Overview
EN 15004-8:2017 - Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Part 8 - specifies the physical properties and system design requirements for IG-100 extinguishant. Adopted by CEN from ISO 14520-13:2015 (modified), this European standard covers specification, usage and safety aspects for IG-100 (nitrogen) used in fixed gas extinguishing systems. It applies to systems with nominal storage pressures of 200 bar and 300 bar at 15 °C and defines agent characteristics, storage/fill pressures, extinguishing concentrations and personnel safety guidance.
Key topics
- Extinguishant identity and specification
- IG-100 = nitrogen (chemical formula N2), molecular mass 28.02.
- Purity ≥ 99.6% by volume; moisture ≤ 50 ppm; oxygen ≤ 0.1% by volume.
- Physical properties and quantities
- Tables provide specific vapour volumes and the amount of IG-100 (m3/m3) required to reach target volumetric concentrations at different temperatures.
- Extinguishing and design concentrations are specified (e.g., heptane cup-burner extinguishment ~32.3% vol; minimum design for heptane ~47.6% vol after safety factors).
- System storage and pressures
- Applicable to containers filled to 200 bar or 300 bar at 15 °C; corresponding maximum working pressures (e.g., 240 bar for 200 bar fill at 50 °C; 360 bar for 300 bar).
- Containers are not superpressurized.
- Safety of personnel
- Addresses hazards from oxygen depletion and combustion products.
- Physiological guidance: NOAEL 43% (no observed adverse effect level), LOAEL 52% (lowest observed adverse effect level) - corresponding to minimum oxygen equivalents noted in the standard.
- Environmental properties
- IG-100 is inert with zero GWP and zero ODP.
Applications
- For designers and engineers of fixed firefighting systems specifying total‑flooding gas extinguishing systems using IG-100.
- Useful to system manufacturers, installation contractors, commissioning engineers, safety managers and regulatory authorities assessing compliance for data centers, archives, machinery enclosures and other enclosed hazards where inert gas flooding is appropriate.
- Helps calculate agent quantity, select storage pressure options (200/300 bar), determine design concentrations for Class A/B hazards, and evaluate personnel safety measures and ventilation/evacuation strategies.
Related standards
- EN 15004-1:2017 - Design, installation and maintenance (normative reference).
- ISO 14520-13:2015 - International source standard (modified for EN 15004-8).
- Other parts in the EN 15004 series cover FK‑5‑1‑12, HFCs, IG‑01, IG‑55, IG‑541, etc., under the general title “Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems.”
Keywords: EN 15004-8:2017, IG-100, gas extinguishing systems, fixed firefighting systems, design concentration, nitrogen extinguishant, 200 bar, 300 bar, inert gas, zero GWP.