1.0

The design, installation and testing of Clean Agent Systems shall be in accordance with these regulations and the latest edition of NFPA 2001.

Applicable Codes

2.0

Only clean agents specifically approved by the Qatar Civil Defence (QCD) shall be used.

3.0

The use of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is prohibited without specific approval from the QCD. Such approval will only be granted on the basis of a formal engineering analysis that concludes to the satisfaction of the QCD, that alternative clean agents are not able to satisfactorily extinguish the fire.

4.0

Clean Agent storage containers (cylinders) shall be installed outside the protected area/enclosure and easily accessible within 2.0M from the main entrance.

Location of cylinders

5.0

A Manual Override (mechanical / electrical) means of discharging the required agent shall be provided on the storage container.

Manual Actuation

6.0

Clean agent systems shall be operated automatically by a QCD approved automatic fire detection system.

Automatic Operation

7.0

The control panel shall comply with the following:

2 Located external to the protected areas

3 Installed near the main entrance of the protected enclosure

4 Connected to the Main Fire Alarm Panel with indication of Alarm, Gas Discharged and Fault indications.

Control Panel

8.0

Clean Agent shall comply with the following:

 Gas discharge shall only occur after predetermined time delay subject to approval by QCD.

 The time delay shall be interrupted by the operation of the Abort Switch and shall re-commence on release of such abort switch.

 Minimum time delay to discharge shall be twenty (20) seconds.

Gas Discharge

9.0

Manual Release Push Button shall comply with the following:

 Located external to the protected enclosure within 1.5M of the main entrance.

 More than one manual release push button may be required subject to the size and configuration of the protected enclosure.

 Operation of such shall cause instant release of the clean agent.

Manual Release

10.0

Abort Switch shall comply with the following:

 Located within the protected enclosure and mounted within 1.5M from the main entrance.

 More than one abort switch may be required subject to the size and configuration of the protected enclosure.

 Upon continuous operation, shall interrupt the countdown timer.

 Upon release of abort switch, reset of countdown timer to discharge clean agent gas.

Abort Switch

11.0

Audible / Visible Notification devices shall be installed both inside and outside of the protected enclosure

Notification

12.0

“DO NOT ENTER – GAS DISCHARGED” illuminated signs shall be external to the protected enclosure and mounted above all entrances so as to be visible to any person entering. The lettering shall be a minimum of 50mm high. It shall be visible at all times of the day. The illumination shall be activated by a pressure switch fitted to the discharge piping.

“EVACUATE NOW – GAS DISCHARGE” illuminated signs shall be provided above the exits of the protected enclosure. The lettering shall be a minimum of 50mm high. It shall be visible at all times of the day. Illumination shall be activated on commencement of the discharge time delay.

Gas Discharge Signage

13.0

Enclosure shall comply with the following:

 All enclosures protected by clean agent systems that are required by code to be provided with an extinguishing system, in the absence of sprinkler protection, must be constructed from 2-hour fire resistant elements.

 Subject to the location of the enclosure, its integrity (to be verified through testing) and the type and nature of the clean agent used, ventilation system to purge the gas after discharge may be required by QCD. Due consideration shall be given to this aspect of the system.

 All enclosures protected by clean agent systems must be subjected to an enclosure integrity test. The test must be conducted by a qualified tester acceptable to QCD. The test shall verify the ability of the protected enclosure to maintain the minimum design concentration for ten (10) minutes. The enclosure test must be witnessed by QCD. This is a pre-condition for issue of the building’s fire safety certificate.

Enclosure consideration