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PROPERTY INSURANCE COMMITTEE

Prevention Specifications

CEA Specifications for CO2 fire-fighting systems

Requirements and test methods for Nozzles

CEA 4010: February 2000 (en)

(EFSAC endorsed)

Copyright by CEA – 3 bis, rue de la Chaussée d’Antin – 75009 PARIS

 influence discharge rate and thus the
Contents pressure drop in the piping network. The
1 Scope and field of application............. 2 extinguishing agent normally arrives at the
nozzle in two-phase flow form (liquid-
2 References............................................. 2 gaseous mixture). It expands into the
3 Definitions............................................. 2 protected volume to form a gas or a gas-
and-dry-ice mixture depending on the
4 Requirements ....................................... 3 nozzle type.
4.1 Material ........................................................3 These CEA Specifications should only be
4.2 Connection threads.......................................3 used as guidance for testing nozzles which
work on different principles.
4.3 Nozzle opening cross section .......................3 All pressure data in these CEA
4.4 Nozzle protection covers..............................3 Specifications are given as gauge pressure
4.5 Flow rate ......................................................4 in bar, unless otherwise stated.
4.6 Distribution characteristic ............................4
2 References
4.7 Pressure and heat resistance .........................4 These CEA Specifications incorporate by
4.8 Heat and cold shock resistance.....................4 dated or undated references, provisions
4.9 Corrosion......................................................4 from other publications. These normative
references are cited at the appropriate
4.10 Stress corrosion ............................................4 places in the text and the publications are
4.11 Vibration ......................................................4 listed hereafter. For dated references,
4.12 Impact...........................................................4 subsequent amendments to or revisions of
any of these publications apply to these
4.13 Marking and data..........................................5
CEA Specifications only when incorporated
4.14 Documentation .............................................5 in them by amendment or revision. For
5 Tests ...................................................... 5 undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies.
5.1 Test conditions .............................................5
• CEA Specifications for CO2-Systems -
5.2 Test samples and order of tests ....................5 Planning and Installation
5.3 Compliance ..................................................6
5.4 Distribution characteristic ............................6 3 Definitions
5.4.1 Room protection nozzles..............................6 For the purpose of these CEA
5.4.2 Local application nozzles .............................7 Specifications the following definitions
apply.
5.5 Flow rate ......................................................8
cross section:
5.6 Pressure and heat resistance .........................8
Total area of all smallest geometrical
5.7 Heat and cold shock resistance.....................8 single areas.
5.8 Nozzle protection cover ...............................8 design quantity:
5.9 Corrosion......................................................9 The quantity of CO2 to be discharged into
5.10 Stress corrosion ............................................9 the calculating zone including the quantity
5.11 Vibration ......................................................9 for the holding time, if necessary.
5.12 Impact...........................................................9 distribution characteristic:
Volume in which CO2 is distributed
uniformly from a nozzle.
1 Scope and field of application flow rate:
These CEA Specifications specify Mass flow of CO2 per unit time.
requirements and describe test methods
filter:
for nozzles which introduce the
extinguishing agent into a CO2 protected A component to prevent blockage of
hazard. The design of the nozzles will nozzles with small orifices.

