AS 4214-2002

1 - AS 4214-2002 GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
8 - FOREWORD
9 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
9 - 1.1 SCOPE
10 - 1.2 APPLICATION
10 - 1.3 OBJECTIVE
11 - 1.4 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
12 - 1.5 DEFINITIONS
12 - 1.5.1 Adverse effect level
12 - 1.5.2 Authority having jurisdiction
12 - 1.5.3 Approved and approval
12 - 1.5.4 Automatic
12 - 1.5.5 Competent person
12 - 1.5.6 Concentration
12 - 1.5.7 Container
13 - 1.5.8 Container discharge valve
13 - 1.5.9 Directional valve
13 - 1.5.10 Discharge inhibit switch
13 - 1.5.11 Distribution system
13 - 1.5.12 Engineered system
13 - 1.5.13 Extinguishing agent
13 - 1.5.14 Fill density
13 - 1.5.15 Gaseous fire extinguishing system
13 - 1.5.16 Hazard
13 - 1.5.17 Hold time
13 - 1.5.18 Inerting
13 - 1.5.19 Inspection
13 - 1.5.20 Liquefied gas
14 - 1.5.21 Listed
14 - 1.5.22 Local application system
14 - 1.5.23 Lock-off device
14 - 1.5.24 Manual
14 - 1.5.25 Maximum working pressure
14 - 1.5.26 ‚Not applicable™
14 - 1.5.27 Monitoring
14 - 1.5.28 Nominal size
14 - 1.5.29 Non-liquefied gas
14 - 1.5.30 Normally occupied area
14 - 1.5.31 Normally unoccupied area
14 - 1.5.32 Pre-engineered system
15 - 1.5.33 Release
15 - 1.5.34 Risk
15 - 1.5.35 Service switch
15 - 1.5.36 Shall
15 - 1.5.37 Should
15 - 1.5.38 ‚Not applicable™
15 - 1.5.39 Superpressurization
15 - 1.5.40 Total flooding system
15 - 1.5.41 Unoccupiable areas
15 - 1.5.42 Visual warning device
15 - 1.5.43 Warning notices
15 - 1.6 SYMBOLS AND UNITS
15 - 1.7 INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIED LIMITING VALUES
16 - 1.8 USES AND LIMITATIONS
16 - 1.8.1 General
16 - 1.8.2 Uses for gaseous systems
16 - 1.8.3 Limitations of gaseous systems
17 - 1.8.4 Protection of multiple enclosures
17 - 1.8.5 Compatibility of extinguishing agents
17 - 1.8.6 Temperature limitations
17 - 1.9 LISTING REQUIREMENTS
18 - SECTION 2 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
18 - 2.1 PERSONNEL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
18 - 2.1.1 Toxicity information
19 - 2.2 SYSTEM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
19 - 2.2.1 General
20 - 2.2.2 Flooding
21 - 2.2.3 Local application
21 - 2.2.4 Supplementary provisions-Total flooding and local application
21 - 2.2.5 Electrical safety
23 - SECTION 3 SYSTEM DESIGN
23 - 3.1 SPECIFICATIONS, PLANS AND APPROVALS
23 - 3.1.1 Specifications
23 - 3.1.2 Plans
24 - 3.1.3 System calculation approval
24 - 3.1.4 Acceptance of plans
24 - 3.2 ACCEPTANCE OF INSTALLATIONS
24 - 3.3 APPROVAL OF COMPONENTS
24 - 3.4 EXTINGUISHING AGENT CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
24 - 3.4.1 Design concentration
25 - 3.4.2 Extinguishing concentration
26 - 3.4.3 Inerting
26 - 3.5 TOTAL FLOODING QUANTITY
