Is thermal decomposition a problem with DuPont™ FM-200®?
The vast majority (>95%) of applications of FM-200® involve the protection of Class A hazards. Extensive testing shows that the levels of HF produced in extinguishing typical Class A fires are well below hazardous levels based on the dangerous toxic load (DTL) of HF. Moreover, these levels present no threat to electronics or other sensitive equipment. For fast-growing Class B fires, HF levels may exceed the human DTL depending upon the size of the fire and the volume of the protected area, and HF levels may also present a threat to equipment. In most cases this is a moot point, as the temperatures and levels of toxic combustion products such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and smoke render the atmosphere toxic and corrosive even before the discharge of FM-200®. There is no such thing as an “ordinary combustible fire.” Fires are not combustible, they are undergoing combustion.
