Fike Clean Agent System - Leakage

SECTION 2 – DESIGN
UL / ULC Ex4623 Fike Clean Agent System w/ FM-200™ Page 9 of 39
FM 3010715 Manual P/N: 06-215 (Rev G) Revision Date: January. 2010
2.4.3.4 LEAKAGE
The physical characteristics of the protected space(s) must be taken into consideration when designing a HFC-
227ea system. The area of uncloseable openings must be kept to a minimum to prevent loss of agent into
adjacent areas – thus reducing the effectiveness of the system to extinguish a fire. Simply adding more agent is
neither practical, nor effective. Therefore, all openings must be sealed or equipped with automatic closures.
Forced-air ventilating systems shall be shut down or closed automatically where their continued operation would
adversely affect the ability of the system to extinguish a fire. Completely self-contained recirculating ventilation
systems are not required to be shutdown, but recommended. Dampers should be of the “low smoke” or 100%
closing type to ensure an adequate seal and prevent leakage. Where the ventilation system is not shutdown or
dampered, the volume of the associated ductwork and ventilation unit(s) shall be considered as part of the total
hazard volume when determining the amount of agent needed.
All enclosures must be sealed in order to achieve and maintain the desired concentration for a period of time that
is sufficient for emergency personnel to respond. Under normal circumstances, the agent will extinguish the fire
rapidly, thereby limiting the potential for fire damage and the creation of dangerous products of decomposition.
Therefore, it is critical that the protected space is constructed to prevent any leakage from the protected space(s).
The general guidelines for controlling leakage from the hazard are as follows:
 Doors – All doors entering and/or exiting from the perimeter of the protected space(s) should have
drop seals on the bottom, weather-stripping around the jams, latching mechanisms and door closure
hardware. In addition, double doors should have a weather-stripped astragal to prevent leakage
between the doors, and a coordinator to assure the proper sequence of closure. Doors that cannot
be kept normally closed shall be equipped with door closure hardware and magnetic door holders that
will release the door(s) upon a system alarm.
 Ductwork – All ductwork leading into, or out of, the protected space(s) should be isolated with sealed,
“low smoke” dampers. Dampers should be spring-loaded or motor-operated to provide 100% air
shutoff upon activation.
 Air Handling/Ventilation – It is recommended that all air handling/ventilation units be shutdown upon
alarm to prevent leakage into other areas. If the air handling unit(s) cannot be shutdown, the volume
of the associated ductwork must be added to the total volume of the protected space, and agent must
be added to compensate for the additional volume.
 Penetrations – All holes, cracks, gaps or penetrations of the perimeter walls defining the hazard
area(s) must be sealed. Less obvious areas of leakage include wire trays, pipe chases, and floor
drains. Make certain that floor drains have traps filled with a non-evaporating product to prevent
leakage.
 Walls – All perimeter walls that define the hazard area(s) should extend slab-to-slab, and each should
be sealed top and bottom on the interior side. Where walls do not extend slab-to-slab, bulkheads will
have to be installed to achieve the desired sealing characteristics.
 Block Walls – Porous block walls must be sealed or the HFC-227ea agent will leak through.
A room integrity fan pressurization test is an accepted means of determining how long the protected space will
hold the agent (concentration) after a discharge. In conjunction with testing the integrity of the room, the test has
a program that predicts the performance of the HFC-227ea system so that the Authority Having Jurisdiction can
determine if the system has been designed and installed properly.
The room integrity fan pressurization test must be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements,
and NFPA 2001, Appendix C.