26 - 3.5.1 General
27 - 3.5.2 Liquefied gases
27 - 3.5.3 Non-liquefied gases
28 - 3.6 SPECIAL CONDITIONS
28 - 3.7 ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
29 - 3.8 HOLDING TIME
29 - 3.9 LOCAL APPLICATION SYSTEMS
29 - 3.10 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
29 - 3.10.1 Discharge time
30 - 3.11 EXTENDED DISCHARGE
30 - 3.12 SYSTEM FLOW CALCULATIONS
30 - 3.12.1 General
30 - 3.12.2 Balanced and unbalanced systems
32 - 3.12.3 Friction losses
32 - 3.12.4 Pressure drop
33 - 3.12.5 Equivalent length
33 - 3.12.6 Piping
33 - 3.12.7 Variations
33 - 3.12.8 Changes in elevation
33 - 3.12.9 Liquefied gases specific requirements
34 - SECTION 4 TOTAL FLOODING ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
34 - 4.1 GENERAL
34 - 4.2 NON-CLOSABLE OPENINGS
34 - 4.2.1 General
34 - 4.2.2 Loss of agent
34 - 4.3 VENTILATION AND SERVICES
34 - 4.4 PRESSURE-RELIEF VENTING
35 - 4.5 ENCLOSURE STRENGTH AND ALLOWABLE PRESSURE
36 - SECTION 5 SUPPLY
36 - 5.1 QUALITY
36 - 5.2 STORAGE CONTAINER DESIGN
36 - 5.2.1 General
36 - 5.2.2 Contents indication
36 - 5.3 STORAGE CONTAINER ARRANGEMENT
37 - 5.4 VALVES
37 - 5.4.1 General
37 - 5.4.2 Isolating valves
37 - 5.4.3 Container discharge valves transport and storage
37 - 5.4.4 Container topple test
38 - 5.4.5 Valve strength test
38 - 5.5 PRESSURE-REDUCTION DEVICES
39 - SECTION 6 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
39 - 6.1 GENERAL
39 - 6.2 PIPEWORK
39 - 6.3 COMPATIBILITY
39 - 6.4 PRESSURE RATING
39 - 6.5 HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE TEST
39 - 6.6 INSTALLATION OF PIPEWORK
39 - 6.6.1 Flow restrictions
39 - 6.6.2 Pipe and valve supports
40 - 6.7 DIRT TRAPS
40 - 6.8 DRAIN TRAPS
41 - 6.9 SAFETY DEVICES
41 - 6.9.1 Closed pipework
41 - 6.9.2 Container valves
41 - 6.10 NOZZLES
41 - 6.10.1 Nozzle choice and location
41 - 6.10.2 Ceiling tiles
42 - SECTION 7 DETECTION, ACTUATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
42 - 7.1 GENERAL
42 - 7.2 DETECTION
42 - 7.2.1 General
42 - 7.2.2 Electrical detection
42 - 7.2.3 Pneumatic detection
43 - 7.2.4 Mechanical detection
44 - 7.3 ACTUATION
44 - 7.3.1 Automatic
44 - 7.3.2 Time delay function
44 - 7.3.3 Service switch
44 - 7.3.4 Manual
44 - 7.3.5 Manual mechanical release
45 - 7.3.6 Lock-off valves
45 - 7.4 CONTROL AND INDICATING EQUIPMENT (CIE)-ELECTRICAL
45 - 7.5 LOCAL CONTROL (LC) AND LOCAL CONTROL STATION (LCS)
46 - 7.6 AURAL ALARMS AND VISUAL WARNING DEVICES
46 - 7.6.1 General
46 - 7.6.2 Fire alarm
46 - 7.6.3 Agent discharge
47 - 7.6.4 System inoperative
47 - 7.6.5 Visual warning and evacuation devices
47 - 7.7 PNEUMATIC SERVO RELEASE
48 - SECTION 8 MARKING
48 - 8.1 CONTROL AND INDICATING EQUIPMENT (CIE)
48 - 8.2 WARNING NOTICES
51 - 8.3 NUMBER OF CONTAINERS AND QUANTITY MARKING
