SAPPHIRE Fire Suppression

Halon Alternatives in Data Centers

http://www.facilitiesnet.com/firesafety/article/Halon-Alternatives-Provide-Suppression-Without-Hurting-Environment--13805

Largest Novec System in the country

Project profile: Installing a large clean agent system in a complex environment

A government data center opted for a clean agent suppression system to protect its mission critical facility.

Corey Wallace

08/07/2014

Southland Industries recently designed and installed one of the largest clean agent fire suppression systems in the nation. The stakes were high as the goal of the project was to protect sensitive data stored on hundreds of servers within a large government facility. The project was particularly complex not only due to its large size and stringent standards for security, but also because it needed to seamlessly integrate with a double interlock pre-action system and an energy-efficient containment method of air cooling.

The immediate challenge facing the design team centered on accommodating the agency’s requirement that the building have continuity of operations. The agency needed to be able to perform system maintenance and upgrades without losing power to the system or any of its functionality. Any kind of system disruption—even one consisting of only a few minutes—was simply not acceptable.

Designing and installing this clean agent system required not only meticulous planning, but also creative thinking that led to a set of innovative and smart solutions for the building owner. It served as a reminder that regardless of any apparent incompatibilities among systems performing different functions, there are ways to design and structure them so they operate as a cohesive whole.

To ensure continuity of operations, project engineers designed a double interlock pre-action system to reduce the chance of accidental water discharge in the event of a fire. This would assure that water would only be discharged as a last resort in the 66,000-sq-ft data center space. As a first line of defense, a clean agent system using 3M NOVEC gas would be used.

Installing a clean agent system in such a massive area required a creative approach by the team. Regulations required that clean agent “storage containers shall be located as close as possible to or within the hazards they protect” (NFPA 2001, Section 4.1.3.2). But the configuration of the building was not conducive to situating the clean agent system close to these protected areas. The server room and mechanical gallery are located in the center of the second floor over a 3-ft raised floor. The ceiling height of the server room is approximately 12 ft, and the space above the ceiling to the deck is approximately 4 ft. The electrical power supply via switchgear equipment is located directly below the server room space. All of this made it impractical to place the clean agent tanks on the same floor as the servers.

Given these constraints, the team determined that the best solution would be to locate the clean agent primary and secondary supply tanks on the ground floor, even though the protected hazard—the servers and mechanical gallery—are located on the second floor, 20 ft above and several hundred pipe lengths away.

This complicated matters even further, requiring the team to ensure the clean agent system’s fire-extinguishing gases could just as efficiently reach the protected areas as they would if they were located closer to them. This meant making sure that the system was equipped with the appropriate amount of gas and was forceful enough to pump that gas into the areas.

None of the clean agent systems certified at that time were right for the job. The project required a newer system that had a higher discharge pressure. After thorough evaluation and analysis of needs, the team eventually settled on the 500 psi NOVEC 1230. The system was so new that it was still going through its final approval process by UL, a third-party listing agency, as it was being installed. A few months before the project was turned over to the owner, the system gained official UL approval.

In addition to the many challenges already identified, the team needed to address the issue of arranging the various fire life safety systems and MEP trades and equipment in a limited amount of space. The fire suppression piping, along with the other trades, required detailed coordination to prevent interference and a lack of constructability. To prevent potential conflicts, the piping was designed, planned, and coordinated in 3D to reduce field changes. This allowed for the inclusion of bracing in the clean agent piping (similar to seismic bracing) to hold the pipes in place against the force of pressure that is exerted when the clean agent gas is discharged. By strategically locating the pipe, any potential interference with the other trades was prevented.

Another focus of concern was the need to prevent pipe corrosion. It was important to make space for a nitrogen system to prevent corrosion of the pipes of the double interlocked pre-action system, which employs schedule 40 black steel pipe. Concern about future corrosion prompted the pre-action system to be supervised by an inert gas such as nitrogen in lieu of standard air. However, space was not made available on the second floor to accommodate the infrastructure needs of the nitrogen system. As a result, the nitrogen generator and storage tank had to be located on the first floor in the clean agent storage tank room. From there, the supervisory nitrogen is piped up from the first floor to the pre-action valves on the second floor. The pre-action valve is required to automatically revert to a non-interlock configuration in the event of a power loss. Upon the return of power, the pre-action valve returns to its standard release method.

