3 Frequently Asked

Questions

Novec 1230 ™

Fire Protection Fluid

Manufacturing Chemistry
Q. When will 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Q. What is Novec 1230 fluid and why was it chosen
Fluid become available for purchase? for use in fire suppression?
A. Novec 1230 fluid is available for sale to OEMs for A. Novec 1230 fluid is a fluorinated ketone with a
use in developing fire suppression systems and fire chemical structure of CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2. The
extinguishers where a clean halon replacement is six carbon molecule of Novec 1230 fluid was
required. chosen, after carefully considering many others,
because it provided an ideal balance of
Q. Does 3M have production capacity to supply
performance, toxicological and environmental
Novec 1230 Fluid to meet continuous global
properties.
demand?
Q. Are there concerns about product stability of a
A. Yes. Novec 1230 fluid is manufactured at our U.S.
material like Novec 1230 fluid that is
production facilities. We have sufficient capacity to
tropodegradable?
supply projected demand. We have other
manufacturing facilities in the world that are also A. Novec 1230 fluid is photolitically sensitive to
capable of producing Novec 1230 fluid. sunlight. It must be stored away from direct
sunlight. This is not expected to be a problem since
Sustainable Technology
it is stored in steel or UV resistant plastic
Q. What do you mean when you say that Novec containers. When stored in pressurized cylinders, it
1230 fluid is a “sustainable technology”? is obviously kept away from any direct sunlight.
A. Sustainable is a term for a technology expected to Q. Is the product number, 1230, of any significance
be available far into the future. In the case of to its chemistry?
Novec 1230 fluid, it refers to a product that
A. No. The number 1230 is a 3M-selected numeric
performs in a fire protection system, is low in
that identifies the product only.
toxicity, has low environmental impact and is
commercially viable. Q. What is the meaning of the brand name Novec?
Q. What do you mean when you say that Novec A. The Novec brand stands for products designed to
1230 fluid is “viable”? help ensure worker safety, environmental
acceptability and optimum performance. Although
A. Viable means that Novec 1230 fluid can be
their chemistries may vary, all Novec branded
produced and can be used in many applications at
products offer low toxicity, zero ozone depletion
an acceptable cost, considering its value as a fire
potential, low global warming potential and short
protection fluid.
atmospheric lifetimes.
 Performance Environmental
Q. Why is 3M referring to 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Q. Is Novec 1230 fluid approved under the U.S.
Protection Fluid as a fluid? EPA Significant New Alternatives Program
(SNAP)? If so, when will it be published by the
A. Novec 1230 fluid will have utility in both
EPA?
streaming as well as certain flooding applications.
Therefore, it performs both as a gas and a liquid— A. Novec 1230 fluid is registered with the U.S. EPA
both of which are, by definition, fluids. under TSCA and European ELINCS; others are in
progress. Novec 1230 fluid has met the
Q. For global performance standards, does 3M
requirements of registration under SNAP for
plan to obtain approvals with Novec 1230 fluid?
streaming and flooding, and final ruling by the
A. We will work closely with OEMs who design U.S. EPA is pending.
flooding systems and fire extinguishers to meet
Q: How does Novec 1230 fluid degrade in the
standards when required, with consideration for
atmosphere?
market demand.
A: A study conducted by MIT1 examined the
Q. Is Novec 1230 fluid better suited for streaming
atmospheric loss mechanisms for Novec 1230
or for flooding applications?
fluid. The authors of this study determined that this
A. It is designed for use in both types of fire compound does not react with hydroxyl radical
suppression systems. Ultimately, performance is (OH) but that substantial decay occurs when
dependent upon the complete system design. exposed to UV radiation. The authors measured
the UV cross-section for Novec 1230 fluid finding
Q. If Novec 1230 fluid performs as well as you say,
a maximum wavelength of absorbance at 306 nm.
explain why it is not a “drop-in” for halons?
Since this compound shows significant absorbance
A. Novec 1230 fluid and halons are different and their at wavelengths above 300 nm, photolysis in the
physical properties require different delivery lower atmosphere will be a significant sink for this
system design. Also, a high-boiling liquid like compound. The authors concluded; “In fact, the
Novec 1230 fire protection fluid will behave absorption spectrum is similar to that of
differently than low-boiling gases like the halons. acetaldehyde2 a species whose lifetime against
While both Novec 1230 fluid and the halons solar photolysis is about 5 days.3 The absorption
perform effectively at their respective design cross sections [of Novec 1230 fluid] are somewhat
concentrations, their extinguishing mechanisms larger; hence, we expect the atmospheric lifetime
differ. Novec 1230 fluid is a physically-acting [of Novec 1230 fluid] against solar radiation to be
agent cooling the fuel to extinguishment, whereas of the order of 3 to 5 days.” Recent laboratory
the halons inhibit the combustion chain reaction to measurements of the photodissociation rate of
extinguish a fire. Novec 1230 fluid found it to be equivalent to that
for acetaldehyde, within experimental error.4
Q. Can Novec 1230 fluid be considered a drop-in
Hence, an atmospheric lifetime of 5 days is
for other alternatives to halon for streaming or
appropriate for Novec 1230 fluid.
flooding?
A. Yes, depending upon system hardware and overall
system design. Some modifications may be
necessary.

