DATA SHEET
INERGEN® 150-Bar Fire The following are typical hazards protected by INERGEN
systems:
Suppression System n Computer rooms
n Subfloors
Environmental Impact n Tape storage
INERGEN® agent is a mixture of three naturally occurring gases: n Telecommunication/Switchgear
nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. As INERGEN agent is
n Museums
derived from gases present in the earth’s atmosphere, it exhib-
its no ozone depleting potential, does not contribute to global n Libraries
warming, nor does it contribute unique chemical species with n Normally occupied or unoccupied electronic areas where
extended atmospheric lifetimes. Because INERGEN agent is equipment is either very sensitive or irreplaceable
composed of atmospheric gases, it does not pose the problems
of toxicity associated with the chemically derived Halon alterna- Composition and Materials – The basic system consists of
tive agents. extinguishing agent stored in high strength alloy steel contain-
ers. Various types of actuators, either manual or automatic,
are available for release of the agent into the hazard area. The
Description agent is distributed and discharged into the hazard area through
a network of piping and nozzles. Each nozzle is drilled with
The INERGEN Fire Suppression System, manufactured by a fixed orifice designed to deliver a uniform discharge to the
Johnson Controls, is an engineered clean-agent system utiliz- protected area. On large hazards, where three or more contain-
ing a fixed nozzle agent distribution network. The system is ers are required, a threaded or welded pipe manifold assembly
designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire is employed. The container(s) is connected to the distribution
Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 2001, ‘‘Clean Agent Fire piping or the manifold by means of a flexible discharge bend
Extinguishing Systems.’’ When properly designed, the INERGEN and check valve assembly.
system will suppress surface burning fire in Class A, B, and C
hazards by lowering the oxygen content below the level that Additional equipment includes – Control panels, releasing
supports combustion. devices, remote manual pull stations, corner pulleys, door
closures, pressure trips, bells and alarms, and pneumatic
INERGEN agent has also been tested by Factory Mutual (FM) switches. All or some are required when designing a total
for inerting capabilities. Those tests have shown that INERGEN system.
agent, at design concentrations between 40% and 50%, has
successfully inerted mixtures of propane/air, and methane/air. INERGEN Agent – INERGEN agent is a mixture of three inert-
ing (oxygen diluting) gases: 52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8%
The system can be actuated by detection and control equipment carbon dioxide. INERGEN gas extinguishes fire by lowering
for automatic system operation along with providing local and the oxygen content below the level that supports combustion.
remote manual operation as needed. Accessories are used to When INERGEN agent is discharged into a room, it introduces
provide alarms, ventilation control, door closures, or other auxil- the proper mixture of gases that still allow a person to breathe
iary shutdown or functions. in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. It actually enhances the
When INERGEN agent is discharged into a room, it introduces body’s ability to assimilate oxygen. The normal atmosphere in
the proper mixture of gases that will allow a person to breathe a room contains 21% oxygen and less than 1% carbon dioxide.
in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. If the oxygen content is reduced below 15%, most ordinary
combustibles will cease to burn. INERGEN agent will reduce the
A system installation and maintenance manual is available oxygen content to approximately 12.5% while increasing the
containing information on system components and procedures carbon dioxide content to about 3%. The increase in the carbon
concerning design, operation, inspection, maintenance, and dioxide content increases a person’s respiration rate and the
recharge. body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Simply stated, the human body
is stimulated by the carbon dioxide to breathe more deeply
The system is installed and serviced by authorized distributors
and rapidly to compensate for the lower oxygen content of the
that are trained by the manufacturer.
atmosphere.
Basic Use – The INERGEN system is particularly useful for
Containers – The containers are constructed, tested, and marked
suppressing fires in hazards where an electrically non-conduc-
in accordance with applicable Dept. of Transportation (DOT) and
tive medium is essential or desirable; where clean-up of other
the U.S. Bureau of Explosives specifications. As a minimum,
agents presents a problem; or where the hazard is normally
the containers must meet the requirements of DOT 3AA2300 or
occupied and requires a non-toxic agent.
3AA2015+.
