1.0 Scope

This specification outlines the requirements for a total flooding FE-13™ (HFC-23) fire suppression system.

2.0 Purpose

This specification is for procurement of a fire suppression system. It shall be used as a standard for equipment, installation, and acceptance testing.

3.0 General Requirements

3.1 Application. This specification outlines the requirements for an automatic fixed fire suppression system using FE-13 as the suppression agent. The hazard(s) to be protected are:

3.2 System. The automatic fixed fire suppression system shall be a Kidde engineered FE-13 fire suppression system as manufactured by Kidde-Fenwal Inc., Ashland, MA. Major components of the detection system, cylinders, valves, and releasing devices shall be supplied by one manufacturer.

3.3 Applicable Publications. The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent referenced.

• National Fire Protection Association - NFPA 2001, Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

• Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. - Fire Protection Equipment Directory (with Quarterly Supplements)

• Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. - Standard for Halogenated Agent Extinguishing System Units UL 1058
  Note: This document will be superseded by UL 2166 in future.

• U.S. Department of Transportation - Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 100 to 199, Transportation of Hazardous Material

• American National Standards Institute - ANSI B1.20.1, Standard for Pipe Threads, General Purpose

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers - ASME B31.1, Power Piping Code

• Federal Register, Volume 59, Page 13044, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program

3.4 Units. This specification contains requirements described in U.S. units, with a conversion to metric units in parentheses, where applicable. The U.S. unit is to be considered the specified value, with the metric unit only an approximation.

3.5 Contractor Requirements. In order to ensure system effectiveness and owner satisfaction, the Contractor shall engineer, furnish, install, and test all specified equipment and accessories for a complete system as described in the plans.

3.6 System Drawings. The Contractor shall specifically prepare plans that are to an indicated scale with lettering no smaller than 1/8 inch (3 mm) and easily reproducible. These plans shall show the quantity, location, and marking of all system components. Included shall be a description and routing of all piping. Care shall be taken to locate all agent storage containers as close to the protected area as possible to ensure that a system discharge time of no more than 10 seconds can be achieved. System electrical schematics and diagrams shall be provided, including a description of all interlock functions. Four sets of all drawings shall be submitted to the Owner and appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction for approval prior to fabrication.

3.7 System Checkout, Owner Training, and Acceptance. Upon completion of installation, a meeting shall be held at the site with the Contractor. Equipment supplier and Owner personnel shall be present. The Contractor shall familiarize Owner's personnel with system components, system functions, and recommended procedures. At this time, a functional test of the system shall be demonstrated. A room integrity test shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA 2001. The Contractor shall provide the necessary personnel and instruments to conduct this test. The Contractor shall provide the Owner with a complete operation and maintenance manual as well as a written summary of any functional tests conducted. The Contractor shall be capable of conducting semiannual system inspections and be equipped to recondition the complete system within 24 hours in the event of a system actuation. The following shall be included in the Contractor's quotation:

• Duration of training

• Location of training (on site if feasible)

• Material covered and training aids available

3.8 Maintenance. A maintenance agreement shall be submitted to the Owner for consideration; however, this agreement may or may not be accepted.

3.9 Installation. All work shall be completed in a high degree of workmanship and in compliance with current NFPA Standard 2001 and local codes. All openings made during installation shall be sealed at time of system installation to prevent leakage and maintain system integrity.

3.10 Warranty. System shall be warranted for parts and labor for not less than a period of one (1) year from date of installation. The Contractor shall specify the maintenance to be performed during the warranty period to maintain warranty conditions.

4.0 Technical Requirements

4.1 Suppression Agent. The suppression agent shall be FE-13 (HFC-23, trifluoromethane, CHF₃) manufactured by DuPont Fluoroproducts. The suppression agent shall meet the component requirements of this specification. Other agents, or trifluoromethane manufactured by anyone other than DuPont Fluoroproducts, will not be acceptable.

4.2 Agent Storage. The agent shall be stored in high-pressure steel cylinders meeting the component requirements of this specification. Low-pressure or "bulk" agent storage shall not be acceptable. The agent shall be stored without the addition of any additional substance, including but not limited to nitrogen superpressurization.

4.3 Suppression System Design.

4.3.1 Concept. The suppression system shall provide high-speed release of FE-13 based on the concept of total flooding fire protection for enclosed areas. The suppression system shall use the engineered design concept. Nonengineered systems shall not be acceptable.

4.3.2 Agent Quantity.

4.3.2.1 Minimum Design Concentration. The system shall be designed to provide a uniform minimum concentration of extinguishing agent throughout the protected space(s) at the lowest expected ambient temperature. In no case shall the minimum design concentration be less than 18% by volume. The Contractor shall survey the expected fuel load of the space(s), and recommend a minimum design concentration higher than 18% if necessary, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

4.3.2.2 Minimum Design Agent Quantity. The system shall be designed to deliver at least 95% of the minimum design agent quantity in 10 seconds or less. The minimum design agent quantity shall be determined by the following equation:

W = V/S [C/(100-C)]

where:
W = agent weight in pounds (kg)
V = gross volume of space in cubic feet (cubic meters)
S = specific vapor volume of superheated FE-13 at minimum hazard temperature in ft³/lb (m³/kg)
C = minimum design concentration in v/v%

Computer calculations using the above equation are acceptable.

