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IS 15528 : 2004Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems - Carbon Dioxide Total Flooding and Local Application ( Sub-Floor and In-Cabinet), High and Low Pressure (Refrigerated) Systems

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NFPA 12 · EN 15004-5
CurrentFrequently UsedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Fighting
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 15528:2004 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for gaseous fire extinguishing systems - carbon dioxide total flooding and local application ( sub-floor and in-cabinet), high and low pressure (refrigerated) systems. This standard specifies requirements for the design, installation, testing, inspection, and maintenance of carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishing systems. It covers total flooding systems for enclosures and local application systems for specific equipment, addressing both high-pressure cylinders and low-pressure refrigerated storage.

Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems - Carbon Dioxide Total Flooding and Local Application ( Sub-Floor and In-Cabinet), High and Low Pressure (Refrigerated) Systems

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Fire Safety — Fire Fighting
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
NFPA 12:2021 · National Fire Protection Association (US)EN 15004-5:2017 · European Committee for Standardization (CEN, Europe)
Typically used with
IS 2878IS 4947IS 2190
Also on InfraLens for IS 15528
6Key values4Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! CO2 is an asphyxiant at design concentrations and is lethal. Personnel safety features like pre-discharge alarms, time delays, and maintenance lock-out switches are critical and must be strictly implemented and tested.
! The effectiveness of a total flooding system depends on the room's ability to hold the gas concentration. A Room Integrity Test (Door Fan Test) as detailed in Annex F is mandatory during commissioning and periodic maintenance.
! This standard is heavily influenced by NFPA 12 (Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems), which can be a valuable reference for additional design guidance and context.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 5System DesignCl. 6Personnel SafetyCl. 7Carbon Dioxide SupplyCl. 8Installation RequirementsAnnex A - Determination of Hazard Quantity for Surface FiresAnnex F - Enclosure Integrity Procedure
Pulled from IS 15528:2004. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
carbon dioxidesteelpiping

