The Difference Between Piped and Non-Piped Heptafluoropropane Systems

　　Seven-fluoropropane manufacturer: The fire-extinguishing agent used in seven-fluoropropane fire suppression systems is seven-fluoropropane itself. This gas-based fire suppression method is particularly common in the market, widely favored by consumers for its broad applicability, affordable price, and excellent fire-extinguishing performance.

　　Heptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea/FM200) is a clean gas fire suppressant that primarily relies on chemical extinguishing mechanisms while also delivering effective physical suppression. It is colorless, odorless, low in toxicity, non-conductive, and does not contaminate the protected objects—meaning it causes no damage to property or sensitive equipment installations. Moreover, it can be stored at lower concentrations with minimal space requirements, boasts a high critical temperature and low critical pressure, allowing it to remain liquid under normal ambient conditions. After discharge, it leaves no particulate or oily residues behind, ensuring no harm to the atmospheric ozone layer (with an ODP value of zero). Its lifespan in the atmosphere ranges from 31 to 42 years, making it fully compliant with environmental protection standards.

　　Heptafluoropropane has a wide range of applications. Heptafluoropropane equipment and systems can be used in areas where people frequently work, making them ideal for environments such as computer rooms, telecommunications facilities, underground projects, offshore oil extraction platforms, archives, precious-item storage facilities, warehouses housing flammable chemicals, generator rooms, switchgear and distribution rooms, as well as other fire-prone areas where water-based systems are unsuitable.

　　As a type of heptafluoropropane, the pipeline system boasts powerful fire-extinguishing capabilities, enabling rapid suppression of Class A, B, and C fires—as well as electrical fires. It can be used to protect occupied spaces. Typically, a pipeline-type heptafluoropropane system consists of a steel frame, steel gas pipes, and multiple gas cylinders, all housed together in a single room for easy access during firefighting. However, its main drawback is that it’s not easily disassembled or moved.

　　Non-piping-type heptafluoropropane, also known as cabinet-type heptafluoropropane, typically consists of a single or dual cylinder placed inside a pre-fabricated cabinet for easy mobility, transportation, installation, and inspection. It boasts the same powerful fire-extinguishing performance. However, it is not ideal for applications requiring large-capacity storage cylinders, as this could prevent the system from completing the discharge within 10 seconds, thereby compromising its ability to deliver an effective fire suppression response.

　　Differences Between Pipeline-Based and Non-Pipeline-Based Heptafluoropropane Systems

　　1. With a piped network system, the discharge is evenly distributed through sprinklers that are uniformly arranged, resulting in consistent coverage and excellent fire suppression performance. In contrast, systems without a piped network typically rely on cabinet-mounted sprinklers for direct discharge, which often leads to uneven distribution and less effective fire control.

　　2. For those with pipeline network requirements, a separate cylinder room must be set up and the pipeline network installed. However, if maintaining only one area, a pipeline network is not required.

　　3. If multiple zones are involved, a piping network system can be used to maintain several protected areas with a single system. In the event of a fire in different protected zones, targeted gas discharge can be activated without requiring individual cylinders and extinguishing agents for each zone—eliminating the need for separate piping networks.

　　4. For piped systems, cylinders are located in the cylinder room. Due to the long distances involved, higher pressure is required—typically 4.2 MPa, though some systems use 5.6 MPa. In contrast, for non-piped systems, cylinders are placed directly within the protected area. Since the pressure cannot be too high in this setting, a lower pressure of 2.5 MPa is usually chosen.