The document discusses the design of Novec 1230 gas fire suppression systems for a library and store/pharmacy in a hospital. It includes calculations to determine the hazard volumes, required agent quantities, number and sizes of cylinders, pipe sizes, and pressure venting requirements. Design layouts are also provided. The key advantages of using Novec 1230 are highlighted as protecting the environment and valuable/irreplaceable items without causing damage like traditional agents.
2. Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of
combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products.
What is Fire?
According to ISI - 2190/1979:
Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D fires
3. • Water
Disadvantages- Conducts electricity, May spread Class B fires, Freezes in
cold climates, May carry pollutants as run-off water
• Multi-Purpose dry chemical
Disadvantages-Obscures vision, More irritating than ordinary dry
chemical, Nozzle pressure may cause burning liquids to splash
• Regular dry chemical
Disadvantages-Leaves a residue, Obscures vision, Not good on deep-seated
Class A fires, Absorbs moisture and may "cake" within container, May be
irritating, Nozzle pressure may cause burning liquids to splash
Fire Extinguishing agents
4. • Carbon di oxide
Disadvantages-Generally >35% concentration by volume required for total
flooding system, Toxic to humans at >4% by volume, Dissipates rapidly -
allows reflash, Has a cooling/chilling effect on some electronic components
• Halon 1211
Disadvantages-Acutely toxic at >4% by volume (dizziness, impaired
coordination and cardiac effects), Must be used at >5% by volume, Toxic
decomposition products are generated by fire, Vapor density = 5.7 (collects
in pits and low areas), Production restricted per Montreal Protocol due to
depletion of ozone layer.
6. Agent Novec
1230
HFC-125 HFC-
227ea
Inert Gas CO2
Use
Concentration1
4.2-5.9% 8.7-12.1% 6.25-8.7% 34.2-40.6% 30-75
NOAEL2 10% 7.5% 9% 43% <5
Safety Margin 69-138% nil% 3-44% 6-26% Lethal at Design
Concentration
Margin of human safety surpassing all chemical agents, CO2 and inert
gas mixture
1 2008 NFPA 2001 and NFPA 12.
2 NOAEL for cardiac sensitization (halocarbons) and effects specific to CO2
7. • Novec 1230 fluid extinguishes principally via the second mechanism –
removing heat from the fire.
• Upon discharge, Novec 1230 fluid creates a gaseous mixture with air. This
agent/air mixture has a heat capacity much larger than that of air alone. A
higher heat capacity means that this gas mixture will absorb more energy
(heat) for each degree of temperature change it experiences.
• At a proper system design concentration, the agent/air mixture absorbs
sufficient heat to upset the balance of the fire triangle. The amount of
heat the fire loses to the surroundings is increased by the presence of the
agent. This causes the combustion zone to cool to the point that the fire
extinguishes.
Extinguishing mechanism of Novec
1230 Fluid
8. Applications
• Data Processing Centers
- Computer Rooms
- Data Storage Facilities
• Oil & Gas Petrochemical Facilities
- Pumping Facilities
- Gas Compressor Rooms
- Offshore Oil Exploration Rigs
• Telecommunications
- Cellular Sites
- Switching Centers
• Transportation
- Merchant MarineVessels
- MassTransitVehicles
• Commercial and Military Aviation
- Engine protection
• Recreation
- Pleasure Craft
- Race Cars
• Commercial Marine
- Control and Paint Rooms
- Engine Rooms
- Storage Rooms
• Cultural Facilities
- Museums
- Libraries
- Archives
• Military Systems
- CombatVehicles
- Marine Engine Rooms
• Medical Facilities
Manufacturing Facilities • StorageAreas
9. 1. Agent Storage Components - Storage components consist of the cylinder
assembly(s), which contains the Novec 1230 fluid, and the cylinder bracket(s),
which holds the cylinder assembly securely in place.
2. Agent Fluid Distribution Components - Distribution components consist of
the discharge nozzles used to introduce the Novec 1230 fluid into a protected
hazard along with the associ-ated piping system used to connect the nozzles to
the cylinder assembly.
