A Report on Inspection, Testing and Preventive Maintenance of Novec 1230 Fire Protection System

EXCHANGE BUILDING
Testing Conducted By: Saudi Oger Ltd. Testing Monitored By: Saudi Sicli/ EMCOR Testing Witnessed By: KAUST 2/29/2012

PREFACE
In Exchange Building, NOVEC 1230 Fire Protection System is installed for protection of Equipment room and Cable Vault. Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is a next-generation halon alternative offering outstanding performance, large margin of safety and an excellent environmental profile. Zero ozone depletion potential A global warming potential of 1 5-day atmospheric lifetime A large margin of safety for occupied spaces Novec 1230 fluid is applied as a gas

In addition to its favorable safety and environmental profiles, Novec 1230 fluid is a very effective fire extinguishant, designed to suppress fire quickly without powering down and without disrupting communications. Novec 1230 fluid is applied as a gas, but is liquid at room temperature. It is electrically non-conducting in both the liquid and gaseous state. The breakdown voltage of Novec 1230 fluid vapor under saturated conditions at 1atm, 21 C over a 2.7mm electrode gap is 15.6 kV, nearly 2.3 times that of dry nitrogen. The breakdown voltage of liquid Novec 1230 fluid under same conditions if 48kV.

EXTINGUISHING MECHANISM
In order to understand how Novec 1230 fluid extinguishes a fire, it is important to review the principal aspects of fire chemistry. Four components fuel, oxygen, heat and the combustion chain reaction are often referred to as the fire tetrahedron. All four of these factors are required in the correct combination for a fire to ignite and sustain burning. The fire can be extinguished by breaking one or more of the links between these components or by changing the balance between them. By interrupting the combustion chain reaction. By containing or eliminating the source of fuel. By cutting off or diluting the source of oxygen. By removing sufficient heat from the fire.

Novec 1230 fluid, extinguishes via fourth mechanism removing heat from the fire. Upon discharge, Novec 1230 fluid creates a gaseous mixture with air. This agent/air mixture has a heat capacity much larger than that of air alone. A higher heat capacity means that this gas mixture will absorb more energy (heat) for each degree of temperature change it experiences. At a proper system design concentration, the air/agent mixture absorbs sufficient heat to upset the balance of the fire tetrahedron. The amount of heat the fire loses to the surroundings is increased by the presence of the agent. This causes the combustion zone to cool to the point that the fire extinguishes.

PREPARATORY WORK
Before commencing the actual testing, Method Statement and Risk assessment was prepared and sent with testing documents to HSE/Saudi Sicli and EMCOR for approval. Proponent was notified upon getting approval and testing was scheduled on Wednesday 29th Feb, 2012. Cold work permit # SR12 00878 was issued by SOL safety department. KAUST IT Permit was signed by Mr. Muhammad Atiq Siddiqui Data Center Specialist. Safety / Fire system Isolation form was signed by Mr. Ahmad Festok SOL and notified to Fire Department to Captain Smith. Emergency department i.e. 911 was also informed via telephone before testing.

ATTENDEES
S.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Ahmad Festok Abed El Halim El Koudsy Imran Kiyani Joselittio Landicho Vinod Chamakalayil Muhammad Fayyaz Hafiz Mohammad Kaleem Lawas Jose. Jr Ricardo Connan Zahid Mehmood (BMS) Muhammad Asif (BMS) Muhammad Atiq Siddiqui Elmer Del Mundo Amador Qunitero Vonryl Cham R Escrin Name Company Saudi Oger R&F Saudi Oger Campus Saudi Oger R&F Saudi Oger R&F Saudi Oger R&F Saudi Oger Campus Saudi Oger Campus Saudi Oger Campus Saudi Oger Campus Saudi Oger R&F Saudi Oger R&F KAUST EMCOR Saudi Sicli Saudi Sicli

SPECIAL THANKS TO
MR. MUHAMMAD ALI FROM BUREAU VERITAS FOR HIS COOPERATION AND GUIDANCE DURING TESTING.

PROCEDURES FOLLOWED DURING TESTING

Visual inspection of the FSCP, cylinders, switches and other associated equipment for damage or missing parts. All parts found in satisfactory condition. Cylinder pressure was verified, it was up to the required specifications. No pressure lost was found. Agent quantity was up to the required level. Ensured hazard areas, manual pull stations, discharge nozzles and cylinders are free to access and nothing obstructs the operation of distribution of NOVEC 1230 fluid. Inspected actuation hoses, adapter couplings and tees were in good condition. Inspected cylinders electric control heads and found everything passable. Inspected and ensured that brackets, straps, cradles and Mounting Hardware are passable. Inspected pressure switches for deformations, cracks, dirt and other damages and ensured its fine. FSCP was cleaned thoroughly for dirt/dust. Battery test was carried out with and without load. Disabled each agent storage container release mechanism by disconnecting the solenoid valve. Operational check was carried out as per cause and effect matrix (For more info check observations). NOVEC Operation was verified by actuation of Solenoid valve. Cylinders were secured to its normal position by connecting the solenoid valve with cylinders. FSCP was secured to its Normal Position. Observations and results were logged in respective books/forms.

OBSERVATIONS
Testing was conducted as per Cause an Effect Matrix. This testing was limited to Equipment room and Cable Vault. The following observations were taken during the testing; SINGLE DETECTOR RESULT Activation of any smoke detector inside Equipment room and cable vault, activate the control panel and sent signal to DDC to shut down the Exhaust Fan and HVAC system. MANUAL PULL STATION RESULT Activation of any manual pull station cause alarm signal, shutdown Exhaust fan and HVAC system and activate the NOVEC system. COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SMOKE DETECTORS OR A COMBINATION OF A MANUAL PULL STATION AND SMOKE DETECTOR Combination of two or more smoke detectors or a combination of a manual pull station and smoke detector activates the Alarm signal, shut down the HVAC System and Exhaust Fan and activates the NOVEC system.

ABORT SWITCH If a combination of two or more smoke detectors activate, and abort switch is pressed, NOVEC will not operate until abort switch is released. Abort switch is useless in case of alarm due to Manual pull station. RESET FSCP can be reset through its front panel reset button, when detector(s) and MPS is turned back to its normal position. Solenoid valve can be reset by applying its cap at the end and screwing its threads.

CONTRADICTIONS
Following contradictions were found in Cause and Effect Matrix / Sequence of Operation during testing. POINT-1 Activation of any single Smoke detector cause HVAC system shut down but its given in Matrix. POINT-8 Contradictory to Point-3, here this point does not explain that activation of two or more smoke detectors or a combination of a manual pull station and a smoke detector will activate the NOVEC System. Logically it should activate the Novec system and it is activating the system.

TROUBLES
NCM (Network Communication Module) trouble is displayed on the FIRE SUPPRESSION CONTROL PANEL. Database is required to fix the issue.