INERGEN is very simple and sophisticated at the same time. It contains only natural gases. Gases that are taken from the air, and when discharged cannot cause any harm to the environment and materials in the protected enclosure. At the same time it is both safe and efficient. The product performance is unique to INERGEN, covered by international patents.
Product features:
Composition
The composition of INERGEN, 52% Nitrogen, 40% Argon and 8% Carbon Dioxide, is an "Inert gas mixture", also known as IG541. All 3 gases are inert with regards to the action of fire extinguishing. The fire extinguishing method is physical by reducing Oxygen to a level that does not support combustion.
Safety
After discharge the Oxygen concentration is reduced to 10-13%. Normal air contains almost 21%. The main problem with plain inert gases is that less than 12% Oxygen may be unsafe for people if they are exposed after discharge.
The critical issue is the Oxygen supply to the brain. And this is where INERGEN is unique: By the addition of a small amount of Carbon Dioxide (in the range of 2-5%), the dangerous effect of low Oxygen is counteracted. At 10% Oxygen with 4% Carbon Dioxide, the brain is supplied with at least the same amount of Oxygen as when breathing 21% Oxygen.
Efficiency
Since there is no risk of decomposition standards and rules allows for a more gentle discharge than is the case with Halon and synthetic gases. This shall however not be confused with the issue of "efficiency" , "speed of discharge"or ability to extinguish fire fast".
INERGEN can be designed to the speed of extinguishment required by the application. Most applications however are very efficiently protected by a discharge time of 60 to 120 seconds. More gentle, more comfortable, and with a more competent damage control even compared to Halon 1301 the best and most efficient chemical agent to date.
Due to its physical properties INERGEN ensures a very homogenous mixture and a very long holding time for the extinguishing concentration.
Decomposition
INERGEN contains only natural gases. After discharge it does not decompose into toxic and corrosive chemicals due to the contact with fire or hot surfaces. This is a very important advantage unique to inert gases.
Visibility after discharge
INERGEN is stored gaseous even at 300 Bar cylinder pressure. During discharge the cooling is very limited and there is no condensation of air humidity. Visibility during and after discharge remains perfectly clear.
Effect on materials
INERGEN is the gentlest agent thinkable. If your property is normally exposed to air, it is even better off after the discharge, as INERGEN is providing a drier and cleaner air than before the discharge.
It has been tested on Computers, switchgear, historical archives and buildings, data media, running diesel engines, turbines, chemical process equipments and much more. The advantages of INERGEN in this respect, in itself provides a very strong argument to phase out Halon with INERGEN without thinking about environmental issues. And again no other synthetic gases (like e.g. HFC and PFC) available today make as little problems as Halon did.
Typical applications
Where you have enclosures containing life or property worth protecting, INERGEN may be the right choice. This includes:
-Computer suites.
-Server rooms.
-Switchgear.
-Telecommunication.
-Museums, national heritage.
-Cable tunnels.
-Manufacturing process equipment.
-Turbines.
-Engine rooms.
-Control rooms.
-Air control towers and installations.
-Public transportation technical facilities.
-Nuclear Power plants.
-Petrochemical plants.
-Off-Shore platforms and rigs.
-And much more
Limitations
There may be certain limitations to the use of INERGEN, which may include:
INERGEN is supplied only by qualified suppliers. Always be sure to choose a duly licensed supplier. "Pirates" may be active in the market supplying attractive pricing, but it is unlikely that such pirates possess the required engineering and installation skills. And in such case even a product like INERGEN may fail to perform as expected.