Clean Agent
Clean Agent
DESCRIPTION
HFC-227ea is a clean, gaseous agent containing no particles or oily residues. It is produced under ISO 9002 guidelines to strict manufacturing specifications ensuring product purity. HFC-227ea leaves no residue or oily deposits on delicate electronic equipment, and can be removed from the protected space by ventilation.
HFC-227ea is thermally and chemically stable, but without the extremely long atmospheric lifetimes associated with other proposed halon replacements. The atmospheric lifetime of HFC-227ea has been determined to be 36.5 years. The US EPA SNAP does not consider HFC-227ea to be a long lived substance when discharged, and as such has placed no restrictions on its use (Environmental Protection Agency’s Significant New Alternatives Program).
- Bank Vaults
- Rare Book Stores
- Telephone Exchanges
- Communication Centre
- Control Rooms
- Flammable Liquid Stores
- Libraries
- Electronic Data Processing Studios
- Studios
- Transformer and Switch Rooms
- Test Laboratories
- Auxiliary Power Room
Typical areas that can be protected by an HFC-227ea system are detailed below; the list is by no means exhaustive:
The present understanding of the functioning of HFC-227ea is that 80% of its fire fighting effectiveness is achieved through heat absorption and 20% through direct chemical means (action of the fluorine radical on the chain reaction of a flame). Complete suppression using HFC-227ea has the following advantages:
- The low concentration of HFC-227ea required means less visual obscurity and minimal risk to personnel.
- The small quantity of agent discharged minimizes over- pressurization of the protected area.
- Maximum safety for personnel due to low toxicity.
- Most effective when used with automatic detection to introduce HFC-227ea rapidly.
- The ability to prevent re-ignition as long as concentration levels are maintained.
HFC-227ea is stored as a liquified compressed gas and is discharged into the protected area as a va- pour. It is stored in approved TPED/GB/DOT contain- ers and is super-pressurised with dry nitrogen to 25 Bar @ 21°C (360 PSI @ 70°F) and 42 Bar @ 21°C (600 PSI @ 70°F).
WARNING
HFC-227ea shall not be used on fires involving the following materials unless they have been tested to the satisfaction of the authority having jurisdiction:
Certain chemicals or mixtures of chemicals, such as cellulose nitrate and gunpowder, those are capable of rapid oxidation in the absence of air.
Reactive metals such as lithium, sodium, potassi- um, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, uranium and plutonium.
Metal hydrides.
Chemicals capable of undergoing autothermal decomposition, such as certain organic peroxidase and hydrazine.