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A different way to put out fires

Fire prevention expert, Brigit Systems, is the local distributor of SEVO fire suppression systems, and recently hosted a presentation to introduce these new products to the South African market. They are based on a novel fire protection fluid developed by 3M called Novec 1230. This is a highly efficient fire extinguishant that can be used for flooding applications in engineered systems. It is ideal for special hazards and spaces where the continuous operation of high value equipment is paramount. Based on proprietary 3M technology, this fluoroketone has important advantages over conventional halon replacements.

Seen at the presentation, from l: Cole Davis, export sales, SEVO Systems; Clinton Hodgson, Novec 1230 market segment leader,3M; Kamal Al Sghair, business development manager, 3M; Jon Flamm, MD, SEVO Systems; Deon van Zyl, MD, Brigit Systems.

Extinguishing via its cooling effect, Novec 1230 fluid works as a gas, yet it is a liquid at room temperature and evaporates 50 times faster than water. Because it is not packaged under pressure, it has unique shipping and handling advantages over high pressure alternatives. It has zero ozone depletion potential, a global warming potential of one and an atmospheric lifetime of just five days. To top this, 3M’s Blue Sky warranty guarantees that if Novec 1230 fluid is banned from or restricted in use as a fire protection agent due to ozone depletion potential or global warming potential, 3M will refund the purchase price of the fluid.

US company, SEVO Systems was formed in 2001 to develop and commercialise this new technology and is a system manufacturer for 3M. With distribution in over 55 countries worldwide, SEVO provides full engineering and mission-critical services to support its distributors and end users. The company’s engineered and pre-engineered total flooding systems have been tested and approved by a range of major international agencies.

SEVO stand-alone plug and play modular units are factory-built with integrated detection and control and they arrive pre-piped and ready to install. The primary market is data centres; but with no piping installation needed, they are ideal for small shelters and server rooms. Other applications are in remote data centres, larger electrical applications such as switchgear rooms and control rooms, libraries, archives and museums (where there is a big market for clean agent systems in occupied areas). Further local applications are electrical panels in small cabinets where there is a greater risk of electrical fire.

Because the Novec 1230 comes as a liquid in 55 kg drums, it is easily pumped into the SEVO unit. A liquid fill is first done, after which it is pressurised with nitrogen. Cylinders can be maintained and refilled at on-site refilling stations. The maintenance cycle is very user friendly because no gas is lost when there’s a leak. Cylinder sizes range from 15 to 368 litres and all systems are internationally approved.

One of SEVO’s newest products is Flex, which allows total flooding of in-cabinet fire suppression systems and other pressurised systems. Typical applications are CNC machines and switchgear cabinets in remote areas, for example in the mining industry. Another application is in wind turbines, where Flex can protect the systems in high airflow areas inside the turbine.

There are two versions: Multipoint and Focus. The Multipoint version is indirect and has various options for the piping network and nozzles using pressurised tubing. Flex Focus is the lowest cost tubing system and can run inside a hazardous area with partial flooding. A typical Focus setup would be where a flame can activate tubing, for example in a cable tray.

SEVO’s flagship product is Force 500. This uses a 34,5 bar system, compared to the traditional 25 bar systems. It uses less clean agent and smaller and fewer cylinders, and has a reduced extinguishing time. This results in an average of 20% cost savings in cylinders and allows smaller pipe diameters as well.

With SEVO’s 1230 Force 500, true retrofits are possible. It can use existing halon 1301 or HFC pipe networks and has a reduced extinguishing time. It minimises by-products and decreases damage and loss of equipment due to product combustion and extinguishing decomposition. The increased single nozzle coverage minimises the amount of piping required.

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