Western States Fire Protection installs FM-200® Fire Suppression
Systems.
Developed as a Halon replacement, FM-200® is the
best people-compatible, clean agent fire protection for
vital facilities. It
extinguishes fire via a combination of chemically-based
fire inhibition and cooling. It is environmentally
acceptable, safe to use with sensitive equipment, fast
acting, efficient
and effective.
Often
times FM-200® systems are employed to protect critical
installations formerly protected by Halon 1301. Western
States Fire Protection installs FM-200® in the following
types of facilities:
• Telecommunication Facilities
• Computer Operations
• Control Rooms
• Compressors and Pump Stations
• UPS Facilities
• Medical NMRI and CT Scan Facilities
• Shipboard (Marine) Systems
• Rare Book Libraries
• Military Vehicles
• Airplane lavatories
• Paint Mixing Rooms
• Hazardous Manufacturing Areas
• Textile Plants
• Offshore Drilling Rigs
• Universities and Museums
• Art Galleries and Historical Collections
•
Record & Storage Facilities
• Petrochemical Installations
•
Pharmaceutical & Medical Facilities
•
Electronics & Data Processing Equipment
• Telephone Switches
• Facilities where water damage must be avoided at all costs
FM-200®
is the preferred fire suppression system for facilities
that can't afford fire related business interruption. It
is non-toxic on people.
The
FM-200® extinguishing agent is typically stored in cylinders
or spheres. It is delivered to nozzles through
a system piping network. Smoke detectors sense the presence
of fire in the protected facility. The detection and control
panel then sounds an alarm, shuts down air handlers, disconnects
power from the protected equipment, and then releases agent
into the protected area.
History
of FM-200®
Because of the Montreal Protocol, ozone-depleting substances,
such as Halon 1301, are no longer used in new fire suppression
systems. Governments around the world have already mandated
the decommissioning of Halon 1301 systems. FM-200® is
a reliable, effective, clean agent that won't harm the
environment.
In
the 1980's FM-200® was developed to fill the void left
by the phase-out of Halon 1301. FM-200® was chosen over
other extinguishing compounds because it offers the advantage
of rapid extinguishment, it is very safe and environmentally
friendly. The United States EPA, Environmental Protection
Agency, considers FM-200® the most effective HFC alternative
to Halon 1301.
FM-200®
has been subjected to exhaustive testing, evaluation
and review by organizations worldwide to evaluate it's
effectiveness, safety threshold, and environmental characteristics.
What
is FM-200®?
FM-200 is a registered trademark of Great Lakes Chemical Corporation.
FM-200® is a brand name for 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptaflouropropane.
It is also known as HFC-227ea. It belongs to a class
of compounds known as hydroflouocarbons (HFCs). HFCs
are composed of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen atoms.
HFCs are often times confused with hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs). HCFCs are a different class of compounds containing
chlorine. HCFCs deplete ozone and are subject to being
phased out. HFCs such as FM-200® do not deplete ozone
and are not subject to being phased out.
FM-200®
extinguishes fire through heat absorption. The class
of compound FM-200® belongs to, HFCs, are used in refrigeration
and are a very effective heat transfer agent. HFCs remove
heat energy from a fire so the fire cannot sustain itself.
FM-200® also releases small amounts of free radicals upon
exposure to flames. Free radicals inhibit the chain reaction
responsible for combustion.
FM-200®
will not damage delicate equipment because it does not
have particulates or oily residues. It does not significantly
reduce oxygen levels when deployed, making it safe for
people. After being discharged it can be removed by ventilation.
Benefits
of Using FM-200®
• Fast-Acting
FM-200® can stop fires in just seconds. Extinguishing fires quickly means less
damage, repair costs and extra safety.
• Safe For People
FM-200® has been tested extensively to ensure safe exposure to people.
• No Collateral Damage
FM-200® does not leave oily residues, particulates, water, or corrosive material.
This eliminates collateral damage to delicate equipment.
• Environmentally Responsible
FM-200® has a low environmental impact because it has a low atmospheric lifetime.
It also has zero potential to deplete the ozone layer.
• Small Space Requirement
Other fire suppression systems, such as C02 and inert gases require as much
as seven times more storage space.
• Globally Accepted
FM-200® is the most widely accepted clean agent in the world. It is used in
tens of thousands of fire suppression systems.
FM-200®