Inert Gas Fire Extinguishing System
What Is Inert Gas Fire Suppression?
Inert gas fire suppression systems use naturally occurring gases—such as nitrogen, argon, or carefully blended mixtures—to extinguish fires in a clean and reliable manner. These gases are stored under high pressure and released as a clear, invisible discharge that spreads evenly throughout the protected area.
The suppression process works by reducing the oxygen level just enough to stop combustion, while still remaining within safe limits for people. Inert gases are colourless, odourless, electrically non-conductive, and leave no residue, making them ideal for environments containing sensitive equipment and valuable assets.
Because inert gas systems introduce no chemicals and produce no by-products, they do not damage materials, corrode components, or create harmful residues during or after discharge. When designed and installed to approved standards, they provide effective fire protection in normally occupied spaces while maintaining a high level of safety for personnel.
Extinguishing Method – Inert Gases (IG-55, IG-541, IG-100 & IG-01)
Inert gas fire suppression systems extinguish fires by reducing the oxygen concentration within the protected area to a level that can no longer support combustion. This controlled reduction stops the fire while maintaining conditions that are safe for occupants when designed to approved standards.
Upon activation, the inert gas is discharged rapidly and uniformly, achieving full enclosure flooding within the required discharge time. The suppression process does not involve chemical reactions, thermal absorption, or residue formation, ensuring stable extinguishment and eliminating the risk of contamination or equipment damage.
Because inert gas systems use naturally occurring gases and do not rely on chemical reactions, they provide clean, reliable fire suppression suitable for normally occupied spaces and critical environments where asset protection and safety are essential.
Why Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems?
Inert gas fire suppression systems (IG-55, IG-541, IG-100, and IG-01) are engineered for applications where life safety, asset protection, and system reliability are critical design requirements. These systems provide effective fire control while maintaining oxygen concentrations within limits suitable for occupied spaces when designed in accordance with recognised international standards.
The suppression method introduces no chemical agents, residues, or corrosive by-products, ensuring compatibility with sensitive electronic equipment and high-value assets. Inert gases are electrically non-conductive and chemically stable, making them suitable for use in mission-critical environments with strict operational and cleanliness requirements.
With flexible system configurations, long service life, and minimal post-discharge recovery requirements, inert gas systems are a proven solution for data centres, control rooms, power facilities, and other high-risk enclosures where continuity of operation and regulatory compliance are paramount.
Typical Areas of Fire Protection
Typical areas that can be protected by an HFC-227ea system are detailed below; the list is by no means exhaustive:
- Server Rooms
- Data Centres
- Communication Rooms
- UPS Rooms
- Restaurant Kitchens
- Clean Rooms
- Manufacturing
- Industrial Processes
- Electrical Switch Cabinets
- Boat Engine Rooms
- Battery Rooms
- Local Equipment Rooms (LERs)
Inert Gas Suppression Systems (IG-55, IG-541, IG-100 & IG-01)
Inert gas fire suppression systems provide powerful, clean fire protection for environments where people, property, and performance cannot be compromised. Using naturally occurring gases, these systems stop fires quickly while keeping spaces safe, visible, and fully operational.
Designed to protect valuable equipment and mission-critical infrastructure, inert gas systems leave no residue, cause no corrosion, and require minimal downtime after activation. Their clean discharge ensures sensitive electronics remain unharmed, allowing businesses to resume operations with confidence.
Ideal for occupied and high-risk environments, inert gas suppression systems offer a reliable, environmentally responsible solution where safety, asset protection, and uninterrupted performance matter most.
Features and Benefits
- Safe for human occupancy.
- Colourless, odorless, liquefied compressed gas
- Stored as a liquid
- Electrically non-conductive
- Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
- Low global warming potential
- Short atmospheric lifetime
- Discharges as a gaseous vapor (due to its relatively low boiling point)
- Discharge in 10 seconds or less to extinguish fires rapidly, minimising damage to high-value assets
- Electrically non-conductive, prevent residue and clean-up after fire
- Require minimal container storage space
- Minimises down time of vital system operations
- Reduces loss and damage due to fire and helps ensure business continuity
- Best warranty in the fire protection industry
- Appears on US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) list
- Active Fire Listing, FM and UL Approved
- Marine system with USCG and ABS approvals also available
Structure and Function
Inert gas fire suppression systems are engineered to provide flexible, high-performance protection for a wide range of critical and occupied environments. Systems can be designed as single-zone installations to protect an individual hazard or as multi-zone configurations, allowing multiple protected spaces to be safeguarded from a common gas storage arrangement. This approach optimises system efficiency while reducing installation footprint and overall cost.
To meet the demands of complex building layouts, inert gas systems are available in high-pressure configurations, enabling enhanced discharge performance and greater freedom in system design. These configurations allow systems to be precisely engineered to suit enclosure volume, risk classification, and pipe routing constraints, ensuring consistent and reliable fire suppression across all protected areas.
International fire protection standards require inert gas systems to achieve rapid and uniform enclosure flooding within defined discharge times. High-pressure inert gas technology supports longer pipe runs, increased elevation changes, and more complex distribution networks while maintaining full compliance with these requirements. This capability allows gas cylinders to be safely installed in remote or dedicated storage areas, outside the protected space, without compromising system effectiveness.
As inert gases are non-reactive, electrically non-conductive, and free from residue, these systems provide exceptional protection for sensitive equipment, mission-critical infrastructure, and high-value assets. Combined with proven reliability, long service life, and minimal post-discharge recovery requirements, inert gas suppression systems represent a robust and future-proof fire protection solution for demanding applications.
Technical Performance Summary
- Configurable single-zone or multi-zone system architecture
- High-pressure system options for enhanced discharge performance
- Rapid and uniform gas distribution to meet required flooding times
- Support for extended and complex piping layouts
- Remote cylinder storage capability for improved space utilisation
- Suitable for occupied spaces when designed to applicable standards
- Clean, residue-free suppression with no impact on sensitive equipment
Manifold System for Single
Area System
No. Part Name:
3. Fix Steel Channel
5. Bleed Valve
7. Discharge Hose
9. Manifold
11. Manifold Safety Valve
13. Electrical Actuator
4. Container Valve
6. Pneumatic Actuator
8. Manifold Check Valve
10. Pilot Hose
12. Discharge Pressure Switch
14. Nozzle
4. Container Valve
6. Pneumatic Actuator
8. Manifold Check Valve
10. Pilot Hose
12. Discharge Pressure Switch
14. Nozzle
Services
We deliver complete inert gas fire suppression solutions designed to meet the requirements of international standards, including NFPA 2001, BS EN 15004, and ISO 14520. Our approach ensures each system is engineered to provide reliable performance, occupant safety, and long-term protection for critical environments.
Our inert gas services include:
- System Engineering & Design: Custom system designs using IG-55, IG-541, IG-100, or IG-01, developed to suit the specific enclosure characteristics and risk profile
- Pipework & Nozzle Design: Pipe routing and nozzle placement determined through approved hydraulic calculations, utilising certified components
- Technical Drawings: Production of detailed AutoCAD plans and isometric drawings to support accurate installation
- Equipment Supply: Provision and preparation of inert gas cylinders and original system hardware in the required quantities
- Cylinder Recharging & Component Replacement: Ongoing support including cylinder refilling and replacement of system parts as required
- Turnkey Installation & Maintenance: Complete installation of inert gas suppression systems, with routine inspections, servicing, and scheduled maintenance to ensure continued compliance and performance
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