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| 1.
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Do
clean agents “suck” the oxygen out of the
room like the old Halon systems?
No! It is a misconception that Halon “sucks”
the oxygen out of a room or hazard area. Clean agents,
such as FM-200, Inergen, Novec 1230 and even Halon, do
not extinguish fires by the removal of oxygen. Most clean
agent suppression agents work on the primary principle
of heat absorption with some chain breaking mechanism
to extinguish fire. These products are designed and installed
as “people friendly” or “life safe”
extinguishing agents. They are used in occupied spaces
for just such a reason. These agents have undergone rigorous
testing for applications where people may be present. |
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| 2.
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Can
I take the sprinklers out of my room if I install a clean
agent system?
We recommend that the existing water sprinkler be maintained
in the room. The clean agent system will operate far in
advance of the sprinkler system. Therefore, the water
sprinkler system serves as an excellent compliment to
the clean agent systems. Please consider that the sprinkler
system will protect the building and not the contents.
In many local areas, the fire marshal/inspector’s
office will not allow you to totally remove water sprinkler
protection. However, alternatives to standard “wet
sprinklers” such as “pre-action dry pipe systems”
are available.
In all cases a qualified fire protection contractor should
be consulted to determine the most advantageous solution.
Healey Fire Protection would be happy to discuss the design
requirements of your local fire official. |
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| 3.
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Do
I have to install safety upgrades on all my CO-2 (Carbon
Dioxide) systems?
Yes, by December 31, 2008, mandatory personnel safety
upgrades are required on all total flooding CO-2 systems
where people are present. The recent changes to NFPA Standard
12 (National Fire Protection Association – Standard
on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems) outline the type
of system and protected areas that require upgrades. These
systems include total flooding and local application CO-2
systems that protect an “occupied” or “occupiable”
space/area. Consideration should also be given to the
areas near or around the protected space where the CO-2
gas could migrate.
The primary goal of the mandatory retrofits (safety upgrades)
is to provide enhanced protection against exposure of
personnel to potentially dangerous concentrations of CO-2
from the discharge of a fire protection system. Healey
Fire Protection will conduct an onsite survey to evaluate
the need of the CO-2 system safety upgrades. |
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| 4.
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Can
CO-2 (Carbon Dioxide) systems still be installed?
Yes, carbon dioxide systems can still be installed and
used, but you should consider the other alternatives first.
Consideration must be given to the hazard or area being
protected to determine if CO-2 is a suitable agent. CO-2
should not be used in an “occupied” or “occupiable”
space/area unless no other alternatives are available
or practical. Definitions on where and when a CO-2 system
can be used are outlined in NFPA-12 (National Fire Protection
– Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems).
Healey Fire Protection can analyze your potential hazardous
area to recommend the proper system. |
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| 5.
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Aren’t
all water mist systems
the same?
No, there are many types of water mist systems. Water
mist or water spray systems are divided into three categories:
Low, Intermediate and High Pressure Systems. As water
mist/spray systems increase in pressure (psi) they reduce
the amount of water that is required to extinguish a
fire. For example, a high pressure system can extinguish
a fire with much less water than a standard wet sprinkler
system. Healey Fire Protection can analyze your potential
hazardous area to recommend the proper system. |
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| 6.
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What
are the requirements for installing and maintaining a
Special Hazards Fire System?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has set
guidelines for the installation and testing of fire protection
systems. Special hazard systems present very unique and
site specific concerns. Most fire suppression systems
should be fully tested every 6 months as a requirement
of your insurance company, state and local fire authorities.
A qualified fire professional should always be consulted
when working with a Fire Suppression System. Membership
and participation in the following associations are a
MUST when identifying a qualified company:
NFPA Membership www.nfpa.org
FSSA Membership www.fssa.net
NICET Certified Engineers and Technicians www.nicet.org
SFPE Membership www.sfpe.org
Healey Fire Protection is a qualified fire protection
contractor for the installation and maintenance of your
special hazard fire protection systems. |
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| 7.
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Will
the addition of a special hazard fire system reduce my
insurance premiums?
Yes, in many cases the installation of a special hazard
fire protection system can reduce your insurance premiums.
If you are interested in adding a special hazard fire
protection system, contact your insurance carrier and
let them know of the added benefits and reduction in property
loss and down time. A reduction in your insurance premium
may offset the initial expense of a special hazard system.
Feel free to contact a Healey Fire Protection representative
to ensure that you have all the information that your
insurer may request. |
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| 8.
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Are
there advantages/disadvantages in regards to which clean
agent I choose?
Yes, each agent has its own characteristics and advantages.
Although many of the agents work under similar principles
of suppression, they each have their own advantages. There
are also distinct applications or types of hazards that
differentiate which agent to choose. For over 45 years,
Healey Fire Protection has provided special hazard fire
suppression systems to protect a myriad of applications.
Chances are we already have a design that will meet your
fire protection needs. |
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| 9.
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Do
I need a room exhaust system to evacuate the fire products
of combustion and clean agent?
Exhaust systems are not required per NFPA 2001. They are
noted in the appendix, but not required. In very few cases,
an exhaust or purge fan system is required. Some local
AHJ’s (authority having jurisdiction) or local fire
marshal/inspector’s offices require these types
of evacuation systems.
The clean agent system employs early warning smoke detection
that prevents higher levels of decomposition products
by sensing and suppressing the fires at a very early stage.
Therefore, when personnel enter the room, their exposure
to possible decomposition byproducts is kept to a minimum.
Healey Fire Protection will review the requirements of
NFPA 2001 with your local authority. |
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| 10.
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Do
I need to have a computer power and air conditioning shutdown
upon discharge of my clean agent system?
Yes, NFPA 2001, Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing
Systems and NFPA 75, Standard for the Protection of Information
Technology Equipment both call for the shut down of air
handling systems. The continued operation of the air handling
systems would negatively impact the concentration of the
clean agent. NFPA 75 requires the power to all electronic
equipment shall be disconnected upon activation of a gaseous
agent system. Without de- energizing the equipment, an
electrical fire may reignite. |
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11.
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Will
my new clean agent system be eventually "banned"
like Halon was?
Halon is not “banned”. New Halon systems can
no longer be installed and most of the existing systems
cannot be modified. Halon is no longer being produced;
however, in some cases, your existing Halon system can
be recharged using reclaimed (used) gas. There is no information
regarding the banning of alternative or “new clean
agent” systems. The agents that are sold today are
the cleanest and most environmentally friendly fire suppression
systems ever produced. There is no way to predict the
future requirements that will be adopted by groups like
the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) or NFPA
(National Fire Protection Association), but in our opinion,
the new clean agent gases will be available for decades
to come. |
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| 12.
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My
Halon 1301 system discharged, can it be recharged or does
it have to be replaced with a new clean agent system?
There is no mandate in the U.S. to replace Halon systems.
It is a good practice to consider replacing or upgrading
any existing Halon system even if you haven’t had
a discharge. Halon is no longer being produced. However,
in some cases, your existing Halon system can be recharged
using reclaimed (used) gas. As the existing Halon supply
is being used the cost of reclaimed gas is expected to
increase exponentially with the demand.
Healey Fire Protection can review your existing Halon
System to develop a budgetary proposal for replacement
with an appropriate clean agent system. |
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| 13.
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Can
I modify my existing Halon 1301 system?
No. New Halon systems have not been installed since
1993. Manufacturers have since discontinued manufacturing
or listing Halon equipment. Some of the existing piping
may be utilized in the installation of a new clean agent
system, assuming it meets the required type and grade.
A field survey of the piping network would determine
how much of the piping could be reused.
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