What Is a Clean Agent Fire Suppression System?

How can you guarantee your fire suppression system will suppress fires without causing further damage to machinery, equipment or assets? The answer lies in a clean agent fire suppression system.

A clean agent such as Reacton 1230 or 3M Novec 1230, combats fires using specially formulated gases that leave no residue, ensuring that sensitive electronics, important documents, and critical machinery remain protected and fully operational. Unlike traditional systems, a clean agent fire suppression system is specifically designed for environments where damage from fire - or from the suppression method itself - must be minimised.

So, what is a clean agent fire suppression system and how does it work in practice? In this article, we’ll explore what clean agent systems are, how it works, and where it should be used for maximum effectiveness..

How Does a Clean Agent Fire Suppression System Work?

A clean agent fire suppression system is a specialised fire protection solution that uses non-toxic agents, free from ozone-depleting substances, to safely and effectively suppress electrical fires.

So, how does the system work in practical terms? It is designed to protect high-value environments by using agents like Reacton 1230 (3M Novec 1230) that are stored as liquids and discharged as gases. Unlike traditional suppression methods such as water, foam, dry powder or wet chemicals, a clean agent leaves no residue, ensuring there is no damage to sensitive equipment or assets.

A clean agent fire suppression system works by rapidly releasing an inert gas agent that suppresses fire in one of three ways:

• Reducing oxygen levels below what is required to sustain combustion
• Removing heat from the fire, cooling flames below ignition temperature
• Interrupting the chemical chain reaction that fuels the fire

Whichever method is used, a clean agent system is capable of suppressing fires in less than 10 seconds, making it one of the fastest and most effective fire protection solutions available.

What Are the Benefits of a Clean Agent Fire Suppression System?

A clean agent system offers several advantages over other agents, including the following:

• No residue. A clean agent fire suppression system leaves little to no residue, making them safe to use on electrical and mechanical equipment. 
• Rapid suppression. This method is fast-acting, suppressing fires in under 10 seconds. The agent prevents escalation, reduces heat and minimises damage. 
• Environmentally friendly. Most clean agents such as Novec 1230 and Reacton 1230, are non-ozone-depleting and designed to have minimal environmental impact.
• Minimal downtime. Because a clean agent fire suppression system leaves no major cleanup and machinery should remain undamaged, assets can be back in operation quickly.

These benefits make this type of fire suppression system an indispensable choice for protecting sensitive environments where both rapid fire control and preserving delicate assets are paramount. 

A clean agent system is particularly effective for protecting electrical panels or cabinets and critical CNC/EDM machinery, as shown above. Next, we’ll explore the best environments to install a clean agent fire suppression system.

Where should you install a clean agent fire suppression system?

A clean agent fire suppression system is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized areas where traditional suppression methods could cause costly collateral damage.

Typical environments where these systems should be installed:

• Manufacturing facilities
• CNC machinery
• Production plants
• Food production facilities
• EV charging station
• Solar power inverters
• CHP plants

For a clean agent fire suppression system to be fully effective, it should be installed in relatively small, enclosed spaces. This allows the agent to disperse quickly and reach the correct concentration needed to suppress the fire.

This system can be installed directly within equipment, such as control panels, or used to protect an entire room or enclosed area, depending on the specific risk and application.

What makes Fireward’s clean agent fire suppression systems different?

At Fireward, our clean agent solutions use Reacton™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid and FM-200™, more commonly known as the now discontinued, 3M Novec 1230.

• Reacton™ 1230 is a fluorinated ketone used within a clean agent fire suppression system, stored as a liquid and discharged as a gas. It is electrically non-conductive and leaves no residue after discharge, making it ideal for protecting sensitive equipment.
• FM-200™, sometimes referred to as HFC-227ea, is one of the most widely tested agents used in a clean agent system. It is an electrically non-conductive, odourless, and colourless gas, designed to suppress fires quickly without damaging assets.

All of our clean agent solutions, including our electrical panel fire suppression system and CNC fire suppression system are direct release. As you can see in the image below, Fireward solutions use strategically placed tubing near the asset, which will automatically rupture in the event of a fire, releasing the agent.

This rapid response ensures a clean agent fire suppression system protects valuable assets quickly, while minimising damage by limiting the area in which the suppressant is discharged.

Protect your equipment with Fireward

Clean agent fire suppression systems offer an advanced, efficient, and environmentally responsible way to protect critical equipment and assets from fire. Their rapid response and residue-free discharge make them ideal for sensitive environments such as data centres, server rooms, and electrical installations where water-based systems are simply not viable.

As the UK’s market leader in fire suppression systems, Fireward delivers reliable protection through cutting-edge clean agent fire suppression system solutions, backed by exceptional service. Our systems are designed to provide complete peace of mind, with key benefits including:

• Ultra-fast detection. Our clean agent systems are some of the fastest-acting on the market and offer exceptional protection.
• 24/7 protection. All our systems are pressurised and require no power, meaning your equipment is protected without manual intervention.
• Extreme conditions. Our fire suppression systems are tested to work in the most demanding conditions, including temperatures as low as -20°C.
• Fully approved and certified. All our systems are accredited to the highest standards and third-party certified to UL 2166 (direct release), UL 2166 (indirect release) and LPS 1666.
• Three-year warranty. We offer all customers a three-year parts and labour warranty as standard.

Get in touch with a member of our team to request a brochure or get a free quote today. 

Protecting People and Assets 24/7

Call: 0800 151 0249
Email: sales@fireward.co.uk.