Nov-07

Rev. 3
Safety
Products

IG-55
Total Flooding Systems

- Guideline -

Note: This guideline has been prepared with the best information available at the time of publication. Changes in
standards mentioned or technical changes may apply without further notice.

bk Guideline for TSP IG-55 Systems Rev3.doc

 Nov-07
Rev. 3
Safety
Products

Guideline For TSP IG-55 Extinguishing Systems

1) General Information

IG-55 has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP=0).

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is not applicable since IG-55 consists of naturally occuring gases only.
IG-55 is stored as a gas in steel cylinders with a storage pressure of 200 bar or 300 bar at 15°C.
The components of an IG-55 system are designed to operate in the temperature range of -20°C to +50°C., or
as otherwise stated in separate component listings.

Handling and installation of IG-55 equipment should only be carried out by persons experienced in dealing with
this type of equipment.

Note: This guideline has been prepared with the best information available at the time of publication.
Changes in standards mentioned or technical changes may apply without further notice.

2) Properties of IG-55

IG-55 is a mixture of two naturally occurring gases that do not support combustion.
The two gases, Nitrogen and Argon are mixed in the following proportions:
Nitrogen 50%
Argon 50%
IG-55 is a colorless and odorless gas mixture with a density similar to that of air (slightly heavier than air).
IG-55 extinguishes fires by reducing the oxygen concentration below the combustion value of approx. 15%.
A typical IG-55 system with 40% design concentration will reduce the oxygen concentration in the hazard to
approx. 12.5%
IG-55 is effective on class A, B and C fires

3) Approvals

The IG-55 systems from Tyco Safety Products (TSP) are available from:

1. Tyco Safety Products, Cologne / Germany and Great Yarmouth / UK

The TSP system is based on components which are approved and listed by VdS.
The TSP system is available as 200 bar or 300 bar system.

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Guideline For TSP IG-55 Extinguishing Systems

4) Safety

Table 1: Safety levels for IG-55

IG-55 Oxygen Flooding Factor***
NOAEL* 43% 12% 0,56 m³/m³
LOAEL** 52% 10% 0,74 m³/m³
* No Observable Adverse Effect Level
** Lowest Observable Adverse Effect Level
*** approximate value based on 20°C.

Table 2: Agent comparison

Used Conc.* NOAEL Safety Margin
IG-55 40,3% 43% 6,7%
Novec 1230™ 4,2% - 5,3% 10% 88% - 138%
FM200 6,4% - 7,9% 9% 14% - 40%
* Surface class A fire

5) Environmental Comparison*

Table 3: Environmental comparison

Ozone Depletion Potential Global Warming Potential Atmospheric Lifetime
(ODP) (GWP) (years)
IG-55 0 n.a. n.a.
Novec 1230™ 0 1 0.014
FM200** 0 3500 33
* IPCC 2001
** HFC-227ea

6) General System Design

Total Flooding is the only approved application method for IG-55 systems!
Single hazard system Distribution valve system

In certain configurations the TSP systems require pilot cylinders for actuation. For details see system manuals.

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Guideline For TSP IG-55 Extinguishing Systems

7) Hazard Analysis

Note: A thorough hazard analysis is important for a qualified quotation.

The following questions should be answered:

PROJECT: (enter name if applicable; country must be indicated)

Name Country

SUPPRESSION SYSTEM:
…HPCO2 …FM-200 …Novec™ …i2/i3 …Inergen …Other (specify) __________________________
Type

… NFPA … ISO … VdS … UL … FM … LPCB … VdS … Other (specify) _________

Design Standard Approval

…DOT …TPED …None …Other (specify) __________________________

Agent Tank Approval

…Electric … Manual …Pneumatic

System Release

…Inside Hazard …Outside Hazard: ________ [m] horizontal distance ________ [m] vertical distance
Agent Tank Location

HAZARD:

No. Name Hazardous Material

[°C] [°C] [m]

Minimum Temperature Maximum Temperature Altitude above/below sea level

Hazard Dimensions:
[m] [m] [m²]
Length Width Floor Area (alternative)

[m] [m] [m]

Height of Ceiling Void (if applicable) Height of Room (excl. ceiling/floor void) Height of Floor Void (if applicable)

Impermeable Building Structures: [m³]

Only permanent impermeable building structures within the area may be deducted from the gross volume

Note In the following cases please supply additional sketches/drawings with dimensions and any relevant details:
ƒ irregular room shapes
ƒ ceiling obstructions such as beams greater than 305 mm (12 in.) height
ƒ other unusual conditions.

