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First, it is important to recognize that FM-200 (FM2000 is probably a typo)
and other halon alternatives do NOT fit into the same chemical category as
Halon. Halon compounds consist of either chlorine or bromine, both of
which are known ozone depleting contributors, which is why manufacture, and
in many cases globally, installed systems of halon are completely banned.
FM-200 and other halon alteratives do NOT contribute to O-Zone depletion.
Another environmental topic that does garner some attention is Global
Warming Potential, or GWP. GWP is not nearly as well known nor are the
politics well agreed upon, as is ODP. There are currently very few
countries in the world with any sort of legislation relating to GWP
(Switzerland and a few of the Scandinavian countries being the exception).
While the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 does contain verbiage relating to GWP, it
is important to realize the following:
1. FM-200 and other Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's) are mentioned, but are not
regulated by production, only emissions. Fire protection has long been
agreed to be a non-emissive use of these compounds. Thus, regulation of
HFC's for fire protection is virtually meaningless with respect to Kyoto
Protocol verbiage.
2. The US has not, and will likely not in the near future sign the Kyoto
Protocol.
3. Even in European countries who have signed the Kyoto Protocol and are
enacting legislation to adhere to it, the stance that fire protection is a
non-emissive use of these agents is generally agreed upon, and thus not
subject to any meaningful restrictions.
It is highly unlikely that FM-200 or other HFC halon alternatives will be
subjected to similar sort of restrictions as halon is currently. All
political and legislative evidence points to the contrary. HFC's are a
welcome alternative to a family of known ozone depleting compounds, Halons.
You mention another alterative, Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. Novec is
a relatively new halon alternative and while it is a fluorine based
compound it is not an HFC. The chemical structure and behavior is
different from HFC's. One of the benefits of this is that it has both zero
ODP and a very small, practically zero GWP. In projects or companies where
environmental criteria are very important, Novec 1230 may be worth
investigating.
However, it is important to stress that both FM-200 (and other available
HFC's) as well as Novec 1230 provide a responsible, environmental approach
to halon alternative systems. In fact, when considering a third party
environmental evaluation for buildings (the LEED system through USGBC) both
FM-200 and Novec provide credits toward certification.
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