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Training and Software
Introduction to Fire Protection Enclosure Air Leakage Testing
Blower doors are large calibrated fans that were developed in the 1970s to test the air leakage of houses for energy conservation work, but the recognition of the stratospheric ozone problem in the 1980s led to a new application of this airtightness testing technology. Halon 1301, a gaseous fire protection agent, was found to have one of the highest ozone depletion potentials, and a significant source of halon discharge into the environment was found to come from the testing of halon total flooding fire protection systems. In a typical application, such as a computer room, the acceptance test for the system involved a "discharge test" where the fire protection system was triggered, a full load of halon was discharged into the room, and the residence time for the halon in the room was measured. When the ozone depleting potential of these acceptance tests was discovered, there was a need for a new type of acceptance test that did not involve the discharge of halon 1301 into the atmosphere.
Infiltec's experience in air leakage test equipment development enabled it to invent a test that solved this problem. The "enclosure integrity test" involves measuring the total area of the holes in the protected room with a blower door, assuming a worst-case distribution of leaks across the enclosure surface, and computing the worst-case leakage of the fire protection gas mixture through those holes. David Saum and Arthur Saum of Infiltec were issued US patent #5,128,881 Means and Methods for Predicting Hold Time in Enclosures Equipped with a Total Flooding Fire Protection Fire Extinguishing System for this work. This test was incorporated into the NFPA 12A Standard for halon 1301, and it has since been modified for halon alternative gases in the NFPA 2001 Standard.
Infiltec is a worldwide supplier of test equipment for the measurement of fire protection enclosure integrity, and it also provides consulting and training services worldwide.
Halon Alternatives Overview
Vapor Exting. n.Cons Trade Gas Equipmnt Name in Chem. Molec. @ 21C % Conc. factor Name Producer Producer 2001 Std. Formula Weight kg/m3 Min(nom) lb/ft3 ------- -------- ------- --------- -------- ------- ------- -------- ------ EA-410 3M FC-3-1-10 C4F10 238.03 9.85 7 TF 0.0422 FM-100 Gt Lakes HBFC-22B1 CHF2Br 130.92 5.54 3.9 LA NAS-SIII NAF Guard. HCFC bl A CHCl2CF3 92.9 3.84 10.3 TF FE-241 duPont HFC-124 CHClF2 136.5 5.83 LA FE-25 duPont HFC-125 CNClFCF3 120.02 5.06 10.1 TF FM-200 Gt Lakes Fike+ HFC-227ea CF3CHFCF3 170.03 7.26 5.8(7)TF 0.0341 FE-13 duPont Kidde HFC-23 CHF3 70.01 2.915 13 TF Inergen Ansul+ Ansul+ IF-541 N2,Ar,CO2 34 1.43 50 TF Triodide Pac.Sci. not listd CF3I 195.1 5-7 Hal 1301 many many not listd CBrF3 148.93 6.283 3.5(6)TF 0.0254 CO2 many Kidde+ na CO2 44 32(50)TF
The Infiltec Checklist for a Pretest Enclosure Inspection.
The Infiltec Checklist for Performing an Enclosure Integrity Test
Free Infiltec Software for Analyzing Halon Alternative Integrity Tests
DEMO PROGRAM SUMMARY
The free DOS program HA is a modified version of the program LA that was developed by Infiltec to analyze enclosure leakage analysis data for the halon alternative gases by the calculation procedure in the NFPA-2001 standard. The program LA can create, edit and save test data files, and it is available from Infiltec.
The HA program was designed to provide information on halon alternatives enclosure leakage testing and is distributed free of cost, as long as the program and its data files remain unchanged. If you would like to give the program to someone else, we recommend that you distribute the compressed file HALONALT.EXE which contains both the program and all its data files. Run HALONALT.EXE to extract the program HA and its data files.
HA is a DOS program that is designed to run on any PC in the DOS mode, or from WINDOWS as a DOS application. The print function in this program is set for LPT1, and the graphics will automatically adjust to your type of monitor. The program can either be run from a floppy disk or hard disk.
Infiltec Fire Software for NFPA-2001 Clean Agent Blower Data Analysis for 12 gases: Halon 1301, C02, FM-200, INERGEN, CEA-410, NAF-SIII, FE-13, Argonite, FIC-1311, Argon, FE-241, FE-25. Include pre-test prediction to estimate how many blower doors will be needed for test. (compatible with IBM type PC, on 3.5" disk or CD)
Click here to download a DOS demo version of LA.COM on support files.
Infiltec Enclosure Integrity Test Instruments
Infiltec offers digital models for the highest accuracy measurements, and analog models that meet all current test standards:
The Infiltec dual digital E3-A-DM4 combines the latest in low pressure electronic sensors, embedded processor and digital display technology to produce the most accurate, easy-to-use Enclosure Integrity Test Instrument.
