prEN 15004-2

Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 2: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for FK-5-1-12

This document gives specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect to the
FK-5-1-12 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects and is applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar and 42 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.

Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Löschanlagen mit gasförmigen Löschmitteln - Teil 2: Physikalische Eigenschaften und Anlagenauslegung für Feuerlöschmittel FK-5-1-12

Installations fixes de lutte contre l’incendie - Installations d’extinction à gaz - Partie 2: Propriétés physiques et conception des systèmes pour agent extincteur FK-5-1-12

Vgrajeni gasilni sistemi - Sistemi za gašenje s plinom - 2. del: Fizikalne lastnosti in načrtovanje sistema za gašenje s plinom za gasilo FK-5-1-12

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 04-Oct-2016
• Withdrawal Date: 04-Apr-2017
• ICS: 13.220.20 - Fire protection
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 191 - Fixed firefighting systems
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 191/WG 6 - Gas extinguishing Systems and components
• Current Stage: 4098 - Decision to abandon - Enquiry
• Start Date: 08-Jan-2016
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 15004-2:2015 - Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 2: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for FK-5-1-12

Relations

• Revises: EN 15004-2:2008 - Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 2: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for FK-5-1-12 extinguishant (ISO 14520-5:2006, modified)
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022

Overview

The prEN 15004-2 standard, developed by CEN, details fixed firefighting systems specifically utilizing the FK-5-1-12 gaseous extinguishant. This document addresses the physical properties, system design, safety, and environmental aspects of gas extinguishing systems using FK-5-1-12, applicable to systems operating at nominal pressures of 25, 34.5, 42, and 50 bar with nitrogen as a propellant.

As part of the EN 15004 series covering various gas extinguishing agents, this part focuses exclusively on FK-5-1-12 and provides precise technical guidelines intended to optimize fire suppression efficiency while ensuring system reliability and personnel safety.

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Key Topics

Physical and Chemical Properties of FK-5-1-12

• Clear, colorless, almost odorless gas with low electrical conductivity.
• High molecular mass (316.04), liquid density at 20°C is 1.616 g/ml.
• Boiling point of 49.2°C and freezing point at –108.0°C.
• Extinguishes fires primarily by physical mechanisms along with some chemical reactions.
• Must maintain minimum purity of 99.0% mol/mol with strict limits on acidity, water content, and residue.

System Design Parameters

• Systems operate under nominal pressures from 25 to 50 bar, with nitrogen superpressurization controlling container pressure.
• Maximum fill densities are specified to avoid overly liquid-filled containers, preventing dangerous pressure rises with temperature variations.
• Extinguishant quantities are calculated based on protected volume, temperature, and desired volumetric concentrations, ensuring safe and effective fire suppression.
• Design includes safety factors, typically 1.3 times extinguishing concentrations for various fuel types.

Application and Use

• Suitable for total flooding firefighting systems for all fire classes within defined hazard limits.
• Concentration requirements and design parameters vary with fuel type: Class A, Class B, inerting of gases like methane and propane.
• Tables provide detailed concentration and mass requirements relative to temperature and protected volume.
• Safety of personnel is a critical design consideration, addressing toxicity, combustion products, and breakdown substances.

Personnel Safety Considerations

• Toxicological data confirms a safe threshold concentration above 10% (NOAEL).
• System design must mitigate risks arising from extinguishant discharge and fire interaction.
• Compliance with EN 15004-1 safety clauses is required for minimal hazard exposure.

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Applications

The standard applies predominantly to fixed firefighting installations in commercial, industrial, and critical infrastructure environments where rapid, non-conductive gas-based fire suppression is necessary. Typical applications include:

• Data centers and telecommunications hubs requiring minimal residue damage.
• Museums, archives, and art galleries where sensitive materials are present.
• Industrial plants with flammable liquids or gas risks, including Class B fires.
• Enclosed spaces needing total flooding systems, such as engine rooms and electrical switchgear rooms.
• Environments where personnel safety and environmental considerations demand efficient, low toxicity agents.

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Related Standards

• EN 15004-1: General requirements for design, installation, and maintenance of gaseous extinguishing systems.
• Other parts of EN 15004 series covering different extinguishing agents:
  • Part 3 for HCFC Blend A
  • Part 4 for HFC 125
  • Part 6 for HFC 23
  • Parts 7 to 10 for IG-series inert gases

These related standards collectively provide comprehensive guidance on system requirements across a range of gaseous agents, enabling informed selection based on hazard type, environmental impact, and safety.

