7 - 2
September 2004
Argonite
®
Engineered Fire Suppression System
38-KFSARG-000
7-3.1
Specification for Argonite AR/N
2
50%/50% by Volume, Atmospheric
Tolerance of mixture in air:Ar 48% to 50%
N
2
50% to 52 %
7-3.2
Purity of AR and N
2
Argon:
Ar
$
99.99%:
O
2
#
10 ppm
H
2
O
#
10 ppm
Nitrogen:
N
2
$
99.7%
O
2
#
10 ppm
H
2
O
#
10 ppm
Note:
Only principal contaminants are shown. Other measurements may include:
CO; NO; NO
2
, CO
2
, etc., most at < 20 ppm.
7-4
EVALUATION OF HAZARD/RISK
The design and installation of an Argonite fire extinguishing system requires a thorough
evaluation of the hazard to be protected. The hazard to be protected shall be inspected
for relevant information and detailed drawings studied. The following should be considered:
Integrity of the enclosure.
Unclosable ventilation and exhaust openings, as their location could jeopardize the
agent holding time and require additional agent to be discharged over time (extended
discharge).
Volume of unclosable air ducts, intake and exhaust.
Volume of recirculating air-handling equipment.
Automatic shutdown of forced ventilation upon fire detection. Spring operated fire
damper(s) may be taken into consideration when calculating the required pressure
relief vent opening.
A general estimate of the flammables involved. The fuel demanding the highest
extinguishing concentration shall govern.
Quantity of flammables expected to be in the enclosure.
Automatic shutdown of liquid supply systems at fire detection.
Location of the most probable place for a fire to start.
Location and volume of open fuel reservoirs. Nozzles should be positioned to avoid a
direct discharge onto the fuel surface, which could cause the fuel to splash and
spread the fire.
Evaluation of the worst possible fire scenario
Possibility of a liquid spill spreading into adjoining hazards?
Hot surfaces that might cause reignition after the holding time.
Shutdown of electrical equipment prior to agent release.
Suspended ceiling and/or elevated floor spaces volume, discharge nozzles.
Provision for closing doors and windows upon fire detection.
Adequate pressure relief venting to accommodate the resulting pressure increase
caused by a discharge.
