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How Does Novec 1230 Work?

NOVEC 1230 is a fire extinguishing agent which is having the lowest lifetime of 5 days. It is stored in a liquid state. Novec 1230 is manufactured by 3M and it is having zero ozone depletion. Novec is a fluorinated ketone containing carbon, fluorine, and oxygen. The discharge time is 10 seconds for this system. 3M Novec 1230 is a replacement for next-generation halon. 3M Novec 1230 is applied as gas and stored as a liquid at room temperature. It is electrically non conducting in the liquid and gaseous state. Low concentration fires can be safely extinguished by Novec 1230. This system is preferred by fire protection engineers to use in data centers, control rooms, and other critical areas. The installation and execution of this system need trained technicians and supervisors. 

 

Electrical Properties of Novec 1230

 

Novec 1230 fluid is discharged as gas even though it is liquid at room temperature. It is nonconductive in both liquid and gaseous states. Electrical equipment can be protected without powering down. Novec 1230 fluid evaporates quickly and it will not leave any residue. This will not damage any sensitive electronics or other equipment. The electrical properties of this system are more superior to any other fire protection technologies.

 

  • Noise And Turbulence

 

The noise produced during the discharge is loud, but it will not cause any traumatic injury. The high-velocity discharge from the nozzle can dislodge objects on the path of discharge. This turbulence can move the ceiling, unsecured paper, and light objects.

 

  • Cooling And Visibility

 

When there is direct contact with Novec 1230 vaporizing liquid there will be a chilling effect all around and exposure to this causes burns to the skin. This liquid phase vaporizes when in contact with air and thereby limiting the hazard. There will be a condensation of vapor during discharge and causes reduced visibility.

 

  • Pressure

 

 The discharge nozzle is between the pressure of 5 to 20 bars.

 

Extinguishing Mechanism of Clean Agent Suppression System

 

The extinguishing mechanism of the system depends on fire chemistry. Four components- fuel, oxygen, heat, and combustion chain reaction forms a fire tetrahedron. All four of the factors are required in combination to ignite the fire. Fire can be extinguished by breaking the link between the components of the fire tetrahedron or by changing the balance. It can be done in 4 steps.

 

By the process of interrupting the combustion chain reaction

By eliminating the source of fuel

By diluting the source of oxygen

By removing heat from the fire

 

During discharge, Novec 1230 creates a gaseous mixture with air. This agent has more heat capacity than air, so it can absorb more heat. The amount of heat the fire losses to the surrounding area is increased by this agent’s presence. It is a colorless and odorless fluid that leaves no residue. Novec 1230 did not cause any depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. It has an atmospheric lifetime of 0.014years.

 

 

Installation Details Of Novec System

 

      1. The units are not advisable to install at freezing area
      2. The cabinet should be anchored properly to the floor
      3. The installation of clean agent release piping, detection and wiring service to be done according to the standard
      4. Connection of audible and detectable alarms where ever required
      5. AC power is required for the release control panel on a separate breaker on the electrical distribution panel
      6. The system should work properly as per fire and local standards
      7. All the cylinders must be fixed solidly with proper brackets
      8. Cylinder pressure should be monitored regularly

  

Preliminary Inspection of Clean Agent Suppression System

        

The cylinder pressure needs to be monitored periodically and once the pressure drops below 10 bar, the cylinder should be refilled by the inspection team. The maintenance team needs to check that piping supports are sufficient or not. The piping installation to be done following the installation guidelines. The nozzles and pipelines are designed according to the standards. They need to make sure that nozzles are installed in proper direction and alignment such that it is away from obstructions. The protected integrity test should be done and air leakages if any should be sealed properly. The testing method includes a blower fan and a smoke pencil. The manual pull stations and detectors should be checked. The electric actuator should activate after the preset time delay.

 

Components of Novec 1230 Clean Agent Suppression System

 

 Agent storage components

The storage components consist of cylinder assembly which consists of fluid and cylinder brackets that hold the cylinder in place.

 

Agent fluid distribution systems

Distribution components consist of a discharge nozzle along with an associated piping system.

 

Trim components

Trim components consist of pressure gauge, connection fittings, pressure gauge, low-pressure supervisory switch, manual & electric actuators.

 

  • Discharge connection fittings: A grooved threaded elbow is used to connect with the threaded outlet of the cylinder.