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Keywords: FK-5-1-12, fixed firefighting systems, gas extinguishing systems, fire suppression design, nitrogen propellant, fire extinguishant physical properties, fire safety standards, EN 15004-2, gaseous fire extinguishing, carbon-neutral suppressants, fire protection system design, firefighting agent concentration, personnel safety in firefighting.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2015
9JUDMHQLJDVLOQLVLVWHPL6LVWHPL]DJDãHQMHVSOLQRPGHO)L]LNDOQHODVWQRVWLLQ
QDþUWRYDQMHVLVWHPD]DJDãHQMHVSOLQRP]DJDVLOR).
Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 2: Physical properties and
system design of gas extinguishing systems for FK-5-1-12
Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Löschanlagen mit gasförmigen Löschmitteln -
Teil 2: Physikalische Eigenschaften und Anlagenauslegung für Feuerlöschmittel FK-5-1-
Installations fixes de lutte contre l’incendie - Installations d’extinction à gaz - Partie 2:
Propriétés physiques et conception des systèmes pour agent extincteur FK-5-1-12
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 15004-2
ICS:
13.220.20 3RåDUQD]DãþLWD Fire protection
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
DRAFT
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2014
ICS 13.220.20 Will supersede EN 15004-2:2008
English Version
Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 2:
Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing
systems for FK-5-1-12
Installations fixes de lutte contre l'incendie - Installations Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Löschanlagen mit
d'extinction à gaz - Partie 2: Propriétés physiques et gasförmigen Löschmitteln - Teil 2: Physikalische
conception des systèmes pour agent extincteur FK-5-1-12 Eigenschaften und Anlagenauslegung für Feuerlöschmittel
FK-5-1-12
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 191.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 15004-2:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Page
Foreword .3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Terms and definitions .4
4 Characteristics and uses .4
4.1 General .4
4.2 Use of FK-5-1-12 systems .5
5 Safety of personnel.8
6 System Design .8
6.1 Fill density .8
6.2 Superpressurization . 10
6.3 Extinguishant quantity . 10
7 Environmental properties . 12

Foreword
This document (prEN 15004-2:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 191 “Fixed
firefighting systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 15004-2:2008.
EN 15004 consists of the following parts, under the general title Fixed firefighting systems – Gas extinguishing
systems:
 Part 1: Design, installation and maintenance”
 Part 2: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for FK-5-1-12
extinguishant”
 Part 3: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HCFC Blend A
extinguishant”
 Part 4: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 125
extinguishant”
 Part 6: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for HFC 23
extinguishant”
 Part 7: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-01 extinguishant “
 Part 8: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-100 extinguishant”
 Part 9: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-55 extinguishant”
 Part 10: Physical properties and system design of gas extinguishing systems for IG-541
extinguishant”
1 Scope
1.1 This part of EN 15004 contains specific requirements for gaseous fire-extinguishing systems, with respect
to FK-5-1-12 extinguishant. It includes details of physical properties, specification, usage and safety aspects.
1.2 This part of EN 15004 covers only systems operating at nominal pressures of 25 bar, 34,5 bar, 42 bar
and 50 bar with nitrogen propellant. This does not preclude the use of other systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 15004-1, Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems — Physical properties and system design — Part 1: General
requirements.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this part of EN 15004, the terms and definitions given in EN 15004-1 apply.

4 Characteristics and uses
4.1 General
Extinguishant FK-5-1-12 shall comply with the specification shown in Table 1.
FK-5-1-12 is a clear, colourless, almost odourless, electrically non-conductive gas with a density
approximately 11 times that of air.
The physical properties are shown in Table 2.
FK-5-1-12 extinguishes fires mainly by physical means but by some chemical means.

Table 1 — Specification for FK-5-1-12
Property Requirement
Purity 99,0 % mol/mol min.
–6
Acidity 3 x 10 by mass, max.
Water content 0,001% by mass, max.
Non-volatile residue 0,03% by mass, max.
Suspended matter or sediment None visible

Table 2 — Physical properties of FK-5-1-12
Property Units Value
Molecular mass n/a 316,04
Boiling point at 1,013 bar (absolute) 49,2
°C
Freezing point –108,0
°C
Critical temperature 168,66
°C
Critical pressure bar 18,646
Critical volume cm /mol 494,5
Critical density kg/m 639,1
Vapour pressure 20 °C bar abs 0,3260
Liquid density 20 °C g/ml 1,616
Saturated vapour density 20 °C kg/m 4,3305
Specific volume of superheated vapour m /kg 0,0719
at 1,013 bar and 20 °C
Heat of vapourization at boiling point KJ/Kg 88,0
Chemical formula CF CF C(O)CF(CF )
3 2 3 2
Chemical name Dodecafluoro-2-methylpentan-3-one

4.2 Use of FK-5-1-12 systems
FK-5-1-12 total flooding systems may be used for extinguishing fires of all classes within the limits specified in
clause 4 of EN 15004-1.
The extinguishant requirements per volume of protected space are shown in Table 3 for various levels of
concentration. These are based on methods shown in 7.6 of EN 15004-1.
The extinguishing concentrations and design concentrations for heptane and surface class A hazards are
shown in Table 4. Concentrations for other fuels are shown in Table 5, and inerting concentrations in Table 6.

Table 3 — FK-5-1-12 total flooding quantity
Specific 3
FK-5-1-12 mass requirements per unit volume of protected space, m/V (kg/m )
Temperature
volume
Design concent
...