2
 functional reliability:
Ability of the function to be carried out
under different working conditions.
high pressure container:
Cylinder filled with CO2 under ambient
temperature conditions. The pressure at
20 °C is 56,3 bar.
local application nozzle:
A nozzle, from which CO2 is discharged
over a partially closed or open hazard.
low pressure container:
Insulated tank filled with CO2 equipped
with a refrigeration unit. The pressure at
-20 °C is 18,7 bar.
nozzle:
A component to achieve a predetermined
flow rate and a uniform distribution
characteristic of the CO2 into or onto a
protected hazard.
nozzle cover:
A component to protect nozzles against
exterior dirt.
operational reliability:
Resistance against wear.
pressure at the starting point:
Pressure at the time the discharge is
beginning.
pressure at the working point:
Pressure at the time when half of the
design quantity is discharged.
room protection nozzle:
A nozzle, from which CO2 is discharged
for the distribution throughout an
enclosure.
test sample:
Component or assembly of components to
test.
two-phase flow:
Partial change of phase of a fluid from
liquid to vapour under flowing conditions.
working pressure:
The highest possible pressure in the
component.
4 Requirements
4.1 Material
3
The nozzle and internal parts shall be
made of metal.
All components shall be resistant to media
with which they come into contact.
The function of the nozzle shall not be
adversely affected by ageing or
environmental influences.
4.2 Connection threads
Connection threads shall comply with
European standards, European national
standards or ISO- standards.
4.3 Nozzle opening cross section
The minimum dimension of any individual
discharge opening of the nozzle shall not
be less than 1 mm.
Nozzles with dimensions of discharge
openings ≥ 3 mm shall not be equipped
with a filter. Nozzles with dimensions of
discharge openings < 3 mm shall be
equipped with a filter.
The filter shall be made of corrosion
resistant metal. The unrestricted filter
surface area shall be at least five times the
nozzle cross section. The mesh of the filter
shall be between 0,5 mm and 0,8 mm,
measured in the plane of the hole.
To prevent blockage of the nozzle by dry-ice
the cross sectional area of the nozzle
should decrease in the direction of flow.
High pressure nozzles with increasing
cross sections shall be tested additionally
under both conditions described in
clause 5.4. Orifice plates are not allowed.
4.4 Nozzle protection covers
If the nozzle opening is protected against
exterior dirt with a cap or similar cover,
this cover shall eject clear of the nozzle's
full opening cross section at extinguishant
pressures between 0,1 bar and 3 bar when
tested as described in clause 5.8. The cover
shall not affect extinguishant distribution.
Note The design of the nozzle cover should
prevent the formation of a layer of
material such as paints which could
 considerably hinder the correct opening
Type of Test Test
of the nozzle. system pressure tempera-ture
4.5 Flow rate in bar in °C
The manufacturer shall specify the flow
rate of the nozzle, in kg of CO2 per second Low- 25 600
for instance, for the pressure ranges shown pressure
in table 1. CO2

Table 1: Pressure range for nozzles High- 60 600

pressure
Type of Range of Range of CO2
system pressure at pressure at
the starting the working Following testing for pressure and heat
point point resistance as described in clause 5.6, the
pabs in bar pabs in bar nozzles shall show no signs of deterioration
which could impair proper performance.
Low- 10 to 18 8 to 16,5 4.8 Heat and cold shock resistance
pressure
CO2 The nozzles shall withstand both the high
temperatures generated during a fire and
High- 14 to 50 12 to 40 the cold shock caused by the extinguishant
pressure as it is discharged. Following testing for
CO2 heat and cold shock resistance as
described in clause 5.7, the nozzles shall
Note Pressure at the starting point is related show no signs of deterioration which could
to the time the discharge is beginning. impair proper functioning.
Note Pressure at the working point is related
4.9 Corrosion
to the time when half of the design
quantity is discharged. The performance of the nozzles shall not be
adversely affected as a result of the
Where filters are installed, these shall be
corrosion test as described in clause 5.9.
taken into account when determining the
flow rate. 4.10 Stress corrosion
The performance characteristics shall be Any copper alloy part used in nozzles shall
tested as described in clause 5.5. not show cracking, when tested as
described in clause 5.10.
4.6 Distribution characteristic
4.11 Vibration
The distribution of CO2 shall be tested as
described in clause 5.4.1 for room Nozzles assembled from several parts shall
protection nozzles and clause 5.4.2 and not be damaged, when tested as described
5.4.3 for local application nozzles. in clause 5.11.

