Fire SystemsTM CO2 High Pressure

experience

1927Herbert E. Bell forms Safety Mining Company.

1938Name changed to Cardox (acronym for carbon dioxide).

1939Cardox developed and patented bulk low pressure carbon dioxide storage foruse in fire extinguishing systems. The first fire protection CO2 applications

were for the power plant industry.

Fire SystemsTM

More Experience. More Applications Worldwide.

A History of Fire Safety TechnologyWith over 60 years of commitment to

innovative fire protection technologyworldwide, Chemetron continues as aleader for integrated special hazard fireprotection systems. Since CARDOX®

carbon dioxide systems were firstinstalled in 1940, our effective combinationof engineering, equipment and systemperformance continues to make Chemetronthe leading choice for high risk applications.

Technology, expertise and customerloyalty have driven Chemetron Fire Systemsto the forefront in the global marketplace.Today, our core businesses hold a leadingshare in their specific markets.

Advanced Engineering with Custom SolutionsChemetron leads the industry in inno-

vative product design. As we begin thenew millennium, new product developmentremains a top priority.

You can measure our experience bythe diversity of applications, the technicalsophistication, and system performancerepresented by a variety of commercialand industrial special hazard applications.CO2 is used in the extinguishment andprevention (inerting) of flammable liquidand gas fires. Innovative solutions weredeveloped for dealing with fires involvingenergized electrical equipment, as wellas for a variety of combustibles found inthese applications:

• Aerospace• Data processing centers• Manufacturing and industrial

processes• Marine• Power generation• Telecommunications

The Benefits of Experience The challenge of new applications and

protection of valuable assets continues toadvance our technical development.Chemetron is your single source solutionfor special hazards fire suppressionsystems by integrating:

• Fire hazard evaluations• Hardware• Advanced engineering, technical

and service support• Innovative computer software• A worldwide distribution and

service network• A commitment to environmental

safety

Our growth has not been a matter ofchance. It has been built on a history ofideas, service and quality.

CO2 is ...

n Effective.

n Fast. Carbon dioxide is a three-dimensional clean agent. Within seconds,it penetrates the entire hazard area tosmother the combustion.

n Efficient. CO2 vapor chokes off combustion quickly. The dry ice “snow”in the discharge allows “local application”protection of non-enclosed hazards.

n A Low-Cost Clean Agent. CO2 is colorless and odorless. It exists as a gasin the earth's atmosphere and is one ofthe by-products of combustion. Its usehas no environmental impact.

n Non-damaging. CO2 is normally harm-less to equipment, materials and property.It does not cause spoilage, requires no

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While it seems that everything inour world is changing, ChemetronFire Systems remains constant in ourcommitment to provide the higheststandard of fire protection safety andvalue. As the nation’s oldest CO2

systems manufacturer, Chemetronhas led the way in establishingindustry standards.

Today we understand the challengeyou face in this just-in-time businessenvironment. If a fire occurs, acompany simply cannot afford amajor interruption to its operationsand financial future. Your ability to prevent or recover from a businessdisruption is critical and will dependon selecting the best fire protectionsystem and agent.

With our worldwide reach,Chemetron Fire Systems is yoursingle source solution for standardor custom designed multiple hazardfire protection.

1950’sGaseous agent systems took a leap forwardwhen, under Cardox, the first proven method ofpredicting two phase gas flow in piping systemswas developed.

E F F E C T I V E

clean up and leaves no residue, thusminimizing downtime after a fire.

n Non-conductive.. CO2 is electricallynon-conductive and three-dimensional,allowing use for a wide variety ofspecial applications.

n Adaptive. CO2 is effective on a widerange of flammable and combustiblematerials in both surface and deep-seated fires.

A CO2 High Pressure fire protectionsystem allows for:

• minimal space and weight requirements

• fast installation and service

n Recognized by the top independentlisting and approval agencies.

Around the world, Chemetron continues to meet the challenge ofspecial hazards. A Chemetron CO2 HighPressure system is a versatile, cost-effective suppression system designedwith an extra measure of reliability.

Multiple Hazard VersatilityChemetron CO2 High Pressure systems

work hand-in-hand with state-of-the-artcontrol and detection components toidentify and extinguish fires.

