Why Choose Gas Suppression?
Some assets cannot tolerate water — server rooms, archives, clean labs. Gas-based systems provide rapid, residue-free, non-conductive protection with seamless integration to alarms, HVAC shutdown, and door releases (NFPA 2001 / Civil Defense).
Clean Agent Systems (Halocarbon-Based)
Extinguish by heat absorption / interrupting the chemical chain without reducing oxygen — safe for occupied spaces and sensitive electronics.
FM-200 (HFC-227ea)
- How it works: Heat absorption + chain reaction inhibition
- Pressure options: 25 bar (low) / 42 bar (high)
- Use cases: Data rooms, control panels, archives, medical equipment
- Pros: Fast knock-down, compact storage, widely available
- Note: Higher GWP vs FK-5-1-12 (check environmental/insurer policy)
Novec™ 1230 / FK-5-1-12
- How it works: Rapid heat absorption (cooling)
- Pressure options: Typically 42 bar (higher variants exist)
- Use cases: Mission-critical IT, museums, cleanrooms, healthcare
- Pros: GWP≈1, ODP=0, ~5-day atmospheric lifetime, non-conductive
- Note: Room integrity / hold-time verification required
FM-200 vs Novec 1230 — Quick Comparison
| Aspect | FM-200 (HFC-227ea) | Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12) |
|---|
| Extinguishing mechanism | Heat absorption + chain break | Heat absorption (fast cooling) |
| Cylinder pressure | 25 bar / 42 bar | 42 bar (often higher) |
| Environmental profile | Higher GWP | GWP≈1, ODP=0, ~5-day lifetime |
| Space efficiency | Compact vs inert gases | Similar to FM-200 |
| Typical fit | Budget-sensitive, legacy upgrades | Sustainability-focused strategies |
Key takeaway: there is no absolute “best” — selection depends on environmental policy, budget, space, and authority requirements.
Inert Gas Systems
Reduce oxygen from ~21% to ~12–14% (human-tolerant) using naturally occurring gases. ODP=0 / ~GWP=0; ideal for occupied spaces when designed correctly.
IG-100 — 100% Argon
- Pure Argon (Ar); electronics-safe, residue-free
- Larger cylinder footprint vs halocarbons
IG-55 — 50% Argon / 50% Nitrogen
- Balanced discharge pressure & distribution
- Good fit for varied ventilation conditions
IG-541 — 52% N₂ / 40% Ar / 8% CO₂
- Small CO₂ fraction aids human respiration
- Common globally; NFPA-compliant
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) — Separate Page
CO₂ provides powerful oxygen displacement for high-hazard, normally unoccupied areas only. For safety interlocks, alarms, and applications, see the dedicated page.
Explore CO₂ systems →