CFPS Special Hazard Suppression 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NFPA standard governs clean agent fire extinguishing systems such as FM-200 and Novec 1230?
- NFPA 12
- NFPA 15
- NFPA 2001 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 750
Correct answer: NFPA 2001
NFPA 2001 covers clean agent fire extinguishing systems, including halocarbon and inert gas agents used in total flooding applications.
Question 2: FM-200 (HFC-227ea) extinguishes fires primarily through which mechanism?
- Oxygen displacement below 12%
- Heat absorption and chemical flame inhibition (Correct answer)
- Fuel dilution with inert gas
- Catalytic decomposition of combustion products
Correct answer: Heat absorption and chemical flame inhibition
FM-200 acts by absorbing heat from the flame and providing some chemical inhibition of the combustion chain reaction, unlike purely inert gas agents.
Question 3: For CO2 total flooding systems, high-pressure storage cylinders maintain the agent at approximately:
- 300 psi at −20°F
- 850 psi at room temperature (Correct answer)
- 500 psi at 32°F
- 1,200 psi at 70°F
Correct answer: 850 psi at room temperature
High-pressure CO2 systems store agent as a liquid at approximately 850 psi at ambient room temperature, while low-pressure systems store it at −20°F and 300 psi.
Question 4: Inergen (IG-541) is composed of which combination of gases?
- Nitrogen and argon only
- Nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide (Correct answer)
- Argon and carbon dioxide only
- Nitrogen and helium
Correct answer: Nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide
Inergen (IG-541) is a blend of 52% nitrogen, 40% argon, and 8% carbon dioxide; the CO2 component stimulates breathing to help occupants evacuate.
Question 5: Per NFPA 2001, the minimum hold time required after a clean agent total flooding system discharges is:
- 2 minutes
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes (Correct answer)
- 15 minutes
Correct answer: 10 minutes
NFPA 2001 requires a minimum 10-minute agent hold time following discharge to ensure fire knockdown and prevent reflash before manual intervention.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable clean agent alternative to Halon 1301 for total flooding applications?
- FM-200 (HFC-227ea)
- Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12)
- Halon 1211 (Correct answer)
- Inergen (IG-541)
Correct answer: Halon 1211
Halon 1211 is itself an ozone-depleting halon used in streaming applications, not an environmentally acceptable alternative; the others are approved clean agent replacements.
Question 7: A room protected by a CO2 total flooding system must be designed to withstand:
- Positive HVAC pressurization during discharge
- Pressure changes caused by rapid CO2 discharge (Correct answer)
- Permanent sealing of all windows and penetrations
- Automatic removal of all ignition sources prior to discharge
Correct answer: Pressure changes caused by rapid CO2 discharge
Rapid CO2 discharge creates significant pressure transients, so the enclosure must have adequate structural strength or pressure relief venting to prevent building damage.
CFPS Special Hazard Suppression 2
Which NFPA standard governs clean agent fire extinguishing systems such as FM-200 and Novec 1230?