Gas under the brand name Novec 1230 (FK 5-1-12) is a gas of the structural formula CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2. This gas suppresses a fire by inhibiting the chemical reaction of the combustible material and oxygen. It is used as a safe and efficient agent to extinguish Class A fires (solid materials), Class B fires (flammable liquids) and Higher Hazard Class A fires (solid materials energized during the extinguishment period).

A fire suppression system using this gas is especially suitable on account of the following:

• design concentrations of atmospheric gas (5.6% for server rooms) are not harmful to human health,
• high fire extinguishing efficiency,
• very rapid action,
• minimum reduction of the visual range during fire fighting,
• maximum dispersion of gas in the protected room,
• good mixing of gas with air with no risk of air stratification,
• the gas is noncorrosive, electrically non-conductive and does not cause cold shocks to electronic devices,
• the gas is highly environmentally acceptable
• does not deplete the ozone layer (ODP = 0 / Montreal Protocol)
• does not warm the atmosphere (GWP =1 / Kyoto Protocol)
• atmospheric lifetime is very short, 5 days
• 3M, the producer of the gas, gives a 20-year “Blue Sky” environmentally friendly warranty

Properties of Novec 1230 gas:

• ISO code: FK 5-1-12
• Name: fluoroketone
• spec. weight: 1,6 kg/l
• ODP (Ozone depletion potential) 0
• Atmospheric lifetime: 5 days
• NOAEL 10%
• LOAEL >10%
• GWP (Global warming potential) 1
• Safety level (Class A fire) 88%

Novec 1230 has no environmental restrictions pursuant to either the Montreal Protocol or the Kyoto Protocol.