FM200
®
FM200® (HFC 227ea) is known chemically as Heptafluoropropane and is manufactured by Great Lakes Chemical Corporation.
FM200
® is a colourless gas which is liquified under pressure for storage. Like Halon 1301 it has a low toxicity level and is superpressurised with Nitrogen to 24.8bar (360psi). It rapidly extinguishes most commonly found fires through a combination of chemical and physical mechanisms.
Environmental Features
FM200
® contains no bromine or chlorine and therefore has zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP). The atmospheric lifetime of FM200 ® is between 31 and 42 years which along with its zero ODP presents a long-term solution to fire protection requirements.
Safety
FM200 ® has been found to be less toxic than Halon 1301, which makes it safe for use in the fully automatic mode in occupied areas. Typically FM200 ® requires a design concentration of 7%, which is
well below the 9% No Observable Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) on cardiac sensitisation. The NOAEL for Halon 1301 is only 5% (the same as its design concentration).
Applications
FM200 ® is immediately available to protect most hazards
traditionally protected using Halon 1301. It is effective in the protection of data processing, telecommunications and electronic equipment as well as most flammable liquids and gases.
Replacing Halon with FM200
Existing Halon and CO2 control systems meeting the requirements of the relevant national or international standards are ideally suited for use with FM200 and can be modified to operate
as part of an FM200 system. Due to the differences in concentration and physical characteristics between the gases it will be necessary to change the container valve and nozzles and probably the pipework and
storage containers in carrying out a retrofit of an existing system. However, due to the similarities in the equipment, changing from Halon or CO2 to FM200 ® can be accomplished with minimal disruption and little or no system downtime.
CARDIAC SENSITISATION
No Observed Adverse Effect
Storage
Compared with Halon 1301, FM200 ® systems require minimal additional floor storage space, if any. The physical properties of FM200® together with its efficient extinguishing capabilities allow it to be used in similar types of equipment to Halon. As the extinguishing abilities of FM200® determine that only 70% more agent by weight is required, the demands for additional storage space requirements are minimal.
Halon Recycling
We have invested in Halon recycling facilities and is able to decommission existing systems in an environmentally responsible manner.
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