If you are an IT professional you probably know how the smallest thing can bring an IT system to a standstill, imagine what a fire could do. A loose plug or a fault in software can usually be resolved in minutes but even a small fire could result in equipment damage that could take weeks to repair or replace.

A Fire Extinguishing System is a valuable "Last Ditch" measure, which can save the day when, all else fails. MK Fire can offer Inert Gases, FM200 and watermist. When properly designed none of this type is toxic or can asphyxiate. They are not corrosive or leave any significant residue, so they don’t damage your delicate electronics. They’re inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and they don’t present a hazard to health!

• Halon
• Inert Gas
• FM200
• Watermist
• Integrity Testing

The Montreal Convention banned the manufacture and importation of Halon 1301 and Halon 1211 (BCF). The EU have set deadlines for there complete removal:

• From 31st December 2002 it will be illegal to recharge systems or extend and modify systems.
• From 31st December 2003 all Halon systems have to be stripped out.
• Halon is classed as waste and must have a formal certificate of safe disposal.

There are some exceptions to the above but for the most part these are restricted to the military, aviation and a few other "Essential" users.

Inert Gases work by reducing the oxygen to a point where it will not support combustion. Different manufacturers use different proportions of gas ranging from pure Argon to an equal mix of Argon and Nitrogen and some introduce a small amount of carbon dioxide. Careful system design ensures that the oxygen content of the air would not fall to the point where it becomes a hazard.

Features:

• Zero ozone depleting potential
• No global warming impact
• Safe for use in occupied areas
• No breakdown products in a fire
• Remote container storage

FM200 works by a combination of chemical and physical mechanisms. In normal extinguishing applications it is not toxic or corrosive. The concentrations used are so small there is no danger from asphyxiation so it is safe for use in occupied areas. FM200 is stored as a liquid, which allows the use of very small containers. FM200 has zero Ozone Depleting Potential.

Features:

• Zero ozone depleting potential
• Safe for use in occupied areas
• Low design concentrations
• Stored as a liquid - compact storage
• Fast extinguishing action

Watermist works by a combination of heat absorption and oxygen depletion at the heart of the fire and can help to slow the spread of fire by absorbing radiant heat. It is not toxic or corrosive. There is no danger from asphyxiation so it is safe for use in occupied areas.

Features:

• Zero ozone depleting potential
• No global warming impact
• Safe for use in occupied areas
• No breakdown products in a fire
• Remote container storage

All gas extinguishing systems that rely on filling an enclosure with a certain concentration of the extinguishing agent should be periodically checked to ensure that the leakage rate does not interfere with the correct operation of the system. For more information on Integrity Testing please download our datasheet "Integrity Testing" (101kb PDF).