4.7 Pressure and heat resistance 4.12 Impact

The extinguishing nozzles shall be able to Following the test as described in
withstand the test pressures and clause 5.12 the nozzle shall show no signs
temperatures given in table 2. of damage which could impair the proper
function.
Table 2: Test pressure and temperature 4.13 Marking and data
Nozzles shall be marked with the following
information:

4
 a) the markings required by European or be supplied with the device and constitute
National Standards and part of the supply.
b) manufacturers or suppliers name or 5 Tests
trademark and 5.1 Test conditions
c) model designation/size and The components shall be tested assembled
as recommended for installation by the
d) serial or batch number manufacturer. The tests shall be carried
The marking shall be non-detachable, non- out at a temperature of (25 ± 10) °C, except
flammable, permanent and legible. when otherwise stated.
4.14 Documentation 5.2 Test samples and order of tests
4.14.1 The manufacturer shall prepare
and maintain documentation which When testing a nozzle type with only one
specifies the installation, operation, size, four test samples are needed.
routine testing and maintenance of the
When testing a series of nozzles of identical
nozzle and all other aspects relating to its
design, four test samples in different sizes
incorporation within a fire extinguishing
will be required (bottom, middle and top
system.
end of range).
4.14.2 The documentation shall be
submitted to the testing authority and
The tests described for sample A in table 3
shall comprise at least the following:
shall be run with all sizes, except the
a) a general description of the equipment, corrosion and the following function test,
including a list of the features and which shall be carried out with the
functions. smallest size.
b) a technical specification including: The tests described for sample D shall be
- the working pressure run with the smallest size and the test
- the suitability for use in various described for sample B with the largest
size.
environments
- mounting instructions The test described for sample C shall be
c) maintenance instructions run with the size to give a flow rate to
4.14.3 The manufacturer shall also match the particular test facility for
prepare, maintain and submit the following test 5.4.
detailed documentation:
The order of tests is shown in table 3.
- description of the overall mechanical
design including
- the main parts of the nozzle and their
tasks
- the way in which the parts interact
- component lists
- layouts
- design drawings
This documentation shall also comprise
details of any components specific to the
manufacturer.
4.14.4 All documentation normally
supplied by and specified by the
manufacturer for use by the enduser shall

5
 Table 3: Order of tests d) Flow rate (1 ± 0,1) kg/m3 referenced to the
Test sample A B C D volume of the test room.
5.3 Compliance 1 1 1 1 e) Gaseous phase time maximum 10 s. The
5.4 Distribution 2 mass flow during this time shall not exceed
characteristics 10 % of the mass of the liquid phase.
5.5 Flow rate 2/ f) Liquid phase time (60 ± 2) s. The CO2 supply
4 shall be shut down immediately after this
5.6 Pressure and heat 2 period.
5.7 Heat and cold 3 Concentration measurements shall be
shock made to determine whether the CO2 is
5.8 Nozzle cover 2 distributed evenly in the volume served by
5.9 Corrosion 3 the nozzle(s). The deviation of the
5.10 Stress corrosion 3 concentration at the different measuring
points shall be a maximum of 5 percentage
5.11 Vibration 3
points (60 ± 10) s after the end of the
5.12 Impact 4 discharge. The test set-up is shown in
5.3 Compliance figure 1.
A visual and measurement check shall be
Note A visual check shall be made, to ensure
made to determine whether the test
that no significant quantity of CO2
samples correspond to the description in
the technical literature (drawings, parts
"dry-ice" is present in the test room
lists, description of functions, operating 15 min after the conclusion of testing.
and installation instructions), and whether
the samples comply with these CEA
Specifications.
5.4 Distribution characteristic
5.4.1 Room protection nozzles
This test relates to the requirements of
clause 4.6.

For testing the distribution characteristic

with one or more nozzles in a test room the
following test conditions shall be set-up:

a) Relative humidity in the test room

(60 ± 5) %.
b) Pressure in the CO2 supply container
1) pabs (20 ± 2) bar for low-pressure nozzles
2) pabs (57 ± 2) bar/(33 ± 2) bar* for high-
pressure nozzles.
c) Minimum pressure at the nozzle
1) pabs (14 ± 2) bar for low-pressure nozzles
2) pabs (30 ± 2) bar/(14 ± 2) bar* for high-
pressure nozzles.

