ISO 14520-13:2015

Overview

ISO 14520-13:2015 specifies requirements for gaseous fire‑extinguishing systems using the IG-100 extinguishant (nitrogen). It covers physical properties, specification, system design and safety aspects for total‑flooding gaseous fire suppression systems. The standard applies to systems designed for nominal fill pressures of 200 bar and 300 bar at 15 °C, and contains tables and formulas for selecting extinguishant quantities, design concentrations and pressure/temperature relationships.

Key topics and requirements

• Extinguishant specification: IG-100 purity ≥ 99.6% by volume; limits on moisture and oxygen; principal contaminants noted.
• Physical properties: chemical formula N2, molecular mass 28.02, boiling point −195.8 °C, and temperature‑dependent specific volume data used for sizing.
• Design concentrations: Tabulated extinguishing and minimum design concentrations for Class B (heptane) and Surface Class A fuels; minimum design concentrations include a safety factor (typically ×1.3).
• Agent quantity calculation: Table 3 and associated formulas give specific V/V (m3 agent per m3 protected volume) across temperatures and concentrations; extinguishant quantity must be based on the minimum expected temperature.
• Storage and fill pressure:
  • 200 bar system: fill pressure 200 bar at 15 °C; maximum container working pressure 240 bar at 50 °C.
  • 300 bar system: fill pressure 300 bar at 15 °C; maximum container working pressure 360 bar at 50 °C.
  • Containers for IG‑100 are not superpressurized.
• Safety of personnel: addresses hypoxia hazards from oxygen reduction. Physiological levels given: NOAEL 43% (≈12% O2) and LOAEL 52% (≈10% O2). Designers must assess personnel risk and fire combustion products.
• Environmental properties: IG‑100 is inert with zero GWP and zero ODP.

Practical applications

• Protection of enclosed hazards where inert‑gas total‑flood suppression is desirable (data centers, archives, control rooms, electrical switchgear, and similar enclosures).
• Use when environmental impact (zero GWP/ODP) is a priority and where oxygen‑reduction suppression is suitable.
• System sizing and cylinder selection for designers, fire protection engineers and installers: calculates agent mass/volume required to achieve design concentration at the lowest design temperature.

Who should use this standard

• Fire protection engineers and system designers specifying IG‑100 total‑flood systems.
• Manufacturers of pressure vessels and extinguishant supply systems.
• Consultants and authorities having jurisdiction responsible for safety, system acceptance and personnel protection.
• Facility managers selecting low‑impact gaseous suppression for sensitive environments.

Related standards

• ISO 14520-1 - General requirements for gaseous fire‑extinguishing systems (normative reference).
• Other parts of ISO 14520 cover alternative extinguishants (e.g., IG‑01, IG‑55, HFCs) for cross‑reference when comparing agents.

Keywords: ISO 14520-13:2015, IG-100 extinguishant, gaseous fire‑extinguishing systems, design concentrations, total flooding, fill pressure, zero GWP, nitrogen suppression.