Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 4: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 125 extinguishant (ISO 14520-8:2019, modified)

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 125 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects.
This document is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Löschanlagen mit gasförmigen Löschmitteln - Teil 4: Physikalische Eigenschaften und Anlagenauslegung für Feuerlöschmittel HFC 125 (ISO 14520-8:2019, modifiziert)

Dieses Dokument legt Anforderungen an Löschanlagen mit gasförmigen Löschmitteln fest, bei denen HFC 125 als Löschmittel angewendet wird. Es enthält Einzelheiten zu physikalischen Eigenschaften, zur Spezifikation, zum Einsatz und zu Sicherheitsaspekten.
Dieses Dokument ist für Anlagen anwendbar, die bei Nenndrücken von 25 bar und 42 bar mit Stickstoff als Treibgas beaufschlagt werden. Dies schließt nicht die Anwendung anderer Anlagen aus.

Installations fixes de lutte contre l’incendie - Installations d’extinction à gaz - Partie 4 : Propriétés physiques et conception des systèmes pour agent extincteur HFC 125 (ISO 14520-8:2019, modifiée)

Le présent document spécifie des exigences spécifiques relatives aux installations d’extinction à gaz contenant de l’agent extincteur HFC 125. Il inclut des détails relatifs à ses propriétés physiques, sa spécification, son usage ainsi que ses aspects de sécurité.
Le présent document s’applique aux systèmes fonctionnant à des pressions nominales de 25 bar et de 42 bar, surpressurisés à l’azote. Cela n’exclut pas l’utilisation d’autres installations.

Vgrajeni gasilni sistemi - Sistemi za gašenje s plinom - 4. del: Fizikalne lastnosti in načrtovanje sistema za gašenje s plinom za gasilo HFC 125 (ISO 14520-8:2019, spremenjen)

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
06-Oct-2020
Withdrawal Date
29-Apr-2021
Current Stage
6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
Start Date
07-Oct-2020
Due Date
24-Feb-2021
Completion Date
07-Oct-2020

Relations

Effective Date
14-Oct-2020

Overview

EN 15004-4:2020 is the CEN European Standard that specifies the physical properties and system design requirements for HFC‑125 gas extinguishing systems (based on ISO 14520‑8:2019, modified). It applies to fixed, total‑flooding gaseous fire‑extinguishing systems using pentafluoroethane (HFC‑125) and covers specification, usage, safety and environmental aspects for systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar (superpressurized with nitrogen).

Key topics and technical requirements

  • Extinguishant specification: HFC‑125 purity ≥ 99.6 % by mass, strict limits on acidity, water and non‑volatile residue.
  • Physical properties: Molecular mass 120.02, boiling point −48.09 °C, critical pressure 36.18 bar, liquid density at 20 °C ≈ 1 218 kg/m3. These properties drive storage, fill density and discharge design.
  • Agent quantity and design concentrations: Tables give agent mass per protected volume (m/V) as a function of temperature and required volumetric concentration (typical design ranges 7–16 % by volume). Example reference extinguishing and minimum design concentrations: heptane (extinguish 9.3 %; minimum design 12.1 %), wood crib (extinguish 6.7 %; minimum design 11.2 %).
  • Fill density and superpressurization: Maximum container fill densities are specified separately for 25 bar and 42 bar systems (Tables 6 and 7). Exceeding limits risks “liquid full” conditions with dangerous pressure rises.
  • Safety of personnel: Toxicological values reported (NOAEL 7.5 % by volume, LOAEL 10 %; approximate lethal concentration ALC > 70 % for 4‑h rat exposure). Designers must consider hazards from the extinguishant, combustion products and breakdown products.
  • Environmental properties: Clause added in 2020 edition addressing environmental aspects of HFC‑125 use and implications for system selection and regulatory compliance.
  • Calculation aids: Specific volume of superheated vapour may be approximated by S = k1 + k2·T with k1 = 0.1825 and k2 = 0.0007 (m3/kg) for 1.013 bar and 20 °C reference.

Applications and who uses this standard

EN 15004‑4:2020 is intended for:

  • Fire protection engineers and system designers calculating agent quantities, fill densities and discharge performance for HFC‑125 total‑flood systems.
  • Manufacturers and installers specifying cylinder fills, superpressurization and piping layouts for 25/42 bar systems.
  • Facility safety managers, insurers and authorities reviewing compliance for data centres, telecom rooms, archives and other enclosed hazards where clean‑agent total flooding is required.
  • Test laboratories and certification bodies validating extinguishing and toxicity performance.

Related standards

  • EN 15004‑1:2019 (Design, installation and maintenance) - normative reference.
  • Other parts of EN 15004 series (e.g., Parts 2, 5–10) covering FK‑5‑1‑12, HFC‑227ea, IG gases, etc.
  • ISO 14520‑8:2019 (source standard referenced and modified).