51 - 8.4 IDENTIFICATION AND MARKING OF CONTAINERS
51 - 8.4.1 Permanent markings
51 - 8.4.2 Marking
52 - 8.5 LABELLING OF INDICATORS AND CONTROLS
52 - 8.6 IDENTIFICATION OF DISCHARGE NOZZLES
53 - SECTION 9 MARINE
53 - 9.1 GENERAL
53 - 9.2 USE AND LIMITATIONS
54 - 9.3 AGENT SELECTION
54 - 9.3.1 Halocarbon agents
54 - 9.3.2 Use of halocarbon agents
54 - 9.3.3 Inert gases
54 - 9.4 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
54 - 9.5 SYSTEM DESIGN
54 - 9.5.1 Specification, plans and approvals
54 - 9.5.2 Acceptance of installations
54 - 9.5.3 Approval of components
55 - 9.5.4 Design concentration
55 - 9.5.5 Total flooding quantity
58 - 9.5.6 Special conditions
58 - 9.5.7 Discharge time
58 - 9.5.8 Holding time
58 - 9.5.9 System flow calculations
58 - 9.5.10 Nozzle choice and location
58 - 9.6 ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
58 - 9.6.1 General
59 - 9.7 AGENT SUPPLY
59 - 9.7.1 General
59 - 9.7.2 Container brackets
59 - 9.7.3 Protection against corrosion
59 - 9.7.4 Location of containers
59 - 9.8 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
59 - 9.8.1 General
59 - 9.8.2 Piping
60 - 9.8.3 Aluminium
60 - 9.8.4 Penetrations
60 - 9.9 DETECTION, ACTUATION AND CONTROL
60 - 9.9.1 General
60 - 9.9.2 Fire detection
60 - 9.9.3 Agent discharge
61 - 9.10 MARKING
61 - 9.10.1 General
61 - 9.11 COMMISSIONING AND ACCEPTANCE
61 - 9.11.1 General
62 - 9.11.2 Door fan test
62 - 9.11.3 Functional test
62 - 9.12 DOCUMENTATION
62 - 9.12.1 General
62 - 9.13 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
63 - SECTION 10 COMMISSIONING AND ACCEPTANCE
63 - 10.1 SCOPE
63 - 10.2 PRELIMINARY REVIEWS AND CHECKS
63 - 10.2.1 General
63 - 10.2.2 System configuration
63 - 10.2.3 Visual warning devices and warning notices
63 - 10.2.4 Enclosure integrity
63 - 10.2.5 Enclosure venting
63 - 10.2.6 Review of mechanical components
65 - 10.2.7 Review of electrical system
65 - 10.3 FUNCTIONAL TESTS
65 - 10.3.1 General
66 - 10.3.2 System function and operation test
66 - 10.4 DISCHARGE TEST
67 - 10.4.2 Potentially explosive atmospheres
67 - 10.5 COMPLETION CERTIFICATE AND DOCUMENTATION
68 - APPENDIX A - COMMISSIONING CHECK LIST
70 - APPENDIX B - DISCHARGE TEST
70 - B1 SCOPE
70 - B2 PRINCIPLE
70 - B3 TEST MEDIUM
70 - B4 APPARATUS
70 - B5 PROCEDURE
70 - B5.1 General procedure
71 - B5.2 Multiple spaces and compartments
71 - B6 RE-COMMISSIONING
71 - B7 REPORTING
72 - APPENDIX C - CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
74 - APPENDIX D - DOOR FAN TEST FOR DETERMINATION OF MINIMUM HOLDING TIME
74 - D1 SCOPE
74 - D2 TEST FOR DETERMINATION OF PREDICTED MINIMUM HOLD TIME
74 - D2.1 Principle
74 - D2.2 Apparatus
75 - D2.3 Calibration of apparatus
75 - D2.4 Preliminary preparation
75 - D2.5 Evaluation of enclosure
