IG-01

Next generation automatic fire extinguishing systems incorporating IG-01 extinguishing agent

Overview.

Next generation automatic fire extinguishing systems incorporating IG-01 extinguishing agent

Thanks to its high density, IG-01 extinguishing agent quickly concentrates in the lower part of the room. It is highly recommended in rooms with raised floors or cable trenches and other specific applications. Argon is an inert gas which is extracted from the atmosphere. As is completely natural, it is valued as an environmentally friendly extinguishing agent. It is colourless, odourless, tasteless, and chemically neutral, making it suitable for occupied areas.

As no blending is required for this extinguishing gas, refilling the agent is a much simpler and more cost-effective task.

Trade Names.

Argon, Inertech IG01, Sinorix Ar, i-Flow IG01 Proinert IG01

Chemical Composition.

IG‑01 is a colourless, odourless, electrically non‑conductive gas with a density approximately the same as that of air. It is an inert gas consisting of 100% Argon.

Gas Specification.

The gas specification is usually confirmed with a certificate of conformity (COC) from the manufacturer. It’s also important to ensure each specification is maintained during the 10-year testing and a new COC is provided confirming each requirement below by your supplier for the new re-filled or re-tested agent.

Extinguishant IG-01 shall comply with the specification shown below:

Component	Argon
Purity	99,9 % by volume, min.
Moisture	50 × 10^–6by mass, max.
Suspended matter or sediment	None visible

Physical Properties.

Property	Units	Value
Molecular mass	n/a	39.9
Boiling point at 1,013 bar (absolute)	°C	-185.9
Freezing point	°C	-189.4
Critical temperature	°C	-122.3
Critical pressure	bar	49.0
Critical volume	cm3/mol	-
Critical density	kg/m3	536
Vapour pressure 20 °C	bar abs	-
Liquid density 20 °C	g/ml	-
Saturated vapour density 20 °C	kg/m3	-
Specific volume of superheated vapour at 1,013 bar and 20 °C	m3/kg	0.602

Design Concentrations.

Standard	Class A	Higher Hazard Class A / Class C	Class B
(BS) EN 15004	41.9%	49.2%	51.7%
NFPA 2001	-	-	54.6% (n-heptane)
APSAD	41.9%	48.4%	Subject to hazard
ISO 14520	41.9%	48.4%	50.8%
LPCB	38.9%	43.2%	46.0%
FM 5600	40.5%	41.5%	54.6%
UL 2127	40.5%	41.5%	54.6%

Loael, Noael & Minimum Safety Precautions.

The below is based on the requirements of EN 15004 which is the most common design standard in the UK and other European areas.

Property	Value
No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)	43.0%
Lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL)	52.0%

Concentration	Time delay device*	Automatic / Manual Switch**	Lock-off device***
Up to and including the NOAEL	Required	Not Required	Not Required
Above the NOAEL and up to the LOAEL	Required	Required	Not Required
LOAEL and above	Required	Required	Not Required

* Time delays are usually integrated within the main gas extinguishing panel to allow a 30 second delay before the system discharges. Hold off buttons are also usually located adjacent the exits of the enclosure.

** Automatic / Manual switches are usually integrated into the main gas extinguishing panel located at the entrance of the protected area.

*** Lock-Off devices are usually manual isolation valves installed within the pipework and again located at the entrance of the protected area.

IG-01 Quantity Calculation.

Typically, gaseous extinguishing systems are used for protecting electronic equipment in data rooms or similar, we have therefore prepared a quick calculation to help understand and estimate the quantity IG-01 agent required in your enclosure. The factor provided below is also based on a design temperature of 20°C and an altitude of 0, changes in either will have a small effect on the agent quantity

Design Concentration = 49.2% (Higher Hazard Class A)

Flooding Factor = 1.1245

Volume of enclosure in M³ x Flooding Factor = Quantity required in KG

[Example assuming room volume of 150m³]

150 x 1.1245 = 168.675kg

For a calculation spreadsheet in excel format or for quantity calculations outside of these parameters, please contact us directly at hello@mepfire.com.

Typical Cylinder Fill Weights, Sizes, Pressures & Quantity Calculator.

Inert gas cylinders come in a range of sizes however the below is reflective of the most common sizes and pressures and corresponding fill weights for reference.

Pressure	67 Litres	80 Litres	140 Litres
200 bar	24.17kg	28.64kg	50.13kg
300 bar	-	40.92kg	71.61kg

By using the quantity calculation above, and the maximum fill of each cylinder above, you can work out how many cylinders are typically required for your protected area.

Environmental Considerations.

Extinguishant IG‑01 is an inert gas and has zero GWP and zero ODP.

Temperature Vs Pressure Graphics

Temperature graphs are useful for verifying the pressure or your cylinders and whether they need replacing in line with the recommendations of BS EN 15004 which advises:

Non-liquefied gases: for inert gas agents, pressure is an indication of agent quantity. If a container shows a loss of agent quantity or a loss of pressure (adjusted for temperature) of more than 5 %, it shall be refilled or replaced.

Temperature/pressure graph for IG-01 to 160 bar, 200 bar and 300 bar

FAQs.

Will the gas suppression system activate if there is a false alarm?

For total flooding systems the detection and activation systems generally consist of multiple zones, often called double knock or coincidence detection. Once the first detector senses fire the system goes into first stage alarm. At this point any potential causes of fire can be investigated. The system can then be reset if the event was nothing more than a false alarm or it will remain in first stage until a second detector senses fire. Upon a second detector sensing fire, the system activates second stage alarm and begins a countdown to gas discharge.
What applications is IG-01 most suited for?

IG-01 is ideal for protecting high risk spaces lower in an enclosure. The density of IG-01 adds unique characteristics compared to the other inert agents that allows it to penetrate deep seated fires in floor voids found in data centres or server rooms and cable trenches usually associated with LV / HV switch rooms, external generators or other areas of high-power transmission.
Is IG-01 expensive?

Argon (Ar) is a naturally occurring inert gas, so costs are very similar to other inert agents. However due to it’s density, sometimes an additional cylinder is needed in a situation where the other gases may need a cylinder less which can make a noticeable cost difference on a small project.
What is a “Clean Agent”?

Clean agents are gaseous fire suppressing agents. Because they suppress fire as gases, there is no damage to protected areas from the discharge and no residue to clean up. Thus, the term "clean" agents.