World's first "drop-in" replacement for Halon 1301

Citation

(2001), "World's first "drop-in" replacement for Halon 1301", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 5/6. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919eab.001

World's first "drop-in" replacement for Halon 1301

World's first "drop-in" replacement for Halon 1301

Keyword: Fire safety

Wormald Fire Systems has announced the launch of Inergen (LPI) – the world's first true "drop-in" replacement for Halon 1301.

Inergeo (LPI) is a re-engineered version of the most globally used inert Halon alternative, Inergen, and will enable Halon systems to be replaced with minimal disruption and no downtime.

Inergen (LPI) can use existing pipework and detection systems, meaning that installation is quick, clean and cost-effective. A typical installation will involve replacing Halon cylinders and discharge nozzles with Inergen cylinders and special nozzles; there is no need for the wholesale disruption involved in removing ceilings and stripping out pipework.

Halon systems cannot be refilled after December 2002, and all systems must be replaced by December 2003; the introduction of Inergen (LPI) provides Halon users with the most innovative solution since the Montreal Protocol heralded the search for Halon replacements in 1987.

Other available replacements cannot work with existing pipework, because while Halon equipment and pipework is rated at 25 BAR system pressure, the system pressure for all inerts and chemicals is much higher – up to 200 BAR. The problem is that if the pressure is reduced to 25 BAR, the flow will also reduce and therefore discharge time will increase beyond the one minute time allowed in the British Standard.

However, Wormald's clever re-engineering of Inergen systems means that Inergen can now be discharged through 25 BAR Halon pipework, at the same time maintaining the critical one minute discharge factor.

Inergen (LPI) has a number of important advantages:

1. 1.

   As a system engineered solution, it is not a new product as such, but is a re-engineered version of a proven system. Its suppression agent is the same Inergen gas that has been installed throughout the world for the past ten years: it is the delivery system that has been modified.

2. 2.

   For obvious reasons, minimal mess and disruption is a particularly important benefit in applications such as computers, telecommunications, museums, libraries and archives – many of which are currently seeking an alternative to their existing Halon systems.

3. 3.

   Many organisations depend on control rooms, computers and telecommunications to work round the clock, and in the event of a fire and discharge of the system, it is necessary to have the system refilled and operational again with the absolute minimum of disruption and clean-up. With time running short to replace Halon, only Inergen (LPI) will be able to use existing pipework, avoiding the need to close down operations while pipework is removed and replaced.

4. 4.

   Inergen, as with all inert gases, requires more cylinders than existing Halon systems. However, the use of directionaI valves means the space taken by cylinders is kept to a minimum. Also, Inergen, unlike Halon, can be stored up to 200m from the protected area.

5. 5.

   With Inergen there is no danger of ever repeating the environmental issues that Halon caused, as Inergen is derived from air.

Announcing the launch of inergen (LPI), Wormald's sales director, Richard Crook, said: "At last the market has a direct replacement for Halon 1301 which must be removed by December 2003: in particular Inergen (LPI) has many benefits in applications where dirt, disruption and downtime are important factors. Those faced with the prospect of removing Halon should take action now, while fire companies can still recycle it. The market picture already indicates that few, if any, will take Halon which will have to be destroyed, leaving many companies with the cost and problems involved in dealing with a controlled substance."

For further information contact Ken Bishop, Wormald Fire Systems. Tel: +44 (0) 161 205 2321; Fax: +44 (0) 161 455 4665; E-mail: kbishop@tycoint.com