Fire & Safety Professionals

How do FM-200, Novec 1230 and CO₂ act in fire extinguishing?

Many people believe that FM-200 and Novec work like CO₂, through the process of muffling.
But this is not true!

✅ In fact, according to NFPA 2001 – Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems:

⭕️FM-200 (Heptafluoropropane)
It acts predominantly by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction, that is, it interferes with the free radicals responsible for the propagation of flames.
It also has an endothermic effect (heat absorption), contributing to thermal ❄️ suppression
It can be used in normally occupied areas, as long as the maximum allowed concentration (NOAEL) is respected.

⭕️Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12)
According to the same standard (NFPA 2001), it acts by removing heat with high efficiency, without significantly affecting the concentration of oxygen in the air.
It is classified as a clean agent, highly safe for use in busy environments, with one of the highest human safety margins among clean agents.

None of these agents pose a health risk when used in accordance with the design concentration established by NFPA 2001.
However, evacuation is recommended not because of the agent itself, but to:
• Avoid staying in an environment with possible accumulation of residual smoke
• Ensure safety in the event of a failure of the detection or discharge system

⭕️CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)
According to NFPA 12 – Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems, CO₂ acts by displacement of oxygen (muffling), with a slight cooling effect.
Due to the risk of suffocation, it is not recommended for normally occupied areas. NFPA 12 requires total evacuation of the area prior to discharge.

This brings us to the four classic forms of fire extinguishing, according to the Tetrahedron of Fire, addressed in several NFPA standards (such as NFPA 10 and NFPA 921):
1. Cooling (e.g. water, Novec 1230)
2. Muffling (e.g. CO₂)
3. Chemical inhibition (e.g. FM-200)
4. Fuel isolation (removal or separation of flammable material)

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