4.3.2.3 Actual Agent Quantity. The actual agent quantity shall include an additional amount to ensure discharge of the minimum design agent quantity in the maximum discharge time per 4.3.4. The minimum additional agent added for this purpose shall be 11% by weight. In addition, all cylinders connected to a common manifold shall contain the same quantity of FE-13 by weight, rounded up to the nearest pound (0.5 kg).

4.3.2.4 Highest Expected Actual Concentration. The actual concentration, after discharge of all agent per 4.3.2.3, at the highest expected ambient temperature, shall be determined for each protected space. In no case shall the highest expected actual concentration exceed 30% v/v.

4.3.3 Calculations. Computer calculations shall be used to determine pipe size, friction loss, and nozzle orifice size. The computer calculation program used shall be UL Listed per UL 1058 (in future, UL 2166). Designs accomplished with nonlisted computer programs, or by noncomputerized design methods, shall not be acceptable. The results shall indicate the discharge time for the system, the agent quantity discharged from each nozzle, and the nozzle pressure. The average nozzle pressure shall in no case be less than 282 PSI (19.4 bars).

4.3.4 Discharge Time. The maximum time to deliver no less than 95% of the agent weight needed to achieve the minimum design concentration per 4.3.2.1 of this specification shall be 10 seconds.

4.3.5 Concentration Hold Time. The intended concentration hold time is a minimum of 10 minutes.

4.3.6 Enclosure Pressure Venting. A calculation of the necessary enclosure vent area required to prevent exceeding the maximum allowable enclosure strength shall be undertaken by the Contractor. Maximum enclosure strength values are as follows:

The calculation method shall be in accordance with recommendations provided by the system manufacturer. The Contractor shall provide and install pressure vents that provide the necessary enclosure vent area. These vents shall be louver-type gravity dampers, set to open outward at a value below the maximum allowable enclosure strength. The louvers shall close when the enclosure pressure drops below the maximum allowable enclosure strength.

4.4 Components. The suppression system shall include the following components:

• FE-13 suppression agent

• Agent storage cylinder(s) with valve(s)

• Storage cylinder strap(s)

• Solenoid releasing device

• Multiple container pressure-releasing components (if necessary)

• Discharge nozzle(s)

• Distribution pipe and fittings

All components, with the exception of distribution pipe and fittings, shall be UL Listed per UL 1058 (in future, UL 2166).

5.0 Component Requirements

5.1 Suppression Agent. FE-13 fire suppression agent supplied with the system shall be manufactured by DuPont Fluoroproducts. The agent shall be UL Component Recognized and FM approved. Agent shall be filled into the agent storage containers at the system manufacturer's factory or at a UL Listed first fill station for FE-13. The agent shall conform to the following minimum purity specification:

• Purity, % by weight minimum = 99.7

• Moisture, ppm by weight, maximum = 10

• Acidity, ppm by weight, expressed as HCl, maximum = 0.1

• Residue, % by volume, maximum = 0.01

5.2 Agent Storage Cylinders.

5.2.1 General. Agent storage shall be at ambient temperature conditions, within the range of -40°F to +130°F (-40°C to +54°C). Agent storage containers that chill the agent for low-pressure storage shall not be acceptable. Upon discharge of the system, no parts shall require replacement other than gaskets, lubricants, and the FE-13 agent. Systems that require replacement of disks, squibs, or any other parts that add to the recharge cost shall not be acceptable. Systems containing components that have a dated life span and must be periodically replaced shall not be acceptable. Maximum fill density of the containers shall be 48 lb/ft³ (769 kg/m³). The containers shall be capable of being filled in 1-pound increments of FE-13. Cylinders superpressurized with nitrogen are not acceptable and are not to be used under any conditions. Agent storage containers equipped with pressure gauges shall not be acceptable.

5.2.2 Cylinders. Cylinders shall be seamless steel alloy high-pressure containers. Cylinders shall comply with D.O.T. Specification 3AA having a minimum service pressure of 1800 psig (124 bars gauge). Low-pressure welded steel cylinders shall not be acceptable.

