Mechanism
Inert gases (Argon, Nitrogen, CO₂ blends) extinguish by reducing oxygen below the combustion threshold (~13.8% for most fuels) while keeping it above the no-effect level for humans (~12%). No chemical reaction with the fire.
Common agents
IG-541 (Inergen) = N₂ 52% / Ar 40% / CO₂ 8%; IG-55 (Argonite) = N₂ 50% / Ar 50%; IG-100 = N₂ 100%; IG-01 = Ar 100%. All approved for occupied spaces at design concentration.
Hold time & enclosure integrity
Required hold time 10 minutes at ≥ 85% of design concentration (NFPA 2001). Achieved only with a tight enclosure — every inert-gas installation must include a door fan test (EN 15004-1 Annex E).
Pressure relief venting
Discharge raises room pressure by 100–500 Pa within 60 s. Pressure relief vent area sized per NFPA 2001 Annex C. Undersized vents can blow doors and windows.
Bronnen
- NFPA 2001 (2022)
- ISO 14520-1 (2015)
- EN 15004-1
Cite this page
- APA
- FireTwin AI (2026). Inert gas suppression (IG-541, IG-55, IG-100). FireTwin AI. https://firetwin.eu/nl/learn/inert-gas-suppression
- IEEE
- FireTwin AI, "Inert gas suppression (IG-541, IG-55, IG-100)," FireTwin AI, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://firetwin.eu/nl/learn/inert-gas-suppression