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Firstly G8 Fire is an Independent installation and service provider of Gas Extinguishant. As we don’t manufacture, we sit firmly on the fence of what the clients needs are, not what we have to promote from the parts bin. We source the best extinguishants and hardware at the most competitive prices to keep costs to a minimum. We also pride ourselves in maintaining older systems so they can continue having a cost effective life if fit for purpose.
Since November 2010, there has been many sketchy reports about price rises and lack of availability of the worlds most popular Fixed Gas Extinguishant, this is known as HFC227ea (FM200) and other linked gases based on the successful HFC agent.
Many misleading reports are now in circulation that speculate price increases will be upwards of 200%, FM200 is doomed by ban and some will make you believe that it’s best taken out now and replaced with new systems before HFC runs out. None of this is accurate, and such nonsense is seemingly based on the opportunity to create new marketing ploys to fill empty order books, and lock clients into “protocols” of other agents which could not freely assessable for competitive tender on future new systems, adjustments or refilling after activations. HFC will remain competitive to the user because everyone has access to the agent and therefore clients cannot be locked in should a supplier try to change the goal posts. There is not a formal document in place to date showing HFC are/or are likely to be banned.
Why the Price Increase:
There are two HFC manufacturing plants; these are found in China and the USA. The China plant suffered some major damage in mid 2010 and has since out of commission until further notice, so the output has dropped for the time being. Secondly some of the raw materials for production of HFCs and other Chemical agents have naturally risen in cost. This has lead to a price rise in HFCs long term. HFC is also used in the Air-conditioning industry and this market by far eclipses that of fixed extinguishing, so there is a collective need to keep production going in large numbers. The amount currently stored and available for reclamation is also high, so realistically there is not going to be the shortages claimed.
However, taking a historic view point, the cost per kg of HFC,s has decreased year on year since the HFC, Halon & Naf S111 price battles of 1992 to 2004. Halons and NAF was of course banned in 2004 and HFC since then has had very little competition when it comes to the small “Foot space” of cylinders and the quantities of hardware required supporting it versus the overall cost. So the prices we see now are the prices found back in 1998, and since then, prices have fallen year on year which makes it seem like quite a sizable jump. It could be said, the industry has had a bargain to date which has also stabilized the market place after Halons were banned. There still is no real substitute for its wide uses and flexibility to date regardless of claims.
HFC 227ea Future Availability and Costs for 2011:
To ensure we didn’t create a panic situation, G8 Fire have sourced only suppliers for new and the refilling of, who have set prices at honest levels and who have secured stocks for 2011. From January 2011 costs per kg have leveled out at a realistic 40% increase above the 2010 costs experienced.
To show a fair and accurate comparison of costs on the top 4 systems used in the UK; please find the league below of the actual installed mechanical cost of the combined agent, parts and labour based on a small single Computer room of a set given size to which HFC and other chemical agents are most suitable for, given that space for cylinders is at a premium. This shows the difference in expected costs at present and brings it down to a level all can understand without any sales hype and marketing agenda.
The HFC227ea Fixed Fire Extinguishing System = £4148.77p
The IG55 Proinert Fixed Fire Extinguishing System = £4806.79p
The Novec 1230 Fixed Fire Extinguishing System = £5145.98p
The CO2 Fixed Fire Extinguishing System = £5322.43p
The prices show at present, HFC227ea is still the most cost effective Installed agent on the market for small to medium size installations, larger Installations benefit from the Inerts such as IG55 where space is not such a commodity.
More on the pros and cons of each agent can be found on the Products page of our web site, as each system has its merits and drawbacks when suited to a risk and its location.
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We are to attend Firex on May 16th to May 19th for the 1st time within the new “Fike Village” concept. The stand we occupy J14, is only small, but is designed as a focal point for Fire trade clients to discuss portfolios of gas extinguishing that will surround us.
We use this opportunity to meet potential new and existing clients. New products on show will be hosted by Fike.
Firex is a venue we’ve been looking forward to attending since forming in 2004. The stand will be manned by Kevin Cooper for the week, with Roy Stone, Liz Cooper and Gareth Powell in part time attendance, so should you wish to meet them in person, please contact us for timetables.
New Products on show:
New valve designs for HFC227ea
IG55 (Commonly known as Argonite) In Fike Proinert cylinder Packages
IG541 (Commonly known as Inergen) In Fike Proinert cylinder Packages
IG100 (Commonly known as Nitrogen) In Fike Proinert cylinder Packages
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In October 2010, G8 Fire recently moved from Camberley Surrey, to Hook Hampshire. The move was brought about by our successful growth that eventually lead to G8 out growing the older premises in both office and workshop space. The new building becomes a very welcome relief to all in G8!
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For the 2nd year running, G8 Fire has been awarded UK Distributor of the year by the Fike Corporation, based on gross sales activity in 2009. Last year for year end 2008 we received the “Golden Pilot” award, but for year end 2009 we are now awarded the “Flying nozzles”.
Below is the presentation of the award to our Managing Director Kevin Cooper, from the Fike UK Managing Director Mark Austin.
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Gareth Powell has recently been promoted from within the ranks of G8, and has been appointed as our new Installation Manager. Gareth originally from a Data / Comms background has been with G8 Fire since September 2006, and due to hard work and attention to detail, has earned his right to fill the role to which to date has been exemplary. We hope Gareth will enjoy the role for many years to come.
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F-gas is a first for the Extinguishing industry in that, if the end-user are neither maintaining or allowing a 3rd party company (Fire Alarm Company) who are not trained and cannot show a certificate of competency, the lack of such, will result in the end user being fined by the Government. This action of course will be very much frowned upon if a Fire Company claiming such training has not completed such a course. Competency in Gas Extinguishing is a hard argument if it cannot be proved on paper, so in this case special training for employees and company certificates have to be completed before any works are carried out on systems.
