NFPA-12 Edition 2005 What “IMPACT” will the changes to NFPA-12 have on the design and installation of a CO 2 system?

NFPA-12 Edition 2005

What “IMPACT” will the changes to NFPA-12 have on the design and

installation of a CO2 system?

NFPA-12 Edition 2005

• Reasons for changes

Continuing effort to improve/enhance product features and system designs for “life safety”

on both:

– Existing Installations– New Systems

NFPA-12 Edition 2005

• Who does this affect?– Manufacturers– Designers– Installers– Service – End-users/Owners

NFPA-12 Edition 2005

• Application /systems affected:

–Total Flood CO2 systems applied to

Normally Occupied Spaces–Total Flood CO2 systems applied to

Occupiable Spaces–Local Application Systems

Definitions per NFPA-12 Edition 2005

• 3.2.4 Normally Occupied Area. An area or space where, under normal circumstances, persons are present.

• 3.2.5 Normally Unoccupied Area (occupiable). An area or space not normally occupied by people but could be entered occasionally be brief periods.

• 3.2.8 Unoccupiable Area. An area or space which cannot be occupied due to dimensional or other physical constraints.

Existing Systems

1.3.1 Retroactivity.

All (NO, Occupiable., Local if exposing personnel) existing systems shall be upgraded to meet the requirements for . . .

• Safety signs in paragraph 4.2.2• Lockout valves in paragraph 4.2.3.6 &

4.2.3.6.1• Pneumatic time delays & pre-discharge

alarms in paragraph 4.4.5.7

1.3.2 These upgrades shall be completed by June, 2006

Safety Signs

4.2.2.1 Warning signs should be affixed in a conspicuous location . . .

• In every protected space

• At every entrance to protected spaces

• In spaces near the protected spaces

where it is determined carbon dioxide could migrate creating a hazard to personnel . . .

Safety Signs

The safety sign

• Format• Color• letter style of signal words• message panel letting• lettering size• safety symbols

shall be in accordance with ANSI Z535.

WARNINGCarbon dioxide gas dischargeinto nearby space can collecthere. When alarm operatesvacate immediately.Carbon dioxide gas may cause injury or death.

Personnel Safety – NFPA 12 continued…

WARNINGCARBON DIOXIDE GAS

MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH

WHEN ALARM OPERATES VACATE IMMEDIATELY

Typical Warning signs shall be affixed in conspicuous locations:

Typical Warning signs…

WARNINGCARBON DIOXIDE GAS

MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH

WHEN ALARM OPERATES DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED

Typical Warning signs…

WARNINGCARBON DIOXIDE GAS

MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH

WHEN ALARM OPERATES OR WINTERGREEN SCENT IS DETECTED,

DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED

Typical Warning signs…

CAUTIONCARBON DIOXIDE GAS DISCHARGE INTO NEARBY

SPACE CAN COLLECT HERE. WHEN ALARM OPERATES VACATE IMMEDIATELY.

CARBON DIOXIDE GASMAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH

Typical Warning signs…

CAUTIONCARBON DIOXIDE GAS

MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH

VENTILATE THIS AREA BEFORE ENTERING. A HIGH CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CONCENTRATION CAN

OCCUR IN THIS AREA AND CAUSE SUFFOCATION

Typical Warning signs…

WARNING

ACTUATION OF THIS DEVICE WILL CAUSE CARBON DIOXIDE TO

DISCHARGE. BEFORE ACTUATING, BE SURE PERSONNEL ARE CLEAR

OF AREA

Safety SignsException:

Existing installations where facilities have written caution / warning sign procedures in place to provide:

• information and directions to personnel• have a training programs established to

educate personnel about signage

then said sign procedures can be used in place of ANSI Z535.

CO NOZZLE²

LOCKOUT VALVEW/ LIMIT SWITCH

CHECK VALVE

MANIFOLD

CO CYLINDER²

No Lockout With Lockout

Items Required to Comply with NFPA 12 Edition 2000

NFPA 12 Paragraph 1-6.1.7To prevent accidental or deliberate discharge, a “lockout” shall be provided when persons not familiar with the systems and their operation are present in a protected space.NFPA 12 Paragraph 1-8.4Supervision of automatic systems and manual lock-out valves shall be provided unless specifically waived by the A.H.J.

Stop/Maintenance (“lock-out”) Valve

H

PNEUMATIC SIREN

PNEUMATIC DELAYDISCHARGE TIMER

PRESSURE SWITCH

SAFETY RELIEF VALVE

CO NOZZLE²

LOCKOUT VALVEW/ LIMIT SWITCH

CHECK VALVE

MANIFOLD

CO CYLINDER²

K

Typ. Arrangement w/ Mech Time Delay & Siren

Changes Required to Comply with NFPA 12 Edition 2005

New Systems

4.1.3 Carbon dioxide total flood extinguishing systems shall not be used in normally occupied enclosures if other fire extinguishing agents can be used to provide an equivalent level of fire protection to carbon dioxide.

When CO2 is determined to be the most suitable agent of choice the designer / installer shall provide documentation . . . to verify that CO2 is the most suitable fire suppression agent available.

Examples where CO2 should not be used

•Control Rooms•Computer Rooms•Data Centers•IT Equipment Rooms / Centers•Telecommunication Rooms•Laboratory Rooms•Libraries•Museums

NFPA 12: Marine Systems• 2 separate valves shall be provided for releasing

CO2 into any protected space. 1 valve shall control discharge from the CO2 storage. The 2nd valve shall control CO2 discharge into the protected space(s).

• A separate manually operated control shall be provided to operate each valve… A set of controls shall be located outside at least one of the main means of egress from each protected space.

• Audible predischarge alarms and a minimum 20 second time delay shall be provided that depend on no source of power other than CO2.