Finally, the project also needed to meet the requirements of and be certified to U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold, version 3.0. It would be registered through the Green Building Certification Institute, with performance goals based on a “high-performance green building” as defined by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

To reach LEED certification in a building with many servers, the agency employed the containment method using barriers to trap and direct airflow to control cooling. The challenge with this method, however, is that the structure created obstructions that would make it difficult for the clean agent gas to reach it. The hot aisle containment areas are large enough to walk in and therefore require sprinkler protection as well as clean agent protection. The aisle utilized ceiling grids down the center for lights and fire protection devices but had 2-ft-wide open areas along the length of the enclosure. To address this, the project team altered the clean agent nozzle locations so that they entered into each of the containment areas.

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Corey Wallace is an associate principal engineer with Southland Industries. He holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Mississippi and a master’s of engineering management from Christian Brothers University.

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Click HERE for the original source: http://www.csemag.com/single-article/project-profile-installing-a-large-clean-agent-system-in-a-complex-environment/222568fe33906cd5680ff42a00c85ade.html

Clean Agent Fire Suppression System

Thanks to The ARA GROUP in Australia for this great Video. Check out more info about their company here: http://www.aragroup.com.au/

FSSA UPDATES

FSSA 2014 ANNUAL FORUM RECAP The FSSA recently held its 2014 Annual Forum in San Diego, CA.  With over 170 attendees, this year’s meeting was a huge success!  A big thank you to our volunteer program committee members who organized an informative and educational program that included guest speakers from DLB Associates, Minimax, The Wackel Group, Tyco, UL, Wesco HMB, and the Fire Chief of Redding, CA.  In case you were not able to attend this year we have posted the presentations to our home page and have linked them here. Mark your calendar for next year’s Annual Forum for February 21 – 24, 2015 in Clearwater Beach, FL at the Sandpearl Resort. FSSA ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT At this year’s annual forum Eric Burkland, Healey Fire Protection was elected to serve as president of FSSA for 2014-15. Eric has over 13 years’ experience in design engineering, project sales & project management of engineered special hazard fire protection systems including specialty gas & flame detection, air sampling, clean agents, CO2, foam, dry chemical, explosion-suppression, water mist and water deluge systems for industrial and commercial applications.  Eric has served on the FSSA since 2009 when he was appointed Vice-Chair of the Installer’s Division.  Eric is the youngest President ever to serve for the FSSA.  Left: Bob Burkland, Owner, Healey Fire Protection Right: Eric Burkland, President, FSSA FSSA 2015 FORUM TOURNAMENT An impromptu but fiercely competitive ping pong tournament took place after this years President's Reception and Banquet. Steve Foulk, Comprehensive Fire Technologies, winding up for his serve. Tim Pope, Janus Fire Systems, employing his be the ball strategy. Tim was the reigning champion of the night and its easy to see why with all that focus in the picture above.  That was until  Brad Stilwell of Fike Corporation arrived and apparently swept up the competition.  Will the ping pong masters continue this over into next years forum?  We shall see. 2014 - 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The FSSA would like to congratulate and welcome its 2014-15 Board of Directors: PRESIDENT: Eric Burkland | Healey Fire Protection Inc. VICE PRESIDENT: Tim Carman | Tyco SECRETARY/TREASURER: Steve Carter | Orr Protection Systems, Inc. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Dale Kent | 3M Company DIRECTORS: Matt Euson | 3S Incorporated Tina Nelissen | Amerex Corporation Scott Bailey | Koorsen Fire & Security Mike Kiamanesh | WAYSMOS USA Inc John Lawlor | Keystone Fire Protection Helen Lowery | DuPont Fluoroproducts Bill Howerton | Fike Corporation Rick Scott | BFPE International Todd Stevens | Minimax USA LLC INSTALLERS DIVISION:  Bill Blanchard (Chair) | Great Lakes Building Systems, Inc. Anna Gavin (Vice Chair) | Fireline Corporation MANUFACTURERS DIVISION: John Demeter (Chair) | Wesco HMB Kevin Murray (Vice Chair) | Siemens Industry MEMBERSHIP DUES NOTICE It's almost that time of year again for the yearly renewal process.  Dues renewals will be sent out in the next month for the 2014-2015 calendar year.  Thank you to those who have already renewed for the upcoming year. Questions about billing, payment, or maybe want to get a jump start on the process?  Please contact Jason Dumm, Financial Coordinator at headquarters for assistance. NEW USPS POSTAGE RATE INCREASE In case you have not heard the FSSA would like to inform its members of the recent postage rate increase. On January 26, 2014 the rate to mail a first class letter rose from $0.46 to $0.49. Click here to download a printable rate increase chart. 2015 FSSA ANNUAL FORUM The 2015 Annual Forum will be held next February 21 - 24 in Clearwater Beach, FL at the Sandpearl Resort. More information coming soon. FSSA TRAINING PROGRAM The FSSA Training program is live!  If you reserved a spot at the forum invoices were emailed in May. For questions regarding the training program or to reserve your space, please contact Vince Mullhausen at FSSA HQ. Table of Contents 2014 FSSA Annual Forum Recap FSSA Elects New President Forum Ping Pong Tournament 2014 - 2015 Board of Directors 14-15 Dues Notice New USPS Rates 2015 Annual Forum   FSSA Training Program Have News to Share? Do you have news to share about your company or newsworthy topic?  Send it our way and it may be included in an issue of the Annunciator.  You can email Vince with your news. Volunteers Needed! FSSA's Marketing & Membership Committees are looking for volunteers to serve on the committees and assist the association with marketing, communication, and membership recruitment efforts.  If you are interested in participating and offering your expertise, please contact Vince at FSSA Headquarters via email.     FSSA, the FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION, is a not-for-profit trade association, drawing members internationally. FSSA is a unique blend of designer/installers, manufacturers and suppliers working together to share ideas and strategies for the benefit of the fire suppression systems industry. FSSA members are dedicated to the highest level of safety, reliability and effectiveness of special hazards fire suppression.   The mission of FSSA is to promote the use of, and be the leading recognized authority on, special hazard fire protection systems; employing existing and new technologies to safeguard people, high-value assets and the environment. Interested in passing along information on FSSA to prospective members? FSSA has printed cards proclaiming "WHY Join the FSSA" with information on member benefits. If you would like a stack of cards mailed to you so that you can distribute them to your colleagues, please contact FSSA Headquarters. Crista LeGrand, CAE, CMP - Executive Director Vince Mullhausen - Meetings & Member Services Donna Liberto - Financial Manager Jason Dumm - Financial Coordinator (contact Jason for all membership dues & meeting registration payments or invoicing) The complete archive of The Annunciator is available on the FSSA website. Click here to view.  Please contact Vince Mullhausen at FSSA Headquarters if you would like to have a colleague added to the mailing list. Copyright © 2013 Fire Suppression Systems Association. All rights reserved.

