When it became apparent that Halon 1301 was no longer the fire protection clean agent of choice a new agent showed promise. The chemical name of the new agent was heptafluoropropane – CF₃-CHF-CF₃ / HFC-227ea. The trade name of the agent, FM-200 , has become a widely known and used replacements for Halon 1301. FM-200 agent is manufactured by Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, whose commitment to quality can be seen in the extensive search they undertook when trying to find a suitable replacement for halon 1301. They understood that the product must be effective, safe for people and valuable assets, and validated by independent approvals. To arrive at the product that would meet these many requirements, Great Lakes screened more than 3,000 candidate molecules.

FM-200’s mechanism of extinguishing fires is active. Its primary action is through physically cooling fire at the molecular level. FM-200 (HFC-227ea) belongs to the same class of compounds used in refrigeration, and, as such, is an efficient heat transfer agent. FM-200 literally removes heat energy from the fire to the extent that the combustion reaction cannot sustain itself. Additionally, there is a chemical extinguishing action contributed by FM-200. Trace amounts of free radicals are released in a fire, ultimately inhibiting the chain reaction of combustion.

FM-200 not only prevents extensive fire damage, it virtually eliminates collateral damage to delicate equipment and instruments from the extinguishant itself. FM-200 is a clean gaseous agent containing no particulates or oily residues. With some other systems such as water, foam, or dry chemicals, the extinguishments itself can be as damaging as the fire.

FM-200’s relatively high boiling point combined with proper system design, guards against the danger of thermal shock to electronics that could occur from the direct discharge of some other agents. FM-200 is electrically con-conductive and non-corrosive, so it’s safe for use on electrically charged equipment.

FM-200 leaves no particulates or oily residue to damage electronic instruments, computers, software, data files, communications equipment, or sophisticated medical devices.

FM-200 systems typically displace about 7% of the air in the room, whereas some other extinguishing systems can force almost half of the original air out of the protected space. FM-200’s lower agent requirements reduce the potential for room and equipment damage due to overpressurization.

THOROUGHLY TESTED:

With a database of more than 70 toxicity tests, has been proven that FM-200 exposure is safer than exposure to Halon 1301. Additionally, FM-200 is effective at low concentrations, well below the EPA’s maximum exposure levels. The U.S. EPA, in the Federal Register, May 12, 1993, recognized the inherent safety of FM-200 in accepting it for use in occupied space protection at up to 9.0% v/v without mandated egress times, or up to 10.5% v/v with mandated egress times. This means that occupied spaces can be safely evacuated, even in the presence of FM-200 at design concentrations (typically 7% v/v).

Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) tested FM-200 in a wide variety of very severe fire tests to ensure product performance under many different conditions. FMRC awarded Component Approval to FM-200 and Approval for FM-200 Systems for use is Factory Mutual insured facilities. Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) carefully examined the chemical, toxicological and physical characteristics of the agent, including its extinguishing capability for Class A,B, and C rated fires. U.L. granted Component Recognition to FM-200 and U.L. Listing Mark for equipment used to dispense FM-200. Whether reviewing extinguishing capability, environmental acceptability or human safety, all authorities who have reviewed FM-200 have approved it.

If your responsibility is to protect high-value assets, whether computers, communications, medical equipment, aerospace applications or people, then the value of FM-200 is apparent.

Save Time: FM-200 systems which are U.L. and FMRC approved are less. When high-value assets are at risk, every second counts. Losses can range from being virtually non-existent to catastrophic. In this time, minor damage can increase exponentially, resulting in long-term interruption to services and productivity.

Save Space: Where space is at a premium, FM-200 is the right choice. The extinguishing performance of FM-200 requires only a modest increase in agent storage cylinders compared to Halon 1301. FM-200 saves your expensive floor space for productive uses.

Automotive

Petroleum

Transportation

Switch Gear Rooms

Battery Rooms

High Density/High Value Areas

Delicate Electrical Equipment

Industrial Control Rooms

Flammable Liquid Storage

Save Your Concerns: The cost of an FM-200 system is minor when compared to the loss of property or data to a fire. Think of the damage averted. Think of the lack of clean-up required. Think of the business that wasn’t interrupted or productivity that wasn’t lost, or the injury to personnel that didn’t occur.

Typical FM-200 Applications include:

We recommend FM-200 when one or more of the following conditions apply:

¨ The value of the facilities contents, or the importance of the facility to a company’s business continuity requires a fire suppression system that can react in seconds.

¨ Water sprinkler systems are not available, or if present, may damage the contents of the facility to be protected or pose an electrical safety problem for fire fighters.

¨ People occupy the facility to be protected.

¨ The use of a clean agent fire suppression agent is required to keep downtime to a minimum.

¨ There is a limited amount of storage space available for the fire suppression system agent containers.