* test conditions for additional tests for nozzles

with increasing cross sections

6
 c) Minimum pressure at the nozzle
p 1) pabs (10 ± 1) bar for low-pressure nozzles
2) pabs (14 ± 1) bar for high-pressure nozzles.
p CO2
d) Gaseous phase time maximum 10 s. The
M4 m
mass flow shall not exceed 10 % of the mass
p pressure
M1 relief of the liquid phase.
M2
e) Liquid phase time (30 ± 2) s. The CO2 supply
p shall be shut down immediately after this
M3 period.
h f) Flow rate as given by the manufacturer.
g) Nozzle related protection volume or area, as
M5 given by the manufacturer.
Concentration measurements shall be
l made to determine whether the CO2 is
distributed evenly in the protection volume
M6 b served by the nozzle. The CO2
h room height concentration during the liquid phase time
m mass measuring point shall be above 34 % at each measuring
p pressure measuring point point for at least 20 s. The test set-up is
b width of room, according flow rate of nozzle shown in figure 2.
l length of room, according flow rate of nozzle
M1 ... M6 concentration measuring points
p
proposal for arrangement :
M1 ; M6 10 % above floor
M2 ; M5 50 % above floor CO2
M3 ; M4 90 % above floor
m
Figure 1: Test configuration for room
protecting nozzles
5.4.2 Local application nozzles p
Note This test is a preliminary proposal and
may be updated as a result of the M1
experience gathered in further test
work. M2
This test relates to the requirements of M3
clause 4.6.

For testing the distribution characteristic

one nozzle in a test room, with a volume of
minimum five times the volume protected
by the nozzle, is used with the following
test conditions set-up:
p pressure measuring point
a) Relative humidity in the test room m mass measuring point
(60 ± 5) %. M1 ... M3 concentration measuring point 1 to 3
b) Pressure in the CO2 supply container Figure 2: Test configuration for local
1) pabs (20 ± 2) bar for low-pressure nozzles application nozzles
2) pabs (57 ± 2) bar for high-pressure nozzles. 5.4.3 The local application nozzle shall
be mounted above a basin partially filled

7
with water, as shown in figure 3, at a
P1; t1
distance (h) as specified by the
manufacturer. The conditions in the
P2; t2
supply container shall be the same as
described in clause 5.4.1. The start V
pressure in the high-pressure container N
shall be more than (120 ± 5) bar. The
pressure at the nozzles shall be MV reserve mass
C supply container
(16 ± 1) bar for low- pressure and D (low- or high-pressure)
(40 ± 2) bar for high pressure nozzles. The D diptube
nozzle shall not splash any water out of the V container valve
test tray when directed at the water C N nozzle
surface at an angle of 90° and 45° to the P1 pressure at the nozzle
P2 pressure in the container
surface of the liquid. t1 temperature at the nozzle
MV t2 temperature in the container

h water level

>200 Figure 4: Test configuration for flow rate test

45° 5.6 Pressure and heat resistance
1200
150 This test relates to the requirements of
clause 4.7.
1200 measurement in mm
h - height above water level A nozzle is connected to a test vessel
Figure 3: Test tray for distribution tests for delivering a pressure of pabs (60 ± 3) bar for
high pressure or (25 ± 2) bar for low-
local application nozzles
pressure nozzles. The nozzle, placed in a
5.5 Flow rate furnace, is subjected to a temperature of
This test relates to the requirements of (600 ± 30) °C for a period of
clause 4.5. (10 +2/-0) min. Then the test medium in a
gaseous form for example, CO2, nitrogen or
Checks shall be made to determine air shall flow through the heated nozzle
whether the test samples comply with the body for at least 10 s.
flow rate indicated by the manufacturer.
Deviations may not exceed ±10 %. The test configuration is shown in
Figure 5.
The test set-up is shown in Figure 4.
> 1000 mm t2
p2 dP

dD
nozzle

furnice

dD nozzle diameter
dP pipe diameter p1
t1
dD:dP 1:3
p1 container pressure
t1 container temperature gas-supply
p2 pressure at the sample
t2 temperature at the sample