75 - D2.6 Measurement of enclosure
76 - D2.7 Test procedure
77 - D2.8 Calculations
80 - D2.9 Test report
80 - D3 TREATMENT OF ENCLOSURES WITH PREDICTED MINIMUM HOLD TIMES LESS THAN THE RECOMMENDED VALUE
80 - D3.1 General
80 - D3.2 Estimation of leakage area
81 - D3.3 Improved sealing of the enclosure
81 - D3.4 Quantification and location of leaks
81 - D3.5 Final calculation of hold time
82 - APPENDIX E - GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS USING IG-541 (INERGEN) EXTINGUISHING AGENT-INERT
82 - E1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
82 - E1.1 Scope
82 - E1.2 Component gas specifications
82 - E1.3 Component gases
82 - E1.4 Characteristics
82 - E1.5 Physical properties
83 - E1.6 Uses of IG-541
83 - E1.7 Method of extinguishing fires
83 - E2 SAFETY OF PERSONNEL
83 - E2.1 General
83 - E2.2 Physiological information
84 - E3 SYSTEM DESIGN
84 - E3.1 Fill pressure
84 - E3.2 Superpressurization
85 - E3.3 Extinguishing and design concentrations
87 - E3.4 Extinguishing agent quantity
91 - APPENDIX F - GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS USING CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) EXTINGUISHING AGENT
91 - F1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
91 - F1.1 Scope
91 - F1.2 Extinguishing agent specification
91 - F1.3 Characteristics
91 - F1.4 Uses of carbon dioxide
91 - F1.5 Method of extinguishing fires
92 - F2 SAFETY OF PERSONNEL
92 - F2.1 General
92 - F2.2 Physiological information
92 - F3 SYSTEM DESIGN
92 - F3.1 Fill pressure
93 - F3.2 Superpressurization
94 - F3.3 Storage and piping requirements
95 - F3.4 Surface fires - Total flooding
98 - F3.5 Deep-seated fires-Total flooding
99 - F3.6 Special conditions-Total flooding
103 - F3.7 Rate by area method-Local application
106 - F3.8 Rate by volume method-Local application
107 - F3.9 Special conditions-Local application systems
108 - F3.10 Combined total flooding and local application systems
108 - F3.11 Pipe and orifice size determination
118 - APPENDIX G - GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS USING IG-55 (ARGONITE) EXTINGUISHING AGENT-INERT
118 - G1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
118 - G1.1 Scope
118 - G1.2 Extinguishing agent specification
118 - G1.3 Characteristics
118 - G1.4 Physical properties
118 - G1.5 Uses of IG-55
118 - G1.6 Method of extinguishing fires
119 - G2 SAFETY OF PERSONNEL
119 - G2.1 General
119 - G2.2 Physiological information
119 - G3 SYSTEM DESIGN
119 - G3.1 Fill pressure
120 - G3.2 Superpressurization
120 - G3.3 Extinguishing and design concentrations
122 - G3.4 Extinguishing agent quantity
126 - APPENDIX H - GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS USING FIC-13I1 (CF3I) TRIFLUOROIODOMETHANE (TRIODIDE) EXTINGUISHING AGENT...
