BEWARE!!!
Recently there have been reports of quartzoid bulb operated gas modules being installed in different environments.
Some of them are filled with HFC227 and others with HFC236fa or NAF S227.
Why are we concerned?
1. This type of installation does not comply with any South African standard.
2. We cannot find any approvals on these systems and cylinders.
We can find no tests by any third party authority.
3. HFC227 is a flooding agent and reduces temperature in a closed environment to kill the fire.
HFC 236 is a streaming agent that is not listed in the national standard SANS 14520.
NAF S227 is not listed in the national standard SANS 14520.
4. Most gas standards recommend smoke detection be used for gas suppression systems to ensure the fire is caught at an early enough stage to extinguish the fire. These units require heat (68°C) for them to operate. Heat detectors are not recommended for gas suppression systems.
5. Heat detectors should be within 150mm of the roof for efficient operation. These quartzoid bulbs are generally lower than this distance and some are even lower, mounted on threaded rod brackets.
6. What parameters were used in the design? Was the design based on the operating temperature of the quartzoid bulb 68°C or that of 20°C used for normal room flooding?
7. Recommended maximum operating temperature of gas suppression products according to the national standard is 50°C These units can exceed that when the temperature to burst the quartzoid bulb has to be 68°C.
8. The gas in the cylinder increases in pressure with the rise in temperature and in this case could be as much as 60 bar. These cylinders are not designed to operate at these pressures.
These gasses being discharged at elevated temperatures increase the possibility of breakdown of the gas into hydrogen flouride (HF).
9. With the quantity of gas in these cylinders it can only cover a certain area/volume, is this specified or adhered to? By using more than one module in a room is pointless as the possibility of all quartzoid bulbs reaching the operating temperature at the same time is highly unlikely.
These systems will be offered at a price well below that of a standard gas suppression system BUT will it work or will it be a danger to those who may be in a room at discharge?
CONCERNED - THINK TWICE BEFORE PURCHASING, RECOMMENDING OR INSTALLING THESE UNITS.