3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid
Questions of the safety of 3M Novec 1230
Questions of the safety of 3M Novec 1230



Questions of the safety of 3M Novec 1230

The safety of Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid has been thoroughly evaluated through both acute and repeat dose testing of toxicity. A full series of toxicological tests have been completed using this compound.
In each case, Novec 1230 fluid has been demonstrated to be very low in toxicity and to have a large safety margin for use as a clean suppression agent. Key testing of Novec 1230 was conducted at independent laboratories, and the results are shown in the flowing table:
In each case, Novec 1230 fluid has been demonstrated to be very low in toxicity and to have a large safety margin for use as a clean suppression agent. Key testing of Novec 1230 was conducted at independent laboratories, and the results are shown in the flowing table:
4-hour acute inhalation | Practically non-toxic (LC50>100 000 ppm) |
Cardiac sensitization | Not a sensitizer (NOAEL=100 000 ppm) |
Acute dermal toxicity | Low toxicity (LD50>2000 mg/kg) |
Ames assay | Negative |
Primary skin irritation | Non-irritating |
Primary eye irritation | Minimally irritating |
Acute oral toxicity | Low toxicity (LD50>2000 mg/kg) |
Skin sensitization | Not a skin sensitizer |
28-day inhalation study | NOAEL of this study: 4000 ppm |
Chromosomal Aberration | Negative |
Questions of the safety of 3M Novec 1230
The No Observable Adverse Effects Level (NOAEL) for any end point of acute toxicity has been determined to be 10 volume percent (100 000 ppmv) in air.
With a NOAEL of 10%, there is a consensus that Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is not only safe for its intended concentrations of fire protection, but it also provides a large safety margin compared to the typical design concentrations of fire protection systems.
Questions of the safety of 3M Novec 1230
Typical design concentrations in the range of 4.2 to 5.9 volume percent result in safety margins of 69 to 138%.
3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid