Commercial Fire Protection Service
Clean Agent & Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems
Protect data centers, server rooms, and sensitive equipment from fire without the water damage of a sprinkler discharge. Get matched with a contractor for design, installation, or service.
Overview
Clean agent fire suppression systems extinguish fire using a gaseous agent instead of water, leaving no residue and causing no water damage — making them well suited to spaces where water discharge would destroy the very assets being protected. These systems are governed by NFPA 2001, the Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Common clean agents include FM-200 (HFC-227ea), Novec 1230, and inert gas blends, along with CO2 systems for select applications. Systems work by total flooding an enclosed space with agent, which suppresses fire by removing heat or displacing oxygen, depending on the agent type.
Where Clean Agent Systems Are Used
- Data centers and server rooms
- Telecommunications and network equipment rooms
- Electrical switchgear and control rooms
- Museums, archives, and libraries protecting irreplaceable materials
- Laboratories and clean rooms
How It Differs From Sprinklers
Where a sprinkler system suppresses fire with water and is intended for general structural protection, a clean agent system is a supplemental, targeted system installed in a specific enclosed room to protect high-value equipment. Many facilities with server rooms use both: sprinklers for the building at large, and a clean agent system for the room housing critical electronics. See our post comparing clean agent vs. kitchen hood suppression for how the two specialized system types differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a clean agent system replace my building sprinkler system?
No. Clean agent systems protect a specific enclosed space and are typically installed as a supplement to, not a replacement for, the building’s required sprinkler system.
Is the room sealed for a clean agent system to work?
Yes. Clean agent systems rely on total flooding of an enclosed space, so room integrity (door seals, wall penetrations) is tested as part of design and periodic inspection.
How often are clean agent systems inspected?
NFPA 2001 requires periodic inspection and testing, generally on an annual basis, including room integrity (door fan) testing.
Related Services
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