Novec 1230 Fire Suppression
Novec 1230 is a fluoroketone clean agent that extinguishes fire by absorbing heat, leaving no residue and no water damage. It has a very low global-warming potential and short atmospheric lifetime, making it a modern alternative to older gases for server rooms and equipment spaces. QSERV designs, installs and maintains Novec 1230 systems across Dubai, all DCD-accepted and NFPA 2001 aligned.
DCD-approved · 12+ years in Dubai fire safety · Hassantuk-integrated · 18,000+ customers served
A heat-absorbing fluid that discharges as gas
Novec 1230 is stored as a liquid but discharges as a rapidly evaporating gas that extinguishes fire mainly by absorbing heat. It leaves no residue, is electrically non-conductive, and clears without cleanup — so protected equipment is ready to run once the event is over.
- Extinguishes primarily by removing heat from the fire.
- Stored as a liquid, discharged as a fast-acting gas.
- Electrically non-conductive and residue-free.
- Very low global-warming potential and short atmospheric life.
- Safe for occupied spaces at design concentration.
Ideal for irreplaceable, water-sensitive spaces
Novec 1230 suits rooms where downtime and water damage are unacceptable — server and comms rooms, control rooms, archives and specialist equipment spaces. Its environmental profile makes it a favoured choice for organisations that report on sustainability alongside fire safety.
- Server, comms and control rooms.
- Archives, records stores and irreplaceable assets.
- Laboratories and specialist equipment enclosures.
- Facilities with sustainability reporting obligations.
- Retrofit option where an older agent is being replaced.
Correct concentration, verified and maintained
A clean-agent system is only as good as its design and upkeep. QSERV sizes the system to the room, confirms the enclosure holds the agent long enough through integrity testing, and maintains cylinders, detection and actuation so it will discharge correctly when called on.
- System sized to room volume for correct concentration.
- Room-integrity (door fan) testing confirms hold time.
- Cylinder weight, pressure and actuation checks.
- Detection and release-panel verification.
- DCD-accepted design-to-approval for new installs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Novec 1230 clean-agent suppression.
How does Novec 1230 compare to FM200?
Both are clean agents that extinguish quickly and leave no residue, and both are DCD-accepted. The main differences are environmental: Novec 1230 has a very low global-warming potential and short atmospheric lifetime, whereas FM200 (HFC-227ea) has a higher GWP. QSERV maintains both and advises which suits your room and priorities.
Is Novec 1230 safe for people in the room?
At the design concentrations used for these systems, Novec 1230 has a wide safety margin for occupied spaces. As with any suppression system, appropriate warnings, time delays and abort controls are part of a correctly engineered installation.
Does Novec 1230 leave any residue on equipment?
No. Novec 1230 evaporates cleanly and is electrically non-conductive, so it leaves no residue or moisture on electronics. Protected equipment can typically return to service after ventilation, without the cleanup a water or powder system would require.
Can we replace an older gas system with Novec 1230?
Often yes. Where a legacy agent is being decommissioned, Novec 1230 is a common upgrade. QSERV assesses the room, pipework and detection to confirm what can be reused and designs the replacement to current DCD and NFPA 2001 expectations.
How often does a Novec 1230 system need maintenance?
Annual maintenance is the minimum DCD requirement, covering cylinder weight and pressure, actuation, nozzles, pipework and full testing of detection and control. QSERV recommends more frequent functional testing of detection and alarm circuits for critical facilities.
Why is room-integrity testing needed?
A clean agent only works if the room holds it at extinguishing concentration for the required soak time. The door fan test measures how fast the enclosure leaks and confirms the agent will stay put long enough to prevent re-ignition. It is required at commissioning and after significant works.