Experts in fire protection

Advantages

Halocarbon extinguishing systems fight fires using the chemical extinguishant Novec™ 1230 3M™ or MX200 with the chemical extinguishant HFC-227ea. This extinguishant is neither corrosive nor electrically conductive. It is thus especially suitable for protecting rooms containing electric and electronic equipment. The systems extinguish fires without leaving residue, while offering a high level of personal and environmental protection at the same time. They are particularly suitable for the protection of small and medium-sized rooms, and the extinguishing agent can be stored compactly, either inside the room or in another area.

  • The systems provide an excellent extinguishing effect in rooms with electronic and electrical equipment.
  • The extinguishing agents are neither corrosive nor electrically conductive and they have a very high environmental compatibility. They leave no residue and can easily be removed from the space in question through ventilation.
  • Operating pressures up to 50 bars allow for more extensive pipework and storage of the extinguishing agent outside the protected area.
  • Through cost-effective multi-zone systems, a single stock of extinguishing agent is sufficient to cover several zones.
  • The Minimax DesignManager calculates complex, asymmetrical pipework automatically and delivers optimum solutions - both from a safety-related and an economic perspective.
  • Also available as compact system without piping.

Do you have questions regarding the product or would you like individual advice? Please feel free to contact us!

Design of Halocarbon extinguishing systems

1
Pneumatic control device
2
Fire detector
3
Flash
4
Fire detection and extinguishing control panel
5
Electric horn
6
Selector valve
7
Extinguishing agent cylinder
8
Extinguishing nozzle
Constrction of Halocarbon extinguishing systems
  1. Pneumatic control device
  2. Fire detector
  3. Flash
  4. Fire detection and extinguishing control panel
  5. Electric horn
  6. Selector valve
  7. Extinguishing agent cylinder
  8. Extinguishing nozzle

How does a Halocarbon extinguishing system work?

Multi-zone system

Multigrade plants

Multi-zone systems are very similar to single-zone systems, except that they use a common stock of extinguishing agent to protect all rooms. In the event of a fire, the fire detection and extinguishing control panel controls specific selector valves. These valves release the extinguishing agent only into the extinguishing zones affected by the fire.

The required quantity of extinguishing agent is always calculated in relation to the largest protected space. If a smaller space is affected by the fire, only as much extinguishing agent as is required is released to extinguish the fire in this space. Due to the reserve of extinguishing agent, the fire extinguishing capacity of the system is guaranteed even after the extinguishing system has been triggered - providing continuous, uninterrupted operation.

Single-zone systems

Single-zone plants

A pipework system installed with extinguishing nozzles is installed in the protected space, while the dimension of the pipework, along with the number and layout of the extinguishing nozzles, is determined by the risk concerned and the specific local conditions. The extinguishing agent is stored in liquid form in special cylinders, where a nitrogen cushion is superimposed over the extinguishing agent and thus generates the operating pressure of 42 or 50 bars. To protect smaller rooms, a single cylinder is often sufficient. Multi-cylinder systems are used to protect larger rooms.

Smoke detectors continuously monitor the extinguishing zone and send a signal to the fire detection and extinguishing control panel in the event of a fire. In case of single-cylinder systems, the control panel then opens the electrical valve of the extinguishing agent cylinder to release the agent into the pipework. In case of multi-cylinder systems, the first cylinder is electrically activated and through the nitrogen cushion in this first cylinder, the other cylinders are triggered pneumatically. At the same time the fire detection and extinguishing control panel triggers an audible and visual alarm, whereby persons present will be asked to leave the room.

Fire detection and extinguishing control panel

The control and function monitoring capacity of the fire extinguishing systems should ideally be provided by the tried and tested Minimax fire alarm and extinguishing control technology. This ensures optimum compatibility - supported by relevant certifications - of electrical and mechanical system components and avoids unnecessary coordination expense and interface problems between different system parts.

Applications for Halocarbon extinguishing systems

Control stations
Control stations

Protection zone

Control stations are the focal point to ensure permanent safety checks. These control stations are often located in small to medium-sized rooms equipped with monitors and other technical equipment for visual supervision, e.g. with Minimax Inveron.

Risks

  • Technical defects, such as short circuits
  • Overheating of computers or other electronic devices

Fire Protection

Control stations can be integrated into an existing sprinkler system for building protection. To provide additional protection for electric and electronic devices, the risk of accidental triggering of the sprinkler systems is reduced through the use of Preaction sprinklers. 

Electric & control rooms
Electric & control rooms

Protection zone

Control rooms are very sensitive and high-quality facilities which control fundamental production processes. They contain electric switching and control equipment plus false floors with extensive cabling. Even minor defects may cause substantial operational failures.

Risks

  • Short circuits
  • Highly flammable materials

Fire Protection

Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems offer reliable protection in control rooms. For smaller control rooms, MX 1230 extinguishing systems offer an economical alternative. The extinguishing system is triggered by a fire detection system using punctiform smoke detectors or HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detectors.

Server rooms
Server rooms

Protection zone

Server rooms are important, sensitive areas. In these rooms, data of high importance for business operations is stored, managed and exchanged over the network. The irretrievable loss of this data through a fire may have considerable economic consequences for productivity or even the future of a company.

Risks

  • Overheating of technical equipment
  • Defects such as short circuits
  • Considerable damage even in the case of small fires

Fire Protection

For small and medium-sized server rooms, the MX 1230 extinguishing system is the ideal solution. It gives residue-free extinguishing using the innovative Novec™ 1230 extinguishing agents and requires very little space. Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are ideal for large server rooms. The MX 1230 extinguishing system and Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are triggered, and fires are detected, by a fire detection system using a HELIOS AMX5000 smoke aspirating system.

Utility rooms
Utility rooms

Protection zone

HVACR rooms are an absolute key area for the proper operation of a building. In addition to switching and control systems for the elevator system, they house safety-relevant HVACR systems, such as overpressure control, that keep the escape routes smoke-free in the event of fire. The facilities are particularly sensitive and must function without interruption - only then can the operation be maintained without problems on all floors of the building.

Risks

  • Overheated ventilators, compressors and cooling units
  • Short circuits on electronic components

Fire Protection

In case of particularly high availability requirements, e.g. for the switching and control system of the elevator system, residue-free extinguishing with Oxeo extinguishing systems or MX 1230 fire extinguishing systems makes sense. A fire detection system using the HELIOS AMX5000 smoke aspirating system triggers the extinguishing system.

Alternatively HVACR rooms can be integrated into the overall building protection through sprinkler systems. If necessary, the use of Preaction sprinklers makes an unintentional triggering of extinguishing system virtually impossible. 

Certifications

Downloads

MX 1230 and MX 200 for Marine applications
Brochures (3 mb)
EN DE
MX 1230 Compact extinguishing systems with Novec 1230 by 3M
Brochures (557 kb)
EN DE
MX 1230 Fire Extinguishing Systems
Brochures (833 kb)
EN DE
MX 200 Extinguishing systems
Brochures (1 mb)
EN DE FR

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