3M Novec 1230 fluid offers industry-leading 20-year warranty to help meet environmental regulations

Novec 1230 fluid is a fire suppression fluid based on sustainable technology designed to balance the need for human safety and low environmental impact. 3M™ Blue SkySM Warranty has been launched in the Middle East region. In the region 3M is focusing on oil and gas industry amongst other verticals for this application.

'Regulating authorities around the world have committed to the reduction of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by imposing strict regulations, affecting many fire suppression agents that are on the market today,' said Joe Koch, business manager for 3M Novec Fluids. 'The Blue Sky warranty provides peace of mind for end users who specify fire protection systems charged with Novec 1230 fluid and knowing that their systems will withstand the growing list of substances being targeted for emission reduction. To our knowledge, no other chemical clean agent comes with a comparable warranty.'

Novec 1230 fluid is a next-generation halon replacement, designed to balance concerns for human safety, performance and the environment. With a zero ozone-depletion potential, an atmospheric lifetime of just five days and a global warming potential of one, Novec 1230 fluid is uniquely positioned to meet current halon replacement regulations in the Middle East countries and those in the foreseeable future.

The non-conductive, non-corrosive and fast-evaporating fluid is commercially available globally and is suitable for use in occupied spaces. The fluid can be applied in streaming, flooding, inerting and explosion suppression applications in the following areas: data processing and control rooms, telecommunications, marine applications, oil and gas applications, and archives and museums. Novec 1230 fluid leaves no residue to clean up so systems can remain operational. Additionally, the fluid can be used with existing materials of construction.

The fluid, which is stored as a liquid, becomes a gas upon discharge and is therefore easier to handle and store. In addition, there is a distinct advantage in handling a low-vapor pressure liquid clean agent like Novec 1230 fluid-it can be shipped by air in bulk quantities. And, because it's a non-pressurized liquid, refilling after discharge is much simpler than filling from a bulk cylinder of a gas. This minimizes the need to move system containers offsite. Systems charged with Novec 1230 fluid can be used in specialized streaming and conventional total flooding applications, localized flooding systems and directional spray type applications.

The fluid could be applied in refineries, rigs and tankers. Specific sites of application could be in engine rooms, SCR rooms, communications centers, inventory & spare parts rooms, pilot houses, pump rooms, dynamically positioned electrical propulsion systems, navigational centers, process control rooms.

Keith Rutkowski, 3M's Business Development Manager- Middle East and Africa for Oil and Gas Business added, 'Novec 1230 fire suppression fluid will help the oil and gas industry in the region in attaining their environmental sustainability goals'.

Leading OEMs that offer systems incorporating Novec 1230 fluid include: Tyco Safety Products, a component of Tyco Fire & Security; Siemens Building Technologies; Kidde, Fenwal and Chemetron, components of UTC Fire & Security; SEVO Systems.