Digital E3-A-DM4 Features:
| MODEL | DESCRIPTION | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| E3-A-DM4-110 | Infiltec Digital Blower Door includes a fiberglass fan, aluminum door panel with nylon cover and case, DM4 Micro-Manometer, controls, calibration certificate, manual & case. The DM4 Micro-Manometer features digital flow and pressure measurement, leakage area (ELA) measurement, and dual auto-zeroing sensors for simultaneous flow and measurements. The resolution is 0.1 Pa and 0.001" wc, the range is ±750 Pa and ±3" wc, and the pressure accuracy is 1% of reading or 1 digit. The DM4 is calibrated for use with the E3 blower door, the Infiltec DL1 duct leakage tester, and Pitot tubes. Flow, pressure, and leakage area can be displayed in US, metric, or mixed units. Electronics are 110VAC/60 Hz. Options include software, fan covers, and door expander kit. NEW FEATURE: digital display of building leakage area in square inches/centimeters at any test pressure. Specifications Picture | $2,495 |
| E3-A-DM4-220 | Same as E3-A-DM4-110, except for 220VAC/50 Hz electronics. | $2,595 |
| MODEL | DESCRIPTION | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| PUFFER |
Retrotec Smoke Puffer -
lasts up to 6 months after activation,
comes with carrying tube and instructions,
active ingredient is titanium tetrachloride.
|
$65 (2+)$55 |
| E3-CASE-FAN | Carrying Case for E3 blower door fan (constructed of durable rip-stop water-proof black nylon) | $99 |
| E3-FAN-COVER | Nylon cover for sealing off E3 fan opening, elastic edge. | $25 |
| E3-A-CROSS-BRACE | Extra aluminum cross brace for E3 standard sized door for increased stability. | $75 |
| E3-DOOR-EXPANDER | Aluminum Door Frame Expansion Kit for E3 to increase Door Width to 50.5 inches and Door Height to 97.0 inches. Includes case and second cross brace. Does not include Expander Door Cover. | $369 |
| E3-EXPANDER-COVER | Expander door cover, blue nylon, elastic edge, fits 1 E3 fan. | $100 |
| E3-DOOR-WIDER | Aluminum Door Frame Width Expansion Kit for E3 to increase Door Width to 50.5 inches. Includes case. Does not include Wider Door Cover. | $281 |
| E3-WIDER-COVER | Wider door cover, blue nylon, elastic edge, fits 1 E3 fan. | $100 |
| BD-DOS-FIRE | Infiltec DOS PC Software for NFPA-2001 Clean Agent Blower Data Analysis for 12 gases: Halon 1301, C02, FM-200, INERGEN, CEA-410, NAF-SIII, FE-13, Argonite, FIC-1311, Argon, FE-241, FE-25. Include pre-test prediction to estimate how many blower doors will be needed for test. (compatible with IBM type PC, on 3.5" disk or CD) | $300 |
For testing larger spaces, the Infiltec Model E3-3FAN-STACK generates higher air flows by stacking up to 3 E3 fans in each door jamb.
Infiltec Fire Software for NFPA-2001 Clean Agent Blower Data Analysis for 12 gases: Halon 1301, C02, FM-200, INERGEN, CEA-410, NAF-SIII, FE-13, Argonite, FIC-1311, Argon, FE-241, FE-25. Include pre-test prediction to estimate how many blower doors will be needed for test. (compatible with IBM type PC, on 3.5" disk or CD)
Training and Software.
Infiltec has formed a partnership with
Retrotec to
provide fire protection clean-agent enclosure-integrity test
training and
software.
Retrotec's Windows CleanAgent software is compatible with all Infiltec blower doors.
For more information, contact:
David Saum
Infiltec
5616 Leesburg Pike, Suite 53
Bailey's Crossroads, Falls Church, VA 22041
Phone: 703/820-7696, Fax: 703/671-9350
Email:
.
Infiltec DOS Fire Software for NFPA-2001 Clean Agent Blower Data Analysis for 12 gases: Halon 1301, C02, FM-200, INERGEN, CEA-410, NAF-SIII, FE-13, Argonite, FIC-1311, Argon, FE-241, FE-25. Include pre-test prediction to estimate how many blower doors will be needed for test. (compatible with IBM type PC, on 3.5" disk or CD)
Calibration and Repair.
Infiltec offers factory recalibration and repair for Infiltec instruments, and most other manufacturer's equipment. Note that recalibration requires that both the fan and the gauges be shipped to the Infiltec factory. If necessary, we can generally arrange for one-day turnaround on your recalibration.
About Infiltec
Infiltec was founded in 1980 by David Saum to develop technologies to control air leakage in buildings. Today the Infiltec factory in Waynesboro VA builds air leakage test equipment that is used worldwide for pressurization leakage testing of buildings and total flooding fire protection enclosures. The Infiltec office in Falls Church, VA performs consulting on air leakage technologies in fire protection, energy conservation, building ventilation, and indoor air quality.
David Saum, the president of Infiltec, is active in NFPA, ASTM and ASHRAE standards committees. He holds several patents for air leakage measurement technologies. He is the author of many papers on radon mitigation, air leakage testing of total flooding fire system enclosures, and air infiltration testing for energy conservation.
Links to Halon Alternative Resources on the Web
Retrotec
provides fire protection clean-agent enclosure-integrity test
training and
software that
is compatible with all Infiltec blower doors.
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and it was last updated on February 22, 2005.
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