The systems this regulation applies to are commonly known as HFC227ea (FM-200) HFC-23 (FE13) and HFC125 (FE-25, ECARO). There are few others, but these are rare in Europe.
Kyoto Protocol which is governing Global Warming issues recognizes that ‘F gases’ are a family of chemicals that contain fluorine. Since the ban on Halon usage in fixed fire suppression systems, hydro fluorocarbons (HFC, s) have become widely used due to their zero ozone depletion potential. However, ‘F gases’ are grouped as greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming if emitted to the atmosphere and as such have become subject to regulations aimed at containing and reducing their emission. However they are not earmarked for a ban and thus still for sale. The family of HFC gases is commonly used for Car/Home/Office/Industrial: Air conditioning, Refrigeration, Aerosols, Foam Sealants, and Fire Suppression. So as most extinguishing systems are found in large complexes, the End-user will be aware at some point of the f-gas regulation.
Now with this regulation in mind, along with some recent accidents and fatalities centred on improper handling of high pressure extinguishing cylinders in the UK, G8 Fire along with Insurance companies take training, competency and accreditation very seriously. The future will get tougher for extinguishing but however G8 fire have for the past 5 years have gained a 100% accident free record, a good reputation and the correct proof of competency without compromising costs to our clients. These are notably:
F Gas Certification. Certificate No. 0010
NSI Fire Gold Scheme. BAFE SP203 Reg. No. NSI169 Certification No.FIR/G/10074
ISO 9001: 2008. BAFE SP203 Reg. No. NSI169 Certification No.FIR/G/10074
BAFE Scheme SP203. BAFE SP203 Reg. No. NSI169 Certification No.FIR/G/10074
SAFE Contractor scheme. Certification No.N00101627
Waste Control. As a carrier of controlled waste Registration No.CB/PN5873BP
Specialist Insurance. By Sutton Specialist Risks Policy Number, SSR109026983
ECS Heath & Safety Assessment: For all G8 Engineers
CCNNG Heath & Safety Training: by the ECITB for all G8 Engineers
Asbestos Awareness: to Regulation 10 of SI2739
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Engineers be aware.....
In 2010, 3off unrelated sites have experienced Inergen systems re-activating after a standard service panel test and solenoid testing /reset in separate parts of the country. This of course is a costly exercise as the cylinders required refilling after.
After the activation testing of the solenoid and witnessing of the pin extending, the panel was reset and the solenoid pin was reset by the approved tool. Now all clear, the solenoid body was placed back on the cylinder. However after a few minutes the pin fired again all by itself (no sound or lights from the panel) and the cylinders emptied, for no reason at all!
On investigation, the solenoid was seen in all three cases as the main suspect and replaced, as the panel showed no signs of failure. However it has now come to light through talking to a number of senior service engineers in the country, the true explanation is that “some panels”, if the solenoid is tested by using the manual call point button on the front panel or the panel is activated without reset for a long period, will do this because the panel can hold residual power even after reset, and will let this power go sometime after and in turn activate the solenoid. Hence this is why a system that has never given trouble then becomes a costly nightmare. It is believed Earthling faults can also cause this problem.
On this note, If the solenoid is electronically activated, G8 Fire (if asked), will not replace the body of the reset solenoid back on the cylinder until after a 5 minute resting period following reset. These false activations are not the responsibility of the person resetting or replacing the solenoid back onto the cylinder, as this action will not cause a delayed activation.
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On Inert extinguishing systems it has been widely recognized by British Standards, suppliers and installers for many years, that when installing such systems there is a need for Over Pressure venting to overcome the spike of pressure that can damage an enclosure. The venting requirement is recognized worldwide and is detailed in EN15004, BS-ISO14520 and NFPA: 2001 standards. Due to issues with chemical gases that have pressure issues also but in a different way, change has come for the possible requirement for 2 way venting for HFC227ea (FM200) & Novec 1230 products in certain conditions. As guidance one or two way venting is now a requirement for gases as below:
One way Venting is required always when using: a Full flood Inert gas extinguishing system such as IG01, IG55, IG541, IG100 or typical manufactures names such as Argon, Proinert, Argonite, Inergen, etc
Two ways Venting is required sometimes when using: a Full flood HFC227ea or Novec 1230 chemical based system. Due to negative pressure build up on discharge that turns into a positive, these gases only need venting when the enclosure pass rate proven on an Integrity test reaches a certain Level. These levels are measured in minutes by the test, and received as the known “pass rate”. The pass rate to which the room will need the extra venting is as the approximate rule of thumb:
47 min+ pass rate for HFC227ea @ a boundary pressure limit (pressure impulse tolerance) of ±500Pa
24 min+ pass rate for Novec 1230 @ a boundary pressure limit (pressure impulse tolerance) of ±500Pa
The requirement for 2 way pressure venting on chemical gases will not be automatically quoted by G8 Fire for on new installations, as this scenario is calculated to only affect say one in 500 systems and can only be proven for the need with an Integrity test once the enclosure has been sealed.
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This year the notable job was a small installation at Abbey Road Recording Studios for Ronan Associates. In the photo below (left to right) Graham Warner and his Lonely Fitters Band, Rob, Mark & Roy take the walk of fame across the much publicised pedestrian crossing complete with some tools. Call us idiots but with now EMI thinking of selling the studios, this just had to be done for the “record”…mind the pun folks but i'm trying to make this news page enjoyable!!!!
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