Clean Agent Fire Suppression vs. Water Sprinklers

May 9, 2025

Have you ever wondered which fire suppression system is best suited for your business? At LIFECO, with over 25 years of experience in fire protection, we understand the importance of safeguarding your assets, people, and operations. Whether protecting sensitive equipment or ensuring a safe environment for your staff, the right fire suppression system is critical.

In this article, we’ll compare clean agent fire suppression systems with traditional water sprinklers, helping you make the best decision for your facility. Read on to learn more about each system and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Table of Contents

Why Your Choice of Fire Suppression System Matters

Choosing the right fire suppression system is essential for safeguarding lives and valuable assets. Your selected system will impact how quickly a fire is controlled and the potential damage caused. The decision becomes more critical for businesses housing sensitive equipment like data centres. Non-water-based solutions, such as Clean Agent Fire Suppression, protect assets without the risk of water damage. On the other hand, Traditional Water Sprinkler systems may not be ideal for areas where water could harm delicate equipment.

At LIFECO, we recognise that each fire protection scenario requires consideration of factors such as speed, cost, and the type of fire hazards. The right system reduces risk and downtime while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

What Are Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems?

Clean agent fire suppression systems use gaseous agents to suppress fires without harming sensitive equipment. Unlike water-based systems, Clean Agents interrupt the fire’s chemical reaction or reduce oxygen levels, making them ideal for environments where water-based suppression would be ineffective.

Agents like FM-200 or Novec 1230 leave no residue and are non-conductive, making them suitable for data centres, server rooms, and telecommunications facilities.

At LIFECO, we offer expert installation and maintenance of clean agent fire suppression systems, ensuring your facility is protected without compromising operational integrity.

What Are Traditional Water Sprinkler Systems?

Traditional water sprinkler systems have long been reliable for fire protection. These systems release water when heat-sensitive sprinkler heads detect a fire, reducing the fire’s heat and oxygen levels.

Water sprinklers are highly effective in environments where fire risks are widespread, such as warehouses or offices. However, they may not be ideal for sensitive equipment areas, where water damage could result in significant losses.

LIFECO offers both Clean Agent and Traditional Water Sprinkler systems tailored to your requirements.

Clean Agent vs. Water Sprinklers – Key Comparison

Choosing the right fire suppression system involves understanding the differences between Clean Agent systems and traditional water sprinklers. The system you choose will influence your ability to contain fires, protect sensitive equipment, and minimise damage.

Here’s a comparison of the two systems based on several factors: asset protection, speed and effectiveness, environmental impact, cost, and maintenance.

Damage to Assets

Traditional water sprinklers are effective at suppressing fires but can cause significant damage to sensitive equipment, electronics, and documents due to water. This makes them unsuitable for environments like data centres, where protecting technology is crucial.

Clean agent fire suppression systems protect assets by using non-water-based agents that extinguish fires without damaging sensitive equipment. These systems are ideal for environments where water damage could lead to costly losses.

Speed and Effectiveness

Clean agent fire suppression systems are known for their fast response times. The gaseous agents quickly interrupt the fire’s chemical reaction, suppressing flames within seconds. This rapid response is essential in data centres, where downtime can result in severe losses.

Although effective, traditional water sprinklers may take longer to activate. The heat-sensitive elements must reach a specific temperature before releasing water, and the number of sprinklers activated affects the suppression speed.

Environmental Impact

Clean agent fire suppression systems have minimal environmental impact. Agents like Novec 1230 and FM-200 are non-toxic and have low global warming potential, making them environmentally friendly.

Traditional water sprinklers are generally neutral, but water damage can lead to mould growth, which may have long-term environmental effects. When selecting a fire suppression system, it’s important to consider your company’s environmental goals and the system’s long-term effects.

Cost and Maintenance

Traditional water sprinklers tend to have lower installation costs as the systems are simpler and more established. However, ongoing maintenance is required to keep sprinkler heads and pipes in good condition, adding to long-term costs.

Clean agent fire suppression systems have higher upfront costs but offer lower maintenance. These systems require less frequent servicing and are easier to maintain, as they don’t have moving parts or require water flow management.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Both Clean Agent and Water Sprinkler systems meet strict safety and regulatory standards. Clean Agent systems comply with BS EN 15004, ensuring that the agents are safe for people. Water Sprinkler systems follow standards like BS EN 12845 and BS 9251, ensuring reliability and safety.

Ultimately, the decision should consider not just compliance with regulations but how well the system suits your facility’s specific needs.

How to Choose the Right Fire Suppression System for Your Facility

Choosing the right fire suppression system depends on property type, asset value, fire hazards, and budget. Clean agent fire suppression systems offer protection without the risk of water damage in facilities housing sensitive equipment. Traditional water sprinkler systems are suitable for environments where fire risk is general, and water damage is not a concern.

To make the right decision, assess your fire hazards, business needs, and how each system impacts operations. It’s also beneficial to consult fire safety experts to ensure the best system for your facility.

Lifeco’s Expertise in Both Fire Suppression Technologies

At LIFECO, we have over 25 years of experience providing fire protection solutions tailored to our clients’ needs. Our team is skilled in both clean agent fire suppression and traditional water sprinkler systems. Whether you need the fast response of a clean agent system or the reliability of a water-based solution, we ensure your system is designed and installed to the highest standards.

Our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has made us a trusted UK brand. We work closely with each client to assess their fire safety needs and provide ongoing support to ensure the system operates effectively.

Still Deciding Between Clean Agent or Sprinkler Systems? Talk to LIFECO’s Fire Safety Experts Today!

Still unsure which fire suppression system is right for your business? At LIFECO, we offer tailored solutions based on over 25 years of expertise. Whether you’re considering clean agent fire suppression or traditional water sprinklers, our fire safety experts are here to guide you.