126 - H1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
126 - H1.1 Scope
126 - H1.2 Extinguishing agent specification
126 - H1.3 Characteristics
126 - H1.4 Physical properties
126 - H1.5 Uses of FIC-13I1
126 - H1.6 Method of extinguishing fires
127 - H2 SAFETY OF PERSONNEL
127 - H2.1 General
127 - H2.2 Physiological information
128 - H3 SYSTEM DESIGN
128 - H3.1 Fill pressure
128 - H3.2 Superpressurization
129 - H3.3 Extinguishing and design concentrations
130 - H3.4 Extinguishing agent quantity
134 - APPENDIX I - GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS USING HCFC BLEND A (NAF S-III) EXTINGUISHING AGENT-HALOCARBON
134 - I1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
134 - I1.1 Scope
134 - I1.2 Extinguishing component and agent specification
135 - I1.3 Characteristics
135 - I1.4 Physical properties
135 - I1.5 Uses of HCFC Blend A
135 - I1.6 Method of extinguishing fires
135 - I2 SAFETY OF PERSONNEL
135 - I2.1 General
135 - I2.2 Physiological information
136 - I3 SYSTEM DESIGN
136 - I3.1 Fill pressure
136 - I3.2 Superpressurization
137 - I3.3 Extinguishing and design concentrations
139 - I3.4 Extinguishing agent quantity
142 - APPENDIX J - GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS USING HFC-227ea (FM-200) EXTINGUISHING AGENT-HALOCARBON
142 - J1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
142 - J1.1 Scope
142 - J1.2 Extinguishing agent specification
142 - J1.3 Characteristics
142 - J1.4 Physical properties
143 - J1.5 Uses of HFC-227ea
143 - J1.6 Method of extinguishing fires
143 - J2 SAFETY OF PERSONNEL
143 - J2.1 General
143 - J2.2 Physiological information
144 - J3 SYSTEM DESIGN
144 - J3.1 Fill pressure
144 - J3.2 Superpressurization
145 - J3.3 Extinguishing and design concentrations
147 - J3.4 Extinguishing agent quantity
151 - APPENDIX K - GASEOUS FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS USING HFC-23 (FE-13) EXTINGUISHING AGENT-HALOCARBON
151 - K1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
151 - K1.1 Scope
151 - K1.2 Extinguishing agent specification
151 - K1.3 Characteristics
151 - K1.4 Physical properties
151 - K1.5 Uses of HFC-23
151 - K1.6 Method of extinguishing fires
152 - K2 SAFETY OF PERSONNEL
152 - K2.1 General
152 - K2.2 Physiological information
152 - K3 SYSTEM DESIGN
152 - K3.1 Fill pressure
153 - K3.2 Superpressurization
153 - K3.3 Extinguishing and design concentrations
154 - K3.4 Extinguishing agent quantity

Specifies requirements for the design, installation, commissioning, testing, and safety of gaseous fire extinguishing systems in building, plant or other structures, and the characteristics of the various extinguishing agents and types of fire for which they are suitable.

This Standard sets out requirements for design, installation, testing and commissioning of gaseous fire extinguishing systems for both total flooding and local application types. It applies to central or distributed supply systems. This Standard does not apply to explosion suppression. This Standard deals with systems utilizing electrically non-conducting extinguishing agents that do not leave a residue after discharge and for which there is sufficient data currently available to enable validation of performance characteristics by an internationally recognized fire protection test and approval body (see Clause 1.9). It is not intended to indicate approval by the authorities having jurisdiction of the systems utilizing the agents included in Table 1.1. It is essential that this Standard be used in conjunction with its separate, specific extinguishing agent contained in the appendices of this Standard. The characteristics of extinguishing agents and their suitability for classes of fire are also considered. NOTES: 1 This Standard should be read in conjunction with AS 1851.12, which covers inspection, testing and maintenance of gaseous fire extinguishing systems. 2 Gas pressures have been expressed in bars with the SI units (MPa, kPa) shown in brackets immediately following. 3 Where values have been obtained from sources such as NFPA, they have been conservatively rounded. 4 For the purposes of this Standard, fire extinguishing includes interting.

First published in part as AS 4214.1-1995, AS 4214.2-1995, AS 4214.3-1995, AS 4214.4-1995, AS 4214.5-1995, AS 4214.6-1998 and AS 4214.7-1998.
AS 4214.1-1995, AS 4214.2-1995, AS 4214.3-1995, AS 4214.4-1995, AS 4214.5-1995, AS 4214.6-1998 and AS 4214.7-1998 revised, amalgamated and redesignated as AS 4214-2002.