Keywords: EN 15004‑4:2020, HFC‑125, gas extinguishing systems, fixed firefighting systems, fill density, superpressurization, design concentration, total flooding, fire protection standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

EN 15004-4:2020 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 4: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 125 extinguishant (ISO 14520-8:2019, modified)". This standard covers: This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 125 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. This document is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 125 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. This document is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

EN 15004-4:2020 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.220.20 - Fire protection. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN 15004-4:2020 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 15004-4:2008. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

You can purchase EN 15004-4:2020 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 15004-4:2008
Vgrajeni gasilni sistemi - Sistemi za gašenje s plinom - 4. del: Fizikalne lastnosti in
načrtovanje sistema za gašenje s plinom za gasilo HFC 125 (ISO 14520-8:2019,
spremenjen)
Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 4: Physical properties and
system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 125 extinguishant (ISO 14520-
8:2019, modified)
Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Löschanlagen mit gasförmigen Löschmitteln - Teil
4: Physikalische Eigenschaften und Anlagenauslegung für Feuerlöschmittel HFC 125
(ISO 14520-8:2019, modifiziert)
Installations fixes de lutte contre l’incendie - Installations d’extinction à gaz - Partie 4 :
Propriétés physiques et conception des systèmes pour agent extincteur HFC 125 (ISO
14520-8:2019, modifiée)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 15004-4:2020
ICS:
13.220.10 Gašenje požara Fire-fighting
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 15004-4
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.220.20 Supersedes EN 15004-4:2008
English Version
Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems -
Part 4: Physical properties and system design of gas
extinguishing systems for HFC 125 extinguishant (ISO
14520-8:2019, modified)
Installations fixes de lutte contre l'incendie - Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Löschanlagen
Installations d'extinction à gaz - Partie 4 : Propriétés mit gasförmigen Löschmitteln - Teil 4: Physikalische
physiques et conception des systèmes pour agent Eigenschaften und Anlagenauslegung für
extincteur HFC 125 (ISO 14520-8:2019, modifiée) Feuerlöschmittel HFC 125 (ISO 14520-8:2019,
modifiziert)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 17 August 2020.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 15004-4:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Characteristics and uses . 5
4.1 General . 5
4.2 Use of HFC 125 systems . 6
5 Safety of personnel . 9
6 System design . 10
6.1 Fill density . 10
6.2 Superpressurization . 11
6.3 Extinguishant quantity . 11
6.4 Other fill density and superpressurization levels . 12
7 Environmental properties . 13

European foreword
This document (EN 15004-4:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 191 “Fixed
firefighting systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2021, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2021.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 15004-4:2008.
The main changes in EN 15004-4:2020 compared to EN 15004-4:2008 are the following:
— European foreword: Part 3 was removed from the list;
— Foreword of ISO 14520-8 was removed;
— 6.4, Other fill density and superpressurization levels: new sub-clause added;
— Clause 7, Environmental properties: new clause added.
The text of the International Standard ISO 14520-8:2019 from Technical Committee ISO/TC 21
“Equipment for fire protection and firefighting” of the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) has been taken over as a European Standard by Technical Committee CEN/TC 191 “Fixed
firefighting systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
EN 15004 will consist of the following parts, under the general title Fixed firefighting systems —
Gas extinguishing systems:
— Part 1: Design, installation and maintenance;
— Part 2: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for FK-5-1-12
extinguishant;
— Part 4: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 125 extinguishant;
— Part 5: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 227ea
extinguishant;
— Part 6: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 23 extinguishant;
— Part 7: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-01 extinguishant;
— Part 8: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-100 extinguishant;
— Part 9: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-55 extinguishant;
— Part 10: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-541 extinguishant.
The International Standards ISO 14520-2 and ISO 14520-11, which dealt with CF I and HFC 236fa
extinguishants, respectively, have not been implemented by CEN, as CF I is only valid for local
application and HFC 236fa extinguishant is only applicable for portable fire extinguishers and local
application, respectively, which is not covered by the scope.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the
HFC 125 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects.
This document is applicable for systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar,
superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 15004-1:2019, Fixed firefighting systems — Gas extinguishing systems — Part 1: Design, installation
and maintenance (ISO 14520-1:2015, modified)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 15004-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
4 Characteristics and uses
4.1 General
Extinguishant HFC 125 shall comply with the specification shown in Table 1.
HFC 125 is a colourless, almost odourless, electrically non-conductive gas, with a density approximately
four times that of air.
The physical properties are shown in Table 2.
HFC 125 extinguishes fires mainly by physical means, but also by some chemical means.
Table 1 — Specification for HFC 125
Property Requirement
Purity 99,6 % by mass, min.
Acidity –4 %
3 × 10 by mass (3 parts
per million), max.
Water content –4 %
10 × 10 by mass (10 parts
per million), max.
Non-volatile residue 0,01 % by mass, max.
Suspended matter or None visible
sediment
Table 2 — Physical properties of HFC 125
Property Units Value
Molecular mass — 120,02
Boiling point at 1,013 bar °C −48,09
(absolute)
Freezing point °C −101
Critical temperature °C 66,02
Critical pressure bar abs 36,18
Critical volume 3 210
cm /mol
Critical density 3 573,6
kg/m
Vapour press
...

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