Argonite®
System Description
A UTC Fire & Security Company
Effective: July 2012
K-38-1000
FEATURES
• Inert Gas Clean Agent Fire Suppression |
• Actuation by Solenoid or Manual Actuator |
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• Safe for Personnel and Equipment |
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Three Available High-pressure |
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Leaves No Residue |
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(2900 PSI [200 bar]) Cylinder Sizes |
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Environmentally Friendly |
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FM Approved/ULC Listed |
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DESCRIPTION
Kidde Argonite® Fire Protection Systems are clean agent, automatic extinguishing systems that use Argonite (IG-55) and consist of four basic components and their associated accessories:
•Argonite Cylinders and Components,
•Completer Kits,
•Control Panels,
•Detection and Alarm Devices.
Argonite is an inert gas mixture, in equal parts, of Nitrogen and Argon. Both substances are naturally occurring and present in the atmosphere. Argonite is safe for use in occupied spaces and poses no threat to the environment.
1.Argonite Components consist of the agent cylinders, cylinder racking and the agent discharge nozzles.
2.The Completer Kits provide all the basic components necessary to operate the Argonite cylinders. The kits consist of hoses, connection fittings, pressure gauges, actuation devices required to operate the cylinder valve and warning signs to be displayed in the area(s) protected by an Argonite fire extinguishing system.
3.The Control Panels vary in features and complexity but in all cases are used to monitor the detection, actuate the alarms, initiate the agent discharge and control auxiliary functions such as shut down of vital equipment and ventilation dampers.
4.The Detection and Alarm devices provide fire detection by means of thermal or smoke detectors, audible and visual pre-alarm warnings and annunciation of the Argonite discharge.
AGENT DESCRIPTION
Argonite is a mixture of 50% pure Nitrogen and 50% pure Argon. Argonite contains only naturally occurring substances, and as such, has no ozone depletion potential and no direct global warming potential.
Argonite extinguishes by means of reducing the oxygen content within a room to the point at which fire can no longer burn, but without compromising the safety of individuals present. There are no toxicological factors associated with the use of Argonite. Argonite will not decompose or produce any by-products when exposed to a flame from a fire condition.
Most Argonite systems are designed to extinguish fires with a minimum agent concentration of 37.9% achieved within one minute. This results in extinguishment of the fire and an oxygen concentration of 13%.
Argonite is stored as a gas within the cylinder assembly. It is available at a storage pressure of 2900 PSI (200 bar).
USABLE CYLINDER CAPACITY
Three cylinder sizes are available (see Table 1). Table 1. Cylinder Capacity
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Size |
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Fill |
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English |
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Metric |
at 2900 PSI |
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at 200 Bar |
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972 cu. in. |
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15.9 L * |
9.57 lb. |
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4.34 kg |
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4079 cu. in. |
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66.7 L * |
40.15 lb. |
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18.21 kg |
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4893 cu. in. |
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80.0 L |
48.13 lb. |
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21.83 kb |
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Figure 1. |
Argonite Cylinder |
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Table 2. Argonite cylinder Area Coverage |
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Cylinder |
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Area Coverage @ |
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38% Concentration/70°F (21°C) |
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15.9 L |
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228.8 ft.3 (6.47 m3) |
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66.7 L |
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959.8 ft.3 (27.17 m3) |
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80.0 L |
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1150.6 ft.3 (32.58 m3) |
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EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
The Kidde Fire Systems Argonite Fire Protection System can be released electrically, manually or pneumatically. The following is a description of the various components associated with the systems.
* DISCONTINUED
CYLINDER AND VALVE ASSEMBLY
Argonite cylinders are available in three different sizes. The 2900 PSI (200 bar) cylinders are uniquely color coded to allow for quick and easy identification. The cylinders are red with yellow-green at the cylinder shoulder.
Because Argonite is stored as a gas, the cylinders have no dip tube and can be mounted in either the vertical or horizontal position.
The cylinder valve, required for all system cylinders, allows for connection of the cylinders into the system. The valve provides connections for electric, pneumatic and manual release of the cylinder contents, as well as a discharge outlet, connected by a discharge hose, to the distribution piping.