5.2.3 Cylinder Valves. Cylinder valves shall be machined brass forgings. No other material or valve manufacturing method is acceptable. The cylinder valves shall operate on the differential pressure principle, with operation of a pilot check by the release device venting pressure above a piston. Internal container pressure below the piston shall then open the valve. A port shall exist in the piston to allow the pressure above and below the piston to equalize when the valve is closed. The piston port shall be equipped with a ball check to ensure complete opening of the valve when the pilot check is operated. Systems that employ explosive or pyrotechnic devices shall not be permitted. The valve shall be of sufficient wall thickness and strength to contain high-pressure FE-13. The valve shall be equipped with a safety rupture disc, designed to rupture when an overpressure condition exists within the container. Within the specified fill density limitation, rupture of the disc shall not occur below 130°F (54°C). This rupture disc shall not be the primary means of discharging the agent into the system piping. The rupture disc shall be equipped with a diffuser to safely vent the container pressure without dangerous forces acting on the container.

5.3 Releasing Devices. Each FE-13 system shall use a solenoid-operated releasing device that causes discharge of all agent storage containers in the system. Each releasing device shall be separately series supervised and activated by an output directly from the control panel. The releasing device shall be easily removable from the container valve without emptying the container. While removed from the container valve, the releasing device shall be capable of being operated, with no replacement of parts required after this operation. The use of explosive devices to actuate agent discharge shall not be permitted. The releasing device shall also be capable of direct mechanical actuation, providing a means of discharge in the event of total electrical malfunction. The device shall be provided with a manual lever. In multiple container systems, nitrogen pressure from a separate nitrogen pilot cylinder shall actuate all containers in the system.

5.4 Discharge Nozzles. Discharge nozzles shall be specifically designed and tested for use with FE-13. The nozzles shall be brass with female threads and available in 1/2 inch through 2 inch (12 mm through 50 mm) sizes. Each size shall come in two styles: 180° and 360° dispersion patterns. The nozzle used shall be provided with pipe threads that correspond to the nozzle size. The nozzle used shall be UL Listed. Each nozzle shall be equipped with a label and/or stamping to indicate the part number of the nozzle. The part number shall be referenced in the system instruction manual, and shall indicate the orifice size of the nozzle.

5.5 Distribution Pipe and Fittings. Distribution pipe and fittings are to be steel, in accordance with NFPA 2001. Pipe junctions 2 inch (50 mm) and smaller shall be threaded. Pipe junctions larger than 2 inch (50 mm) shall be welded. Grooved fittings shall be acceptable, if the installed cost of the system can be demonstrated by the Contractor to be equivalent to welded pipe and fitting junctions. Design of the piping system shall be in accordance with ASME B31.1 and NFPA 2001. All pipe threads shall be in accordance with ANSI B1.20.1. Pipe in areas with a corrosive atmosphere shall be hot-dipped galvanized inside and out.

6.0 Test and Acceptance

6.1 General. The final tests and acceptance shall be conducted in the presence of the Owner's representative and governing authorities. In case of any test failure, the FE-13 Contractor is responsible for determining required corrective action. The FE-13 Contractor is responsible for one repeat of any failed test, after the recommended corrective action is carried out, at no additional cost to the owner. If the FE-13 Contractor’s recommended action and/or corrective action is not sufficient to allow passing of retests per this paragraph, the Owner can, at its discretion, contract with independent consultants for new recommendations. The financial responsibility for independent consulting, and subsequent retesting, will be discussed and agreed to by the Owner and Contractor before such work is carried out.

6.2 Inspection. An inspection shall be made by the FE-13 distributor to ensure that all required dampers, door bottom seals, weather-stripping, caulking, and foam sealant have been installed and that the areas protected shall, in fact, contain the FE-13 for the full ten minutes required. The responsibility for this work may lie with other contractors or the owner. The responsibility for determining the action required is that of the FE-13 contractor.

6.3 Room Integrity. Room integrity tests shall be conducted. Tests shall be conducted by the Contractor in the presence of the Owner's representative. The manufacturer of the test equipment shall provide a specification for the room integrity test.

6.4 Piping.

6.4.1 Inspection. The piping distribution system shall be inspected by the Contractor for the following:

• Compliance with design drawings

• Compliance with design calculations

• Pipe sizes

• Pipe lengths

• Fitting counts

• Means of pipe size reduction

• Orientation of tees

• Pipe fastening

• Nozzles in proper locations

• Nozzle part number

• Nozzle aiming

6.4.2 Pressure Test. The system discharge piping shall be pneumatically tested in a closed circuit for a period of 10 minutes at 40 psig (2.8 bars gauge). At the end of 10 minutes, the pressure drop shall not exceed 20 percent of the test pressure.

6.4.3 Flow Test. A flow test using nitrogen shall be performed on the piping network to verify that flow is continuous, and the piping and nozzles are unobstructed. "Telltales" shall be placed over each nozzle that will easily blow off when nitrogen pressure reaches the nozzle. Styrofoam cups are an example of an acceptable telltale.

6.5 Training. As a condition of final acceptance, the Contractor shall provide one operational training session per shift to the Owner's personnel. The training sessions shall include emergency procedures, abort functions, system control panel operation, trouble procedures and safety requirements. Multiple shifts shall receive individual training sessions.

6.6 Commissioning. Upon acceptance by the Owner, the complete system shall be conditioned and the system placed in operation.