SECTION 1 – EQUIPMENT
Page 2 of 25 Fike Clean Agent System w/ FM-200™ UL / ULC Ex4623
Revision Date: January, 2010 Manual P/N: 06-215 (Rev G) FM 3010715
1.4 USE AND LIMITATIONS
Fike HFC-227ea Systems must be designed and installed in accordance with the requirements outlined in this
manual, and in accordance with the requirements of the Standard for Clean Agent Extinguishing Systems, NFPA
2001, latest edition. HFC-227ea systems are primarily used to protect hazards that are enclosed; this provides a
means to establish and maintain an effective extinguishing concentration. Typical hazards that can be protected
include the following.
Electrical and electronic hazards
Telecommunications facilities
Storage Rooms – Flammable liquids and gases
High value assets, where the associated down-time would be costly
HFC-227ea systems shall NOT be used on fires involving the following materials.
Chemicals or mixtures of chemicals which are capable of rapid oxidation in the absence of air. Examples
include Cellulose Nitrate and Gunpowder.
Reactive metals such as Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Titanium, Zirconium, Uranium, and
Plutonium
Metal hydrides such as Sodium Hydride and Lithium Aluminum Hydride
Chemicals capable of undergoing auto thermal decomposition. Examples include Organic Peroxides and
Hydrazine.
1.4.1 EXPOSURE
Although HFC-227ea is considered to be non-toxic, the EPA has established the guidelines controlling the
amount (concentration) of agent provided for the protected area. Based on PBPK modeling, the EPA allows
HFC-227ea for use where people are normally present (normally occupied spaces) up to concentration of 10.5%
by volume with exposure limited to 5 minutes or less.
WARNING: The discharge of clean agent systems to extinguish a fire can result in potential hazard to
personnel from the natural form of the clean agent or from the products of combustion that result
from exposure of the agent to the fire or hot surfaces. Unnecessary exposure of personnel either
to the natural agent or to the products of decomposition shall be avoided.. The requirement for
pre-discharge alarms and time delays are intended to prevent unnecessary exposure to humans
where their presence is not critical to the operation of the area being protected. Suitable
safeguards shall be provided to ensure prompt evacuation of (and prevent entry into) protected
areas after discharge.
1.4.2 EXPOSURE LIMITS
HFC-227ea systems provided for Normally Occupied Spaces can be designed for concentrations above to the
NOAEL level of 9% by volume, given that means be provided to limit exposure to design concentrations shown in
Table 1.4 that correspond to a maximum permitted human exposure time of five (5) minutes.
HFC-227ea
Concentration
ppm
Human Exposure
Time (minutes)
9.0% 90,000 5.00
9.5% 95,000 5.00
10.0% 100,000 5.00
10.5% 105,000 5.00
11.0% 110,000 1.13
11.5% 115,000 0.60
12.0% 120,000 0.49
TABLE 1.4
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