Alternative Chemical Agent to NOVEC 1230?

2/9/2023

3M recently announced they will no longer manufacture NOVEC 1230 by end of 2025 due to the presence of PFAS (https://news.3m.com/2022-12-20-3M-to-Exit-PFAS-Manufacturing-by-the-End-of-2025).

Other similar agents, such as FM-200, have similar environmental concerns due to having HCFCs.

Does anyone know a chemical fire suppression agent that doesn't have CFC or PFAS issues?

I know there is a new NFPA standard (770) on hybrid systems and that the Victualic Vortex is one such system, but not sure what other alternatives are out on the market. Thanks in advance.

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20 Comments

Glenn Berger

2/9/2023 08:08:52 am

On the clean agent side - The Inert Gas options are still available.

In addition to NFPA 770, Water Mist Systems in accordance with NFPA 750 can be used.

Dan Wilder

2/9/2023 08:12:12 am

While the marketing departments are scrambling to get their new items featured, probably a good idea to bookmark this site for options:

https://www.epa.gov/snap/substitutes-total-flooding-agents

Alex

2/9/2023 08:58:10 am

- Inert gasses
- water mist
- hybrid systems (water & Nitrogen)
- CO2 for unoccupied spaces

Franck

2/9/2023 09:22:53 am

As indicated above, the most suitable situation would be inert gas (such as nitrogen, argon...). But concentrations are higher and quantity of gas bottles as well... Normally not possible to retrofit an existing system without major modifications.

CO2 is an alternative, as indicated by Alex, but only at locations unattended. At expected concentrations (generally 34-50%), it is lethal. And people died because of activation of such systems!

Water mist is a tricky one. Many call it as the future of fire protection. I personnaly don't like it. But this is a personnal opinion. And I try to discourage its use whenever there is a relioable alternative with gas or sprinkler.
I always say it has all the downside of gas system (in ventilated areas, water mist is removed from the fire place) and the downside of water based systems (when horizontal obstructions are present, such as inside an electrical cabinet, water mist condensate on the surface and do not spread to the entire volume as a gas system does).
In addition, all installation normally need to be validated on a bench test with the exact same conditions. And it is normally not done by contractors. It is not like sprinklers or gas protection systems where you can provide devices at some locations and you know it will work, as long as you have a sufficient water supply or quantity of gas. With watermist, the exact location of each nozzle need to be validated by a test. And beware of hidden places, as the fire may stay there, incipient, and restart after a while.

Drew

8/30/2024 08:51:05 am

I agree with your statements about the possible downside of water mist systems versus clean agents. But, water mist, especially the higher-pressure designs will allow the water to convert to steam faster and the steam expansion would penetrate those areas just as a gas. The ventilation system could also be configured to shut down to allow the water mist to do its job. I believe it will be the choice to use as more and more studies are proving it effective in data centers, control rooms and other areas it has been considered not effective or recommended. Most electrical systems would also be damaged from smoke as well and some clean agents are corrosive still causing further damage to electrical components. Ideally, the system either clean agent or water never activates. The need for further studies and tests needs to be done and also getting acceptance of the idea is the hardest part from those in the field. Stay blessed
Drew

Dave

2/9/2023 10:46:42 am

I am in the middle of a project where I was scrambling with what to spec for some small server rooms. In consulting with my go-to Suppression Systems contractor, with the factors of my particular sutuation, we are going with the Kidde "Natura" aystem which offers a choice of four pure concentrations or mixtiures of inert gases including argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. I am told this will also be somewhat forgiving for my less than ideal room integrity,

Dave

2/9/2023 10:52:45 am

I did also consider Vortex and mist systems, but this did not seem to be the best applcation for my project. I'm looking forward to learning from our European partners in the industry regarding this ever-changing topic..

Mark Harris

2/9/2023 06:36:46 pm

Novec 1230 is the 3M brand name. The 3M patent has expired and there is generic FK-5-1-12 (NFPA 2001 chemical name for Novec 1230) that is UL listed and FM approved. At least in the states manufacturers do need to modify their listings for the generic FK-5-1-12 product but for now 3M continues to ship product and that gives time to transition to generic as 3M exits the market by the end of 2025..

