APPLICATION
INERGEN
®
extinguishing agent used in
Ansul engineered systems is particularly
useful for hazards where an electrical, non-
conductive medium is essential or desirable;
where clean-up of other agents presents a
problem; where hazard obstructions require
the use of a gaseous agent; or where the
hazard is normally occupied and requires a
non-toxic agent.
The following are typical hazards protected
by INERGEN systems:
• Computer rooms
• Subfloors
• Tape storage
• Telecommunications/Switchgear
• Vaults
• Process equipment
• All normally occupied or unoccupied areas
where electronic equipment is either very
sensitive or irreplaceable
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
INERGEN agent is a mixture of three natu-
rally occurring gases: nitrogen, argon and
carbon dioxide. As INERGEN agent is
derived from gases present in the earth’s
atmosphere, it exhibits no ozone depleting
potential, does not contribute to global warm-
ing, nor does it contribute unique chemical
species with extended atmospheric lifetimes.
Because INERGEN agent is composed of
atmospheric gases, it does not pose the
problems of toxicity associated with the
chemically derived Halon alternative agents.
DESCRIPTION
INERGEN agent is a plentiful, non-corrosive
gas that does not support combustion nor
react with most substances. INERGEN agent
contains only naturally-occurring gases which
have no impact on the ozone or the environ-
ment in general. INERGEN agent is a mix-
ture of three inerting (oxygen diluting) gases:
52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8% carbon
dioxide. INERGEN agent extinguishes fire by
lowering the oxygen content below the level
that supports combustion. When INERGEN
agent is discharged into a room, it introduces
the proper mixture of gases that still allow a
INERGEN
®
FIRE
SUPPRESSION
SYSTEMS
DATA SHEET
EXTINGUISHING
AGENT
person to breathe in a reduced oxygen
atmosphere. It actually enhances the body’s
ability to assimilate oxygen. The normal
atmosphere in a room contains approximate-
ly 21% oxygen and less than 1% carbon
dioxide. If the oxygen content is reduced
below 15%, most ordinary combustibles will
not burn. INERGEN agent will reduce the
oxygen content to approximately 12.5% while
increasing the carbon dioxide content to
about 3%. The increase in the carbon dioxide
content increases a person’s respiration rate
and the body’s ability to absorb oxygen.
Simply stated, the human body is stimulated
by the carbon dioxide to breathe more deeply
and rapidly to compensate for the lower oxy-
gen content of the atmosphere.
PERFORMANCE
INERGEN is an effective fire extinguishing
agent that can be used on many types of
fires. INERGEN extinguishing system units
are designed for total flooding protection
against Class A surface burning, Class B
flammable liquid, and Class C fires occurring
within an enclosure by lowering the oxygen
content below the level that supports com-
bustion.
INERGEN agent has been tested by FMRC
for inerting capabilities. Those tests have
shown that INERGEN agent, at design con-
centrations between 40% and 50%, has suc-
cessfully inerted mixtures of propane/air, and
methane/air.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF INERGEN
Specific gravity:
0.085 lbs./cu. ft. (1.36 kg/m3)
Vapor density:
1.1 (Air = 1)
Approximate molecular weight:
34
APPROVAL
INERGEN agent complies with the NFPA
Standard 2001, Standard for Clean Agent
Fire Extinguishing Systems and EPA
Program SNAP, Significant New Alternate
Policy.
Agent is listed and approved by Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc. (UL) and Factory Mutual
Research Corporation (FMRC).
Containers meet the applicable Department
of Transportation (DOT) specifications.
ANSUL and INERGEN are trademarks of Ansul
Incorporated or its affiliates.
ANSUL
®
ANSUL INCORPORATED
MARINETTE, WI 54143-2542
715-735-7411
Form No. F-200045-1
© 2002 Ansul Incorporated Litho in U.S.A.
