Fire Suppression System used in Low Current Rooms and Single LV Panel Rooms

[Turki-92]

Hi All,

Currently, there is about 200 or more electrical rooms, substations, server rooms in my institution. I understand that for high Current/voltage rooms or big server rooms, a clean agent suppression system is required. But how about rooms that have a low current or single LV panel? do they require a clean agent suppression system? or will a 20lbs CO2 fire extinguisher do the trick? keep in mind that some of the low current / server rooms are not covered with a sprinkler system due to the damaging effect water will have on servers.

* I remember reading once in the NFPA Code probably 2001 or 75 not sure, that a clean agent suppression system is not required for certain rooms especially rooms with LOW CURRENT OR SINGLE LV PANELS. Is anybody familiar with the sub-standard? if yes, please refer it.

I would really appreciate it, because the cost of installing a clean agent system in every electrical room whether high or low current will be ridiculously high. And regulatory enforcers keep tackling me on this issue every time they visit my institution. But if I have an NFPA specific Substandard, I can refer the regulatory enforcer to the standard and hopefully he will be off my back. And as a result I will get a big raise or something xD

Thanks fellows

 

[MGXFP]

What building codes are you using? Most codes do not require clean agent for electrical or server rooms. NFPA 2001 will tell you how to install a clean agent system, a building code will say when its required.

Generally, CO2 fire extinguishers are not recommended for small rooms for obvious reasons. A clean agent extinguisher can be used instead.

 

[LCREP]

Turki

A co2 extinguish offers no protection at all since it is manually operated. So listen to the AHJ instead of coming up with a way to make your life easier. So when the room has a fire how will you explain to your boss when the AHJ has in the file all the times they told you what YOU needed to do something and did nothing? I have been involved in these meetings from an AHJ point of view not fun for the person not doing his job!

 

[LCREP]

Turki,

You may want to investigate a double interlocked pre-action sprinkler system if the area has a water supply. You need the fire detection system AND the sprinkler to activate before water enters the pipe. This usually helps the folks who do not like sprinkler system over data equipment. The problem with gas suppression systems is the room needs to be tight to hold the gas. A door open and or the enclosure walls, ceilings not being maintained can result in the gas escaping and not controlling the fire. The smaller the room the worse it is, the gas does not need a large hole from the gas to escape and not control a fire. When I did field reviews of data centers I always had them lift ceiling & floor tiles to look for holes. I always recommend hold open devices on all doors to the room connected to the fire detection system, activation of the system closed the door. Why because I found way to many doors held open with a chair or wood wedges to move stuff into and out of the room. If you do have a policy for anyone who works on the enclosure responsible for maintaining the integrity you may want to develop one. Include the written inspection and sign off of any holes made in the enclosure. Nothing like make a 1 foot square hole to run a 1/2” through the wall!

 

[Miyazaki]

If it's a single LV panel you could consider the clean agent panel flooding system/direct or indirect low-pressure system. Firetrace and Rotarex are some of the manufacturers in this field.

https://www.firetrace.com/passive-fire-suppression-system

https://www.firetrace.com/firetrace-tube-system

https://rotarexfiretec.com/categories/electrical-cabinet-fire-protection