Inergen (IG-541 in NFPA 2001) clean agent systems were commercialized in Europe in 1991 and by Ansul in the United States around 1995. For all inert gas stems the agent, single gas or blended, consists of natural atmospheric elements (nitrogen, argon or CO2) so a "green" clean agent. Typical inert gas initial installs are more expensive than halocarbon but less expensive to recharge if there is a discharge. With 38.5% typical design verses 4.5% for Novec 1230 room venting is part of the inert design. Do need more floor space for the inert cylinders but location is more flexible.

FSSA (Fire Suppression Systems Association) had a virtual town hall meeting last week and they said list of chemicals that Novec 1230 (and FM200) are grouped in is over 9,000 including pharma items like flonase, lipitor and prozak. All in the group have CF3 or carbon with flourine (general notes from the town hall and I could be a little off) but not all are classified PBT (persistent biocumulative toxic). FSSA plans to work on a fact sheet but the 3M announcement came as a surprise so work in progress.

Don't see halocarbon systems going away but may see some increased interest in inergen or other inerts. Off the top of my head Tyco, Marioff and Fike all have FM approved watermist systems for data centers. Not sure but Victaulic Vortex may have the FM approval as well.

Daniel

2/10/2023 03:57:52 pm

Thanks Mark! That was a very comprehensive and useful answer.

Leopoldo

3/29/2023 02:03:57 pm

Total Agree with Mark

Thanks Mark

Andrew Gonzales

3/21/2023 03:13:52 pm

Thank you everyone for all the feedback, this was very informative as I am working with our power generation plants to find alternatives to the FM200 and NOVEC 1230 systems. CO2 seems to be the option but due to control room occupancy we are looking for other alternatives.

Ron Evans link

11/21/2023 11:30:53 am

The information below will give you a solid understanding of GreenTech Fire Solutions, feel free to jump on our website also www.greentechfire.com .

Like many industries, the fire suppression industry has been experiencing some evolutionary changes. As science progresses, new ideas and new technologies are introduced, with the goal of improving fire safety, and to find better ways to quickly extinguish fires. Indeed, countless new systems have been brought forward, and lives and properties have been saved.

But not only has science and technology advanced tremendously, so has our concern for the environment. It’s no longer acceptable to produce products that contain harmful chemicals, or otherwise harm the environment, or hurt people. Thankfully, environmental standards have improved over the years, and new policies for the protection of our planet and its people have been established.

The fire prevention and suppression industries have seen monumental changes in the past 30 years. What was once considered safe and effective solutions for fire extinguishment have turned out to be no such thing. They may have quickly put out a fire, or prevented it from starting in the first place, but they were harmful to the environment, and to the people using them.

When it was eventually determined that various liquids and gasses were too harmful to use, they were banned completely, or gradually phased out. New technologies have been developed to take their place, and the industry is slowly adapting to these new ideas and replacing their old systems with new ones. Some highly popular suppression tools are now considered too unsafe for use, and will need to be replaced. GreenTech's condensed aerosol fire suppression systems are ideal replacements for the majority of applications that have been using now-unfriendly solutions like Halon, FM-200, and Novec 1230.

GreenTech Fire Solutions markets a variety of condensed aerosol fire suppression devices, suitable for installation in most enclosed structures. These structures can range in size from small electrical cabinets or CNC cabinets, up to whole data centre rooms. Unique applications like wind turbine nacelles, vehicle engine compartments, underground data tunnels, etc, can have aerosol devices installed.

These environmentally-friendly non-pressurized containers can be installed into almost any enclosed structure or vehicle requiring automatic fire suppression, or a portable unit can be carried around by first responders and safety personnel for use manually. Upon ignition, a fine powdered aerosol spray is released, immediately reducing the temperature of the fire, and extinguishing the flames within seconds.

No water, gas or harmful chemicals are released, and there is no danger to humans or animals in the absence of an unlikely prolonged exposure (may cause minor, temporary lung irritation). No piping, pressurized cylinders, or frequent maintenance inspections are required. They're safe for many applications where water and chemicals can’t be used. Damage to protected assets and property is minimized, and only a fine, inert, mineral powder remains, which is easily cleaned up. This preserves the scene for investigations, also.