Further Information / Comments:

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8) System Design

The system design requires the following steps:

1. Check on design standard / hazardous material involved to determine the design concentration.
2. Determination of net* hazard volume.
*Only permanent impermeable building structures within the hazard may be deducted from the overall hazard volume.
3. Calculation of the extinguishing agent quantity
4. Determination of the number and size of agent cylinders.
5. Check the achieved agent concentration.
6. Determination of nozzle quantity.
7. Determination of pipe sizes and nozzle sizes.
Note: Pipes and fittings are generally not supplied by TSP.

8.1) Design Standards

8.1.1) ISO 14520

The minimum design concentration acc. to ISO 14520-1 shall be the extinguishing concentration increased by a
safety factor of 30%.

Table 4: Minimum design concentrations for IG-55 acc. to ISO 14520-15 (2005/2006 edition)
Class A surface fires (solid and electrical) 40.3%
Class A higher hazard fires * 45.1%
Class B heptane 47.5%

* Acc. to ISO 14520-1, higher hazard class A conditions may include

ƒ cable bundles greater than 100 mm in diameter,
ƒ cable trays with a fill density greater than 20 percent of the tray cross-section;
ƒ horizontal or vertical stacks of cable trays (closer than 250 mm);
ƒ equipment energized during the extinguishment period where the collective power
consumption exceeds 5 kW.

8.1.2) NFPA 2001

The minimum design concentration for Class A surface fires shall be an extinguishing concentration determined
by test, as part of a listing program, plus a 20% safety factor.

The TSP IG-55 systems have not been tested as part of a listing program acc. to NFPA.

Note: The above design concentrations are not applicable (and are not to be used) for Marine applications !

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Table 5: Flooding factor table for IG-55:

Table 6: Altitude correction factor:

The specific volume of a gas

changes depending on the
elevation below / above sea level
due to the change in atmospheric
pressure.
At elevations above sea-level, IG-
55 has a greater specific volume
because of the reduced
atmospheric pressure.
A system designed for sea-level
conditions will therefore develop
an actual higher concentration at
levels above sea-level and an
actual lower concentration at
levels below sea-level.

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8.2) Calculation of the IG-55 quantity

Multiply the net hazard volume by the appropriate flooding factor and by the altitude correction factor.

W = V × C F × C Alt
Where W = Required agent quantity
V = Net hazard volume [m³]
CF = Flooding factor [m³/m³] (see Table 5)
CAlt = Altitude correction factor (see Table 6)

Example: Design according to ISO 14520

Type of hazard: Computer room (class A surface fire)

Gros volume: 10.0 m x 7.0 m x 2.5 m = 175 m³
Minimum hazard temperature: 15°C
Maximum hazard Temperature: 30°C
Altitude: 1200 m

Find the altitude next lower than the hazard

altitude and determine the correction factor.

W = 175 m³ * 0.5248 m³/m³ * 0.885 = 81.3 m³ IG-55

Note: The above mentioned method of IG-55 quantity calculation is not VdS compliant. For
VdS compliant calculations refer to VdS 2380.

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8.3) Determination of the number and size of the agent cylinders

IG-55 cylinders are available in the following sizes / fills:

Table 7: TSP 200 bar system* Table 8: TSP 300 bar system*

Cylinder Size IG-55 Fill Cylinder Size IG-55 Fill

27 ltr 5.8 m³ 8.2 kg 80 ltr 23.6 m³ 33.5 kg
40 ltr 8.6 m³ 12.0 kg
67 ltr 14.4 m³ 20.3 kg
80 ltr 17.2 m³ 24.3 kg
*Cylinder approvals: 84/527/EEC / EN 1964-2 (TPED)

Example: TSP 300 bar system

IG-55 required (m³) 81.3 m³

Number of cylinders = --------------------------------- = ------------------ = 3.5
Cylinder filling (m³) 23.6 m³

Note: Always round up to the next full number!

4 cylinders 80 ltr required.

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8.4) Check the achieved IG-55 concentration

Why to check?
• the number of IG-55 cylinders is always rounded up x more agent discharged than needed
• worst case at maximum expected hazard temperature x higher specific vapour volume of the agent

How to calculate?
Relate the resulting flooding factor to NOAEL and LOAEL.