3. Trim Components - Trim components complete the installation of the
suppression system and consist of connection fittings, pressure gauge, low-
pressure supervisory switch, electric valve actuator, and manual valve actuator.
System Components
10. 4. Slave Arrangement Components - Slave arrangement components
consist of the pneumatic valve actuator(s), actuation check valve, vent
check, actuation hose, and fittings required for a multiple cylinder (slave)
arrangement.
5. Supplemental Components - Supplemental components include the
discharge pressure switch and manifold check valve. They supplement the
core equipment or complete a specific multi-cylinder configuration.
6. Control Panel - This device monitors the condition of the electric
actuator, detectors, warning devices, cylinder pressure, and any manual
release and abort stations. All electric or electronic devices must connect to
the control panel in order to function.
7. Detection and Alarm Devices - Detection devices coupled with manual
release and abort stations maximize system efficiency while audible and
visual alarm devices alert staff of alarm conditions.
System Components(contd.)
12. • the library serves as an important
resource for history scholars as well as
a point of reference for
educators, students and interested
visitors
• The singular collection consists of rare
books, art and photographs and
primary source documents etc
• In December 1999, the library
suffered an accidental discharge of its
fire suppression system, which was
originally installed two decades
earlier. Fortunately, no loss or
significant damage was incurred by
the discharge, but the cleanup
process was substantial and costly
Case Study
Daughters of the Republic ofTexas Library, in
San Antonio,Texas
13. • Upon completion of the feasibility study, the board retained the services
of, a premium brand of Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products. The
system chosen as the best option to meet all their specific needs was the
Novec 1230 clean agent fire suppression system.
• The Novec 1230 system—installed throughout the Daughters of the
Republic of Texas Library, support offices, and library vault—provides
continued fire protection of the irreplaceable art, photographs, books,
documents, and maps representing the cultural heritage of Texas.
• The Novec 1230 system is ideally suited for the protection of libraries,
archives, and document repositories as it can be discharged on books,
precious artifacts and other delicate items without causing harm.
• The Novec 1230 system—installed throughout the Daughters of the
Republic of Texas Library, support offices, and library vault—provides
continued fire protection of the irreplaceable art, photographs, books,
documents, and maps representing the cultural heritage of Texas.
14. Ceiling-mounted agent discharge
nozzle and notification device.
Manual release stations
Novec 1230 Fire protection fluid cylinders
provide manual back up
Clean agent fire extinguisher
15. The Novec 1230 system is installed in Library and Store & Pharmacy of a
hospital. It provides continued fire protection of the costly medicines and
irreplaceable photographs, books, documents. The contents of the library
are protected by this fire suppression system that does not cause damage
while still being environment friendly.
GAS SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
CALCULATIONS
16. Design calculations for Library area
Step 01: Determine hazard volume
Library- 46’ (l) x 32’5” (b) x 10’ (h) = 14950 ft3
Step 02: DetermineVolume of solid, permanent structures, or equipment.
Area of each column = 2.42ft2
Volume = 2.42 x 10 = 24.2ft3
No. of pillars occupying room area = 7
TotalVolume = 24.2 x 7 = 169.4 say 170 ft3
17. Step 03: Calculate reduced volume
Reduced volume = Step 1 ans. – step 2 ans.
= 14950-170 = 14780 ft3~418.52m3
Step 04: Determination of NOVEC 1230 Quantity
Q = V* CF *C Alt
Where, Q- Agent quantity required [kg]
V = Hazard volume [m³]
CF = Flooding factor [kg/m³]
C Alt = Altitude correction factor
18. Therefore, Q = 418.52x 0.5875x 0.90
= 221.29
Hence required agent quantity = say 225Kg
To check the concentration C reached in the hazard the following formula
can be used:
Where,
• Q = agent quantity supplied from the system [kg] (at sea level)
• V = hazard volume [m³]
• s = specific vapour volume [m³/kg] = 0.0664 + 0.000274 *T (at sea level)
• T = max. Hazard temperature [ C]
Altitude = 542m
A quantity of 225 kg Novec 1230 has been calculated at an altitude of 542 m.
