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Inergen
{{advert|date=September 2012}}
{{inlineno footnotes|date=October 2012}}

'''INERGEN''' is a blend of inert atmospheric gases that contains 52% [[nitrogen]], 40% [[argon]], 8% [[carbon dioxide]], used for fire suppression system agent. It is considered a [[clean agent]] for use in [[gaseous fire suppression]] applications. Inergen does not contain [[halocarbons]], and has no [[ozone depletion]] potential. It is non-toxic. Inergen is used at design concentrations of 35-50% to lower the concentration of oxygen to a point that cann(contracted; show full)

==Equipment safe==
Many other agents break down in the combustion process forming by-products that are corrosive to electronic components and cards. Inergen does not form any corrosive by-products. 

Inergen is discharged into the protected area in a “single phase” so there is no thermal shock or large temperature drop associated with the discharge. Discharge tests conducted demonstrate that the temperature drop is typically less than 2
º°C in room temperature.

==Engineering design==  
Inergen exists in a “single phase” throughout the discharge process, that is cylinder storage, pipework distribution and nozzle discharge. This single-phase situation simplifies pipework design and computer software design (pipe friction losses etc.). Inergen is stored at high pressure (200 bar) so this allows for long pipe runs, remote cylinder location, and the option of storing the cylinders horizontally.

==Extinguishing properties==
In addition to this extinguishing feature, people are still able to function normally in the atmosphere into which Inergen has been injected. This is attributed to the increased [[carbon dioxide]] level, which typically increases to between 2.5% to 5% of the room volume. 

This increased level of carbon dioxide stimulates the rate of respiration and increases the body’s oxygen use efficiency. This compensates for the lower oxygen levels that are present when a fire is being extinguished. 

As a result, the brain continues to receive the same amount of oxygen in an Inergen atmosphere as it would in a normal atmosphere, even if the oxygen concentration falls to below 10%. Hence Inergen can be used in automatic total flooding systems in areas that are normally occupied. 

The physiology of breathing in a reduced oxygen-increased carbon dioxide environment has been understood since the 1930’s and the Inergen respiratory concept has been approved by Occupational Health and Safety organisations Worldwide. 

People can breathe within a correctly designed Inergen atmosphere without any long-term ill effects. Inergen is non toxic, so it has been possible for the agent to be medically tested on people in both Europe and the USA. This is not true for Halocarbon based products, which are all lethal at high concentrations and still toxic even at low concentrations, hence tests on these agents have been limited to laboratory animals.  

==Advantages==
Exiting during an Inergen discharge situation is made safer as the agent does not fog the atmosphere and no impairment of vision occurs.
* Inergen contains no [[halocarbons]]. It has no [[ozone depletion]] potential, and unlike halocarbon agents, it will not produce toxic or corrosive decomposition. Inergen and [[Argonite]] has the same potent suppressing effect.
* Based on an acute hypoxia point of view; Inergen is comparatively safer than any other inert gas based extinguishing agents in applications where evacuation may not be possible prior to the application of the agent.
* Inergen systems reduce oxygen concentration only enough to suppress combustion while stimulating breathing efficiency to a disproportional advantage (as with any other suppression system, human evacuation is always recommended).
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==External links==
*[http://www.wormald.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/73909/Inergen.pdf MSDS for Inergen]
*[http://ansul.com/msdsviewer/temp/inergen%20msds%20canada%20english.pdf MSDS for Inergen]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_qEJJHEImI&feature=related Inergen Video]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuEylKMvbjw Inergen Dump Video]

[[Category:Fire suppression agents]]