Fire suppression

[ghkh]

Fire Suppression System FM 200

Q: Is it permissible or safe to install FM200 system for fire suppression in a control room occupied by control operators. I mean from health safety point of view.

 

[tazz]

No, FM200 works by taking a percentage of available air from the room and compressing it whilst introducing FM200 gas under pressure. No air no fire......but also unable to breath...

 

[grantr37]

The manufacturers will sometimes say yes, but the insurance companies and health and safety would say no, it would need to be manually fired from outside an empty building and not automatic, there could be big fines and worse if it goes wrong and someone gets fumigated, worse if they have a breathing problem or illness. I have seen people disregard all kind of alarms or just stand around, so making sure people are outside is a problem.

Labelled as depletion asphyxiant

 

[ghkh]

Thanks Gents for your response. But then please advise what suppression system should be provided in an occupied control room?
Appreciate.
GK

 

[Darkwood]

I would suspect a risk assessment at minimum, as you have only given limited info its hard to make suggestions here, are the controls critical to safety, would ensuring they are kept running save lifes elsewhere on site in the event of a fire - IE Chemical Works.
There may need to be several meeting with different bodies here to agree a system that is suitable but what is a 'control room' at the end of the day, the term is too broad to call.

 

[tazz]

Strange request in occupied, but may be a calculated reason.....Would say dual stage alarm, first alarm on detection using bells , second 3 minutes later siren for last 30 seconds....then release of gas......all exits must have cancel buttons to overide system