One Stanton Street | Marinette, WI 54143-2542, USA | +1-715-735-7411 | www.ansul.com
© 2018 Johnson Controls. All rights reserved. All specifications and other information shown were
current as of document revision date and are subject to change without notice. | Form No. F-9312-12
Description (Continued) Limitations – The INERGEN system must be designed and
installed within the guidelines of the manufacturer’s design,
Container Assembly – The container assembly is of steel installation, operation, inspection, recharge, and maintenance
construction with a red standard finish. Four sizes are available manual. The ambient temperature limitations are 32 °F to 130 °F
to meet specific needs. Each is equipped with a pressure seat- (0 °C to 54 °C). All AUTOPULSE Control Systems are designed
type valve equipped with gauge. The valve is constructed of for indoor applications and for temperature ranges between
forged brass and is attached to the container providing a leak 32 °F and 120 °F (0 °C and 49 °C).
tight seal. The valve also includes a safety pressure relief device
which provides relief at 2900-3300 psi (200-228 bar) per CGA test
method. Container charging pressure is 2175 psi at 70 °F (150
bar at 21 °C). The containers are shipped with a maintenance
Technical Data
record card and shipping cap attached. The cap is attached to Applicable Standards: The INERGEN system complies
the threaded collar on the neck of each container to protect the with NFPA Standard 2001, Standard for Clean Agent Fire
valve while in transit. The container serial number and date of Extinguishing Systems, and EPA Program SNAP, Significant
manufacture are stamped near the neck of each container. New Alternate Policy.
Electric Actuator – Electric actuation of an agent container is The INERGEN System is listed by Underwriters Laboratories,
accomplished by an electric actuator interfaced through an Inc. (UL) and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), and is
AUTOPULSE Control System. This actuator can be used in approved by Factory Mutual (FM).
hazardous environments where the ambient temperature range
INERGEN Agent is listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
is between 32 °F and 130 °F (0 °C and 54 °C). In auxiliary or
(UL) and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), and is
override applications, a manual lever actuator can be installed
approved by Factory Mutual (FM).
on top of the actuator.
Manual or Pneumatic Actuators – Manual/pneumatic actuators
are available for lever actuation on the container valve. Manual Installations
actuation is accomplished by pulling the hand lever on the
All system components and accessories must be installed by
actuator.
personnel trained by the manufacturer. All installations must be
Selector Valves – Selector valves are used to direct the flow performed according to the guidelines stated in the manufac-
of INERGEN agent into a single hazard of a multiple hazard turer’s design, installation, operation, inspection, recharge, and
system. maintenance manual.
Detection System – The AUTOPULSE Control System is used
where an automatic electronic control system is required to
actuate the INERGEN system. This control system is used to
Availability and Cost
control a single fixed fire suppression or alarm system based Availability – INERGEN Systems are sold and serviced through a
on inputs received from fire detection devices. The detection network of independent distributors located in most states and
circuits can be configured using cross, counting, independent or many foreign countries.
priority-zone (counting) concepts. The control system has been
Cost – Cost varies with type of system specified, size, and
tested to the applicable FCC Rules and Regulations for Class A
design.
Computing devices.
Nozzles – Nozzles are designed to direct the discharge of
INERGEN agent using the stored pressure from the containers. Maintenance
Nozzles are available in either 360° or 180° discharge patterns.
Maintenance is a vital step in the performance of a fire suppres-
The system design specifies the nozzle and orifice size to be
sion system. As such, it must be performed by an authorized
used for proper flow rate and distribution pattern. The nozzle
ANSUL distributor in accordance with NFPA 2001 and the
selection depends on the hazard and location to be protected.
manufacturer’s design, installation, recharge, and maintenance
Pressure Reducer – The pressure reducer is required in the manual. When replacing components on the ANSUL system, use
distribution piping to restrict the flow of INERGEN agent, thus only ANSUL approved parts.
reducing the agent pressure down stream of the reducer. The
pressure reducer contains a stainless steel orifice plate which
is drilled to the specific size hole required based on the hydrau-
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available at www.ansul.com
lic calculation. The orifice plate provides readily visible orifice
identification. The pressure reducer is available in nine sizes: 1/2 Note: The converted values in this document are provided for dimensional
reference only and do not reflect an actual measurement.
in., 3/4 in., 1 in., 1 1/4 in., 1 1/2 in., 2 in., 2 1/2 in., 3 in., and 4 in.
NPT. ANSUL, INERGEN, and the product names listed in this material are marks
and/or registered marks. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Product Descripton
Pipe and Fittings – The system manifold must be constructed
of Schedule 80 or 160 piping and 2000 or 3000 psi iron fittings,
threaded or welded. The distribution piping down stream from
the orifice union must be constructed of a minimum of Schedule
40 piping with class 300 malleable iron threaded fittings or
welded steel fittings. All piping must be black iron of the follow-
ing type and grade: ASTM A-53 seamless or electric resistance
welded, grade A or B, or ASTM A‑106 grade A, B, or C. Do not
use ASTM A-120, ASTM A-53 type F or ordinary cast iron pipe
or fittings.
