FirePro UK Ltd has published a new industry white paper examining the growing challenges associated with ageing pressurised gaseous fire suppression systems.
Authored by Managing Director Tony Hanley, who has more than 40 years of experience in UK fire engineering, the paper, “Considerations for the Extended Lifecycle and/or Replacement of Obsolete or Aged Pressurised Fire Suppression Gas Systems”, explores the issues facing legacy FM200, CO₂ and similar suppression systems as they approach the end of their operational life.
Addressing ageing fire suppression systems
Drawing on decades of operational experience, Hanley highlights increasing lifecycle pressures affecting end users, including hydrostatic test failures, pipework degradation, rising refill costs, tightening environmental regulations and declining system reliability.
The paper notes that older cylinders can fail mandatory hydrostatic testing, making them non-compliant and requiring replacement.
It also highlights that maintaining enclosure integrity, essential for gaseous fire suppression systems, becomes progressively more difficult as buildings age and undergo alterations.
Modern alternative outlined
The publication examines FirePro’s condensed aerosol technology as a modern, compliant and cost-effective alternative to traditional gas suppression systems.
Unlike conventional gaseous systems, FirePro uses a solid-state, non-pressurised generator that chemically interrupts the combustion process rather than relying on room pressurisation or gas concentration to extinguish a fire.
According to the paper, this approach removes the need for cylinders, pipework, hydrostatic testing, gas refills and room integrity testing, while providing a certified 15-year lifecycle and significantly lower maintenance costs.
Retrofit and environmental benefits
Hanley states that FirePro’s characteristics make it particularly suitable for retrofit projects, older buildings and mission-critical environments where maintaining airtight enclosures is impractical.
The white paper also highlights the environmental credentials of the technology, including negligible Global Warming Potential (GWP), the absence of PFAS and CFCs, and compliance with BS EN 15276 safety requirements.
Supporting informed decisions
Tony Hanley, who is Managing Director of FirePro UK, Vice Chairman of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and recipient of the FIA Lifetime Achievement Award 2023, said the publication is intended to help stakeholders make informed decisions as legacy fire suppression systems reach the end of their service life.
The white paper is now available for fire engineering professionals, facilities managers, insurers and other stakeholders seeking guidance on lifecycle risk, regulatory requirements and modern fire suppression alternatives.
