Gaseous Extinguishing

Gaseous extinguishing systems offer extra peace of mind where buildings contain valuable equipment such as computers, vital communication rooms, data storage or valuable archives.

If a fire is detected the gas is discharged throughout the protected space, extinguishing the fire and causing minimum damage to the contents of the room.

Clean agent systems provide electrical non-conductivity, minimal down time to users following a fire and leave no residue, ensuring no clean-up and immediate business continuity.

FM200

his is the replacement option most similar in system design and function to Halon and the most common halocarbon for this use is FM200. Like Halon, FM200 is a liquefiable gas, stored in liquid form and only achieving its operating gas state when released at the dispersion point. FM200 extinguishes fires through a chemical reaction so the oxygen level in the facility remains at a breathable level. FM200 requires a relatively limited volume of stored liquid, so is the preferred choice where space is limited. Benefits & Features

  • Fast & effective
  • No significant reduction in oxygen levels
  • Clean gaseous agent leaving no residue
  • Zero ozone depleting potential
  • Low global warming potential
  • Short atmospheric life span
  • Electronically non-conductive
  • Safe for use in fully occupied areas
  • Minimal storage requirement
  • Versatile range of containers, nozzle and ancillaries
  • Extensively tested, recognised and approved worldwide
  • Effective on site installation Applications
  • Computer Areas
  • Gas Turbines
  • Oil Industry Installations
  • Telecommunications
  • Power Generation
  • Shipping

Inert gas systems are considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly ways of protecting areas from fire and Argus offer Argon suppression systems to suit many applications. Argon is especially suitable for extinguishing electrically generated fires and its neutral characteristics make it particularly apt for use within computer rooms and similar areas. Argon is easily configured to suit the requirements of BS6266: 1992 for either space or in-cabinet protection. As a result of its ability to rapidly inert a space, Argon is suitable for extinguishing fire in most applications where a surface is involved. When discharged into an area, the oxygen content is reduced from its ambient atmospheric level of 21% to 12% and at this reduced level; fires in most flammable materials are extinguished in 30 to 45 seconds.

Odorised and non-toxic for extra safety, the effect on humans at oxygen levels of 12% and 14% is minimal and medical research has shown that there are no short or long term influences on the body. Argon contains no carbon dioxide and its toxic atmosphere potential is therefore zero. Benefits & Features

  • Clean and effective
  • Non-damaging
  • No Clean up
  • Zero ozone depletion potential
  • Zero global warming potential
  • Electrically non-conductive
  • Remote Storage
  • Versatile range of cylinders, nozzles and ancillaries
  • Extensively tested, recognised and approved worldwide Applications
  • Telecommunications
  • Museums
  • Switch Rooms
  • Computer Rooms
  • Archives
  • Laboratories

Carbon Dioxide as an extinguishing agent is swift and thorough. Within seconds, it smothers a fire and holds damage to a minimum. Stored under pressure as a liquid, carbon dioxide quickly expands to vapour and a state of fine particles of dry ice, much like snow. This "snow" absorbs heat rapidly changes to a vapour under normal temperature conditions, and even faster in the presence of fire. The carbon dioxide vapour chokes of combustion, and the snow effect reduces the ambient temperature to help prevent re-ignition. Moreover, carbon dioxide is a three dimensional agent, enabling it to penetrate the entire hazard area, including electrical cabinets. Low-pressure and high- equal extinguishing capabilities when each is designed to handle a specific hazard. Carbon pressure carbon dioxide systems have dioxide is normally harmless to equipment, materials and property. It leaves no residue to be cleaned up, mopped up or scraped off. Production downtime is held to a minimum. Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless, electrically non-conductive agent for the protection of vital services. In many instances, water is not a suitable extinguishing medium, for example, where electrical equipment is concerned or clean up time is vital, gaseous extinguishing agent is the only option. CO? Systems are installed in unoccupied applications, as the agent is hazardous to humans due to the concentrations required to extinguish fires. CO? is discharged into an enclosure or directly onto the surface requiring protection, and reduces the oxygen level to below that which can support combustion. Creates a cooling effect on the fire and surrounding areas. CO? is stored as a liquid in a cylinder or bulk tank. Carbon Dioxide systems are designed in accordance with BS5304 part 4 and National Fire Protection Association. The use of carbon dioxide has for many years been accepted as a clean and efficient agent. Carbon Dioxide has been proven to be non-damaging to electronic equipment, paintings, archives, magnetic media, etc. Being a gaseous agent carbon dioxide penetrates all affected areas. Benefits & Features

  • Clean and effective
  • Non-damaging
  • No Clean up
  • Cost effective
  • Electrically non-conductive
  • Total flooding, local application and in cabinet protection available
  • Versatile range of cylinders, nozzles and ancillaries
  • Extensively tested, recognised and approved worldwide Applications
  • Transformer Rooms
  • Switch Rooms
  • Cable Vaults
  • Archives
  • Generators
  • Industrial Process

Flammable store Fire Suppression Watermist works by a combination of heat absorption and oxygen depletion at the heart of the fire and can help to slow the spread of fire by absorbing radiant heat. It is not toxic or corrosive. There’s no danger from asphyxiation so it is safe for use in occupied areas. Applications Watermist is very effective for use on fast flaming hot fires. For example diesel generators and gas turbines. However water in any quantity and electricity do not mix. Even when mains power is removed, residual capacitance may still remain and this could be enough to cause damage to critical circuitry. The results of water and residual capacitance could be as catastrophic as the original fire. So use in Electronic Data Processing applications is not recommended. A fire within a communications cabinet will not be extinguished unless the Watermist nozzles are within the cabinet and aimed at the fire. The same hold true for a fire in a waste paper basked under a desk. Watermist systems require clean water storage and a pressure generating arrangement ready in anticipation of a discharge. This can be costly and often is no cheaper than a gaseous extinguishing system. Watermist is a good fire suppressant but only in the right circumstances. To appreciate what these circumstances are, we need to understand how Watermist works. Features:

  • Zero ozone depleting potential
  • No global warming impact
  • Safe for use in occupied areas
  • No breakdown products in a fire
  • Remote container storage