CleanGuard Fire Extinguisher

CleanGuard portable fire extinguishers. why are they so alluring?

Cleanguard is a line up of portable fire extinguishers manufactured by Ansul. Cleanguard extinguishers are unique because they utilize clean fire extinguishing agent. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines a clean agent as a gas that does not conduct electricity, is non-volatile, and leaves no discharge on components. These agents are extremely important in the preservation of expensive computer, electrical, and mechanical equipment in the event of a fire.

Cleanguard fire extinguishers contain a halocarbon clean agent called FE-36 (HFC-236Fa). Halocarbons like FE-36 were developed as a stop gap to satisfy a growing disparity between fire safety and environmental health. Halon was the dominating clean agent prior to halocarbons. In the early 1990’s halon was deemed and litigated unfit for use due to negative environmental impact. Halon production in The United States stopped. Halon already in service is allowed to be used up and/or recycled. When halon was banned considerations like human toxicity were made and other environmental factors looked at closely. The whole thing actually goes very deep. The halocarbons are considered safe but still potentially dangerous to the environment. Companies that have a huge stake like 3M are always hard working on developing products for the industry.

Halon is manufactured in many formulas but it can be stipulated that these two are the most familiar– 1211(Bromochlorodifluoromethane) and 1301(Bromotrifluoromethane). Halocarbon types are in the multitudes; two widely used halocarbon agents are FE-36 (HFC-236Fa) and Novec 1230. Halons and Halocarbons work as streaming agents and total flooding agents depending on the product. Halocarbons are weaker than halons and require more concentration and bigger cylinders. Halons work by inhibiting the chemical reaction of a fire. Halocarbons remove heat from fire; both are effective at the incipient stage of fire. Co2 is also considered an inert gas clean agent. Co2 uses oxygen displacement to extinguish fire.

Ansul’s Cleanguard fire extinguishers come in four sizes. Cleanguard is designed to be utilized on hazards traditionally covered with halon 1211. FE-36 is a streaming agent, it comes out wet and dissipates. Usually wetness like this does not dry up but this is a clean agent. The clean agent cools the fire by absorbing the heat thus putting it out. Like most extinguishing agents, FE-36 has limited capabilities on each fire class based on quantity of agent. The two smaller sizes of Cleanguard fire extinguishers(2.5 and 4.75 lbs) cover only B class and C class fires. The bigger units (9.5 and 13.25 lbs) cover A,B, and C fire classes. At its zenith Cleanguard comes in 13.25 lbs. and boasts a 2-A:10-B:C rating. The larger sized units have a 14-16 feet effective range and are much more popular. The 4.75lb has an effective range of 10 to 12 feet. The 2.5lb Cleanguard fire extinguisher has a range of 8-10 feet these smaller ones are ok but really require much more skill to do the same as the larger ones (see cleanguard product guide).

Cleanguard also offers a non-magnetic version of the 13.25lb extinguisher. The unit has a stainless steel shell. This fire extinguisher satisfies NFPA 99 2018. NFPA 99 codes state that non-ferrous fire extinguishers are the only extinguishers allowed in MRI rooms. It also says that a water type or clean agent fire extinguisher need be present in operating rooms. FE-36 is also accepted by the FAA for use in aircraft cabins. This is especially important because the dry chemical and wet chemical options available are not sufficient for use in or around aircraft.

Cleanguard is a sufficient clean agent fire extinguisher utilizing halocarbon FE-36. Anywhere requiring clean agent coverage from a portable fire extinguisher can be sufficiently covered to satisfy virtually any local code. FE-36 is a streaming gaseous agent that goes anywhere that halon 1211 will go. Various extinguisher sizes and cylinder material allow for MRI and operating room coverage.

If you are in the continental United States and are in need of a quote on Cleanguard fire extinguishers, Call us at 727-525-5950 or email us at Service@allfloridafire.com for a quote.