These systems are designed to knock down chemical fires by displacing Oxyge n with non-combustible Carbon Dioxide. To do they must flush out the Oxygen with a sufficient excess of CO2. If you double the space which needs cover age, you will likely need to more than double the amount of gas needed. Two other things to keep in mind: - CO2 may be insufficient to immediately extinguish certain pyrophori c substances and/or chemical reactions that can occur in the absence of fre e oxygen. - CO2 is an asphyxiant. Anyone too close when the fire suppression sy stem is activated is in danger of asphyxiation, including unconsciousness and possibly death, when CO2 displaces all the O2 in that area. The installer of the system is your best resource for information. Thanks, Todd Perkins Regional Safet Director Airgas Mid America On Jun 29, 2011 2:32 PM, Floyd, Karon <Karon.Floyd**At_Symbol_Here**DHS.GOV> wrote: CO2 is covered in NFPA 12. What I am going to say is that based on the information provided below, if a gas system was installed for the current rooms use, the same could be extended to the second room as well. The real issue is that the system installed was calculated for a specific area i.e. 400^2 and now you are adding to that space. In order to cover the new area, an installer would need to recalculate both areas combined and based on those calculations determine how much gas (CO2) is needed. This should be done by a licensed installer that can certify the system. Bill E. Anderson, Fire Chief Office of the PIADC Safety Officer U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Plum Island Fire Department P.O. Box 848 Greenport, NY 11944-0848 Telephone: 631-323-3215 Fax: 631-323-3053 BB: 631-767-0495 -----Original Message----- From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Ferm Barret A Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 4:04 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [DCHAS-L] Post request from Barry Ferm Dear DCHAS, I would like to have input as to what are the requirements, recommendations or criteria for fire suppression in a chemical stockroom. Ours is ca. 400 ft^2, containing all the basics: gen org, gen inorg, oxidizers, poisons, flammables, reactive metals, corrosives (the latter 5 groups are in separate, ventilated cabinets). We currently have a CO2 system, but we are creating a second store room, and want to know if we need a non-water suppression system. Many thanks! Barry Ferm, St. Ambrose University. FermBarretA**At_Symbol_Here**sau.eduThese systems are designed to knock down chemical fires by displacing Oxyge n with non-combustible Carbon Dioxide. To do they must flush out the Oxygen with a sufficient excess of CO2. If you double the space which needs cover age, you will likely need to more than double the amount of gas needed. Two other things to keep in mind:
- CO2 may be insufficient to immediately extinguish certain pyrophoric substances and/or chemical react ions that can occur in the absence of free oxygen.
- CO2 is an asp hyxiant. Anyone too close when the fire suppression system is activated is in danger of asphyxiation, including unconsciousness and possibly death, when CO2 displaces all the O2 in that area.
The installer of the system is your best resource for information.Thanks ,
Todd Perkins
Regional Safet Director
Airgas Mid America
< br>
On Jun 29, 2011 2:32 PM, Floyd, Karon <Karon.Floyd**At_Symbol_Here**DHS.GOV> wrote:
CO2 is covered in NFPA 12. What I am going to say is that based on the
information provided below, if a gas system was installed for the
current rooms use, the same could be extended to the second room as
well.The real issue is that the system installed was calculated for a
specific area i.e. 400^2 and now you are adding to that space. In order
to cover the new area, an installer would need to recalculate both areas
combined and based on those calculations determine how much gas (CO2) is
needed. This should be done by a licensed installer that can certify the
system.Bill E. Anderson, Fire Chief
Office of the PIADC Safety Officer
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security
Plum Island Fire Department
P.O. Box 848
Greenport, NY 11944-0848
Telephone: 631-323-3215
Fax: 631-323-3053
BB: 631-767-0495-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Ferm Barret A
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 4:04 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Post request from Barry FermDear DCHAS,
I would like to have input as to what are the requirements,
recommendations or criteria for fire suppression in a chemical
stockroom. Ours is ca. 400 ft^2, containing all the basics: gen org,
gen inorg, oxidizers, poisons, flammables, reactive metals, corrosives
(the latter 5 groups are in separate, ventilated cabinets). We
currently have a CO2 system, but we are creating a second store room,
and want to know if we need a non-water suppression system. Many
thanks! Barry Ferm, St. Ambrose University. FermBarretA**At_Symbol_Here**sau.edu
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