Figure 5: Test configuration for pressure and

heat resistance test

8
5.7 Heat and cold shock resistance which is shaped to prevent condensate
dripping onto the samples. (If a container
This test relates to the requirements of 10 litres in volume is used, the quantities
clause 4.8. of chemicals given below shall be doubled.)
The container is heated electrically and the
A nozzle is connected to a CO2 test vessel
side walls are cooled with water. A
delivering a pressure of pabs (20 ± 1) bar
thermostat regulates the heating so as to
and is then subjected to a temperature of
maintain a temperature of approximately
(600 ± 30) °C for (10 +2/-0) min. The cold,
45 °C inside the container. During testing
liquid CO2* is then passed through the
water is passed through a cooling coil
heated nozzle body for a period of
wrapped around the container; it should
(30 +10/-0) s. The test configuration is
flow fast enough that its temperature at
shown in Figure 6.
the discharge point is below 30 °C.
The combination of heating and cooling is
> 1000 mm t2 designed to insure that vapours will
p2 dP
condense on the surface of the samples.
The sulphur dioxide atmosphere is
Bypass generated in the 5-litre container with a
dD
nozzle
solution of 20 g of sodium thiosulphate
furnice (Na2S2O3 x 5H2O) in 500 cm3 of distilled
diptube water, to which 20 cm3 of dilute sulphuric
dD nozzle diameter acid is added daily. The dilute sulphuric
dP pipe diameter p1
t1 acid comprises 128 cm3 of one molar
dD:dP 1:3
p1 container pressure sulphuric acid (H2SO4) dissolved in 1 litre
t1 container temperature liquid CO2-supply
p2 pressure at the sample of distilled water. The test samples shall be
t2 temperature at the sample
removed from the container after 8 days;
Figure 6: Test configuration for heat and cold the container shall be cleaned. Then the
shock resistance test procedure described above is repeated for a
further period of 8 days.
5.8 Nozzle protection cover After a total of 16 days, the samples are
This test relates to the requirements of removed from the container and allowed to
clause 4.4. dry for seven days at a temperature of
(20 ± 5) °C at maximum relative humidity
The nozzle fitted with its cover shall be of 70 %.
mounted on a pipe equipped with a 5.10 Stress corrosion
pressure gauge. The pressure in the pipe This test relates to the requirements of
shall be raised by (1 +0,1/-0) bar/min. The clause 4.10.
pressure required to open the cover shall Use a suitable container of known litre
be measured. capacity fitted with a capillary tube vent.
The aqueous ammonia solution shall have
5.9 Corrosion
a specific weight of 0.94 kg/l ±2 %. The
This test relates to the requirements of
container is filled with (10 ± 0,5) ml of the
clause 4.9.
solution for each litre of container volume.
A sample shall be suspended freely in its
Degrease the sample for test and expose
normal installation attitudes.
for 10 -0/+1 days to the moist atmosphere
The test set-up comprises a container 5
of ammonia and air, at a temperature of
litres in volume, made of heat-resistant
(34 ± 2) °C. The samples are positioned
glass and with a corrosion-resistant cover
(40 ± 5) mm above the level of the liquid.
* After testing, the samples are cleaned and
To insure that the CO2 is flowing in liquid form
through the test sample from the beginning of the test,
dried and subjected to careful visual
the pipe from the supply container to the test sample examination. Any cracking shall be clearly
has to be vented and cooled before running the test apparent.
using the bypass. 5.11 Vibration

