Gas Systems
Chemical gases Clean Agent FK-5-1-12 – HFC-227ea
The Clean Agent FK-5-1-12 – HFC-227ea chemical gas systems are fire suppression systems with rapid extinguishing capacity, suitable for fires with a risk of immediate spread.
Clean agents: new generation chemical gases
In cases of fires most exposed to the danger of immediate propagation, the most widely used category of extinguishing agents is that of clean agents. These are chemical gases with a capacity for rapid extinguishing of the fire.
In fact, these systems are designed to homogeneously mix the extinguishing gas with the air of the room to be protected, in order to reach the concentration necessary for extinguishing within 10 seconds. Among the clean agents, the most widespread class is that of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and similar, of which we install FK-5-1-12, HFC227ea, HFC125.
HFCs are stored in liquid phase and require smaller quantities of extinguishing agent, which is why these systems require a smaller number of cylinders compared to other gaseous extinguishing agents, consequently occupying less storage space.
How it works
The chemical gas extinguishing system has undergone a major evolution in the last decade following the gradual replacement of Halon 1301 which has led to the generation of products in line with current environmental compatibility standards. The solutions that use HFC gas work by total saturation of the environment (total flooding), thanks to the mixture of gas and air that acts on the combustion reaction, interrupting it.
This operating system has the great advantage of creating homogeneous conditions throughout the environment, without affecting materials at risk. The gas-air concentration must be kept constant until the danger of flames is eliminated.
The retention time and leaks of the room are verified by means of the ‘Door Fan Integrity Test’.
Benefits
System configuration
GAB CYLINDER BANKS
FIXED SYSTEM
SEMI-FIXED SYSTEM
Applications
Civil and Artistic Heritage
Industry
Luxury and prestigious
Transport and Infrastructure
Parts
System description
- Total flooding system pressurized at 25 or 42 bar
- Configuration based on main cylinder and slave cylinder
- Switching valve
- Different capacity and size of cylinders (up to 140 l)
- Built with a dedicated calculation software, based on the NFPA-EN regulations relating to the discharge in 10s
- Precautions to avoid exposure to the clean agent (evacuation alarm, discharge delay)
FAQ
What are Clean Agent chemical gases and when are they used?
Clean Agents such as FK-5-1-12, HFC-227ea, and HFC-125 are chemical gases designed to provide rapid fire
suppression. They are mainly used in applications where there is a high risk of immediate fire spread. These systems
comply with current environmental compatibility standards and are based on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and similar
agents.
How does the total flooding extinguishing mechanism work?
Solutions using HFC gases operate through total flooding of the protected environment. The system is designed to mix
the extinguishing gas evenly with the air in the protected room, interrupting the chemical reaction of combustion. This
mechanism creates homogeneous conditions throughout the environment, provided that the gas-air concentration is
maintained until the flames are extinguished.
What are the main technical and logistical advantages of these systems?
From a logistical point of view, HFCs are stored in liquid form and require smaller quantities of extinguishing agent. This
reduces the number of cylinders needed and the space required for storage compared with other gaseous systems.
From a technical point of view, extinguishing is extremely fast - within 10 seconds - and leaves no residue after
discharge. The gas is also electrically non-conductive, helping to prevent short circuits, and has a low toxicity level.
What components and checks are required for system safety?
The system consists of a total flooding installation pressurised at 25 or 42 bar, configured with pilot and slave cylinders
with capacities of up to 140 litres, selector valves, and safety systems such as evacuation alarms and discharge delays
to prevent exposure to the gas. The system is calculated using dedicated software in accordance with NFPA and EN
standards, while room integrity and retention times are verified through the Door Fan Integrity Test.