3M Company recently issued a release stating the company’s intention to exit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025. This was a business decision by 3M and will include the manufacturing of its 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid - which is 3M’s trademarked-version of the FK-5-1-12 fire suppression agent.
In the release, 3M states that “PFAS can be safely made and used” and its “products are safe for their intended use.” The company commits to facilitating an orderly transition for customers. The announcement does pledge 3M will fulfill its current contractual obligations.
It should be noted there are other sources for FK-5-1-12 that are acceptable to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and listed in the agency’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) list. Replacement of Novec 1230™ in a UL Listed or FM Approved system with FK-5-1-12 from a different agent manufacturer should only be done with consent of the system manufacturer.
The Fire Suppression Systems Association will keep our members updated on future developments as more information becomes available.
I wonder if this is why Kidde removed the FK-5-1-12 agent selection from their Flow Calculation program. Would have been nice to have been issued a Tech Bulletin or something earlier when they knew the Novec 1230 was being phased out sooner than expected.