Introduction:
Fire safety is a critical aspect of any facility or premises. Employing effective fire suppression systems is paramount in mitigating potential risks and safeguarding lives and property. Among the various standards and regulations, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) plays a crucial role in establishing guidelines for inspection, servicing, testing, maintenance, and training. In this article, we will delve into some key NFPA regulations pertaining to clean agent and carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems. While exploring these regulations, we will explore how the Portalevel® MAX PLUS meets specific NFPA requirements through its UL-listing and how Portasteele® CALCULATOR provides the agent weight of the cylinder without having to physically weigh it.
Ultrasonic Liquid Level Indicators – What about cylinder weight?
Ultrasonic liquid level indicators provide a reliable and efficient solution for monitoring contents in fire suppression system containers by utilising ultrasonic technology to accurately measure the level of agent inside. But how traceable are they? Cylinder manufacturers rarely document the expected height of the liquid contained within the cylinders. This leaves servicing engineers unable to identify the true amount of agent based on liquid level height alone.
The Portasteele® CALCULATOR overcomes this difficulty by providing the means for servicing engineers to convert liquid level height found using our ultrasonic liquid level indicator, the Portalevel® MAX PLUS, into agent weight. This weight can then be compared against data from the cylinder label. Furthermore, the Portasteele® CALCULATOR records the agent weight to ensure traceability and grant you peace of mind. Together with UL-listing on the Portalevel® MAX PLUS, this technique ensures full compliance to relevant NFPA and ISO regulations.
NFPA 2001:2022 – Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems:
Chapter 11 of NFPA 2001 outlines essential requirements for inspection, servicing, testing, maintenance, and training. Clause 11.3 highlights the importance of semi-annual service and inspection. This includes checking the agent quantity and pressure of refillable containers. For halocarbon clean agents, any container showing a loss of more than 5 percent agent quantity or pressure (adjusted for temperature) exceeding 10 percent must be refilled or replaced. Additionally, special measuring devices used to determine agent quantity must be listed – such as the Portalevel® MAX PLUS which has UL-listing.
NFPA 12:2022 – Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems:
Chapter 4 of NFPA 12 provides general information about carbon dioxide extinguishing systems. Clause 4.8 emphasises inspection, maintenance, and instruction. In particular, Clause 4.8.3.5 highlights the need for weighing high-pressure cylinders semi-annually and noting the date of the last hydrostatic test. If a container shows a loss in net content exceeding 10 percent, it should be refilled or replaced. To meet these NFPA regulations and ensure compliance with ease, the Portalevel® MAX PLUS together with Portasteele® CALCULATOR allows the cylinders’ agent weight to be determined, without physically weighing the cylinder.
ISO Standards:
While this article is focused on NFPA regulations, it is essential to note the significance of ISO standards.
ISO 14520-1:2015 covers gaseous fire-extinguishing systems and emphasises the need for regular inspections of fire suppression containers. The standard stipulates the use of liquid level indicators or weight checks to verify correct content. For halocarbon clean agents, any container showing a loss of more than 5 percent agent quantity or pressure (adjusted for temperature) exceeding 10 percent must be refilled or replaced.
Similarly, ISO 6183:2022 addresses carbon dioxide extinguishing systems and cylinders with loss of more than 10 percent of carbon dioxide must be refilled or replaced. Using the Portalevel® MAX PLUS with Portasteele® CALCULATOR allows regulatory requirements to be met in full, including agent weight data without needing to dismantle and weigh the cylinders.
In pic: Portalevel® MAX PLUS
in pic: Portasteele® CALCULATOR
Enhancing Fire Safety Compliance with Coltraco Ultrasonics:
Achieving compliance with NFPA regulations is crucial for maintaining effective fire safety measures. As described above, we designed and manufactured two innovative devices, the Portalevel® MAX PLUS and Portasteele® CALCULATOR, which significantly enhance fire suppression system maintenance. Thereby enabling you to meet NFPA regulations in a time and labour effective manner.
Benefits of Portalevel® MAX PLUS and Portasteele® CALCULATOR:
- Traceability and Compliance: Cylinder manufacturers often do not document the expected liquid level height. Therefore making it difficult for servicing engineers to determine the true amount of agent based on the liquid level height alone. The Portalevel® MAX PLUS and Portasteele® CALCULATOR address this challenge by converting the measured liquid level height into agent weight. This ensures traceability to data from the cylinder label and helps achieve compliance with relevant NFPA and ISO regulations.
- UL-Listed Measurement Technique: The Portalevel® MAX PLUS has UL listing, which is a recognised standard for safety and performance. Using this device helps you comply with NFPA requirements for special measuring devices.
- Safe & Simplified Inspections: The Portalevel® MAX PLUS and Portasteele® CALCULATOR enable servicing engineers to determine the agent weight without physically weighing the cylinders. This simplifies the inspection process and eliminates the need for cylinder downtime. Furthermore, this method is safer. Using non-invasive ultrasonic liquid level monitoring reduces the risk of injury and expensive medical insurance claims that can be caused by accidents during the dismantling process.
- Datalogging & Reporting: Regular inspections of fire suppression containers are essential for maintaining their effectiveness. By accurately monitoring the agent quantity, the Portalevel® MAX PLUS and Portasteele® CALCULATOR contribute to enhanced safety practices. They ensure that containers are properly filled and meet the necessary regulatory requirements. The Portasteele® CALCULATOR’s built-in datalogging and reporting features allows you to export measured liquid level data and calculated agent weight with a time and date stamp. In so doing, allowing you to establish confidence that the inspection was done in full.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Portalevel® MAX PLUS and Portasteele® CALCULATOR provide a comprehensive solution for monitoring liquid levels in fire suppression system containers. They enable traceability, compliance, and enhanced safety while simplifying the inspection process for servicing engineers. They are indispensable tools for enhancing NFPA compliance in fire safety. By adopting these technologies, facilities can improve accuracy, save time, reduce risks, and ensure the reliability of their fire suppression systems. Ultimately prioritising and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
