ISO/TC 21/SC 8 - Gaseous media and firefighting systems using gas

This document specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety of fixed carbon dioxide firefighting systems in buildings, plants or other structures. It is not applicable to extinguishing systems on ships, in aircraft, on vehicles or on mobile fire appliances, or to below‑ground systems in the mining industry; nor does it apply to carbon dioxide pre-inerting systems. Design of systems where unclosable opening(s) exceed a specified area and where the opening(s) can be subject to the effect of wind is not specified, although general guidance on the procedure to be followed in such cases is given (see 7.4.3.2).

This document provides specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems with respect to the Halocarbon Blend 55 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. It also covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 35 bar and 42 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This document does not preclude the use of other systems. NOTE 1 bar = 0,1 MPa = 105 Pa; 1 MPa = 1 N/mm2.

This document suggests specific types of information that can be useful for assessing safe and effective gaseous extinguishing media for inclusion in the ISO 14520 series.

This document specifies minimum requirements and defines the specifications governing the design, installation and maintenance of fixed oxygen reduction systems with oxygen reduced air for fire prevention in buildings and industrial production plants. It also applies to the extension and modification of existing systems. This document applies to oxygen reduction systems using nitrogen-enriched-air which are designed for continual oxygen reduction in enclosed spaces. NOTE Nitrogen is, today, the most suitable gas to be used for oxygen reduction. For other gases, this document can be used as a reference. This document does not apply to: — oxygen reduction systems that use water mist or combustion gases; — explosion suppression systems; — explosion prevention systems, in case of chemicals or materials containing their own supply of oxygen, such as cellulose nitrate; — fire extinguishing systems using gaseous extinguishing agents; — inertization of portable containers; — systems in which oxygen levels are reduced for reasons other than fire prevention (e.g. steel processing in the presence of inert gas to avoid the formation of oxide film); — inerting required during repair work on systems or equipment (e.g. welding) in order to eliminate the risk of fire or explosion. In addition to the conditions for the actual oxygen reduction system and its individual components, this document also covers certain structural specifications for the protected area. The space protected by an oxygen reduction system is a controlled and continuously monitored indoor climate for extended occupation. This document does not cover unventilated confined spaces that can contain hazardous gases.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 23 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. It is applicable to systems operating at a nominal pressure of 41 bar without nitrogen superpressurization and 70 bar superpressurized with nitrogen.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 227ea 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, 42 bar and 50 bar with nitrogen propellant. 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.

This document contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to FK-5-1-12 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specifications, usage and safety aspects. This document is applicable only to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 34,5 bar, 42 bar and 50 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

This document provides guidance on fulfilling the requirements contained in ISO 6183:2009, 6.4.1 and 7.4.1 and ISO 14520-1:2015, 5.2.1 h and 5.3 h, in respect to over and under pressurisation venting and post discharge extract. It considers the design, selection and installation of vents to safeguard the structural integrity of enclosures protected by fixed gaseous extinguishing systems and the post discharge venting provisions where used.

ISO 14520-11:2016 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 236fa extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520-11:2016 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520-1:2015 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety of gaseous fire fighting systems in buildings, plants or other structures, and the characteristics of the various extinguishants and types of fire for which they are a suitable extinguishing medium. It covers total flooding systems primarily related to buildings, plants and other specific applications, utilizing electrically non-conducting gaseous fire extinguishants that do not leave a residue after discharge and for which there are sufficient data currently available to enable validation of performance and safety characteristics by an appropriate independent authority. This part of ISO 14520 is not applicable to explosion suppression. ISO 14520-1:2015 is not intended to indicate approval of the extinguishants listed therein by the appropriate authorities, as other extinguishants may be equally acceptable. CO2 is not included as it is covered by other International Standards.

ISO 14520-12:2015 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-01 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage, and safety aspects. ISO 14520-12:2015 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 160 bar, 200 bar, and 300 bar at 15 °C. This does not preclude the use of other systems, although design data for other pressures are not available at this time.

ISO 14520-15:2015 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-541 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage, and safety aspects. ISO 14520-15:2015 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 150 bar, 200 bar, and 300 bar at 15 °C. This does not preclude the use of other systems, although design data for other pressures are not available at this time.

ISO 14520-14:2015 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-55 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520-14:2015 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 150 bar at 15 °C, 200 bar at 15 °C, and 300 bar at 15 °C. This does not preclude the use of other systems, although design data for other pressures are not available at this time.

ISO 14520-13:2015 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-100 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520-13:2015 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 200 bar at 15 °C and 300 bar at 15 °C. This does not preclude the use of other systems, although design data for other pressures are not available at this time.