9
This test relates to the requirements of The shaft of the hammer is affixed to a hub
clause 4.11. which rotates on ball bearings around the
The sample is attached to a vibration table axis of a fixed steel shaft, so that the
using fixing materials provided by the hammer can rotate freely around the axis
manufacturer. of the fixed shaft. The rigid frame is
The sample is then subjected to sine-wave designed so that the hammer can make a
vibration in all three axes, in a range of complete revolution if no nozzles are
from 10 Hz to 150 Hz. The frequencies are present.
raised uniformly at a rate of one octave The hammer head is 76 mm wide, 50 mm
every 30 minutes. The vibration deep and 94 mm long (overall dimensions).
acceleration is 1 g in the frequency range It has a flat impact surface which is sloped
from 10 Hz to 50 Hz and 3 g in the at an angle of (60 ± 1)° to the long axis of
frequency range from 50 Hz to 150 Hz. the hand. The round steel shaft has an
No deterioration or detachment of parts outside diameter of (25 ± 0,1) mm. The
shall occur. The samples shall be able to hammer is mounted on the shaft in such a
function after the vibration test. way that its longitudinal axis is at a
5.12 Impact distance of 300 mm from the centre line of
The test relates to the requirements of the unit, whereby the two axes are
clause 4.12. perpendicular one to the other. The hub
Impact testing is used to determine has an outside diameter of 100 mm, a
whether the nozzle is sufficiently resistant length of 200 mm and is mounted coaxially
to impact loads. to the fixed steel shaft, which has a
The nozzle is suspended from the impact diameter of 25 mm.
mechanism as shown in Figure 7. A There is a steel counterweight opposite the
horizontal blow is then delivered to the hammer, attached to the hub with two
nozzle, at an energy level of 2,6 Joule, steel arms. These arms are bolted to the
hammer head velocity of (1,8 ± 0,15) m/s. hub in such a way that 150 mm of their
The impact surface of the hammer head length is exposed. The counterweight is
shall be at a (60 ± 3)° angle to the nozzle's attached in such a way that it can be
vertical axis at the moment of impact. shifted to balance out the weight of the
76 a 107 hammer. At the end of the hub there is a
b
c
pulley 12 mm wide, 150 mm in diameter,
made of aluminium. Around it is wrapped
60° 26 a non-stretchable cable, one end of which
is attached to the pulley. The other end is
200 12 l 305
e d
attached to a weight.
The rigid frame also carries a mounting
270°
101
25
150 plate to which the nozzle is attached. This
mounting plate can be adjusted along the
150 50
k
g
vertical axis so that the centre point of the
55 55
m 20 j
hammer impact surface strikes the nozzle
h
150
38 when the hammer is moving through the
a mounting surface g angle 270° measurement in mm apex of its arc (i.e. quasi-horizontal
b test sample h drive weight motion).
c hammer head i counter weight
d hammer shaft k shaft of counter weight The unit is operated by first adjusting the
e
f
hub
ball bearing
l pulley
position of the nozzle and the mounting
plate. The hammer unit is then carefully
Figure 7: Impact test configuration balanced by adjusting the counterweight.
The test configuration comprises The drive weight is detached while doing
essentially a rotating hammer with a head so. The shaft of the hammer is rotated
made of aluminium having a rectangular back though 270°, to the horizontal, and
cross section and sloped impact surface; it the drive weight is attached. When
is mounted on a round steel shaft. released, the drive weight rotates the

10
hammer and its shaft through a 270° arc.
The mass of the drive weight for this
configuration is 0,552 kg 3 r whereby the
actual radius of the pulley is given in
metres. This corresponds to approximately
0,78 kg when using a pulley with a radius
of 0,075 m.
11
Since a hammer velocity of
(1,8 ± 0,15) m/s is specified at the moment
of impact, it may be necessary to drill out
the rear face of the hammer in order to
achieve the required velocity. Tests shall be
made to determine that the device is
working properly.