IG 541 Inergen Fire Suppression Systems
➤ Description of Material
IG541 – Inergen is an environmentally friendly fire extinguishing gas, as it is a mixture of gases that are found in the environment, such as Nitrogen, Argon and Carbon Dioxide. IG541 – Inergen has a zero ozone depletion potential and does not contribute to global warming, it is electrically non-conductive and non-corrosive.
IG541 – Inergen has been tested by FMRC for its capability of inerting explosive mixtures and these tests showed that, at concentrations between 40% and 50%, IG541 – Inegren successfully inerted mixtures of propane/air and methane/air.
➤ Installation
The installation must be carried out by trained personnel, in accordance with the regulations and instructions of the systems’ manufacturer-supplier.
➤ System Operation
For the operation (actuation) of the system, an electric actuator shall be appropriately fitted to the quick-action valve of the pilot cylinder. When the electronic control panel instructs the electric actuator to operate, it mechanically opens the quick-action valve and releases the IG541 - Inergen.
The system’s remaining cylinders open with pneumatic actuators via an appropriate pneumatic control line using the pressure of the pilot cylinder.
The cylinders are fastened to secure them against any kickback from the release of the IG541 - Inergen. The cylinders are easy to move and the system offers control capabilities for the electric and pneumatic actuation during inspections without the release of gas.
➤ Technical Specifications
IG541 - Inergen Extinguishing Agent
IG541 – Inergen complies with the requirements of NFPA2001 and has a strictly defined composition as follows:
- Ν2 52 + 4%
- Αr 40 + 4%
- CO2 8 + 1%
Maximum water content of 0.005% by weight. Stored at a pressure of 200 bar or 300 bar at 150 C.
200 bar storage cylinders
IG541 – Inergen is stored in seamless steel refillable cylinders, designed and manufactured in accordance with Directive 84/525/CEE.
- Test pressure: 300 bar
- Filling pressure: 195-200bar at 150C
- Capacity:
80 lt 17.2 m3 gas
67.7 lt 14.4 m3 gas
40 lt 8.4 m3 gas
27 lt 5.8 m3 gas
Cylinder fast-action valve
Each cylinder is equipped with an automatic control valve which can be actuated electrically, pneumatically or manually. It has a connection for a pressure gauge. It is equipped with a rupture disc that functions as a pressure relief.
Nominal diameter: 12 mm
• Working pressure: 200bar at 150C
• Pressure relief valve: 270 bar
• Min test pressure: 80 bar
• Max working pressure: 240 bar
• Body: Brass
Actuation system
Gas release from the storage cylinder is achieved with the activation of the fast-action valve by using a 24 V DC electromechanical actuator.
When an installation for more than one cylinder is in place, then the valve of the first cylinder (pilot) is activated using an electromechanical actuator, while the rest of the valves open with pneumatic actuators via a pneumatic control line. The gas of the pneumatic actuation system is supplied from the pilot cylinder.
• Electric actuator
Operating voltage: 24 V DC
Power: 15 W
Protection rating: IP 65
Manufacturing materials: Body-red brass, actuator-stainless steel laminated
• Pneumatic actuator
Minimum working pressure: 100 bar
Manufacturing materials: Brass
High pressure rubber hoses
The cylinders are connected to the system's manifold via high pressure hoses with the following characteristics:
• Nominal diameter: 10 mm
• Maximum working pressure: 240 bar
• Test pressure: 480 bar
• Manufacturing material: Synthetic rubber, galvanised steel
Flanged pressure reducing valve
A component placed between the manifold and the network for systems with more than 20 cylinders. Used to reduce the Inergen pressure from 200 bar in the cylinders to 60 bar or lower in the pipe network.
• Maximum working pressure: 240 bar
• Test pressure: 320 bar
• Nominal diameter: 2’’ or 3’’
• Diameter of flow reduction hole:
3-12 / 0.5 mm step – 2’’
13-35 / 1 mm step – 2’’
20-56 / 2 mm step – 3’’
• Manufacturing material: Galvanised steel, brass
Cylinder pressure reducing valve
A component placed between the cylinder and the manifold for systems with less than 20 cylinders. Used to reduce the Inergen pressure from 200 bar in the cylinders to 60 bar or lower in the manifold.
• Maximum working pressure: 240 bar
• Test pressure: 320 bar
• Nominal diameter: 2’’
• Diameter of flow reduction hole: Arises from the network’s calculation
• Manufacturing material: Galvanised steel, brass
Manifold with non-return valve
If a system has more than one cylinders, these are connected with hoses to the common manifold via non-return valves, which allows the movement of a cylinder without interrupting the operation of the system. The complete manifold with non-return valves.
Depending on the number of cylinders and the type of reducing valve, a manifold with a working pressure of 200 bar is used if there is a central flanged reducing valve after the manifold or 60 bar for isolated reducing valves before the manifold. The manifold can have a single, double or triple row.
Distribution pipeline network
The network’s pipes for the various sections shall cover at least the following requirements:
From cylinders to reducing valve (with a central flanged reducing valve after the manifold)
• Maximum working pressure: 240 bar
• Test pressure: 320 bar
• Standardisation: Seamless in accordance with DIN 2448/1715
• Manufacturing material: Galvanised steel, brass
• From pressure reducing valve to nozzles
• Maximum working pressure: 60 bar
• Test pressure: 80 bar
• Standardisation: Seamed in accordance with DIN 2458/1626 / st 37.0 Φ15-50 mm - Seamless in accordance with DIN 2448/17175 st 37.0> Φ>50 mm
• Manufacturing material: st 37.0
Sprinkler nozzles
The selection and placement of nozzles shall be such that, when the system is actuated, the design concentrations of Ο2 and CO2 shall be uniform.
• Nominal diameter: ½’’, 1’’, 1 ½’’
• Application: Total filling
• Material: Brass
• Maximum coverage: ½’’ and 1’’ 5.4x5.4 m (30 m2), 1 ½’’ 9.75x9.75 m (95 m2) for heights up to 3.7 m.
• The nozzle holes depend on the desired supply in relation to the working pressure.
