SECTION 1 – EQUIPMENT
Page 4 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
1.5 AGENT STORAGE CONTAINERS
The Agent Storage Container is a steel pressure vessel designed to hold the HFC-227ea under pressure until it is
discharged. All Fike HFC-227ea Containers are suitable for use at storage temperatures of +32
o
F to +130
o
F (0
o
C
to 54.4
o
C). Each container is manufactured in strict accordance with Department of Transportation / Transport
Canada (DOT / TC) regulations and undergoes extensive pressure and leak testing before shipment to the field.
All Fike HFC-227ea Containers are shipped from the factory fitted with an anti-recoil device installed in the
discharge valve outlet – in accordance with DOT / TC requirements. The anti-recoil device ensures the contents
of the pressurized container will be released in a slow, controlled, rate of discharge if the valve is opened during
the shipping and handling process. HFC-227ea Containers are filled with agent within the allowable range of 40
lbs/ft
3
to 70 lbs./ft
3
(640 kg/m
3
to 1121 kg/m
3
) of container volume in accordance with DOT / TC requirements. All
containers are filled in 1 lb. (0.5 kg) increments to the user-specified level defined for each container. Each HFC-
227ea container is super-pressurized with dry nitrogen to a working pressure of 360 psig at 70
o
F (24.8 bar at
21
o
C) after filling. Fike HFC-227ea Containers are available in twelve different sizes (capacities). Each container
includes a discharge outlet valve, fill valve, pressure gauge, mounting bracket or mounting strap(s), agent release
module, and provisions for the accessories available for that particular container size and/or style.
The Discharge Outlet Valve is a rupture disc (metal diaphram), pressure operated device that allows the agent to
be released from the container and into the protected space via the associated piping network and nozzle(s). The
Discharge Outlet Valve can be either welded or threaded to the Agent Storage Container (except for the 125i &
215i containers available with welded valves only).
Activation of the Discharge Outlet Valve is accomplished by one of two methods.
Standard operation of the valve is accomplished by a Gas Cartridge Actuator (GCA) that produces
the pressure wave (energy) necessary to open the valve. The GCA is an electrically operated device
that is activated by a signal from the control panel or the optional manual actuator device.
If the contents of the container are subjected to temperatures exceeding 160
o
F (71
o
C), the pressure
associated with the thermal expansion of the agent will be sufficient to open the valve automatically.
NOTE: The Discharge Valve also fulfills the pressure relief valve requirements in accordance with DOT
regulations.
NOTE: Containers manufactured by Fike for use with HFC-227ea to DOT 4BA requirements can be found in
Appendix B.
1.5.1 RUPTURE DISC
The Rupture Disc is the heart of the Fike HFC-227ea Discharge Outlet Valve. Each is manufactured to exacting
tolerances and standards by Fike to ensure their reliability and performance. The Rupture Disc is a pre-scored
metal membrane formed into a domed shape and scored with four pressure-relief lines across the domed surface
at right angles to each other. When the pressure in the container rises to the pre-determined level, the rupture
disc will open along the score lines – thus allowing the contents to be released into the piping network. The four
segments of the rupture disc “fold back” during discharge to produce the minimum amount of flow restriction
possible.
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