Multiple hazards may be protectedfrom a common supply of CO2 by usingpneumatically operated directional(selector) valves. CO2 pressure is used toopen valves as well as operate switchesand accessories. This is essentially aneconomy measure designed to reducesystem size. It is to be used only whenthere is assurance that only one hazardcould require a discharge at any one time.

Similar controls are provided for eachhazard area. The directional valves arepilot-controlled and operated by line CO2pressure. Pilot controls can be actuatedby solenoid valve using pressure fromautomatic releases or by manuallyoperating the pilot control valve.

A CO2 High Pressure system is designedto cost effectively combine major compo-nents into a reliable system consisting of:

n Storage, valve & discharge componentsThese components consist of agent

containers, valve assemblies, piping,and discharge nozzles.

n Control panelsThe control panel is the brain of the

system and is used to monitor the detec-tion and accessories, as well as controlthe alarm and discharge functions.

n Detection, alarm devices, and accessoriesThese external devices act as the eyes

and voice of the system as they detectfire and give audible and visual signals,as well as specialized annunciations.

n CO2 storage cylindersA quantity of CO2 sufficient to

extinguish the type of fire anticipatedin the protected hazard area is storedin 50 lb (22 kg), 75 lb (34 kg), or 100lb (45 kg) cylinders, which can be usedindividually or manifolded together. Thegas is released into the piping distributionsystem upon system actuation.

n Completer KitsThis system component consists of

warning signs, hoses, connection fittings,pressure gauge, solenoid valve, and theactuator required to manually operate thecylinder valve.

Methods of Actuation There are three independent types of

actuation integrated into each system:- automatic actuation- manual electric station- direct manual release (by handwheel

on top of each pilot cylinder)

An optional feature is a pneumaticdischarge delay for use in systems withno source of electric power or where anuninterrupted source of electric power isnot assured. In the event of the loss ofpower, which would disable the electricalsystem controls, the pneumatic dischargedelay would prevent an immediate CO2discharge into a normally occupied spaceand allow personnel time to evacuatethe area. In order to be effective and asan additional precaution, the pneumaticdischarge delay should be connected toa CO2 siren.

Continuous OperationReserve banks of CO2 cylinders provide

continued operation and protection whilethe main bank is being serviced after a

Chemetron Integrated System Extinguishing Performance

1952High pressure CO2 systemdesign introduced thateliminated weights and levers.

1940’sWorld War II accelerated development of CO2 applications.Massive discharges of carbon dioxide to control large fireswas demonstrated with a Cardox crash-fire-rescue truckfor the American Armed Forces during World War II.Research expanded to facilitate development of systems thatcould control large industrial fires with a clean, available,inexpensive fire extinguishant. CO2 installations in powerplants, metal rolling mills, printing plants and industryexpanded the practicality of the fire suppression capability.

TO HAZARD

DIRECT MANUAL RELEASE

PILOT STORAGECYLINDER

CYLINDERVALVE

OPERATINGHEAD

PISTON

AUTOMATIC RELEASEVALVE W/ PRESSURE GAUGE

1975The Fire Systems operation separated fromthe CO2 industrial gas sector and ChemetronFire System was formed.

1970High presure CO2 systemdesign upgraded.

TodaySince the development of CO2 as a new concept in fire suppression,

Chemetron Fire Systems has been the leader inCO2 system technology.

1958Cardox merged with Chemetron Corp.

Chemetron is an acronym for Chemical-Metals-Electronics).

R E L I A B L E

1994CO2 storage tank refrigerationCFC replacement developed.

efficient

discharge, or during routine inspection.The reserve cylinders can also be usedfor a second discharge if required.

A reserve cylinder bank can be activated three ways:

- automatic actuation- manual electric station- direct manual release (by handwheel

on top of each reserve pilot cylinder)

System SafetyCarbon dioxide systems are designed

in accordance with NFPA (National FireProtection Association) standards, whichrequire a minimum carbon dioxideconcentration of 34%. These design con-centrations will not support human life.Visual and audible warnings must be pro-vided to alert occupants to vacate the areaprior to discharge. In addition, as CO2 willtend to migrate to low lying areas nearthe protected hazard after a discharge,careful consideration of means to preventaccidental exposure of personnel to haz-ardous atmospheres in adjoining spacesmust be designed into every system.

