Extension/Replacement of an automatic chemical gas extinguishing system

It is not unusual for an industrial company to consider replacing its automatic gas extinguishing system (IEAG), following the extension of an electrical room for example. In order for the system’s effectiveness to be maintained, the minimum extinguishing concentration must be complied with. Extension of premises, even by a few cubic metres, therefore mandatorily requires an increase in the quantity of gas stored.

The question then arises as to the sustainability of the investment, or quite simply the availability of the product. Indeed, the use of chemical extinguishing agents is more and more regulated, following the example of what happened with halon at the start of the 90s.

FE13^TM (HFC23) is a gas extinguishing agent used in existing fixed systems. It has been under a marketing ban since 2016. However, at the moment it is still possible to recharge a system should it be triggered. Although it is not clearly stated that there is a marketing ban for the extension of an existing system, installers no longer offer their customers this option. However that may be, FE13 has only a short to medium-term life expectancy.

While FM200 ^TM (HFC227ea) may seem like an alternative to FE13^TM, it is most certainly not a good option. Even if it is not banned at the moment, it is one of the gases referred to in the European directive “F-GAZ” EU 517/2014 as an HFC. These gases are going to be progressively taxed until 2030 so as to make their cost prohibitive… before they are banned.

The only chemical extinguishing agent that is still unrestricted is 3M ^TM NOVEC 1230 ^TM. If your installer does not market it, you may have to change supplier. An automatic gas extinguishing system (IEAG) is designed as a comprehensive body that can detect fire, manage timing and signing, store and emit the gas, and limit overpressure when it is released. To ensure that this chain works smoothly, the associativity between all the components is tested in the laboratory. It is therefore likely that changing gas supplier will involve replacing all the components if you want your IEAG to comply with the APSAD R13 benchmark.

Otherwise, the most sustainable option is to migrate to an inert gas system. Admittedly, you need more space for the tanks but this is an obstacle that can usually be overcome, with “IG” systems now totalling 90% of the market. All installers have at least one IGxx inert gas in their range, which enables you to maintain the associativity of all the components without replacing the electronics.

In any case, if you have carried out work to extend your premises, decommission the IEAG and consign it while awaiting the extension or replacement of the gas tanks. In fact, the remedy would be worse than the disease if it were to be used on a fire: failure to put it out and damage to electrical components by the decomposition products, not to mention the risk to staff should they inhale it.