Main applications

Fire Extinguishing Agents

Hydrofluorocarbons are used to replace both Halon 1301 and 1211 in total flooding and streaming fire protection applications.

As both Halons have an ozone depletion potential they are regulated substances and to be phased out in all non-critical uses, by 31-12-2003.

The benefits of using HFC's in fire protection are :

• HFC's at extinguishing concentrations are safe and can therefore be used in normally occupied spaces. They are used at well below toxic levels
• HFC systems require only a small amount of gas and achieve design concentrations in under 10 seconds . In many cases speed is critical to preserving life, property and the environment and maintaining continuity of operations.
• HFC systems are compact with little storage space required for cylinders. This means they offer the most effective solutions in terms of space/weight considerations.
• HFC's are non-conductive, clean agents and therefore leave no residue.

HFC fire extinguishing systems are needed for fire protection in a limited but vital number of cases where speed , space and safety are critical. Typical applications are telecommunication facilities, computer rooms, process control centres, military vehicles , aircraft , etc.

Technical and safety aspects

Technical

Products used for firefighting:

HFCs are the fastest acting of all fire fighting systems, extinguishing levels are reached within 10 seconds whereas inert gases or CO₂ systems only reach extinguishing levels after 1-2 minutes. Obviously in many cases speed is essential to safe lives and to protect valuable property (Museum, sophisticated equipments, computer rooms..) and environment.

Safety aspects

HFCs are safe to breathe for long periods and they are non-toxic at extinguishing concentrations. Unlike HFCs , inert gases and CO₂ do not act directly on the fire but rely on reducing oxygen levels , hence approval authorities have established maximum exposure times for inert gases and banned the use of CO₂ for occupied areas.

Recovery and recycling

HFCs have zero ozone depletion potential. The contribution to global warming from using HFCs in fire fighting is minuscule since it is a non emissive application and by the end of the fire fighting system lifetime the installed HFC can be easily recovered and recycled.

Economic aspects

Since HFCs are much more effective extinguishing agents compared to inert gases or CO₂ , HFC systems need 4 - 7 times fewer cylinders than any other gaseous agent. HFCs are fitted into vulnerable installations where value, space and weight are crucial factors.