NFPA-12 Edition 2005 What “IMPACT” will the changes to NFPA-12 have on the design and installation of a CO 2 system?

NFPA-12 Edition 2005 Reasons for changes Continuing effort to improve/enhance product features and system designs for “life safety” on both: – Existing Installations –New Systems

NFPA-12 Edition 2005 Who does this affect? –Manufacturers –Designers –Installers –Service –End-users/Owners

NFPA-12 Edition 2005 Application /systems affected: –Total Flood CO2 systems applied to Normally Occupied Spaces –Total Flood CO2 systems applied to Occupiable Spaces –Local Application Systems

Definitions per NFPA-12 Edition Normally Occupied Area. An area or space where, under normal circumstances, persons are present Normally Unoccupied Area (occupiable). An area or space not normally occupied by people but could be entered occasionally be brief periods Unoccupiable Area. An area or space which cannot be occupied due to dimensional or other physical constraints.

Existing Systems Retroactivity. All (NO, Occupiable., Local if exposing personnel) existing systems shall be upgraded to meet the requirements for... Safety signs in paragraph Lockout valves in paragraph & Pneumatic time delays & pre-discharge alarms in paragraph These upgrades shall be completed by June, 2006

Safety Signs Warning signs should be affixed in a conspicuous location... In every protected space At every entrance to protected spaces In spaces near the protected spaces where it is determined carbon dioxide could migrate creating a hazard to personnel...

Safety Signs The safety sign Format Color letter style of signal words message panel letting lettering size safety symbols shall be in accordance with ANSI Z535.

WARNING Carbon dioxide gas discharge into nearby space can collect here. When alarm operates vacate immediately. Carbon dioxide gas may cause injury or death.

Personnel Safety – NFPA 12 continued… WARNING CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH WHEN ALARM OPERATES VACATE IMMEDIATELY Typical Warning signs shall be affixed in conspicuous locations:

Typical Warning signs… WARNING CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH WHEN ALARM OPERATES DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED

Typical Warning signs… WARNING CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH WHEN ALARM OPERATES OR WINTERGREEN SCENT IS DETECTED, DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED

Typical Warning signs… CAUTION CARBON DIOXIDE GAS DISCHARGE INTO NEARBY SPACE CAN COLLECT HERE. WHEN ALARM OPERATES VACATE IMMEDIATELY. CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH

Typical Warning signs… CAUTION CARBON DIOXIDE GAS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH VENTILATE THIS AREA BEFORE ENTERING. A HIGH CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CONCENTRATION CAN OCCUR IN THIS AREA AND CAUSE SUFFOCATION

Typical Warning signs… WARNING ACTUATION OF THIS DEVICE WILL CAUSE CARBON DIOXIDE TO DISCHARGE. BEFORE ACTUATING, BE SURE PERSONNEL ARE CLEAR OF AREA

Safety Signs Exception: Existing installations where facilities have written caution / warning sign procedures in place to provide: information and directions to personnel have a training programs established to educate personnel about signage then said sign procedures can be used in place of ANSI Z535.

No LockoutWith Lockout Items Required to Comply with NFPA 12 Edition 2000 NFPA 12 Paragraph To prevent accidental or deliberate discharge, a “lockout” shall be provided when persons not familiar with the systems and their operation are present in a protected space. NFPA 12 Paragraph Supervision of automatic systems and manual lock-out valves shall be provided unless specifically waived by the A.H.J. Stop/Maintenance (“lock-out”) Valve

Typ. Arrangement w/ Mech Time Delay & Siren Changes Required to Comply with NFPA 12 Edition 2005

New Systems Carbon dioxide total flood extinguishing systems shall not be used in normally occupied enclosures if other fire extinguishing agents can be used to provide an equivalent level of fire protection to carbon dioxide. When CO 2 is determined to be the most suitable agent of choice the designer / installer shall provide documentation... to verify that CO 2 is the most suitable fire suppression agent available.

Examples where CO 2 should not be used Control Rooms Computer Rooms Data Centers IT Equipment Rooms / Centers Telecommunication Rooms Laboratory Rooms Libraries Museums

NFPA 12: Marine Systems 2 separate valves shall be provided for releasing CO 2 into any protected space. 1 valve shall control discharge from the CO2 storage. The 2 nd valve shall control CO 2 discharge into the protected space(s). A separate manually operated control shall be provided to operate each valve… A set of controls shall be located outside at least one of the main means of egress from each protected space. Audible predischarge alarms and a minimum 20 second time delay shall be provided that depend on no source of power other than CO 2.