Understanding How Inergen Gas Works

What is Inergen: A Detailed Understanding

Regarding what is Inergen, this is a clean agent and natural fire suppression suppressant that allows for humans to be present during the extinguishing process. Therefore, when evacuating in the event of a fire, you won’t have to worry about the long-term effects the gas can have on your health.

Inergen is typically within automatic fire suppression systems, meaning that as soon as the fire is detected - this gas will be released into the atmosphere and relieve any onrushing flames from becoming a life-threatening danger. 

If you take a closer look at the gases that are merged to create this fire extinguishing agent, it uses nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide (all naturally occurring gases) to function in the environment it is released into. 

With it being one of the most environmentally-friendly compounds that you can use in your fire suppression system, you can expect zero ozone-depleting potential to partner with zero global warming potential and zero atmospheric lifetime. This makes sure that you, your loved ones, staff members and our planet experience no long-term damage.

Is Inergen Gas Explosive?

In short, no, Inergen gas is not explosive. With all of its naturally occurring gases working together, this means that there are no toxic or flammable assets that are released from this clean agent fire suppressant.

In fact, it does the exact opposite. Inergen substances work against the fire outbreak by reducing the oxygen level of the flames in quick succession before they can cause any lasting damage. 

If you install an Inergen system within your workplace or home, you can expect to keep your potentially expensive electrical equipment and staff members away from any potential fire hazards.

Applications For Your Inergen Fire Suppression System

As you look closer into the businesses and places where you can store Inergen fire suppression systems, there are many different establishments in which this non-conductive medium can work effectively. Let’s take a closer look below:

1. Telecommunications - With there being a myriad of different electronic devices that are in this sector such as wireless connection devices, telecom equipment, etc - Inergen navigates and reduces the oxygen level of electrical fires at an optimal speed.
2. Data Centres/ Computer Rooms - Similarly to the previous sector, data centres and computer rooms store a lot of important data, assets and important information within their electronic devices. Thus, Inergen will work to protect these fires from potentially damaging vital information and keep your devices at full functionality. 
3. Manufacturing - Within the manufacturing niche, there are a number of different electrical equipment that are consistently in use with present staff members. Storing an Inergen fire suppression system will allow you to protect your staff and expensive equipment from life-threatening and business-damaging expenses.
4. Medical Facilities - As there is an abundance of life-saving formulas and medicines that protect the lives of people, keeping that equipment secure in storage is critical. Inergen can allow your staff to flee the area, whilst the Inergen leaves no residue behind and keeps your medical facility in top condition.

The Full Process of Inergen Being Triggered and Released

If you’re looking to put out a fire without any lasting repercussions, you need an effective solution to act quickly without any human intervention. Fire suppression systems are the leading candidate in making this possible, but how does it work? Let’s take a look at the full process of how Inergen works when it is triggered and released into the area of the hazard.

No matter the location of the Inergen fire suppression system from the applications above, in case of an emergency - the heat from the beginning of the fire will be automatically detected and triggered by this system. 

From here, Inergen will be released from the fire extinguishing cylinders and attack the oxygen levels of the fire. With there being no chemicals used in this gas, you will be able to breathe as normal during this process and vacate the building. 

While you’re removing yourself for fire safety purposes, Inergen will be asphyxiating the flames and preventing re-ignition constantly until it can’t detect any more heat. As this gas works to remove the flames within 40 seconds, you, your staff and your precious equipment will experience no damage - meaning you can continue your day-to-day duties immediately after.

A quick disclaimer is that the levels of oxygen typically vary from 12-15% during this procedure - thus, you’ll take deeper breaths compared to previously. However, it is entirely safe for you to operate and evacuate in oxygen at this grade.

In Conclusion

Although your storage capacity needs to be broad for the sheer number of Inergen cylinders that you will require (three Novec 1230 cylinders have the same effect as 18 Inergen cylinders), if you want an environmentally friendly, practical fire suppression method that is safe for humans and our planet, Inergen is a great choice. 

Inergen works at a fast, efficient rate that protects your electrical equipment and staff members from receiving any damage. Thus, if you opt to go with a more affordable fire protection system such as a fire blanket or even a fire extinguisher, there is no way all your equipment will be left untouched - often leading to more expensive consequences. 

If you’re on the market for a highly-rated inert gas fire suppression system with a team of professionals who can assist you in making the right decision depending on your workplace environment, look no further than MEP Fire. 

Our team of experts will happily listen, assess and prescribe you with one of our top-of-the-range systems that will give you peace of mind in the event of a fire, year-round.