At sea level this would result in 225 kg / 0.943 = 250 kg Novec
19. Specific vapour volume(s) for Novec 1230:
Formula: S = 0.0664 + 0.000274 * 40 =0.077
C= (250 x 0.0773 x 100) / 418.52+ (250 x 0.0773)
= 1932.5 / 437.84
= 4.41% (Concentration is less than NOAEL* (10%) – okay for
occupied space)
*No Observed Adverse Effect Level
Step 06: Determination of number and size of tanks required
* 75% of max. filling
Tank fill level = actual filling(kg)/max. filling(kg)
1 x 412.7 kg tanks required - filled with 250kg Novec 1230
Nominal
Cylinder Size
P/N Fill Capacity EmptyWeight
Minimum Maximum
Lb kg Lb Kg lb Kg
600 lb 20508 304 137.9 609 276.2 346 157.0
900 lb 20509 455 206.4 910 412.7 471 213.6
1000 lb 20510 561 254.5 1000 453.6 766 346.5
20. Step 07: Determination of number
Number of nozzles:
Total Volume of hazard area / coverage area of each nozzle
360 Pattern: 418.52/ 292 = 1.43 say 2
180o Pattern: 418.52/ 146 = 2.86 say 3
21. Step 08: Pipe Size Estimation
Total quantity = 250 kg Novec 1230 (in 10 s)
from 2 nozzles
• 12.5 kg/s
• Find the next higher value in "Max. Flow"
column
Estimated Pipe size = 50 mm (2”)
Pipe
Type
Pipe
Diamete
r
Internal
Diamete
r
Min Flow
(kg/sec)
Max Flow
(kg/sec)
40T 15 mm 15.8 0.454 1.361
40T 20 mm 20.93 0.907 2.495
40T 25 mm 26.64 1.59 3.855
40T 32 mm 35.05 2.72 5.67
40T 40 mm 40.89 4.08 9.072
40T 50 mm 52.5 6.35 13.61
40T 65 mm 62.71 9.072 24.95
40T 80 mm 77.93 13.61 40.82
40T 100 mm 102.25 24.95 56.7
40T 125 mm 128.2 40.82 90.72
40T 150 mm 154.05 54.43 136.1
22. Step 09: Pressure Venting
Where, A = required free venting area (m²)
Q = Novec 1230 flow (kg/s)
V = specific volume of agent (m³/kg)*
Δp = max. allowable pressure increase (Pa)**
VHOM = specific volume of the homogeneous air / Novec
1230 mixture***
c2 = resistance coefficient for the opening****
* Use 0.072 m³/kg for Novec 1230.
** A value between 100 and 300 Pascal’s should be used if there is no other value
offered by the client or clients’ representative.
*** 0.42 is a good average value for 4.2% Novec 1230 concentration.
**** 0.5<c2<1; to simplify the formula, use c2=1
23. • 250 kg Novec 1230 to be discharged (within 10 seconds).
• Maximum overpressure allowed = 300 Pa.
• A = [(25 x 0.072)/ (√300 x 4.2)] x 1
= 1.8 / 35.5
= 0.05 m2
Therefore, 0.05 m² free venting area is required.
25. Design Layout of Novec1230 gas suppression system for Store & Pharmacy
26. The designing of Novec 1230 gas fire suppression system is achieved based
on design criteria provided by one of the leading supplier of the product
‘Tyco’. We are positive that we have fulfilled the design requirements for the
selected two areas of the building i.e., library and store & pharmacy of a
hospital. Even though the initial cost of the installing Novec 1230 clean
agent is high, it has its own advantages over the conventional fire
extinguishing systems of protecting the environment and irreplaceable
valuable things.
Conclusion
Minimum design concentration is something else and Flooding factor or volume factor is something else. As per NFPA 2001 Minimum design concentration is the required concentration to create an inert atmosphere in space under consideration while considering the type of flammable material present. As explained by MrMunnan Flooding factor or specific volume is used to calculate the amount of agent required to achieve that minimum concentration. It is also provided by the manufacture of the agent.