Gas Fire Extinguishing Agents: What Are Those?

Gas Fire Extinguishing Agents – There are many types of lightweight fire extinguishers available on the market.

One of them is fire extinguisher gas. This is a type of gas that functions as an agent to extinguish fires. 

This gas works by enveloping the fire and removing oxygen. That way, the fire will not grow bigger and can be extinguished.

Fire extinguishing gas consists of various chemical compounds. The way this gas works and functions is also different. Let’s discuss more below!

Types of Fire Extinguishing Gases

Fire suppression technology continues to evolve, giving birth to various types of gasses with their own characteristics and effectiveness. 

Here are some types of fire extinguishing gasses that are commonly used:

1. FM-200 (HFC-227ea)

FM-200, or HFC-227ea, is a highly recognized fire extinguishing agent in the fire safety industry for its ability to put out fires quickly and efficiently. 

By relying on oxygen reduction and cooling processes, FM-200 extinguishes fire without leaving any residue, making it ideal for protecting sensitive electronic equipment, such as servers, communication systems, and medical equipment. 

This advantage makes FM-200 frequently used in facilities ranging from data centers to clean rooms, where cleanliness and safety are top priorities.

In addition to its effectiveness in extinguishing, FM-200 is also considered an environmentally friendly choice. 

Its composition does not contain substances that damage the ozone layer, and has been recognized as harmless to human health under proper usage conditions.

2. Inergen 

Inergen is a fire extinguishing agent consisting of a mixture of nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide gasses.

It works by diluting the concentration of oxygen in the fire area, causing the fire to extinguish due to lack of oxygen.

One of the advantages of Inergen is that it is safe for humans and leaves no residue, making it an ideal choice for protecting areas that require high hygiene, such as computer rooms and clean rooms.

Inergen is also highly effective in extinguishing various types of fires, including class A, B and C fires.=

3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen in the fire area, making it effective for extinguishing class B and C fires, such as liquid fuel and gas fires and electronic equipment fires.

CO2 also leaves no residue, making it ideal for use in enclosed spaces and ensuring the cleanliness of the protected area.

Also Read: “CO2 Fire Extinguisher: What Is It? How Does It Work?“

Benefits of Using Gas Fire Extinguishing Agents

1. Tackles Various Types of Fires

Gas fire extinguishers are highly effective at protecting rooms from class A, B, and C fire classifications, making them versatile for many types of fires.

Class A fires include non-metallic solids such as wood, plastic, rubber, and paper. 

Class B involves liquid materials and explosive gasses, such as thinner, gasoline, oil, alcohol, and LPS gas. 

Meanwhile, class C includes fires caused by high voltage electrical installations or electronic device malfunctions, such as short circuits. 

With the ability to handle all these types of fires, gas media extinguishers offer a comprehensive and efficient solution for fire protection in a variety of environments.

2. Leaves No Residues

The use of gas fire extinguishers leaves no residue, unlike foam and dry chemical powder extinguishers, so it is suitable for sensitive rooms that should not be exposed to water, such as computer rooms, servers, electrical panels, archives, and laboratories. 

Because it does not produce residue, room downtime will be shorter, without the need to clean up the remnants of media such as water, foam, or powder.

The room remains clean after use and can be reused immediately, making gas fire extinguishers an ideal choice for fire protection in environments that require high hygiene.

3. Safe For Electronic Devices

Gas fire extinguishers are not only effective in putting out fires, but are also safe to use around electronic equipment. 

These extinguishing gasses do not damage sensitive electronic components, thereby reducing fire losses. 

With the ability to protect electronic equipment without causing collateral damage, gas extinguishers are a highly desirable option in environments where electronic equipment is high-priced or vital to operations.

4. Eco-Friendly

Some types of gas extinguishers, such as FM-200 and inergens, do not contain environmentally hazardous materials, making them more environmentally friendly than conventional fire extinguishers.

These advantages make them a safer and ecologically responsible choice for fire protection, without harming the surrounding environment.

Also Read: “SNI Certification for Fire Extinguisher“

Regulations and Standards Regarding Gas Fire Extinguishers

The use of gas fire extinguishing agents is regulated by international standards such as NFPA 12, ISO 14520, and UL 2127, as well as Indonesian national regulations such as Permenaker No. 04/MEN/1980 and SNI 03-3985-2000.

So there you have it! All you need to know about gas fire extinguishing agents!