Fire Protection
Clean-agent and gaseous suppression engineered to put out a fire fast, without water or residue, in spaces where downtime and damage are unacceptable.
Compliance Layer
SANS 10139 alignment SANS 14520 alignment SAQCC proof signals Inspection-ready documentation Commercial & industrial only Standards reference →What we do
We design, install and maintain gaseous fire-suppression systems for spaces where water would cause as much harm as the fire — server rooms, switchrooms, control centres and archives. The work covers agent selection, design-concentration calculation, room-integrity testing and integration with detection, so the system reaches and holds the concentration needed to extinguish a fire safely.
The problem
In a data hall, switchroom or archive, the assets at risk are the electronics and records themselves. A sprinkler discharge — or an older CO₂ system that is unsafe around people — can mean the fire is out but the room is a write-off, or staff cannot safely be present. Gaseous suppression extinguishes the fire without residue, but only works if the agent reaches design concentration and the room holds it long enough. That depends on accurate design and a sealed enclosure, both of which must be proven, not assumed.
Our approach
Volume protection for server rooms, control centres and archives using clean agents that suppress fire without residue and reach design concentration quickly, designed to SANS 14520.
Targeted suppression for high-value switchgear and individual racks, detecting and suppressing within the enclosure before a fire spreads to the wider room.
Agent quantity and discharge calculated for the protected volume and hazard, so the system reaches and holds the concentration required to extinguish the fire.
Enclosure integrity testing to confirm the room holds the agent for the required retention time, with results documented as part of the handover.
Cross-zoned detection, HVAC shutdown and damper interlocks programmed into a cause-and-effect matrix so discharge happens only on a confirmed event, in the right sequence.
Design calculations, integrity certificates and as-built drawings handed over, with scheduled servicing that keeps the system compliant and defensible.
Selection depends on room volume, environmental targets, and safety requirements. All agents used by Kharon are non-conductive and leave no residue.
Engineered systems follow a strict 'Double-Knock' logic to prevent accidental discharge while ensuring rapid response to confirmed fire events.
Lifecycle Compliance
Gas suppression reliability is tied to the physical integrity of the agent and hardware. SANS 14520 mandates specific verification steps to ensure readiness.
Confirm pressure gauges are in the green zone, discharge nozzles are unobstructed, and manual release points are accessible.
Mandatory verification of agent quantity via liquid level ultrasonic testing or mechanical weighing to SANS 14520 standards.
Simulated activation of all release paths, fan-shutdown integration, and interface with fire alarm systems without actual discharge.
Cylinders must undergo pressure testing and valve refurbishment to ensure structural integrity and compliance with pressure vessel regulations.
The world's best suppression system will fail if the room cannot contain the gas. We perform 'Door Fan Integrity Testing' to prove your space meets the required hold-time for insurance and life safety.
Identification and sealing of cable penetrations, door gaps, and HVAC dampers to ensure the protected room can hold the gas concentration.
A calibrated fan is used to pressurize the room, measuring leakage rates to calculate the 'Hold Time' (typically 10 minutes minimum).
Verification that discharge nozzles are placed to ensure rapid, uniform distribution throughout the volume, including under-floor voids.
SANS 14520 requires an annual integrity check or when significant room modifications occur.
Case study
Data Centres
An ageing CO₂ system protected a live colocation hall, creating a personnel-safety risk and falling short of a tenant compliance review.
Representative scenario — not a named client or measured project result. Replace with approved project evidence before using as a real case study.
FAQ
Clean-agent systems are designed to extinguish fire at concentrations that are safe for people, which is why they have largely replaced older CO₂ systems in occupied spaces. Design concentration, room exhaust and warning signals are all set so the space can be protected without endangering occupants.
A gaseous system only works if the enclosure holds the agent at design concentration for the required retention time. A fan (room-integrity) test measures how well the room seals and identifies leakage paths to fix. Without it, the agent can escape before the fire is fully out.
Often, yes. A phased cut-over to a clean-agent system can be planned around a live environment, with detection and interlocks staged so protection is maintained throughout. We assess the room and set out a cut-over sequence before any work begins.
What happens next?
Tell us the site, systems and any compliance deadline. No obligation.
We survey the installation, zones and current compliance status against the relevant SANS standards.
You receive a clear scope of work, standards mapping and transparent pricing.
We install or service the system and hand over signed compliance records for your file.