ISO 15779:2011 specifies requirements and test methods for components and gives recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety of condensed aerosol firefighting systems in buildings, plants or other structures, and the characteristics of the extinguishants and types of fire for which they are a suitable extinguishing medium. It covers total flooding systems primarily related to buildings, plant and other specific applications, utilizing electrically non-conducting condensed aerosol fire extinguishants for which there are sufficient data currently available to enable validation of performance characteristics by an appropriate independent authority. Local applications of condensed aerosol extinguishing systems are not covered by ISO 15779:2011. Any local applications require a pre-engineered and pre-designed system that shall be tested and approved for a specific application by a relevant authority.

ISO 16003:2008 specifies requirements and describes test methods for the following components used in gaseous fire-extinguishing systems: container valve assemblies, which include container valve, actuator and, if applicable, a diptube; selector valves and their actuators; agent distribution nozzles; flexible connectors; and check and non-return valves. Container valve assemblies are designed to control the extinguishant flow from the container to the distribution pipe work. They are normally in the closed position. The automatic control device triggers the actuator and the valve opens. Where applicable, the requirements contained in the test methods also apply to separate container valves. The design of the nozzles influences the area coverage, the height limitations, the discharge rate and the flow rate. ISO 16003:2008 is applicable to check valves installed between container valve and manifold and non-return valves installed in pilot lines, except those valves that are tested in combination with non-electrical control devices. It is required that non-return and check valves allow the passage in the direction of flow and prevent flow in the reverse direction.

Provides recommendations and information relevant to the health and safety of persons engaged in procedures to be used in the transfer of halon from one container to another.

Specifies requirements for testing by an appropriate method of test given. Does not deal with the conditions of use of these products in fire fighting equipment.

This document addresses the subject of criteria for assessment of new extinguishants for inclusion in the ISO 14520 series.

ISO 14520-10:2016 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 23 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects and is applicable to systems operating at a nominal pressure of 41 bar without nitrogen superpressurization and 70 bar superpressurized with nitrogen.

ISO 14520-8:2016 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 125 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520-8:2016 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520-5:2016 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to FK-5-1-12 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520-5:2016 covers only systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 34,5 bar, 42 bar and 50 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520-6:2016 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HCFC Blend A extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520-6:2016 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar or 40 bar, superpressurized with nitrogen. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520-9:2016 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 227ea extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520-9:2016 covers systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 42 bar and 50 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520:2016 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the CF3I extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects. ISO 14520:2016 covers systems operating at a nominal pressure of 25 bar. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 5923:2012 specifies requirements for carbon dioxide for use as a fire extinguishing medium.

ISO 6183:2009 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety of fixed carbon dioxide firefighting systems in buildings, plant or other structures. It is not applicable to extinguishing systems on ships, in aircraft, on vehicles and mobile fire appliances or to below‑ground systems in the mining industry; nor does it apply to carbon dioxide pre-inerting systems. Design of systems where unclosable opening(s) exceed a specified area and where the opening(s) can be subject to the effect of wind is not specified, although general guidance on the procedure to be followed in such cases is given.

ISO/TS 13075:2009 provides recommendations for developing a flow calculation method for predicting critical flow parameters and an acceptable degree of accuracy for the proper design of piping networks for engineered systems.

ISO/TS 12854 establishes an alternative method to ISO 14520-1:2006, 7.5.1.2 for determining design concentrations applicable to various gaseous extinguishants for Class B fuels other than heptane.

ISO 14520-9:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 227ea extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects and 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.

ISO 14520-2:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the CF3I extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects and is applicable to systems operating at a nominal pressure of 25 bar. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520-1:2005 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety of gaseous fire fighting systems in buildings, plant or other structures, and the characteristics of the various extinguishants and types of fire for which they are a suitable extinguishing medium. It covers total flooding systems primarily related to buildings, plant and other specific applications, utilizing electrically non-conducting gaseous fire extinguishants that do not leave a residue after discharge and for which there are sufficient data currently available to enable validation of performance and safety characteristics by an appropriate independent authority. ISO 14520-1:2005 is not applicable to explosion suppression. ISO 14520-1:2005 is not intended to indicate approval of the extinguishants listed therein by the appropriate authorities, as other extinguishants may be equally acceptable. CO2 is not included as it is covered by other International Standards.

ISO 14520-6:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HCFC Blend A extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects and is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520-8:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 125 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects and 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.

ISO 14520-5:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to theFK-5-1-12 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects and is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

ISO 14520-13:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-100 extinguishant.

ISO 14520-12:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-01 extinguishant.

ISO 14520-15:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-541 extinguishant.

ISO 14520-14:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the IG-55 extinguishant.

ISO 14520-10:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 23 extinguishant.

ISO 14520-11:2005 gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the HFC 236fa extinguishant.

ISO/TS 20885:2003 specifies a test method for determination of the extinguishing concentrations and system performance of engineered or pre-engineered extinguishing system units designed to mix and distribute the extinguishant, and to totally flood the enclosure. It is designed to allow individual installers to use their system and to carry out all of the extinguishing tests themselves.