The science behind the GreenTech technology takes advantage of the chemical reaction commonly known as the fire triangle (oxygen, heat and fuel). By dispersing an environmentally friendly compound into the fire space, GreenTech’s aerosol disrupts the chemical process that allows fire to form and propagate. Without this elemental formation, the flames are extinguished and the temperature is reduced by as much as 700 degrees Fahrenheit within seconds without depriving the ambient space of oxygen.

The technology is not harmful or environmentally damaging, because it contains an organic compound. It is safe for use around humans and animals, and has zero global warming or ozone depletion potential as certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (“SNAP Listed”). Plus, our products are UL/ULC certified.

John Johnson

2/23/2024 01:05:57 pm

Hi Ron,

Can you please detail how you would easily clean up a fine powder that when discharged? Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12) is a clean agent that does not require clean up, so if you are offering up an aerosol as an alternative, it should be similar in it's abilities which aerosols are not.

If I were to discharge aerosols in a computer room, MRI center, telecom room, or a room with audio, video, or computer tapes, my customers would loose their minds.

I agree that there is a place for aerosols in fire protection, I'm just not sure if I see it in this instance.

David Leiva

8/27/2024 12:57:10 pm

We had a case (a telecommunications facility) where an aerosol fire system was activated by mistake and it damaged important electronic devices. Dust, the turn off of a/c and other effects lead to a situation where the electronics couldn´t be cooled properly and failed, also dust couldnt be cleaned and equipant had to be replaced (millionaire loss).

Peter Sørensen

5/10/2023 07:11:06 am

As I understand it Novec 1230/649 is in theory a PFAS compound. However it does not suffer from the environmental and health issues that some other PFAS compounds do because it is a Ketone it breaks down easily into harmless compounds in the atmosphere and also do not accumulate in body of people. Stopping Novec 1230 is most of all a political decission with a failure to look at the individual compounds in the PFAS group of chemicals.

Nahuel Borsil

6/11/2023 01:44:45 am

Hello! I was investigating a bit and it seems that you are right, but it is not clear to me yet. I understand that Novec 1230 has PFOA and PFOS, and that both are PBT, so why in this case would they still degrade in the atmosphere? (could you cite a study that supports it, or one that talks about that property of ketones of breaking down?

ahmad abuelhija

3/7/2024 11:06:04 am

i cannot agree more with you.
the only reason that 3M stop NOVEC-1230 after more than 20 years of marketing it as best alternative solution for FM 200 & inert gases is that they lost their monopoly to sell FK-5-1-12.

3M keep telling our product is environmentally safe and friendly and suddenly it become dangerous and we have to stop it!!!

FK-5-1-12 never last 5 minutes in a glass cup; what made it harm on environment if it dissolve within a day??!!!

now manufacturers start purchasing FK-5-1-12 from China & India; test it inside different cylinder systems and getting the UL/FM same as old way; and this is the ideal solution i believe.

David Leiva

8/27/2024 12:44:51 pm

3M also produce a lot of chemicals based on Novec1230, especial and unique liquids and cleaners. Not only fire protection is on their minds.

Scott Starr link

6/21/2023 04:26:22 pm

I'm not sure I would panic yet. While Novec has some persisnece, it does not get into the water systems and still breaks down in the atmosphere in 5 days.

Right now woke chemists have painted a broad claims about PFOS/PFAS. The reality is that while some of these are really determintal to health and the enviroment, others have a fairly minute impact, and compared to the benefit povided should be expected to be classed differently.

I'd suggest looking up Paul Rivers weniar for the FSSA, (It as June 5tgh. I'm not sure if its been posted yet or not) or a recent presentation by ORR Fire https://www.orrprotection.com/mcfp/3m-novec-1230-webinar-replay?utm_campaign=Novec%20Webinar&utm_content=252094039&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-130263

But there's a lot of good reasns not to panic yet.

Nahuel

6/22/2023 12:41:54 am

Thank you very much, you shared some very valuable information, I'll check those webinars

Alternative Chemical Agent to NOVEC 1230?

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