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What is FK-5-1-12?
FK-5-1-12. Sounds like something straight out of Star Wars, right? Its name might remind you of a famous Star Wars droid, but this gas isn’t fiction. It’s a fire-fighting powerhouse, fast, clean, and extra-efficient. It’s redefining fire suppression. Let’s explore why FK-5-1-12 is changing the game in fire protection!
What is FK-5-1-12?
FK-5-1-12 (also known as Perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone)) is a clean agent fire suppression gas that extinguishes fires without water, foam, or any messy residue. It works by removing heat and interrupting the chemical chain reaction of a fire — a concept based on the fire tetrahedron.
By breaking the chain, FK-5-1-12 eliminates the fire quickly and cleanly, without harming sensitive equipment or endangering people.
NOVEC 1230 = FK-5-1-12
If you’ve heard of Novec™ 1230, here’s something important: Novec 1230 is FK-5-1-12. Novec 1230 is simply the brand name used by 3M. Now that 3M is exiting PFAS production by 2025, FK-5-1-12 is being produced by other manufacturers under generic or new brand names. However, the chemistry remains exactly the same.
This means long-term support and supply are still available, even after 3M steps away.
How Does FK-5-1-12 Work?
While some fire suppression systems remove oxygen, FK-5-1-12 absorbs heat and disrupts the chemical chain reaction. This makes it safe for occupied spaces and non-damaging to electronics. It rapidly vaporizes to suppress fire without leaving residue, water, or corrosion.
How does FK-5-1-12 work to put out fire?
FK-5-1-12 puts out fires by removing heat, preventing the conditions necessary for combustion, which comprises heat, oxygen, and fuel. Since it focuses on removing heat instead of oxygen, it effectively controls fires while being safe for use in occupied spaces, as it does not create a suffocation risk. It is a clean, colorless, and odorless fire suppression agent, and does not leave residue, making it safe for use in areas with sensitive equipment, electronics, or valuable assets.
How does FM-200 work to put out fire?
FM-200 is a fire suppressant that helps put out fires by stopping the chemical reaction that keeps them burning. Instead of smothering the flames or taking away oxygen, it targets tiny particles, called free radicals that help the fire burn. This clean, colorless, and odorless gas works fast to put out fires without leaving any residue or causing damage, making it a great choice for protecting important equipment and sensitive spaces.
Why Companies Are Replacing FM-200 with FK-5-1-12
Thousands of companies around the world are now replacing their FM-200™ systems with FK-5-1-12. Here’s a quick comparison:
COMPARISON TABLE
| Fire Suppressant Gas | Method | Environmental Impact | Residue | Applications | Long-term Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FK-5112 (Novec 1230) | Removes heat, interrupts combustion | Low GWP (1), zero ODP, short atmospheric lifetime (3-5 days) | Clean, no residue | Data centers, electronics, museums | Lower (eco-tax, refills storage) |
| FM-200 (HFC-227ea) | Disrupts chemical reaction | High GWP (~3,500), zero ODP | Clean, no residue | IT rooms, archives, hospitals | Higher |
The Big Reason for the Switch
FM-200 is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) with a high global warming potential. With international environmental regulations phasing down HFCs, FK-5-1-12 offers a future-proof solution with ultra-low environmental impact. FM-200 is being phased down due to its high global warming potential (GWP) and environmental concerns. The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act does mandate a gradual reduction in hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production and import, which affects the availability of FM-200. As a result, refilling these systems may become more challenging over time.
Montreal Protocol 2016
EU Regulation #517/2014 aims to control HFC usage in the fire suppression sector. FM-200 (HFC-227ea) was included in the 2016 Montreal Protocol, which was agreed upon in Kigali, Rwanda, and took effect in January 2019. Its long-term viability is increasingly challenged due to both financial and ethical concerns. The Montreal Protocol was originally created to reduce and eliminate the consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The agreement was expanded to phase down HFCs, powerful greenhouse gases, aiming for a 79% reduction by 2030. This will significantly impact industries that use HFCs, including fire suppression.
A Greener Way to Fight Fires
FK-5-1-12 is one of the most environmentally responsible suppression agents on the market:
- Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP)
- Global warming potential (GWP) of just 1
- Atmospheric lifetime of only 3-5 days
This is a huge leap compared to FM-200 or older halocarbon agents that linger in the atmosphere for decades.
Where FK-5-1-12 Is Used
Because it’s safe, clean, and fast-acting, FK-5-1-12 is trusted in high-value, high-risk environments:
- Data centers & server rooms
- Hospitals and labs
- Oil & gas control rooms
- Museums, archives, libraries
- Power plants and substations
- Bank vaults and telco hubs
Safe for People, Safe for Equipment
FK-5-1-12 is non-toxic, electrically non-conductive, and safe to discharge in occupied spaces. It won’t suffocate people like CO₂ or leave cleanup like dry chemicals. That’s why mission-critical facilities trust it to protect both lives and equipment.
Certified and Compliant
FK-5-1-12 systems are:
- UL Listed
- FM Approved
- Compliant with NFPA 2001 (Standard for Clean Agent Systems)
They’re already in use around the world and fully compatible with leading fire suppression hardware.
Is FK-5-1-12 Right for You?
If you're looking for a modern fire protection solution that:
- Protects sensitive assets
- Is safe for people
- Meets environmental targets
- Future-proofs your compliance
...then FK-5-1-12 is your answer.
Let’s Talk Fire Safety
As Malaysia’s #1 fire safety company, Fire Fighter Industry is proud to offer next-generation clean agent solutions like FK-5-1-12. We bring together technical expertise, compliance knowledge, and industry best practices to help protect what matters. Contact us today for a consultation or system design tailored to your facility.
Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. or The Walt Disney Company. Star Wars and related trademarks belong to their respective owners. References are for entertainment purposes only.
References
dm-admin. “FM200 Phase-down and What It Means | DEM Fire.” DEM | Fire & Essential Service Group, 13 Nov. 2023, demfire.com.au/fm200-phase-down-what-it-means/. Accessed 21 May 2025.
Firetrace International. “FK-5-1-12 Fluid - Fire Suppression Systems - Firetrace.” Firetrace.com, 2020, www.firetrace.com/en/fk-5-1-12-clean-agent. Accessed 16 May 2025.
“FK-5-1-12 Product Information | MEP Fire.” Gaseousfireextinguishers.com, 2023, www.gaseousfireextinguishers.com/fk-5-1-12-product-information. Accessed 16 May 2025.
“FK5112 | HALI GAS.” Hfc227ea, 2016, www.halichem.com/fk5112. Accessed 16 May 2025.
“FK-5-1-12 vs. CO2 Fire Suppression: Which Is Safer and More Effective? | Control Fire Systems Ltd.” Controlfiresystems.com, 2025, www.controlfiresystems.com/news/fk-5-1-12-vs-co-fire-suppression-which-safer-and-more-effective/. Accessed 16 May 2025.
Rob. “Brexit, FM200 & Your Carbon Footprint - KSS Fire Suppression.” KSS Fire Suppression, 13 Dec. 2021, www.kssfiresuppression.ie/single-post/brexit-fm200. Accessed 21 May 2025.
Sellors, Alyssa, and Alyssa Sellors. “The FM-200 Phase-Out: What It Means for Your Fire Suppression System - Fire Systems, Inc.” Fire Systems, Inc., 18 Feb. 2025, firesystems.net/2025/02/18/the-fm-200-phase-out-what-it-means-for-your-fire-suppression-system/. Accessed 21 May 2025.
