Guangzhou Xingjin Fire Equipment Co.,Ltd. info@xingjin-fire.com 86--18011936582
When selecting a fire suppression system for a data center, server room, control room, or other critical facility, safety is always the top concern. Facility managers and business owners ask the same critical questions: Is the system safe for my employees? Will it damage my sensitive equipment? Is it environmentally responsible?
For IG100 pure nitrogen fire suppression systems, the answer to all three questions is a resounding yes.
XINGJIN Fire, a specialized manufacturer of advanced fire suppression solutions with 16 years of experience, is pleased to provide this comprehensive guide to the safety features and benefits of IG100 systems.
IG100 is a clean, inert gas fire suppression system that uses 100% pure nitrogen (N₂) as its extinguishing agent. Nitrogen is naturally abundant — comprising approximately 78% of the air we breathe — and is chemically stable, non-toxic, and non-corrosive.
Unlike chemical agents such as FM200 or dry powder, IG100 extinguishes fires through a physical mechanism (oxygen reduction) rather than a chemical reaction. This fundamental difference is what makes IG100 exceptionally safe.
Is IG100 safe for occupied spaces?
Yes. IG100 is specifically designed for use in normally occupied spaces. Here's why:
| Safety Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Non-toxic composition | Nitrogen is a natural component of air — no toxic chemicals involved |
| Maintains breathable oxygen | IG100 reduces oxygen to approximately 12.5% — enough to sustain life during short-term exposure |
| No decomposition products | Unlike chemical agents, nitrogen does not decompose in heat, producing no hydrogen fluoride or other harmful byproducts |
| No visibility obstruction | As a clear gas, IG100 does not obscure vision during evacuation |
| No thermal shock | The gas is discharged at ambient temperature, no risk of cold burns |
Understanding Oxygen Reduction and Human Safety:
The IG100 system extinguishes fires by reducing the oxygen concentration in the protected space to approximately 12.5%. At this level:
✅ Fires cannot sustain combustion
✅ Humans can safely remain for short periods (typical evacuation times of 30-60 seconds)
✅ No long-term health effects from acute exposure
According to international standards (NFPA 2001, ISO 14520), the minimum safe oxygen level for short-term human occupancy during fire suppression discharge is 10%. IG100's design concentration of 12.5% provides a comfortable safety margin.
What About People with Health Conditions?
For most healthy adults, brief exposure to 12.5% oxygen is well-tolerated. For facilities that may have individuals with respiratory conditions, XINGJIN recommends:
Proper evacuation procedures and alarm systems
Time delay settings that allow personnel to exit before discharge
Clear signage and training for all occupants
XINGJIN's Commitment to Human Safety:
Every XINGJIN IG100 system includes:
Adjustable time delays — Typically 15-30 seconds for safe evacuation
Audible and visual alarms — Clear warnings before discharge
Manual abort switches — Allows authorized personnel to halt discharge if necessary
Comprehensive documentation — Installation and operation instructions for safe use
Will IG100 damage my servers, electronics, or other sensitive equipment?
No. IG100 is one of the safest agents available for protecting high-value electronic equipment.
| Equipment Safety Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 100% residue-free | No powder, no liquid, no corrosion — equipment works immediately after discharge |
| Non-conductive | Nitrogen gas does not conduct electricity — no risk of shorts or electrical damage |
| Non-corrosive | No chemical reaction with metals, plastics, or circuit boards |
| Neutral pH | No acidic byproducts — even in high heat conditions |
| No thermal shock | Gas discharged at ambient temperature — no condensation or temperature damage |
Why Residue-Free Matters:
Traditional fire suppression methods can cause more damage than the fire itself:
Water sprinklers — Ruin servers, cause short circuits, lead to data loss
Dry chemical systems — Leave corrosive powder that penetrates equipment and causes long-term damage
Foam systems — Coat everything in sticky residue, requiring extensive cleanup
IG100 leaves nothing behind. After discharge, simply ventilate the space and resume normal operations — no equipment cleaning, no replacement costs, no extended downtime.
Protecting a Wide Range of Equipment:
IG100 is safe for virtually any type of sensitive equipment:
IT equipment — Servers, storage arrays, network switches, routers
Electrical infrastructure — Transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers
Industrial controls — PLCs, SCADA systems, HMIs
Medical devices — MRI machines, CT scanners, laboratory equipment
Archival materials — Paper documents, photographs, films, magnetic media
Is IG100 environmentally responsible?
Yes — it is one of the most environmentally friendly fire suppression agents available today.
| Environmental Metric | IG100 (Nitrogen) | FM200 | Novec 1230 | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | 0 | ~3,500 | ~1 | 1 |
| Atmospheric lifetime | N/A (natural gas) | ~36 years | ~5 days | ~100 years |
| Phase-out concerns | None | Yes (Kyoto Protocol) | No | None |
Why IG100's Environmental Safety Matters:
No regulatory phase-out risk — Unlike HFC-based agents (FM200), IG100 faces no future production restrictions
Zero contribution to climate change — GWP of 0 means no global warming impact
Naturally occurring — Nitrogen is extracted from the air, not manufactured from synthetic chemicals
No special disposal required — Nitrogen released during discharge simply returns to the atmosphere
Future-Proof Your Investment:
With increasing global focus on climate change and regulations like the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol phasing down HFCs, choosing IG100 is a future-proof decision. You won't need to replace your system due to regulatory changes.
Can I trust IG100 to work when a fire occurs?
Yes. XINGJIN IG100 systems are engineered for reliability and tested to meet international standards.