Description

Novec 1230 fluid provides a proven balance of personnel safety, low environmental impact, and high fire extinguishing efficiency. It is widely recognized as a sustainable, long-term alternative to Halon, offering reliable clean agent technology for special hazard fire protection applications.

Parameter

Novec 1230 (also designated as FK-5-1-12, C₆F₁₂O) is a fluorinated ketone with the systematic name 1,1,1,2,2,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pentanone and the structural formula CF₃CF₂C(=O)CF(CF₃)₂. It is a fully fluorinated analog of ethyl isopropyl ketone. This agent is primarily used in gaseous fire suppression systems where water or dry chemical agents could damage expensive equipment or critical assets. Typical protected facilities include museums, server rooms, banks, cleanrooms, and hospitals.

Novec 1230 is suitable for total flooding, partial flooding, localized flooding, and directional spray applications. It is also used in portable extinguishers for specialized scenarios. Additionally, it has been tested as a full-immersion cooling fluid in data center proof-of-concept projects.

From an environmental perspective, Novec 1230 has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1 over an 80-year horizon, equivalent to that of carbon dioxide. According to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), it is classified as H412 – harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. However, photolysis and hydration are considered significant natural degradation pathways for Novec 1230 in the environment.

When integrated with detection devices, control panels, and actuation accessories, the complete system operates fully automatically. Detectors continuously monitor the protected area; upon fire detection, the control panel activates the solenoid actuator, which releases the extinguishing agent. This fully automated process eliminates the need for manual intervention, reduces reliance on on-site personnel for fire monitoring, and helps lower overall operational costs.

The system also supports multi-zone protection through the use of selector valves. A single agent storage bank can be shared across multiple zones, with the system directing agent discharge only to the zone where a fire is detected. This approach ensures fast response times while optimizing equipment investment for facilities with multiple protected areas.

It is important to note that a dedicated storage room is required to house the cylinder assemblies and associated equipment. This space should be designed in accordance with local fire safety regulations to ensure safe and reliable system operation.

Applications

The Novec 1230 pipe network fire suppression system is suitable for a wide range of commercial and industrial facilities, particularly those housing critical equipment or valuable assets. Typical protected areas include:

• Data centers and computer rooms – including enterprise server rooms and third-party colocation facilities

• Telecommunications facilities – switching centers, base stations, and communication hubs

• Process control rooms – in industries such as petrochemicals, and power generation

• Healthcare facilities – operating theaters, MRI rooms, and medical equipment storage areas

• Industrial equipment rooms – where large machinery and control systems are located

• Libraries, museums, and art galleries – protecting rare books, artifacts, and irreplaceable collections

• Cleanrooms – in semiconductor manufacturing, and aerospace industries

• Anechoic chambers – for acoustic and electromagnetic testing

• Emergency power rooms – housing backup generators and UPS systems

• Flammable liquid storage areas – including chemical warehouses and fuel depots

In addition, the system is highly recommended for high-risk environments where fire hazards are more prevalent, such as:

• Paint-spraying production lines and coating facilities

• Electrical equipment aging testing rooms

• Rolling mills and printing presses

• Oil switches and oil-immersed transformers

• Melt impregnation tanks and dip tanks

• Large generators and turbine rooms

• Drying ovens and heat treatment equipment

• Coal pulverizing systems in cement production plants

• Ship engine rooms and cargo holds
  
  

Compositions

The Novec 1230 pipe network automatic fire suppression system consists of three main integrated components: extinguishing devices, pipe fittings, and electrical accessories.

Extinguishing Devices
These include the Novec 1230 storage cylinders, supporting frames, and actuation devices. The actuation system typically consists of nitrogen pilot cylinders that trigger the main cylinder valves to release the extinguishing agent when activated.

Pipe Fittings
This category includes all conduit components that connect the storage cylinders to the discharge nozzles, directing the agent into the protected zone. Key components include high-pressure galvanized steel pipes, flanges, elbows, tees, and supporting brackets.

Electrical Accessories
These components are responsible for automatic fire detection, system monitoring, and control. They also provide audible and visual alarms to warn occupants for safe evacuation and help prevent fire spread. Key items include fire detectors, control panels, solenoid actuators, and alarm devices.

These three components work together as an integrated system to achieve fully automatic fire detection, alarm activation, and extinguishing agent discharge.

Below is a complete system layout diagram for reference:

Single cylinder or multi-cylinder, suitable for multiple areas	Multi-cylinder, suitable for one area	Single cylinder for one zone

Competitive Advantages

Broad Fire Class Coverage
The Novec 1230 agent is effective against Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), Class C (energized electrical equipment), and Class C (gases) fires. It is not recommended for Class D (combustible metals) fires. As a clean agent, it leaves no residue and requires no post-fire cleanup, minimizing business interruption and avoiding secondary damage to sensitive equipment.

Asset Protection
The Novec 1230 extinguishing system is specifically designed to protect high-value assets and critical infrastructure. It is non-conductive and non-corrosive, ensuring complete safety for electronic equipment, delicate machinery, and irreplaceable property. This makes it an ideal choice for data centers, telecom facilities, and other mission-critical environments.

Fast Fire Suppression
The complete system discharge occurs in less than 10 seconds, ensuring rapid flooding of the protected area and early fire control. This quick response significantly reduces potential fire damage and limits business downtime.

Personnel Safety
A built-in time delay mechanism provides approximately 2 minutes between fire detection and agent discharge. This allows personnel to evacuate safely before the system activates, ensuring occupant safety without compromising fire protection effectiveness.

Cost-Effective Solution
For facilities with multiple protected zones, a single Novec 1230 system can be configured with selector valves to cover several areas. This centralized approach reduces equipment and installation costs compared to deploying separate systems for each zone, making it a practical and economical choice for large or multi-area facilities.

Proven Reliability
The system is designed for automatic, fail-safe operation, reducing reliance on manual intervention and minimizing the risk of human error during emergency situations.