FM-200 (HFC-227ea)
Gas Suppression System
FM-200 or HFC-227ea is a synthetic, waterless fire suppressant stored as a liquid. When dispersed as gas, reduces heat within a fire, suppressing combustion within 10 seconds of detection. Internationally accepted clean agent gas suppressant. FM-200 is electrically non-conductive, fast and effective, it is also considered safe for humans. Therefore, FM-200 is ideal for providing reliable and effective fire protection solutions in high-value assets processes and locations, such as data centres, museums, clean rooms and laboratories.
FM-200 fire suppression is an active compound found as a propellant in medical inhalers. This clean agent is a colourless, odourless is electronically non-conductive and leaves no residue. Furthermore, it is exceptionally safe for occupied spaces with the right fire suppression design.
FM-200 (HFC-227ea) or heptafluoropropane (CF3CHFCF3) is a halocarbon with zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and was designed to replace Halon 1301. Because it’s stored as a liquid, requiring relatively low pressures to keep it compressed enough to stay in its liquid form, FM-200 is suitable for storage in welded high-pressure cylinders. Therefore, saving space and money.
In addition, FM-200 has no risk of thermal shock for delicate electronic equipment and leaves no oily residue or deposits to damage components, software, data files or communications equipment, meaning minimal post-discharge clean-up time and costs.
FM-200 gas suppression systems are FM approved, UL, and ActivFire listed.
FM-200 (HFC-227ea) Cylinder and storage sizes
Stored as a liquid, super-pressurised with nitrogen, but disperses as a gas. The FM-200 agent is available in several sized cylinders. Therefore, systems require a relatively small storage ‘footprint’ compared to inert gas systems, which are most relevant for small enclosures with limited available cylinder storage areas.
FM-200 (HFC-227ea) Suitability for Fire Classes
FM-200 suppresses Class A, B, C & E fires.
Environmental Credentials
FM-200 HFC-227ea has no Ozone Depletion Potential and conforms to ISO-14520 (Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems).
FM-200 Design Considerations
The typical concentration of an FM-200 system is generally between 7.9% to 8.5%. Multiple factors determine this concentration:
- The risk being protected;
- The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers);
- The standard for design (ISO14520 or AS 1851).
As with other gas suppression systems, designing an FM-200 Suppression system is not without its challenges. Above all, the key aspect is that the cylinders need to be close to the suppression area. However, the distinct advantage of FM-200 is that it requires less storage space. Stored as a liquid, FM-220 is denser than liquid inert gasses and the like.
FM-200 is a clean agent, therefore safe to use within occupied spaces. Furthermore, over a decade of real-world experience as well as extensive scientific studies has proven and validated the safety of FM-200 fire suppression environments.
In addition to the fire protection benefits of using FM-200, the environment will benefit as well. FM-200 fire suppressant does not deplete stratospheric ozone and has minimal impact on the environment relative to the impact a catastrophic fire would have. Moreover, FM-200 fire suppression is a solution that is already working in more than 100 000 applications in more than 70 nations worldwide.
Applications for FM-200 (HFC-227ea)
- Computer rooms
- Telecommunication centres
- Records and data archives
- Testing / imaging equipment
- Reference material
- Chemical laboratories
- Clean rooms
- Control rooms
- Flammable liquid storage
- Offshore drilling rigs
- Robotic equipment
- Textile manufacturing
- Electric utility facilities
- Media storage
- Military vehicles
- Art / artefacts / historical collections
If you work with or handle ‘scheduled’ extinguishing agents, you are required by law to hold an appropriate Extinguishing Agent Handling Licence. – formation_-_faqs.pdf (fpaa.com.au)
Most commonly used scheduled extinguishing agents in Australia and their uses
| Product Name | Uses | Other names |
|---|---|---|
FM-200® | Functions as a total flooding agent. Applications could include Data Centres, communications facilities, museums, chemical storage areas, clean rooms, laboratories, robotics and emergency power facilities. | Heptafluoropropane, Hydroperfluoropropane, Hydroheptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea, HFC 227ea, HFA 227ea, HFO 227ea, R 227ea, F 227ea, Apaflurane, FM 200 (fluorocarbon), 2H-Perfluoropropane, Solkane 227ea, Solkane 227. |
| NAF-S-III | Typically used as a total flooding agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301. Used in shipping, electric switch rooms, data centres. | HCFC Blend A – HCFC-123 – HCFC-22 – HCFC-124 |
| NAF-P-III | Typically used as a streaming agent. It has been used as a replacement for Halon-1211 portable fire extinguishers and land-based applications. | HCFC Blend C |
Halon-1301 | Typically used as a flooding agent. Requires a halon special permit when used in Australia. Uses include the aviation, shipping and defence sectors. It can commonly be replaced with NAF S 111, requiring only 10% more agent per weight. | Bromotrifluoromethane, Bromofluoroform, Freon 13B1, Trifluoromonobromomethane, Trifluorobromomethane, Trifluoromethyl bromide, Monobromotrifluoromethane, Fluorocarbon 1301, Carbon bromide fluoride (CBrF3), Perfluoromethyl bromide, Halon 13B1 |
| Halon-1211 | Typically used as a streaming agent. Requires a halon special permit when used in Australia. Uses include the aviation, shipping and defence sectors. | Bromochlorodifluoromethane, BCF, BCF (halocarbon), Freon 12B1, R 12B1, Difluorochlorobromomethane, Fluorocarbon 1211, Chlorobromodifluoromethane |
FM-200 FAQs
What is a Scheduled Extinguishing Agent?
A Scheduled Extinguishing Agent (also known as a Controlled Extinguishing Agent) is a substance referred to in Schedule 1 of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. This includes FM-200, Halon-1211, Halon-1301, NAF S-III and NAF P-III, amongst others.
What is an Extinguishing Agent Handling Licence?
Individuals who handle a controlled extinguishing agent that has been or is being used for fire protection must hold an Extinguishing Agent Handling License (EAHL). Therefore, handling a scheduled extinguishing agent means undertaking any task for which there is a risk of emission of the scheduled agent. This includes: Decanting the agent; Installing or maintaining fire protection equipment that contains a scheduled extinguishing agent (i.e. gaseous fire suppression systems and portable fire extinguishers); Decommissioning or disposing of fire protection equipment that contains a scheduled extinguishing agent.
Is FM-200 safe for humans?
FM-200 is a clean agent, colourless, waterless, synthetic fire suppressant that is electronically non-conductive. Therefore, this makes FM-200 safe to protect spaces usually occupied by humans. Stored as a liquid, the fire suppression system discharges within 10 seconds and extinguishes flames primarily through heat absorption. HFC-227ea has applications as a propellant for inhalers.
Our Company
All Fire Systems Products staff that deal with scheduled extinguishing agents such as FM-200 HFC-227ea & NAF S-III/NAF P-III hold current Extinguishing Agent Handling Licenses (EAHL) to transport, refill or exchange your Ozone Depleting Substances & Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (ODS & SGG) fire gaseous suppression system cylinder when required. Contact Fire Systems Products to discuss your options.
Fire Systems Products is part of ANSUL’s authorised distributors network and provide factory-trained professionals to serve our customers requirements.