Passing of James J. McSweeney

Passing of James J. McSweeney

FSSA regrets to inform you of the recent passing of JAMES J. McSWEENEY, beloved husband of Cindy (nee Binelli), after a long battle with cancer. Jim was the co-owner of Gemcom, Inc. with his nephew John Kelly.
He was the devoted father of Todd (Nikkie), Casey (Ning) & Jim (Kristina); loving grandfather of Jackie (Ed), Brittani, Phillipe, Porsha, Isabella, Dario, Gabriela & Kai; great-grandfather of Ivory; devoted son of Marion nee Hawks & the late Robert McSweeney; brother of Bob (Michele), Kathy (Bob) Kelly & Mike (Danette); brother-in-law of Kathie (Dave) Bass, Micki (Dave) Bohac & Chuck (Chris) Binelli; fond uncle of many nieces & nephews.  
"Big Jim" was a beloved friend of many & best buddy to Chewy & Snoopy. 
A Celebration of Jim's life will be held, tomorrow, January 31, 2014, 3-8 p.m. at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, 12294 Archer Ave., Lemont, IL (630) 257-5872. For more information, click here or call (708) 839-8999. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made here to NextSteps Chicago in Willow Springs, IL.

Grow with us!

Thank YOU!

In the spirit of being thankful this season, A-Gas RemTec would like to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone that helped make all of our trade shows this year a success. Without our loyal customers and friends we would not be able to provide all of the services and products that we do!


Please keep in mind that we want to purchase any Halon 1301 you may have to get rid of before the end of the year! Let us boost your numbers and pad your wallets for the upcoming Holiday season!!! 

3M Novec 1230 Clean Agent Fire Suppression

Availability of HFC-227ea

RemTec has, in stock and available for immediate shipment HFC-227ea that is UL listed component I/A/W NFPA 2001. Contact the Green Team today for the best price.

RemTec International is also purchasing Halon 1301, Halon 1211, HFC-227ea, HFC-125, HFC-236fa and Novec 1230. We take care of all the freight costs and paperwork. Hassle free transaction during the start of the holiday season that puts money back in your pocket.

Contact the RemTec’s Green Team, Terri or Sandy today!
1-800-372-1301
Terri.aufrance@remtec.net
sandy.hoffman@remtec.net

www.remtec.net

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Come See Us At NAFED - Atlantic City!

Stop by Booth# 6 at the NAFED Atlantic City conference April 8th. Terri AuFrance and Jaclyn Schilkey will be in attendance!