Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems

Product information

Inert gas systems use argon, nitrogen, or blends of the two (with or without a small proportion of CO2) to extinguish fire by controlled reduction of the oxygen concentration in the protected space.

Key advantages: • Use argon, nitrogen, or blends of these gases • Electrically non-conductive • Leave no residue • Extinguish by controlled reduction of oxygen concentration • Well suited to larger spaces and facilities where long-term agent availability matters • Require more cylinder storage space than chemical clean agents • Room integrity and overpressure relief are particularly critical to the design

Inert gas agent designations Arcofire supplies: • IG-01 - Argon • IG-100 - Nitrogen • IG-55 - Argon/nitrogen blend • IG-541 - Nitrogen, argon and a small proportion of CO2

IG-541 is classified as an inert gas agent, not a CO2 fire suppression system. Design requirements for inert gas agents are set out in the ISO 14520 series of standards.

Applications • Data centres and server rooms • Electrical and control rooms • Telecommunications rooms • Archives and museum vaults • Control panels and critical electrical equipment • Enclosed industrial equipment housings • Other spaces where water or powder extinguishing agents could damage the protected equipment

Note: Inert gas systems (like any gaseous clean agent) is not, on its own, a general solution for lithium-battery storage rooms - a gas agent can suppress the visible flame but does not always stop the battery's internal thermal runaway. Lithium-battery hazards require a specifically verified, purpose-designed solution.

System components A complete gas suppression system typically includes: fire detectors, a control panel, pre-discharge alarm and time delay, manual release stations, agent storage cylinders, manifold and pipework, discharge nozzles, ventilation shutdown and damper closure, room overpressure relief, room integrity testing, and system inspection and maintenance.

The overall design basis for electrically non-conductive, residue-free gas systems is ISO 14520-1:2023.