 

  • Low-pressure supervisory switch: This switch continuously monitors the pressure inside the cylinder.When the pressure drops beyond 19.3 bar the switch contacts will close, transmitting an abnormal signal to the system control panel.

 

  • Electric valve actuator: The actuator is attached to the primary cylinder with a valve actuation connection. It is normally closed, but upon receiving a signal from the control panel the valve actuator will open the cylinder valve. It normally operates between 17 and 30 VDC.

 

  • Manual valve actuator: This attachment is optional. The manual actuator attached to the top of the electrical actuator can open the cylinder valve manually. It can discharge the primary cylinder by releasing the ring pin.

 

  • Slave Arrangement Components

 

A maximum of 16 cylinders can be placed in a single arrangement with an approximate maximum length of 100ft of hose or tube extending from the primary cylinder. The connections of primary cylinders and other cylinders are made in a manifold. It consists of the pneumatic valve actuator, actuating check valve, hoses, fittings, and other components required for multiple cylinder arrangement.

 

The components of these arrangements are

 

              • Pneumatic valve actuator: In the multiple cylinder assembly the electric actuator will open the primary cylinder valve. The pneumatic valve actuator will open the remaining cylinders using the pressure from the primary cylinder.

 

              • Pilot actuated check valve: The pilot actuation check valve is installed in the pilot actuation port of the primary cylinder valve. Once the valve opens the pressure will be directed through the pilot actuation valve to pneumatic actuators on slave cylinders.

 

 

              • Supplementary Components

 

It consists of a discharge pressure switch and a manifold check valve.

 

              • Discharge Pressure switch: This switch helps to give an indication that the agent is released. and to initiate the shutdown of the equipment during this process.

 

              • Manifold check valve: In multiple cylinder arrangements a common manifold is provided for the installations of primary and slave cylinders. A grooved manifold check valve is provided between the discharge outlet of each cylinder.

 

              • Control panel

 

Electric actuators, detectors, and cylinder pressure are monitored by using the control panel. All electrical and electronic devices should connect to the control panel.

 

              • Alarm devices

 

During alarm conditions, audible and visual alarm devices set off.

 

Novec 1230 Equipment description

 

The Novec 1230 is stored as a liquid inside the cylinder. Each cylinder is super pressurized with dry nitrogen to a pressure of around 25 bar. An identification tag is fixed to the cylinder showing the fill date, fill station, cylinder capacity & charging pressure. The suppression agent requires 10 seconds for discharge into the hazard area.

 

The cylinder assembly consists of a cylinder, cylinder valve, dip tube, cylinder valve, and liquid level indicator.

 

              • Cylinder valve

 

The Novec 1230 is released by a forged, differential pressure operated cylinder valve connected to the cylinder neck.

 

              • Dip tube

 

 A threaded dip tube extends from the neck to the bottom of the cylinder.

 

              • Cylinder

 

The welded seam cylinders are manufactured according to the NFPA. The internal neck makes the connection of the cylinder valve easy. The cylinder is designed to operate in a vertical position.

 

              • Liquid level indicator

 

The liquid level indicator is a non-magnetic tube located in a cylinder containing a measuring tape attached to a magnet. As the tape is removed, the magnet will engage at the liquid surface.

 

The cylinder valve has 5 connection points such as valve actuation action, pressure gauge connection, low-pressure supervisory switch connections, and discharge ports.

 

              • Cylinder mounting

 

The cylinder stability is made sure using a cylinder bracket with a strip and rail with nut, bolts & washers.

 

Safety parameters of Novec 1230 System

   

The maximum exposure time shall not exceed 5 minutes. At the time of releasing Novec 1230 in the hazard area results in a short term of reduced visibility. When it is exposed to higher temperatures the byproduct hydrogen fluoride will be formed. The discharge time of the fluid is 10 seconds or less to minimize the effect of hydrogen fluoride.

 

Sequence Of Operation Of Automatic Release

 

1. During the actuation of the detector from one zone, the alarm lamp flashes, and the detection zone will receive display messages. The next step is the activation of the first alarm and the alarm contacts get activated.

2. When the pre-discharge occurs the pre-discharge lamp flashes and the output alarm activates. The pre-discharge delay starts within 60 seconds.

3. After the pre-discharge delay is finished, the discharge lamps get illuminated and the output lamp flashes and a releasing message is displayed on the screen. This will result in the activation of release contacts.

                

 

IASE Admin

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