HFC-227ea Fire Suppression Agent
Properties, Applications, Limitations & System Design Considerations
HFC-227ea (also known by its chemical name Heptafluoropropane) is a clean gaseous fire suppression agent used in pre-engineered and engineered systems for extinguishing Class A, B, and C fires. It has been widely used for more than two decades as an alternative to Halon 1301. This page provides a factual overview of HFC-227ea, how it works, where it is appropriate, environmental considerations, and design factors engineers must evaluate before selecting this agent.
What Is HFC-227ea?
HFC-227ea is a halocarbon fire suppression agent stored as a liquefied compressed gas.
It discharges as a vapor, suppressing fire without leaving residue or requiring post-discharge cleanup.
Chemically:
CF₃CHFCF₃ – Heptafluoropropane
Common names include:
FM-200® (brand name)
HFC-227ea (generic)
It is listed in NFPA 2001 and ISO 14520 as an approved clean agent.
How HFC-227ea Extinguishes a Fire
HFC-227ea suppresses fire primarily through heat absorption.
It removes thermal energy from the flame to the point where combustion can no longer be sustained.
Mechanisms involved:
• Physical cooling effect (primary mechanism)
• Minor chemical inhibition
• Electrically non-conductive discharge
Unlike CO₂, it does not work by oxygen depletion, which is why it is permitted for normally occupied areas at design concentrations.
Environmental Profile of HFC-227ea
HFC-227ea has no ozone depletion potential (ODP = 0).
However, it has a high global warming potential and a long atmospheric lifetime, which has led to international regulatory pressure.
Key environmental metrics:
• ODP: 0
• GWP: ~3,220
• Atmospheric lifetime: ~34 years
Because of these characteristics:
• Many countries are reducing HFC usage through Kigali Amendment phase-downs.
• Some industries are shifting toward agents like FK-5-1-12 due to its lower global impact.
HFC-227ea remains allowed and widely used, but long-term planning should consider the global HFC regulatory landscape.
Advantages of HFC-227ea
• No residue — avoids damage to electronics.
• Electrically safe — can discharge on energized equipment.
• Approved for occupied spaces within NFPA 2001 limits.
• Fast discharge — typically 10 seconds in total flooding systems.
• Long, established track record — widely used since the 1990s.
• Straightforward system integration with detection tubing or solenoid-actuated valves.
Limitations of HFC-227ea
• High global warming potential compared to modern clean agents.
• Regulatory pressure may increase costs or restrict future production.
• Requires proper enclosure integrity to maintain concentration.
Not suitable for:
• Very large open rooms
• High-airflow environments
• Outdoor applications
At very high concentrations, temporary exposure may cause cardiac sensitization – NFPA 2001 mitigates this by enforcing limits.
Compared with FK-5-1-12, HFC-227ea requires more agent mass per cubic foot, which can mean larger cylinders.
Is HFC-227ea a Long-Term Solution?
HFC-227ea remains widely used and fully compliant today.
However, its long-term future is influenced by:
• Global HFC phase-down policies
• Potential increases in manufacturing costs
• End-user preference for lower-GWP agents
For many applications, HFC-227ea is still highly effective and appropriate – but engineering teams should remain aware of evolving regulatory trends.