The actuator operates on a 1 to 10 ratio requiring only 300 PSI (21 bar) for the 2900 PSI (200 bar) system to operate the valve. The following are the connections provided on the valve.
A
B
Figure 2. Cylinder Dimensions
Table 3. Cylinder Dimensions
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Dimension |
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Cylinder Size |
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A |
B |
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(Diameter) |
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15.9 L |
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39.07 in. |
7.00 in. |
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(992.38 mm) |
(177.80 mm) |
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66.7 L |
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64.41 in. |
10.49 in. |
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(1636.10 mm) |
(266.45 mm) |
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80.0 L |
68.81 in. |
11.25 in. |
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(1747.77 mm) |
(285.75 mm) |
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1.Manual/Pneumatic Actuator Connection:
Each cylinder valve must be fitted with either a Pilot or Slave type actuator.
The Pilot actuator provides a manual (pull pin turn handle) actuator and connections from an electrical solenoid and pressure switch assembly. The pilot actuator also has connections to adjacent slave cylinder actuators to discharge entire groups of cylinders virtually simultaneously.
The Slave actuator is purely pneumatic; it receives pressure from the pilot actuator and opens its associated cylinder valve.
2.Solenoid Valve, Pressure Gauge and Supervisory Pressure Switch Connection:
This is a threaded port that serves for the connection of one of the following:
•Solenoid Valve, Pressure Gauge and Supervisory Pressure Switch for pilot actuator connections.
•Pressure Gauge and Supervisory Pressure Switch for slave actuator connections.
3.Discharge Outlet:
The cylinder valve outlet is connected to the distribution piping by a flexible hose with 1/2-inch steel fittings.
Additional features of the valve include a Burst Disc, designed to rupture upon excessive internal pressure, and an external Bleeder Valve with indicator that acts as a pressure relief valve.
PRESSURE GAUGE
WITH SUPERVISORY
PRESSURE SWITCH
CYLINDER VALVE
PILOT HOSE
(TO SLAVE CYLINDERS)
SOLENOID, 24 VDC
DISCHARGE HOSE
MANUAL ACTUATOR
Figure 3. Argonite Cylinder and Valve Assembly
SIDE VIEW |
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FRONT VIEW |
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HANDLE FOR |
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FILLING ONLY |
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M25 x 1.5 |
1/4” BSP |
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PILOT CONNECTION |
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M25 x 1.5 |
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FILLING |
FILLING |
BURST DISC |
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OUTLET |
GAUGE PORT |
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(21 PSI [300 BAR] |
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SETPOINT)
CONNECTION TO
ARGONITE CYLINDER
Figure 4. Argonite Cylinder Valve
Table 4. Argonite Cylinder and Valve Assembly Data
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Cylinder |
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Part Number |
Assembly |
Description |
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(Filled |
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Cylinder/Valve) |
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38-100159-001 |
15.9 L * |
200 bar; DOT and TC versions |
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38-100667-001 |
66.7 L * |
200 bar; DOT and TC versions |
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38-100800-001 |
80.0 L |
200 bar; DOT and TC versions |
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Note:
DOT=Department of Transportation (US) TC=Transport Canada
* DISCONTINUED
COMPLETER KIT COMPONENTS
Either a pilot or a slave completer kit is required to complete the installation of each Argonite cylinder.
Table 5. Completer Kit Data
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Completer Kits |
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Description |
Primary (Qty.) |
Slave (Qty.) |
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P/N |
P/N |
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38-109802-001 |
38-109803-001 |
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Solenoid Valve |
1 |
0 |
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Pressure Gauge with |
1 |
1 |
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Supervisory Pressure Switch |
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Manual Release |
1 |
0 |
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Pilot Hose #1 |
1 |
0 |
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Pilot Hose #2 |
1 |
0 |
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Pilot Hose #3 |
0 |
1 |
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Bleeder Valve |
1 |
0 |
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Tee piece for hose connection |
2 |
1 |
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Discharge Hose |
1 |
1 |
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Inlet Stem Assembly |
1 |
1 |
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Note: If cylinders are used in a Main/Reserve system, use decal P/N 31033 (Main Decal) and P/N 31034 (Reserve Decal).
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