Because of the stated effects of CO2 onthe human body, certain precautions mustbe taken to prevent personnel exposure.A CO2 system discharge will also causeturbulence and noise, and the dischargestream may have considerable force.Warning signs must be provided to advisepersonnel what to do when the fireextinguishing system is actuated, as wellas providing instructions on how toactivate the system manually.

It has always been recognized that aCO2 discharge to fire extinguishing levelspresents a severe hazard to any personnelwho might inadvertently be in the areawhere the CO2 is discharged. Precautionsto be taken to protect facility personnelare covered in NFPA Standard No. 12, theChemetron publication “Carbon DioxideSafety Manual” and OSHA’s Lockout &Tag-out Standard, 29CFR Part 1.910,146.

The Chemetron DifferenceWith more experience and more

applications, Chemetron provides a fullrange of hardware, design, specification,installation and support services worldwide.

Thousands of companies have theconfidence to protect their businesseswith Chemetron CO2 High Pressureintegrated systems. With our singlesource responsibility for suppression,control and support, Chemetron continuesto invest in product improvement tomeet changing requirements aroundthe globe with:

• Systems engineering and design capability

• Continuous quality improvement programs

• Proprietary computer program software

• Education and safety training • Product and technical assistance • Installation and testing support

services • Worldwide sales and distribution

network

Chemetron fire suppression systemshave proven their reliability time andtime again when performance counts.

CO2 Physical andChemical Properties

CO2 is an odorless, colorless, inertgas that extinguishes fire primarily bydiluting the oxygen that supportscombustion. Some cooling is alsoaccomplished. It is used as an activefree extinguishant and applied by eitherthe total flood or local applicationmethod. In flooding, the enclosure ofthe hazard protected is flooded to aproper concentration.

In local applications, CO2 is directlyapplied in the proper amount at theneeded rate to cover the protectedhazard. The small "dry ice" particles,created in the discharge, facilitate itsprojection into the fire and coverageof the hazard protected.

Because CO2 is 1.5 times heavierthan air, it will tend to settle in low-lying areas in the protected hazard aswell as flow into adjacent areas outsideof the protected space.

In the design concentrations requiredto extinguish fire, CO2 will not supporthuman life.

W O R L D W I D E P R O T E C T I O N

Fire SystemsTM

4801 Southwick Drive, 3rd FloorMatteson, IL 60443-2254Phone: 708-748-1503Fax: 708-748-2847Web: chemetron.comE-mail: info@chemetron.com

Chemetron. Your Single Source Solution.

A World of Protection

CO2

n Power GenerationBase Load PlantsCo-generation & Combined Cycle PlantsPower Peaking UnitsUpgrading Existing Plants: with

Coal ConversionsCoal Storage/Handling/Pulverizing

n Cement Plant/Blast Furnace Indirect Coal Firing Systems

n Metals Production and ProcessingElectric FurnacesContinuous CastersRolling Mills (Steel & Aluminum)Coating Lines

n PrintingNewspaper ProductionPeriodical PrintingPackaging

Worldwide Applications

FM-200®

n Telecommunication Facilities

n Computer Operations

n Control Rooms

n Shipboard (Marine) Systems

n Rare Book Libraries

n Universities and Museums

n Art Galleries

n Record & Storage Facilities

n Petrochemical Installations

n Pharmaceutical & Medical Facilities

n Electronics & Data ProcessingEquipment

10M10/98 © 1998. The seller makes no warranties, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, except as expressly statedin seller’s sales contract or sales acknowledgment form.

n AutomotiveAssembly: Paint Application,

Mixing & StorageParts: Machining

Heat Treatingn Electronics Operations

Computer AreasAutomated Information

Storage Systemsn Electronics/Computer Production

Wet BenchesWave Soldering Machines

n Food Processing

n Research FacilitiesTest FacilitiesAnechoic Chambers

n Shipboard (Marine) Systems

n Automated Storage and Retrieval Facilities

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