Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems

Clean, reliable, and eco-friendly fire protection solutions based on argon and nitrogen.

What are Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems?

Inert gas fire suppression systems are advanced gas fire suppression systems that use argon, nitrogen, or specific mixtures of these gases as extinguishing agents, bringing the fire under control by reducing the oxygen concentration in the protected area to a level where combustion cannot be sustained. They offer an effective fire protection solution especially in areas where water or foam cannot be used, housing electronic equipment and valuable assets.

System design is carried out according to the fire risk and the characteristics of the protected area. The extinguishing agent is discharged into the area in an amount that will provide the required design concentration to stop the fire. For Class A surface fires, one of the primary design goals is to establish the necessary suppression conditions in less than 60 seconds.

How Do Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems Work?

• The fire detection system quickly detects the fire occurring in the protected area.
• The control panel activates the suppression system according to a predefined scenario.
• The inert gas stored in cylinders is distributed to the protected area through piping and discharge nozzles.
• While the concentration of the gas inside the area increases, the oxygen concentration is reduced to a level where combustion cannot be sustained.
• The combustion conditions necessary for the fire to continue are eliminated, bringing the fire under control and extinguishing it.

Properties and Environmental Advantages of Inert Gases

Argon and nitrogen used in inert gas systems are gases naturally present in the atmosphere. Thanks to these properties, they offer significant environmental advantages compared to certain halocarbon-based chemical clean gases. Argon and nitrogen are odorless, colorless, and electrically non-conductive gases with no ozone depletion potential.

• Colorless and odorless structure
• No electrical conductivity
• No potential to damage the ozone layer
• No global warming impact
• No corrosive effect on common plumbing and building materials at normal temperatures
• Suitability for areas containing electronic equipment and sensitive devices
• Ability to be used in areas where people may be present, in compliance with design criteria
• No chemical residue left after suppression

Types of Inert Gas Suppression Agents

Cylinder Pressures and System Structure

Inert gas fire suppression systems can be built using cylinders stored at high pressures such as 150, 200, and 300 bar, depending on the application and product design. Single-cylinder or multi-cylinder sets can be used. High storage pressure allows the gas to be transported to protected areas over long distances and enables the protection of multiple areas through a centralized system.

In multi-zone applications using directional valves, multiple protection areas can be designed with a single cylinder group. Thus, it becomes possible to gather the cylinders in a central location and protect different areas within the building from a single center.

Main Advantages of Inert Gas Systems

• Can be applied in sensitive areas where extinguishing agents like water and foam cannot be used.
• Does not leave chemical residues requiring post-suppression cleaning on electronic devices and valuable equipment.
• Using gases naturally found in the atmosphere provides an environmental advantage.
• Suitable for protecting distant and geometrically diverse areas thanks to high-pressure cylinders.
• Single or multi-cylinder system configurations can be created.
• Multiple zones can be protected from a central system using directional valves.
• Can be evaluated as an alternative clean gas solution or for replacing Halon 1301 systems.
• For Class A surface fires, the discharge time can be designed to create necessary suppression conditions within up to 60 seconds.

Design and Application Standards

In the design of inert gas fire suppression systems, many technical parameters are evaluated together, such as the volume of the protected area, fire risk, required design concentration, gas quantity, cylinder capacity, piping, nozzles, pressure calculations, ventilation, and room tightness.

• ISO 14520
• UNE 23570
• NFPA 2001

Room Tightness and Performance

The leak-tightness of the protected area in gas fire suppression systems is critical for system performance. Door, wall, cable, and pipe penetrations, ventilation openings, and other leakage points must be evaluated to ensure the gas can be held at the design concentration for a sufficient duration. When necessary, room tightness is measured using a Door Fan Test to check the system's compliance with real operating conditions.

Areas of Application

Libraries and Archives

Military Facilities

Computer and Server Rooms

Educational Institutions and Institutes

Electrical and Electronic Rooms

Financial Centers and Banks

Marine and Shipping Applications

Hospitals and Medical Facilities

Pharmaceutical Factories

Generator Rooms

Control Rooms

Museums and Galleries

Nuclear Facilities

Offices

Oil Platforms and Gas Plants

Hot Dip Areas

Transformer Rooms and Substations

Professional Inert Gas Fire Suppression Solution

The selection and design of an inert gas fire suppression system require accurate analysis of the fire risk, evaluation of the characteristics of the protected area, and performance of engineering calculations in compliance with relevant standards. AYSO TEKNİK TESİSAT ELEMANLARI SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. provides engineering design, implementation, and technical consultancy services for inert gas fire suppression solutions in data centers, electrical and electronic rooms, control rooms, energy facilities, industrial areas, and spaces containing sensitive equipment.

For an inert gas fire suppression system tailored to your needs, the intended use, volume, fire risk, and existing infrastructure of the protected area should be evaluated to determine the appropriate system solution.