IG-55 discharged
Resulting flooding factor = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
altitude correction factor * flooding factor correction * hazard volume

0.7058
flooding factor correction = --------------------------
0.659 + 0.0024 * t

t = maximum expected hazard temperature (°C)

Example:
4 cylinders * 23.6 m³ 94.4 m³
Resulting flooding factor = ------------------------------------------------ = ------------------- = 0.63
0.885 * 0.967 * 175 m³ 149.8 m³

0.7058
flooding factor correction = ---------------------------- = 0.967
0.659 + 0.0024 * 30

IG-55 Oxygen Flooding Factor

NOAEL 43% 12% 0.56 m³/m³
LOAEL 52% 10% 0.74 m³/m³

At "worst case" conditions (max. expected hazard temperature) the IG-55 concentration will be between
NOAEL and LOAEL.

ISO 14520-1 / 5.2.2

The maximum concentration shall not exceed the LOAEL unless a lock-off valve is fitted.
It is recommended that systems where the NOAEL is expected to be exceeded be placed in
non-automatic mode whilst the room is occupied.

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8.5) Determination of the minimum nozzle quantity

Standard nozzle

Available sizes (pipe thread connection - NPT or BSPT):

15 mm (½")
25 mm (1")
40 mm (1½")

Each nozzle size is available with two discharge patterns:

180°
360°

Nozzle material:
brass nozzle orifice

Maximum coverage Maximum throw

• 95 m² if hazard height max. 3.7 m 360° nozzle 180° nozzle

• 70 m² if hazard height max. 5.0 m

Maximum total volume per nozzle: max. 5.5 m max. 7.7 m

352 m³

Note: The above mentioned maximum coverage does not apply for VdS compliant systems.
VdS generally limits the nozzle coverage to 30 m².

Example: Hazard = 10.0 m x 7.0 m x 2.5 m

1) Check hazard hight to find the max. coverage allowed per nozzle
Hazard hight of 2.5 m x max. coverage = 95 m² per nozzle

2) Check hazard floor area to determine the minimum number of nozzles required
Hazard floor area = 70 m² x minimum number of nozzles = 1 (360° or 180°)

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3) Check maximum nozzle throw against hazard dimensions

NO NO

1 nozzle 360° not acceptable 1 nozzle 180° not acceptable

YES

2 nozzles 360° are acceptable

Final result for the example: 2 nozzles 360° are needed as a minimum.

Note: Specific hazard conditions may require more nozzles than the minimum quantity determined by
the nozzle limits. This can be due to obstructions, room shape or other conditions.

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8.6) Determination of pipe sizes and nozzle sizes

General: ISO and NFPA require that 95% of the minimum design concentration shall be achieved
within 1 minute.

For pipe size estimation use 95% of the calculated agent quantity. This is accurate enough.

Use table 9 to determine the pipe size according to the agent flow. Table 9:
Pipe Size Estimation Table
Pipe Size Flow Rate
Note: Table 9 is for estimation purpose only. The final pipe size will
mm inch m³/min
be determined by the hydraulic flow calculation software.
10 3/8" 10.0
15 1/2" 14.0
20 3/4" 24.5
25 1" 45.5
Example: Calculated IG-55 quantity = 81.3 m³
32 1 1/4" 87.5
81.3 m³ : 2 nozzles = 40.7 m³/min per nozzle 40 1 1/2" 119
x nozzle size = 25 mm (1") 50 2" 216
65 2 1/2" 398
80 3" 698

40.7 m³/min x 25 mm

40.7 m³/min x 25 mm

81.3 m³/min x 32 mm

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9) Pressure Venting

The designer of a fire suppression system should be aware that the discharge of any gaseous extinguishing
agent into an enclosure will raise the pressure within that enclosure, which could affect the structural integrity of
the enclosure.
The protected enclosure will require a pressure relief device.

To estimate the free venting area, use the following formular:

A required free venting area (m²)

QAgent × 0.045 * Q IG-55 quantity (m³)
A= ∆p max. allowable pressure increase (Pa)**
∆p × vHOM vHOM specific volume of the homogeneous
air / IG-55 mixture***

* As the initial flow of IG-55 is greater at the start of the discharge than at the end, it is necessary to
base the agent flow on the peak flow rate. The figure used is 4.5% of the agent quantity, but
the actual figure used must be taken from the flow calculations.
** A value between 100 and 300 Pascal’s should be used if there is no other value offered by the
client or clients representative.
*** 0.77 is a good average value for 40% concentration.

Note: The above calculation is for estimation only. The final free venting area will be calculated by the
hydraulic flow calculation software.

Example: 4 IG-55 cylinders to be discharged.

Maximum overpressure allowed = 300 Pa.

4 * 23.6 × 0.045 4.25

A= = = 0.28 [m²]
300 × 0.77 15.2

0.28 m² free venting area is required.

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