According to the International Technical Committee on fire prevention and suppression, on average about a half of fires in the world can be prevented by using the primary fire extinguishing systems. As a rule, such systems include fire alarm, determining the fires in the very early stages, and firefighting equipment, extinguishing the fire at the early stage.

Fire Alarm

The fire alarm system (FAS) includes special security panels, temperature, smoke and other sensors, fire alarm buttons, notification facilities and etc. All the components of FAS work in as a single system and are coordinated by a single control center. This allows controlling the fire throughout the data center by a single operator.

With a single control panel administrators can manage the status of single devices or groups (armed, disarmed, etc.), including sirens, illuminants, door actuators, etc., and what is more, to schedule the control of these units.

In emergency, the system automatically switches on the alarm, blocks the doors and notifies dispatchers via e-mail or other communication channels.

Firefighting equipment

One of the most advanced and innovative developments in the field of safe and environment friendly fire-extinguishing substances are the systems based on Novec 1230 - natural gas, which was developed by 3M Corporation as a substitute for “Halocarbon” and FM200 gases, which were used earlier.

In comparison with "Halocarbon” and FM200 gases, the Novec 1230 is march more effective in extinguishing fires. Moreover, it is completely safe for humans and for environment, does not destroy ozone layer, does not conduct electricity and does not damage the protected object. In appearance the gas resembles the regular water. The "FLEX-Integration” designs and installs fire-extinguishing systems based on Novec 1230 gas in premises with high density of equipment.  

What is Novec 1230?

Novec 1230 is fluorinated ketone, its chemical formula is CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2. Under normal conditions, Novec 1230 is the colorless dielectric liquid, which turns into a gaseous state when sprayed.

How the Novec 1230 gas extinguishes fire?

Extinguishing mechanism: 70% - the effect of cooling and heat absorption, 30% - the nhibition of flame chemical reaction.

Features Novec 1230 gas:

• harmless for humans. The nominal (operating) concentration of Novec 1230 is less than a half of the maximum safe concentration. Novec 1230 is harmless for eyes and breathing, as it does not reduce the oxygen content in the air.

• harmless for environment. Novec 1230 does not contain bromine, chlorine and hydrogen. Novec 1230 molecules dissociate under the influence of ultraviolet radiation within 3-5 days. Thus, it does not have any impact on climate change of our planet.

• Low fire extinguishing concentration (4,2%), compact installation;

• Dielectric properties: it is harmless for electrical equipment, for archieves and for physical assets;

• GOTV lifetime - at least 30 years;

• Easy transporting (it can be transported in plastic containers);

• Compact fire extinguishing systems. UGPT based on Novec 1230 requires a minimum space for storage;

• Ease fire extinguishing system operating: Novec 1230 gas can be stored and transported as a liquid, without marking "dangerous cargo".  It is allowed to fill cylinders at the site. When in cylinders, Novec 1230 is stored under pressure of 25 bar. Since the cylinder pressure is low, there is no need for relief valves which are required for security means in high pressure systems.

Novec 1230 demonstrates high efficiency in fire extinguishing. A system based on Novec 1230 extinguishes the class A fir (burning of solid substances) within 10 seconds. These systems also are designed for extinguishing fires class B, C, D and E.

Applications:

• data processing centers;

• premises with telecommunications, electronic, radio and electrical equipment;

• premises with equipment for technological process control at power stations (including nuclear ones);

• objects of telecommunication and cellular communication companies;

• server rooms;

• offices of banks;

• premises of historical or cultural value: museums, archives, galleries, libraries, etc.;

• fixed and mobile railrod movement control complexes;

• post of technological process control;

• warehouse with flammable liquids, etc.

 Novec 1230 has successfully found a use at the market of Russia. It got the full range of licensing certificates for Russian market and was marked with prizes at various exhibitions and international forums of the firefighting industry. Now the fire extinguishing systems based on Novec 1230 gas are certified in Ukraine (registration number in UkrSEPRO UA1.016.0095115-09 from 2009/12/25), that comfirms their compliance with ukrainian standards.