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For the first time, an oxygen reduction system has been approved according to FM Approvals Standard 5800

Water-based fire suppression systems are commonplace in a variety of different settings. However, water-based fire suppression systems are not always suitable in settings where equipment or commodities are incompatible with water. In settings such as data centers, server rooms, or autonomous warehouse storage, oxygen reduction fire suppression systems can be deployed as water-free alternatives.

Oxygen reduction systems make use of an inert gas agent to suppress a fire by means of oxygen dilution, as sufficient oxygen is required to sustain combustion. Oxygen reduction systems regularly use inert gases such as nitrogen or helium to dilute oxygen concentrations unlike carbon systems which displace oxygen. At the elevated concentrations used to extinguish fires, carbon dioxide can be lethal to humans. 

Various components used during the design of these fire suppression systems are typically listed or approved according to testing standards developed by Underwriter Laboratories or Factory Mutual (FM).

FM Approvals standard for oxygen reduction fire suppression systems

FM provides commercial property insurance services and vets property-loss prevention products and services for use in commercial and industrial facilities. If an inert gas agent fire suppression system is to be used at an FM-insured property, the equipment is required to be approved according to FM Approvals Standard 5800, Oxygen Reduction Systems.

Recently, for the very first time, for use at their insured facilities. This recent FM approval could lead to the increased use of this FM-approved oxygen reduction system in facilities where water-based fire suppression systems are not suitable. The FM approval of an oxygen reduction system could also encourage the development of other inert gas agent suppression systems that meet the performance criteria listed in FM Approval Standard 5800.

Assessing fire prevention systems for critical infrastructure environments

Even with an oxygen reduction fire suppression system now being approved for use in FM-insured facilities, it is still important for facilities to regularly assess potential fire and life safety hazards associated with the installation and potential activation of an oxygen reduction system, which could include, but is not limited to:

1. Regularly evaluating whether the commodities in an enclosure with an oxygen reduction system are still the commodities that the oxygen reduction system was initially designed for in the event of a fire.
2. Regularly inspecting, testing, and maintaining the oxygen reduction system according to industry-recognized codes and standards.
3. Maintaining the integrity of the enclosure in which the oxygen reduction system is installed to ensure that there are no leakage flows from the enclosure that would negatively impact the fire suppression efficacy of the oxygen reduction system.
4. Ensuring that employees working within an enclosure where an oxygen reduction system is installed are adequately trained on the manual activation of the system and evacuation procedures and egress routes that should be followed during the active discharge of an oxygen reduction system.