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
NFPA 12:2021National Fire Protection Association (US)
HighCurrent
Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems
Covers comprehensive requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, and testing of CO2 total flooding and local application systems, including high and low pressure.
EN 15004-5:2017European Committee for Standardization (CEN, Europe)
HighCurrent
Fixed firefighting systems - Gaseous extinguishing systems - Part 5: Design, installation, maintenance and safety of CO2 systems
Specifies requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, and safety for CO2 total flooding and local application systems, for both high and low pressure.
BS 5306-4:1986British Standards Institution (UK)
MediumWithdrawn
Code of practice for fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises - Part 4: Carbon dioxide systems
Provides recommendations for the design, installation, and maintenance of CO2 total flooding and local application systems, including high and low pressure, relevant to the period of IS 15528:2004.
Key Differences
≠IS 15528:2004 provides specific guidance for 'sub-floor and in-cabinet' applications directly in its title and content, often with more granular detail tailored to these specific localized risks, which might be covered under more general provisions in broader international standards.
≠Component certification and approval processes differ significantly; IS 15528 typically refers to BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification or other Indian national approval bodies, whereas international standards frequently mandate compliance with listings by bodies such as UL, FM Approvals, VdS, or LPCB, and adherence to CE marking for European markets.
≠While general safety principles are similar, the specific prescriptive requirements for room integrity testing methodologies, post-discharge ventilation protocols, and the placement and content of warning signs and personnel safety placards may have variations in detail or local regulatory emphasis.
≠Specific requirements related to electrical wiring, control panel specifications, and interfacing with fire alarm and building management systems might align with Indian electrical codes (e.g., IS 732) rather than international electrical standards like NFPA 70 (NEC) or IEC standards.
Key Similarities
≈All standards agree on the fundamental extinguishing mechanisms of carbon dioxide, primarily oxygen displacement (asphyxiation) and, to a lesser extent, cooling of the fire.
≈The basic application methods, namely total flooding for enclosed spaces and local application for specific hazards, are consistently defined and applied across IS 15528 and international standards.
≈Emphasis on personnel safety is paramount in all standards, requiring features such as pre-discharge alarms, warning signs, lockout procedures, and provisions for adequate ventilation post-discharge due to CO2's asphyxiating properties.
≈Common system components, including CO2 storage containers (high-pressure cylinders or low-pressure refrigerated tanks), piping networks, discharge nozzles, detection systems, and control panels, are specified for functionally similar roles.
≈Requirements for maintenance, inspection, and testing schedules (e.g., periodic weighing of cylinders, discharge testing, pressure testing) are largely consistent across standards to ensure system reliability and operational readiness.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Minimum CO2 design concentration for surface fires (Class A & B)34% by volume34% by volumeNFPA 12:2021, EN 15004-5:2017
Minimum CO2 design concentration for deep-seated firesTypically 50% by volume (can be higher for specific hazards)50% by volume (can be higher for specific hazards such as rolled paper or fur storage)NFPA 12:2021, EN 15004-5:2017
Maximum discharge time for total flooding systems (to reach 95% agent concentration)60 seconds60 secondsNFPA 12:2021, EN 15004-5:2017
Maximum discharge time for local application systems (to reach 95% agent concentration)30 seconds30 secondsNFPA 12:2021, EN 15004-5:2017
Minimum CO2 retention time for deep-seated fires (post-discharge)20 minutes (or longer depending on hazard)20 minutes (or longer for specific hazards, e.g., until fire is confirmed extinguished)NFPA 12:2021, EN 15004-5:2017
Storage temperature range for low-pressure (refrigerated) CO2 systems-18°C to -21°CApprox. -18°C (0°F)NFPA 12:2021, EN 15004-5:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum design concentration for electrical hazards34%
Minimum design concentration for cable tunnels/vaults65%
Maximum discharge time for surface fires (total flooding)60 seconds
Minimum soaking time for deep-seated fires20 minutes
Maximum oxygen level for safe re-entry19.5%
Typical pre-discharge alarm time delay20 to 30 seconds
Key Formulas
W = (V/S) * [ C / (100 - C) ] — Mass of CO2 for total flooding based on concentration
Q = 2 * A * q — Flow rate for local application systems where A is area and q is the application rate

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table A.1 - Minimum Design Carbon Dioxide Concentrations for Flammable Liquids and Gases
Table A.2 - Flooding Factors for an Atmospheric Pressure of 101.3 kPa
Table 1 - Physical Properties of Carbon Dioxide
Table D.1 - Rate-By-Volume Application for Deep-Seated Fires
Key Clauses
Clause 5 - System Design
Clause 6 - Personnel Safety
Clause 7 - Carbon Dioxide Supply
Clause 8 - Installation Requirements
Annex A - Determination of Hazard Quantity for Surface Fires
Annex F - Enclosure Integrity Procedure

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 2878:2004Fire Extinguisher, Carbon Dioxide Type (Porta...
→
IS 4947:2006Specification for Gas cartridges for use in f...
→
IS 2190:2010Selection, Installation and maintenance of fi...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

Is a CO2 system safe for occupied areas?+
No, CO2 is lethal at the concentrations used for fire suppression. For areas that may be occupied, strict safety measures like time delays, audible and visual alarms, and evacuation procedures are mandatory as per Clause 6.
What is the minimum design concentration for a server room or data center?+
For under-floor or in-cabinet protection, 50% is specified. For total flooding of the entire room (as an electrical hazard), a minimum of 34% is a starting point, but the specific hazard type and volume must be assessed per Annex A.
What is a 'soak time' and why is it important?+
Soak time is the duration for which the design concentration must be maintained after discharge to extinguish deep-seated, smoldering fires (e.g., in paper archives). Clause D.3 requires a minimum 20-minute soak time for such hazards.
How is the required quantity of CO2 calculated?+
For total flooding, it is calculated based on the net volume of the enclosure and the required design concentration, using the flooding factors in Table A.2 or the formula in Annex C.

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