FK-5-1-12 Clean Agent

FK-5-1-12 (a fluorinated ketone) is a modern “clean agent” used to suppress fires in environments where water, foam, or powder would cause damage or downtime. It is widely used to protect sensitive equipment because it is electrically non-conductive and designed to leave no residue after discharge. 

At FireXNull, FK-5-1-12 is the core suppressing agent inside our microcapsule technology. Each microcapsule seals the agent inside a heat-responsive shell, keeping it inactive during normal operation. If a dangerous temperature rise occurs from overheating, arcing, or an early-stage ignition, the shell activates and releases FK-5-1-12 right at the source to help stop flame growth before it spreads. 

Learn how FireXNull microcapsule technology works

How FK-5-1-12 Works

FK-5-1-12 suppresses fire primarily by rapidly removing heat energy from the flame zone, with additional chemical inhibition effects. This makes it well-suited for enclosed, high-value spaces where fast knockdown and clean operation matter. 

Because it is used as a clean agent in total-flooding applications, it is recognized in major fire suppression standards and is listed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an acceptable substitute in total flooding agents listings (subject to the program’s listed conditions). 

Key Benefits for Electrical and Electronic Risks

Residue-free response

Unlike dry chemical or some aerosol approaches, clean agents are intended to avoid post-discharge cleanup that can damage electronics or halt operations. 

Electrically non-conductive

A major advantage around energized equipment is that the agent is non-conductive, supporting use in electrical and electronic environments. 

Strong environmental profile compared to legacy agents

FK-5-1-12 is typically described with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP = 0) and very low global warming potential (GWP < 1) in commonly cited product data for this agent category. 

A Brief History

Clean agents gained widespread adoption as replacements for older halon-based approaches. FK-5-1-12 emerged as a next-generation option used in modern clean agent systems and is explicitly addressed by NFPA (NFPA 2001) as one of the clean agents covered in its scope and agent tables. 

PFAS Questions, Answered Clearly

Is FK-5-1-12 considered a PFAS?

Some organizations and regulators apply broad PFAS definitions that can include fully fluorinated substances like FK-5-1-12. 

So why use it, and why is FireXNull different?

FireXNull’s design goal is to minimize exposure and minimize routine release.

  • Sealed during normal use: In our technology, the agent is contained inside a microcapsule shell, which is embedded into materials and stays sealed under normal operating conditions.
  • Releases only during a verified heat event: The agent is not designed to off-gas during everyday use. It is released only when temperature reaches the activation threshold and suppression is needed.
  • Targeted release at the source: Microcapsules release locally where heat and ignition begin, which supports using less agent overall versus “fill-the-room” approaches in many enclosure-level scenarios. (This is the purpose of the embedded, point-of-risk concept.)
  • No residue, no wash-down: Because the agent is residue-free, it avoids the common cleanup pathway that can create contaminated wash water after discharge.

What about the market shift away from PFAS manufacturing?

It is true that some manufacturers have announced plans to exit PFAS manufacturing, which has increased attention on supply and long-term regulatory direction. 

FireXNull’s approach is to use the agent in a controlled, contained, activation-only format for early-stage electrical fire mitigation, aligned with clean-agent use cases where residue-free performance and protection of critical equipment are required. 

Why Buyers Choose FK-5-1-12 in FireXNull Products

If you need fast-acting, clean fire suppression for electrical panels, control cabinets, battery systems, or other confined equipment spaces, FK-5-1-12 offers a proven clean-agent pathway, and FireXNull delivers it in a passive, embedded microcapsule format that is always on, requires no power, and activates only when needed. 

See FireXNull’s microcapsule-based technology

References