Fire protection fluid protects the Alamo at the Daughters of The Republic of Texas Library
Vol. 26 Summer
ST. PAUL, MN -- In an effort to draw awareness to the importance of preservation, 3M is celebrating National Preservation Month by recognizing efforts by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library. 3M innovation is helping to protect a large part of Texas history for educators, students, history scholars and visitors.
Neatly displayed at The Daughters of The Republic of Texas Library, located in the original Alamo compound in San Antonio, are thousands of books, irreplaceable art, photographs, documents and maps representing the cultural heritage of Texas. All pieces of history are being protected by the Ansul® SAPPHIRE® Fire Suppression System utilizing 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. The Novec 1230 fluid is an advanced clean extinguishing agent used to protect high-value assets such as artifacts, documents, data centers, computers and other critical devices where water cannot be used.
After The Daughters of The Republic of Texas Library suffered an accidental discharge of its outdated fire suppression system, The Daughters began to look for a replacement system that minimizes collateral damage in the event of a fire, is cost-effective, works within existing historical building parameters, and is safe for both people and the environment.
“The library houses many one-of-a-kind pieces representing the cultural heritage of Texas and that are irreplaceable and vital to the education of future generations,” said Leslie Stapleton, library director at The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library. “Fire safety is always a concern in a preservation setting and 3M Novec 1230 fluid is our insurance policy that lets us breathe a little easier.”
Novec 1230 fluid is a chemical agent that is stored as a liquid but is discharged as a gas that leaves no residue. The fluid has an exceptional environmental profile with zero ozone depletion potential, an atmospheric lifetime of five days, and a global warming potential of less than one. In addition, the Novec 1230 fluid offers a wide margin of safety and comes with 3M’s Blue SkySM warranty.
“There is a lot of pending legislation and confusion surrounding continued use of hydrofluorocarbons due to the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in fire suppression,” states Joe Ziemba, marketing manager at 3M. “As a result, with Novec 1230 fluid, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the library staff can be confident their fire suppression system is safe for both people and the environment now and into the foreseeable future.”
Novec 1230 fluid is a clean extinguishing agent ideally suited for the protection of libraries, archives and document repositories. It can be discharged in rooms or spaces containing books, precious artwork, artifacts, sensitive electronics and other delicate items without causing harm. Novec 1230 fluid has also found its way into the archives of the Pennsylvania State Library to protect invaluable historical assets of the Benjamin Franklin collection.
The 3M Novec 1230 fluid technology was first developed in the 1990s as replacement fluid for ozone depleting substances. Researchers at 3M developed Novec fluids based on a sustainable technology that balances performance requirements with excellent environmental and worker safety properties. The fluid also offers an opportunity to earn innovation credits toward LEED certification.
Novec technology is also being used in a different application helping visitors at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History view a 330-pound, 24-foot giant squid. The wet specimen is being safely preserved by a 3M Novec Engineered Fluid. The Novec fluid provides a clear view of the specimen, unlike alcohol, which can yellow.
To honor the preservation efforts by The Daughters of The Republic of Texas and other preservation efforts around the country, 3M is contributing to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information regarding 3M Novec products log onto www.3M.com/Novec1230fluid and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/3MNovec1230fluid. For more information on other Novec products visit www.3M.com/Novec.