Sapphire Incorporating 3M™ NOVEC™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid

The search for halon 1301 replacements has been on-going for over 10 years and each alternative brings with it a unique set of properties. We have brought to the market products that match the requirements of industry and our latest research allows us to introduce fire protection systems using Novec 1230 fluid , a new development with some advantages over current technologies. Novec 1230 fluid allows us to complement our existing range of agents as the phase out of halons accelerates in many countries around the world.

Novec 1230 fluid is known as a fluorinated ketone and is manufactured by 3M.

Novec 1230 fluid has low toxicity and has a boiling point of 49 degrees C and therefore exists as a liquid at room temperature. Like halon 1301 it is super-pressurised with  nitrogen to 25 bar. Like most other chemical agents, it rapidly extinguishes through a combination of heat absorption (its main action) and some chemical interference with the flame.

Environmental Features

Novec1230 fluid contains neither bromine nor chlorine and has zero 0zone depleting potential.

The atmospheric lifetime of Novec 1230 fluid is estimated to be in the range of 3-5 days and with a global warming potential of 1, it is considered that the Novec 1230 fluid has no measurable impact on climate change. These attributes ensure that Novec 1230 fluid represents a truly sustainable technology.

Safety

Acute toxicity testing has shown that Novec 1230 fluid is safe at end use concentrations. The effective toxicity exposure limit is greater than 10% for both the acute inhalation exposure and cardiac sensitisation No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) and set against low design concentrations, it offers margins of safety (up to 100%).

Applications

Despite having a low boiling point, Novec 1230 fluid is able to be effectively vapourised over a wide range of hazard temperatures. It is therefore available to protect most hazards traditionally protected with halon 1301 and will be particularly important in Marine applications and others where high margins of safety and long term sustainability are considered to be important features.

Handling

One of the advantages offered by Novec 1230 fluid’s high boiling point is that it presents very low vapour pressures, enabling it to be transported in lightweight totes or drums as opposed to steel pressurised containers. This allows Novec 1230 fluid to be readily air freighted and as both initial filling and recharging operations are possible by simply pouring the fluid into containers, prior to super-pressurising, the filling operation is far simpler than with traditional high pressure gases.

Features:

• Zero ozone depleting potential
• Negligible global warming potential
• Atmospheric lifetime of less than 5 days
• Safe for use in occupied areas
• Existing halon control system can be adapted for use with Novec 1230 fluid
• Requires minimal storage space
• Provisional S.N.A.P. listing by US E.P.A.
• UL/FM testing underway
• Submitted for inclusion in ISO and CEN design standards