Chapter 1 General Information; Introduction - Kidde Fire Systems ECS Manual

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INTRODUCTION

Kidde Fire Systems
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) and Approved by Factory Mutual (FM). These systems are
designed for total flooding in accordance with NFPA 2001, Standard on Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems. These systems have been tested to the limits established jointly by UL
and FM. In any situation not specifically covered by this manual, the application and installation
of the system must meet the requirements of the standards as stated. In any case, all
installations must meet the requirements of the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
The complexity of two-phase flow does not allow for any simple method of manual HFC-227ea
calculation. For this reason, the flow calculations and design criteria described in this manual
have been incorporated into the latest version of the flow calculation software program. The
calculations are based on conserving mass, energy and momentum in the pipe network. The
routine calculates the flow in quasi-steady state steps from the initiation of the discharge to
the final gas blowdown. This is a significantly more rigorous treatment than the traditional
Halon NFPA 12A method.
The system designer must become thoroughly familiar with the latest version of the Flow
Calculation Software User's Guide 06-236272-001 in order to learn the proper procedures for
applying the input parameters to the flow program. There are a number of limitations to these
input parameters which must be observed if accurate results are to be obtained.
Kidde ECS Fire Suppression Systems (Kidde ECS System) with HFC-227ea combine an
environmentally safe fire suppression agent, highly effective detection devices and specially
developed components for fast agent discharge. The resulting rapid suppression of a fire
reduces property damage and products of combustion to the lowest possible level. These
systems are electrically, pressure and/or cable operated, with a normal design discharge time
of less than ten seconds. Agent storage containers can be strategically located throughout a
protected zone, eliminating expensive piping.
06-236115-001
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
®
ECS Fire Suppression Systems with HFC-227ea Agent are listed by
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General Information
October 2014