Developments in standards for gas fire extinguishing systems

Alan Elder explains the history of standards in?the field of gaseous extinguishing systems, and?identifies some forthcoming developments.

This article?concentrates on standards?for gaseous systems using halocarbon?and inert gases, and does not deal with?CO2 systems or earlier systems using halons.?The systems covered are inert gases that?extinguish fires through oxygen displacement,?and synthetic extinguishing agents?(halocarbons) that extinguish largely by heat?absorption.

Gaseous extinguishing agents are?electrically non-conductive, volatile, and?gaseous when used as a fire extinguishant,?that do not leave a residue upon evaporation.?Gaseous extinguishing systems are often?designed to extinguish a fire in sensitive?environments where water or other?suppressing agents may not be suitable due?to the risk of consequential damage, or where?the particular properties of a gas are more?appropriate. Total flooding fire extinguishing?systems using clean agents are used primarily?to protect hazards that are in enclosures?(required to achieve and then maintain the?agent concentration).

As gas is three-dimensional, gaseous?extinguishing agents are highly effective in?penetrating voids and equipment within the?hazard.

As part of the Fire Protection Association's continuing commitment to increase fire safety awareness across the built environment, a number of informative feature articles are available to read on our website.?You can read the full article here.