1
Guschin, A.G., Molina, L.T., and Molina, M.J.; Atmospheric Chemistry of L-15381, l-15566 and L-14703 and Integrated Band Strengths
of L-14374, L-14375, L-14752, L-13453 and L-14703; Report prepared for 3M Company, July, 1999.
2
Finlayson-Pitts, B.J. and Pitts Jr., J.N.; Atmospheric Chemistry: Fundamentals and Experimental Techniques; John Wiley & Sons, New
York, 196, 1986.
3
Seinfeld, J.H. and Prandis, S.N.; Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics; John Wiley & Sons, New York, 288, 1998.
4
Plummer, G.; Laboratory Measurements and Calculations Related to the Photo-disassociation of L-15566 in the Earth’s Lower
Atmosphere; 3M Environmental Laboratory Report Number E01-0549, 2001.
 Toxicity

Q: When 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid Q. What acute toxicity data is currently available
degrades in the troposphere, what materials are on Novec 1230 fluid?
generated? A. Both the inhalation LC50 and cardiac sensitization
A: Novec 1230 fluid is expected to rapidly degrade to NOAEL are greater than 10% v/v. These results
fluorinated alkyl radicals similar to those produced indicate Novec 1230 fluid is ideal for use in
by other fluorochemicals. Studies of the flooding as well as streaming applications.
atmospheric chemistry of these radical species and Distribution
their degradation products have concluded that
they have no impact on stratospheric ozone.5 This, Q. I am an end user of fire suppression systems
combined with its very short atmospheric lifetime, and extinguishers. Whom can I contact to buy a
leads to the conclusion that Novec 1230 fluid has system or extinguisher using Novec 1230 fluid?
an ozone depletion potential of zero.
A. We are initially working with a limited number of
Q: I thought fully-fluorinated compounds have a OEMs, both for streaming and flooding.
long atmospheric lifetime and have extremely Announcement of commercial systems will be a
high global warming potential. Why is a coordinated effort by 3M and these OEMs.
fluorinated ketone like Novec 1230 fluid
Q. Is Novec 1230 fluid approved for sale in other
different?
countries?
A: Novec 1230 fluid is completely different from
A. Each country has its own requirement for
long-lived HFCs and PFCs in terms of its
registering new chemicals. Some countries have no
environmental characteristics because it is a
requirement. We are in the process of registering
fluorinated ketone. The potential for Novec 1230
Novec 1230 fluid in all major countries.
fluid to impact the radiative balance in the
atmosphere (i.e., climate change) is limited by its Cost
very short atmospheric lifetime and low global
Q. What is the price of Novec 1230 fluid?
warming potential (GWP). Using a measured IR
cross-section and the method of Pinnock et al 6 the A. The price of Novec 1230 has been established for
instantaneous radiative forcing for Novec 1230 purchase by approved OEMs. However, we
fluid is calculated to be 0.50 Wm-2ppbv -1. This anticipate that the overall cost to the end user for a
radiative forcing and a 5 day atmospheric lifetime Novec 1230 fluid extinguisher or system will be
results in a GWP value of 1 using the WMO 1999 within the range of other in-kind alternatives that
method and a 100 year integration time horizon. are already on the market when the overall value
Compounds with such short atmospheric lifetimes associated with its features and benefits are
do not pose any appreciable risk with respect to considered. This includes consideration of its
climate change. sustainability as a viable fire protection technology
that can be expected to be available long into the
future.

5
Wallington, T.J., Schneider, W.F., Worsnop, D.R., Nielsen, O.J., Sehested, J., Debruyn, W.J., Shorter, J.A.; Environ. Sci. Technol.; 28,
320, 1994.
6
Pinnock, S., Hurley, M.D., Shine, K.P., Wallington, T.J., Smyth, T.J., J. Geophys. Res., 100, 23227, 1995.
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Important Notice to Purchaser: The information in this publication is based on tests that we believe are reliable. Your
results may vary due to differences in test types and conditions. You must evaluate and determine whether the product
is suitable for your intended application. Since conditions of product use are outside of our control and vary widely, the
following is made in lieu of all express or implied warranties (including the warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose): Except where prohibited by law, 3M’s only obligation and your only remedy, is replacement or, at
3M's option, refund of the original purchase price of product that is shown to have been defective when you received it.
In no case will 3M be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including, without
limitation, lost profits, goodwill, and business opportunity) based on breach of warranty, condition or contract,
negligence, strict tort, or any other legal or equitable theory.

3
3M Specialty Materials
3M Center, Building 223-6S-04
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
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