Shaping the Future of Fire Protection
Standards for Special Hazards
Suppression Systems
Published in International Fire Protection - November 2001
© 2001 Fire Suppression Systems Association
T
he adoption of codes and standards in the fire protection industry, as well as
increased public awareness of safety practices, have resulted in substantial reductions
in loss of life and property damage due to the effects of fire. When it comes to special
hazards systems, two sets of standards are of global significance – those created by the
International Standards Organization (ISO) and the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA).
This article will outline both ISO and NFPA standards that apply to clean agent, foam,
carbon dioxide and dry and wet chemical suppression systems. For details on the standards,
visit the organizations’ web sites at www.iso.org and www.nfpa.org.
Halon Systems
ISO 7201-1 provides specifications for Halon 1301 and Halon 1211 installations. ISO
7201-2 provides a code of practice for safe handling and transfer procedures of Halon 1301
and 1211. In the United States, NFPA 12A is the technical standard that covers designing,
installing, testing, inspecting, approving, listing, operating, maintaining, decommissioning, and
removing halogenated agent extinguishing systems.
Because Halon was found to be a potential ozone depleter, there are also guidelines for
proper handling and disposal of the agent. Two excellent sources of information are the
Halon Alternatives Research Corporation (www.harc.org) and the Halon Users National
Consortium (www.hunc.org).
Halon Alternatives
With the ban on Halon manufacture came the development of environmentally-friendly
alternative clean agents. A separate set of standards applies to these agents. From ISO,
standard 14520 applies to gaseous fire extinguishing systems. ISO 14520 is comprised of 14
parts. Part one covers general requirements and Parts two through14 cover agent-specific
requirements. The agents are categorized into two distinct classes, halocarbon and inert.
Halocarbon agents act largely by heat absorption, although having some chemical effect on
the flame combustion reactions. Inert agents contain reactive gases that act primarily by
oxygen depletion.
Fire Suppression
Systems Association
5024-R Campbell Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21236
phone: 410.931.8100
fax: 410.931.8111
internet: www.fssa.net
Shaping the Future of Fire Protection
Standards for Special Hazards - page 2
© 2001 Fire Suppression Systems Association
From NFPA, standard 2001 addresses the design, installation, testing, inspection, operation, and maintenance of the
new gaseous agent fire suppression systems. It also specifies components for clean agent systems, including agent
supply, distribution and detection, actuation and control systems. Information and minimum requirements are included
for 11 clean agents.
The most notable difference between ISO 14520 and NFPA 2001 is a change in the safety factor used in calculating the
design concentration of extinguishing agents in air. Traditionally, the design concentration was 1.2 times the Cup Burner
value but a more rigorous approach has been taken in that the safety factor has been increased to 1.3 times the
maximum concentration required to extinguish fires.
Many years’ experience has shown that a factor of 1.2 was adequate and NFPA 2001 retains a factor of 1.2 for Class
A and C risks. The European Community felt that a higher factor was more appropriate for new installations. However,
unless specifically required by the user, existing systems are considered perfectly adequate and do not need to be
modified.
Carbon Dioxide
ISO 6183 addresses design and installation for on premises use of carbon dioxide extinguishing systems. NFPA 12
provides minimum requirements for installation and maintenance of carbon dioxide extinguishing systems. The standard
is prepared for the use and guidance of those who purchase, design, install, test, inspect, approve, list, operate or
maintain carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system equipment. It covers total flooding systems, local application systems,
hand hose line systems, standpipe systems, and mobile supplies.
Foam
ISO 7203-1 provides specifications for low expansion foam concentrates for top application to water-immiscible
liquids. ISO 7203-3 covers specifications for medium and high expansion foam concentrates for top application to
water-immiscible liquids.
In the United States, NFPA 11 covers the characteristics of foam-producing materials used for fire protection and the
requirements for the design, installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of equipment and systems. Also covered
are flammable and combustible liquid hazards and local areas within buildings, and storage tanks and indoor and
outdoor processing areas. NFPA 11A outlines the minimum requirements for the installation, design, operation, testing,
and maintenance of medium and high expansion foam systems.
Dry and Wet Chemical
ISO 7202 covers powdered fire extinguishing media. In the United States, NFPA 17 provides minimum requirements
for dry chemical extinguishing systems, plus discussion of total flooding, local application, hand hose lines, and
engineered and pre-engineered extinguishing systems. NFPA 17A applies to the design, installation, operation, testing,
and maintenance of wet chemical extinguishing systems. It includes minimum requirements for restaurant and institutional
hoods, plenums, ducts, and associated cooking appliances.
FSSA • 5024-R Campbell Blvd. • Baltimore, MD 21236 • phone: 410.931.8100 • fax: 410.931.8111 • www.fssa.net
Shaping the Future of Fire Protection
Standards for Special Hazards - page 3
© 2001 Fire Suppression Systems Association
Application Standards
In addition to the installation standards mentioned above, some countries have application standards as well. For
example, NFPA 75 is the United States’ standard for the protection of electronic computer/data processing equipment.
“If you were putting a clean agent system into a United States computer room, you would look at NFPA 75 for
guidance on protecting the room itself,” says George Krabbe, chairman of the board of Automatic Fire Controls in
South Holland, Ill. and a member of the NFPA 75 committee. “Then, you would look at NFPA 2001 which is the clean
agent standard. You would also have to look at the NFPA 72 series for detection standards.”
Krabbe adds that an application standard such as NFPA 75 rarely requires a specific type of fire protection. It simply
outlines available options and references appropriate installation standards.
Beyond application standards, Krabbe says that local electrical and building codes must be followed. In many cases,
those local codes refer back to national standards. But, in cases where they don’t, it’s always the more stringent code
that must be followed.
Detection Standards
As Krabbe mentioned, anyone installing a special hazards system will also need to be informed of standards relating to
fire detection. ISO 7240 is the international standard on fire detection and alarm systems.
NFPA 72, also known as the National Fire Alarm Code, deals with the application, installation, performance, and
maintenance of protective signaling systems and their components. This is a comprehensive guide to the design,
installation, maintenance, testing, and use of fire alarm system. In the United States, designers, installers, authorities
having jurisdiction and maintenance personnel depend on the Code as a source for safety guidelines, up-to-date
technology and industry practices.
FSSA • 5024-R Campbell Blvd. • Baltimore, MD 21236 • phone: 410.931.8100 • fax: 410.931.8111 • www.fssa.net
Shaping the Future of Fire Protection
Standards for Special Hazards - page 4
© 2001 Fire Suppression Systems Association
Global Standards
There are many standard-making bodies beyond ISO and NFPA. In many cases, the standards adopted by these
organizations mirror the ISO standards. In other cases, the standards are unique. Wherever you install a special hazards
system, check with both national and local governments to determine applicable codes and standards. Here are a few
national organizations that produce fire protection standards.
Europe
Great Britain
British Standards Institute
www.bsi-global.com
France
Association Francaise de Normalization
www.afnor.fr
Germany
VdS Schadenverhutung
www.vds.de
Norway
Det Norske Veritas
www.dnv.com
Australia
Fire Protection Association of Australia
www.fpaa.com.au
SSL Australia
www.sslaustralia.com.au
Asia
China
Tenjuin Fire Institute
Korea
Korean Fire Equipment Inspection Corporation
Hong Kong
HK Fire Services
www.info.gov.hk/hkfsd
Malaysia
BOMBA
www.bomba.gov.my
FSSA • 5024-R Campbell Blvd. • Baltimore, MD 21236 • phone: 410.931.8100 • fax: 410.931.8111 • www.fssa.net