed to meet minimum requirement in discharge time

• “Discharge time” = time to achieve 95% of required agent in risk

• “Gas composition after discharge” = after release of all stored agent

• Storage temperature = temperature where the cylinders are stored

VdS Flow Calculation Program: Limits

• Maximum of 450 pipe sections

• Maximum of 20m per pipe section

• Maximum of one T-piece per pipe section

• Maximum 4 bends or elbows per section

• Maximum of one component per section

• Maximum of 21 flooding zones

Calculation example

ISO 14520 computer room

Volume nozzle 1 = 18.2 m3

Volume nozzle 2 = 45.3 m

Summary

• Safe for use in manned areas

• Environmentally clean

• Low cost agent

• Low refilling and maintenance costs

• Possible to refill Argonite Gas locally

• Non fogging

• Simple to handle

• International accepted and approved

• Well established worldwide distributor network

Examples

Examples: HSBC Data Centre UK

436 cylinders

9 miles of pipe

4 area multiway

Oil lamp discharge test

Test discharge extinguishes all flames

Room retested after several minutes; extinguishes fresh lamps

Argonite - HSBC Data Centre UK

• Full Turnkey Project including cylinder housing

• Value in Excess of £1 Million

• Fast Track Complex Site

• From design to completion inside 22 weeks

Argonite - HSBC System Overview

• Purpose Built Bottle Store- 436 cylinders in total- Largest space volume of 13,997 m3

• Distributed System- Serving 4 Areas

• 150mm Feed Pipes- Running up to 100 meters to the protected space

• 9 Miles of pipe installed1116 nozzles fitted throughout

Øresund Link

Øresund Link - Argonite

• Protection of Electrical Control rooms, Computer Suites and railway operation control centre.

• 15 systems in total

• 234 cylinders - largest systems installed in Denmark

• Turnkey and fast track project

Thank you

Any Questions?