DATA SHEET

INERGEN® 200-Bar Fire The following are typical hazards protected by INERGEN
systems:
Suppression System n  Computer rooms
n  Subfloors
n  Tape storage
Environmental Impact
n  Telecommunication/Switchgear
INERGEN® agent is a mixture of three naturally occurring gases:
n  Museums
nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. As INERGEN agent is
derived from gases present in the earth’s atmosphere, it exhib- n  Libraries
its no ozone depleting potential, does not contribute to global n Normally occupied or unoccupied electronic areas where
warming, nor does it contribute unique chemical species with equipment is either very sensitive or irreplaceable
extended atmospheric lifetimes. Because INERGEN agent is
Composition and Materials – The basic system consists
composed of atmospheric gases, it does not pose the problems
of extinguishing agent stored in high strength alloy steel
of toxicity associated with the chemically derived Halon alterna-
containers. Various types of actuators, either manual or auto­
tive agents.
matic, are available for release of the agent into the hazard area.
The agent is distributed and discharged into the hazard area
through a network of piping and nozzles. Each nozzle is drilled
Description with a fixed orifice designed to deliver a uniform discharge
The INERGEN Fire Suppression System, manufactured by to the protected area. On large hazards, where three or more
Johnson Controls, is an engineered clean-agent system utiliz- containers are required, a threaded or welded pipe manifold
ing a fixed nozzle agent distribution network. The system is assembly is employed. The container(s) is connected to the
designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire distribution piping or the manifold by means of a flexible
Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 2001, ‘‘Clean Agent Fire discharge bend and check valve assembly.
Extinguishing Systems.’’ When properly designed, the INERGEN
Additional equipment includes – Control panels, releasing
system will suppress surface burning fire in Class A, B, and C
devices, remote manual pull stations, corner pulleys, door
hazards by lowering the oxygen content below the level that
closures, pressure trips, bells and alarms, and pneumatic
supports combustion.
switches. All or some are required when designing a total
INERGEN agent has also been tested by Factory Mutual (FM) for system.
inerting capabilities. Those tests have shown that INERGEN
INERGEN Agent – INERGEN agent is a mixture of three inert-
agent, at design concentrations between 40% and 50%, has
ing (oxygen diluting) gases: 52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8%
successfully inerted mixtures of propane/air, and methane/air.
carbon dioxide. INERGEN gas extinguishes fire by lowering
The system can be actuated by detection and control equipment the oxygen content below the level that supports combustion.
for automatic system operation along with providing local and When INERGEN agent is discharged into a room, it introduces
remote manual operation as needed. Accessories are used to the proper mixture of gases that still allow a person to breathe
provide alarms, ventilation control, door closures, or other auxil- in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. It actually enhances the
iary shutdown or f­unctions. body’s ability to assimilate oxygen. The normal atmosphere in
a room contains 21% oxygen and less than 1% carbon dioxide.
When INERGEN agent is discharged into a room, it introduces If the oxygen content is reduced below 15%, most ordinary
the proper mixture of gases that will allow a person to breathe combustibles will cease to burn. INERGEN agent will reduce the
in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. oxygen content to approximately 12.5% while increasing the
A system installation and maintenance manual is available carbon dioxide content to about 3%. The increase in the carbon
containing information on system components and procedures dioxide content increases a person’s respiration rate and the
concerning design, operation, inspection, maintenance, and body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Simply stated, the human body
recharge. is stimulated by the carbon dioxide to breathe more deeply
and rapidly to compensate for the lower oxygen content of the
The system is installed and serviced by authorized distributors atmosphere.
that are trained by the manufacturer.
Containers – The containers are constructed, tested, and marked
Basic Use – The INERGEN system is particularly useful for in accordance with applicable Department of Transportation
suppressing fires in hazards where an electrically non-conduc- (DOT) specifications. As a minimum, the containers must meet
tive medium is essential or desirable; where clean-up of other the requirements of DOT 3AA3000.
agents presents a problem; or where the hazard is normally
occupied and requires a non-toxic agent.

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-2001292-04
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. One size is available.
manual. The ambient temper­ature limitations are 32 °F to 130 °F
Each container is equipped with a pressure seat-type valve
(0 °C to 54 °C). All AUTOPULSE Control Systems are designed
equipped with gauge. The valve is constructed of forged brass
for indoor applications and for temperature ranges between
and is attached to the container pro­viding a leak tight seal.
32 °F and 120 °F (0 °C and 49 °C).
The valve also includes a safety pressure relief device which
provides relief at 4000-4480 psi (276-309 bar) per CGA test
method. Container charging pressure is 2900 psi at 70 °F
(200 bar at 21 °C). The containers are shipped with a main- Technical Data
tenance record card and shipping cap attached. The cap is Applicable Standards: The INERGEN system complies
attached to the threaded collar on the neck of each container to with NFPA Standard 2001, Standard for Clean Agent Fire
protect the valve while in transit. The container serial number Extinguishing Systems, and EPA Program SNAP, Significant
and date of manufacture are stamped near the neck of each New Alternate Policy.
container.
The INERGEN System is listed by Underwriters Laboratories,
Electric Actuator – Electric actuation of an agent container is Inc. (UL) and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), and is
accomplished by an electric actuator interfaced through an approved by Factory Mutual (FM).
AUTOPULSE Control System. This actuator can be used in
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 – Three types of manual actua- Installations
tors are available for lever actuation on the container valve.
Manual actuation is accomplished by pulling the hand lever on All system components and accessories must be installed by
the actuator. personnel trained by the manufacturer. All installations must be
performed according to the guidelines stated in the manufac-
Selector Valves – Selector valves are used to direct the flow turer’s design, installation, operation, inspection, recharge, and
of INERGEN agent into a single hazard of a multiple hazard maintenance manual.
system.
Detection System – The AUTOPULSE Control System is used
where an automatic electronic control system is required to Availability and Cost
actuate the INERGEN system. This control system is used to Availability – INERGEN Systems are sold and serviced through a
control a single fixed fire suppression or alarm system based network of independent distributors located in many countries.
on inputs received from fire detection devices. The detection
circuits can be configured using cross, counting, independent or Cost – Cost varies with type of system specified, size, and
priority-zone (counting) concepts. The control system has been design.
tested to the applicable FCC Rules and Regulations for Class A
Computing devices.
Maintenance
Nozzles – Nozzles are designed to direct the discharge of
INERGEN agent using the stored pressure from the containers. Maintenance is a vital step in the performance of a fire suppres-
Nozzles are available in either 360° or 180° discharge patterns. sion system. As such, it must be performed by an authorized
The system design specifies the nozzle and orifice size to be ANSUL distributor in accordance with NFPA 2001 and the
used for proper flow rate and distribution pattern. The nozzle manufacturer’s design, installation, recharge, and maintenance
selection depends on the hazard and location to be protected. manual. When replacing components on the ANSUL system,
use only ANSUL approved parts.
Pressure Reducer – The pressure reducer is required in the
distribution piping to restrict the flow of INERGEN agent, thus
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 Description
Pipe and Fittings – System manifold piping must be constructed
to withstand a minimum pressure of 3000 psi (206.9 bar).
Distribution piping downstream from the orifice union must be
constructed to withstand the maximum downstream pressure as
determined by the flow calculation.