How does Novec 1230TM work?

Novec 1230TM extinguishes fires by removing heat. All fires need heat, oxygen, and a fuel source to continue to burn. By removing any of these three elements, you can extinguish the fire. Other fire suppression agents, such as carbon dioxide, remove oxygen. BecauseNovec™ 1230 removes heat instead of oxygen, it is safer to use in occupied spaces, because it does not pose a suffocation risk for people.

Novec 1230TM advantages:

  • Novec™ 1230 is safe for people, so a fire suppression system withNovec™ 1230 can be installed in an occupiable space
  • After aNovec™ 1230 fire suppression system puts out a fire, Novec™ 1230 evaporates immediately. You do not need to clean it up
  • Novec™ 1230 leaves no residue and is safe for equipment, including sensitive electronics and machinery

Novec 1230TM disadvantages:

  • Compared to other types of fire suppression systems,Novec™ 1230 fire suppression systems can be more expensive
  • Novec™ 1230 is not as common as other fire suppression chemicals, such as carbon dioxide, so it can be more expensive and time consuming to refill aNovec™ 1230 fire suppression system after it has discharged

Which gas is used in the Novec 1230TM system?

Novec™ 1230 is the brand name for the chemical compound FK-5-1-12, manufactured by 3M. Fire suppression systems marketed asNovec™ 1230 systems contain FK-5-1-12, which is stored as a liquid and discharges as a gas when the system activates. There are many different manufacturers (OEMs) of Novec™ 1230fire suppression systems, including Firetrace International. Some manufacturers offer fire suppression systems with generic FK-5-1-12 that is not supplied by 3M. These systems may perform similarly to aNovec™ 1230 fire suppression system, but they are not genuine Novec™ 1230 fire suppression systems.

Is Novec 1230TM dangerous?

Relative to most fire suppression chemicals, Novec™ 1230 is not dangerous. Unlike carbon dioxide, Novec™ 1230 is considered safe to use in occupied spaces. That means if Novec™ 1230 is released inside of a room with people in it, there is no suffocation risk or other serious health impacts. Toxicity studies show that Novec™ 1230 fluid does not irritate the skin but may cause mild eye irritation. It is not a carcinogen, according to the Ames test.

How much does Novec 1230TM  cost?

Novec™ 1230 is typically similar in cost to FM-200TM, another leading clean agent for fire suppression. Novec™ 1230 fluid is purchased as part of a fire suppression system. Only approved fire suppression system manufacturers can purchase Novec™ 1230 fluid directly. Novec™ 1230 fire suppression systems cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the scale of the project.

What is the difference between FM-200TM and

Novec 1230TM?

Novec™ 1230 and FM-200TM are different chemical compounds. Novec™ 1230 is a fluoroketone, while FM200 is a heptafluoropropane (HFC). Both Novec™ 1230 and FM-200TM are clean agents, and they share similar properties. However, Novec™ 1230 is widely regarded as more environmentally friendly than FM200, because it has a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP). Additionally, Novec™ 1230 is stored as a liquid, while FM-200TM is stored as a gas.

Both Novec™ 1230 and FM-200TM discharge as gases, when a fire suppression system activates. Novec™ 1230 and FM-200TM are both effective at suppressing class A, B, and C fires, and they are both safe to use in occupied spaces.

Learn more about fire suppression systems