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3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fluid Fire Wire – Spring 2021

Fire Wire is a quarterly fire suppression newsletter about 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid for specifying engineers, architects, and anyone working in special hazards fire protection.

Join 3M for virtual learning

Early in 2020, the movement to virtual training and collaboration began, and in 2021 it is continuing. Major fire suppression tradeshows and organizations have been transitioning to a virtual approach, such as the Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) hosting its 39th Annual Forum online in February, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) creating a new online 125th Anniversary Conference Series. While we regret not being able to meet with you in person, in 2021 we’re accelerating our remote learning events, virtual Lunch & Learns, and more, to help bring you and your customers the training you need when you need it.

  • Plus additional webinars to come throughout the year on a range of urgent fire suppression topics. If you’d prefer a custom virtual Lunch & Learn for your company, contact us to arrange a training tailored to your team and your needs.

    We look forward to connecting with you!

Get our updated power generation fire protection case study

Last year we launched a new case study illustrating the potential of extended discharge systems using 3M Novec 1230 fluid to help protect power generation facilities from fire and to replace aging CO₂ systems.

The NFPA 850 Recommended Practice for Fire Protection for Electric Generating Plants and High Voltage Direct Current Converter Stations calls for total flooding systems in power plants to accommodate the needed air outflow for cooling hot components while maintaining extinguishing concentration long enough for that cooling to take place, so as to prevent re-ignition of a fire. In addition, NFPA 37 calls for a minimum 20-minute design concentration hold time for protecting gas turbines.

  • electrical powerwire plant with a clear blue sky

    3M worked with fire suppression systems distributor ETG Fire, technology services company Tech Electronics, and a major western United States electric utility to validate performance meeting or exceeding NFPA standards. Through extensive real-world testing – including a full-scale, on-site discharge test in a generating station, witnessed by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), extended discharge systems using 3M Novec 1230 fluid were proven to exceed the NFPA standards. Test results included achieving a 90-minute hold time while complying with NFPA 2001 and ISO 14520 standards for fire extinguishing performance in this type of application.

    The latest version of that case study now includes new details on standards and performance that you can rely on. Download it today! (PDF, 205 KB)

Fact or Fiction: NFPA 2001 recommends that system design concentration should be calculated based on empty rooms

  • purple icon outlining two megaphones
    • Fact. Per NFPA 2001 recommendations and industry best practices, systems should be designed assuming an empty room. NFPA 2001 Annex A, A.5.5.2.1(a) recommends: “Room volume should be calculated considering the room empty. Exceptions can be made only for structural components or shafts that pass through the room.”
    • A.5.5.2.1(b) qualifies it by mentioning that in small room volumes, there should be consideration given to large equipment and storage, but then goes on to mention the need to maintain sufficient concentration even when the room is empty.
    • In the case of largely empty rooms, the expected impact on occupant safety when calculating design concentration under the NFPA 2001 Annex A, A.5.5.2.1(a) guidelines is minimal. However, when equipment is added, furniture is moved in, or when other practical changes are made, the safety margin may be substantially reduced. For example, server racks can easily fill a substantial percentage of a data center’s volume despite the server room’s large size. This is why having a large margin of safety for the chosen clean agent is so important.
    • Because design concentration calculations are generally based on empty rooms, it is important to take the fire suppression agent’s margin of safety into account. A low margin of safety may prevent the room from being used for its intended purpose (adding data center equipment, for example), or after contents are added, may lead to additional risk for occupants. A high margin of safety gives peace of mind when adding equipment to a room or considering ways to repurpose an existing space for new applications.
    • Learn more about different agents’ margin of safety in our Spring 2019 Fact or Fiction.

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