In Support of Clean Agents

I think we need to be careful as an industry about clouding the message too much relating to clean agent fire suppression.  Manufacturers deliver their product through trained distributors for a reason, so that these chosen distributors can properly diagnose which clean agent is the best all around choice for protecting a client’s facility or process.

When manufacturers deliberately divide the industry for their own commercial gain, the whole industry suffers.  To many outside, the clean agent industry is very difficult to understand and keep up with.  Legislation is fluid, agents come and go, manufacturers come and go, people come and go.  Halon was popular not only because it was the only choice but because there was consensus that it was the best choice to protect mission critical facilities.  With so many choices such as FM-200, FE-25, NOVEC 1230, Inergen, Argonite, ProInert, Water Mist, etc. it can be difficult for end-users, A&Es and contractors to make the right decision.  For this reason, it is important that this industry be united that the agents that are currently available on the market can meet the needs of the end users.

Sure, some agents are more environmentally friendly than others, but in general, we experience very few discharges.  Some agents are better than others at suppressing certain types of fires.  Some agents are more cost-effective for certain facilities, some agents are better at suppressing fires where enclosures are difficult to seal.  For these reasons, distributing companies are relied upon to be industry experts and guide our customers to the best choice.

Lets leave the “coalitions” and “special interests” to lawyers and lobbying groups.  If we cannot support clean agents as an industry then our target market may decide to choose other types of fire protection.