Environmental Impact
INERGEN agent is a mixture of three naturally occurring gases: nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. As INERGEN agent is derived from gases present in the earth’s atmosphere, it exhibits no ozone depleting potential, does not contribute to global warming, nor does it contribute unique chemical species with extended atmospheric lifetimes. Because INERGEN agent is composed of atmospheric gases, it does not pose the problems of toxicity associated with the chemically derived Halon alternative agents. 

Applications
The INERGEN system is particularly useful for suppressing fires in hazards where an electrically non-conductive medium is essential or desirable; where clean-up of other agents present a problem; or where the The following are typical hazards protected by INERGEN systems:
• Computer rooms
• Subfloors
• Tape storage
• Telecommunication/Switchgear
• Vaults
• Process equipment
• All normally occupied or unoccupied electronic areas where equipment is either very sensitive.

Operation
INERGEN agent is a mixture of three inerting (oxygen diluting) gases: 52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8% carbon dioxide. INERGEN gas extinguishes fire by lowering the oxygen content below the level that supports combustion. When INERGEN agent is discharged into a room, it introduces the proper mixture of gases that still allow a person to breathe in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. It actually enhances the body’s ability to assimilate oxygen. The normal atmosphere in a room contains 21% oxygen and less than 1% carbon dioxide. If the oxygen content is reduced below 15%, most ordinary combustibles will cease to burn. INERGEN agent will reduce the oxygen content to approximately 12.5% while increasing the carbon dioxide content to about 3%. The increase in the carbon dioxide content increases a person’s respiration rate and the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Simply stated, the human body is stimulated by the carbon dioxide to breathe more deeply and rapidly to compensate for the lower oxygen content of the atmosphere. 

Inergen System Specifications

Cylinders:
The cylinders are constructed, tested, and marked in accordance with applicable Dept. of transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Bureau of Explosives specifications. As a minimum, the cylinders must meet the requirements of DOT 3AA2300 or 3AA2015+.


Cylinder Assembly:
The cylinder assembly is of steel construction with a red standard finish. Four sizes are available to meet specific needs. Each is equipped with a pressure seat-type valve equipped with gauge. The valve is constructed of forged brass and is attached to the cylinder providing a leak tight seal. The valve also includes a safety pressure relief device which provides relief at 2900-3300 psi (20685-23167 kPA) per CGA test method. Cylinder charging pressure is 2175 psi at
70 °F (14997 kPA at 21 °C). The cylinders are shipped with a maintenance record card and shipping cap attached. The cap is attached to the threaded collar on the neck of each cylinder to protect the valve while in transit. The cylinder serial number and date of manufacture are stamped near the neck of each cylinder.

Electric Actuator:
Electric actuation of an agent cylinder is accomplished by an electric actuator interfaced through an AUTOPULSE® Control System. This actuator can be used in hazardous environments where the ambient temperature range is between 32 °F and 130 °F (0 °C and 54 °C). In auxiliary or override applications, a manual lever actuator can be installed on top of the actuator.

Manual or Pneumatic Actuators:
Three types of manual/pneumatic actuators are available for lever actuation on the cylinder valve. Manual actuation is accomplished by pulling the hand lever on the actuator. Detection System – The AUTOPULSE or other Control System is used where an automatic electronic control system is required to actuate the INERGEN system. This control system is used to control a single fixed fire suppression or alarm system based on inputs received from fire detection devices. The detection circuits can be configured using cross, counting, independent or priority zone (counting) concepts. The control system has been tested to the applicable FCC Rules and Regulations for Class A Computing devices.