FK-5-1-12, sold for years as 3M Novec 1230, is still available for clean agent fire suppression. 3M completed its exit from manufacturing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the end of 2025, but other companies offer the same agent. An owner of an existing Novec system does not need to remove it; what is needed is a refill route accepted under the system’s listing, regular maintenance and a clear plan for what comes next.
Key takeaways
- 3M’s 2025 annual report confirms that its PFAS manufacturing exit was completed at the end of 2025, and Fike notes that 3M discontinued Novec 1230.
- Novec 1230 is a trade name; the agent is FK-5-1-12, which the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still lists as acceptable for total flooding, with a global warming potential (GWP) under 1.
- Other companies offer the same agent, such as Fike’s SF1230, but the practical test for a refill is that the agent is accepted under your specific system’s listing.
- Maintenance has not changed: under the 2018 edition of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2001, agent quantity and pressure are checked semiannually, and containers are refilled or replaced above 5% quantity loss or 10% pressure loss.
- Changing the agent family in an existing system is not a cylinder swap; it usually needs redesign and approval.
What changed after 3M’s exit
3M announced in December 2022 that it would exit PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025, and its Form 10-K for 2025 confirms the exit was completed at the end of that year. Fike notes that 3M discontinued Novec 1230, so the source most closely tied to the name in the market has gone.
The key is to separate the trade name from the agent. Novec 1230 is a trade name; the agent is the fluoroketone FK-5-1-12. The EPA’s list of total flooding agents names it C6-perfluoroketone, gives FK-5-1-12 and Novec 1230 among its trade names, and has listed it as acceptable since 2002, with zero ozone depletion potential and a GWP under 1. 3M’s exit ended one brand and one source; it did not withdraw the agent or NFPA 2001, which covers it.
The agent’s properties, occupied-space concentration ranges and comparison with other gases are covered in our clean agent comparison guide, so we do not repeat them here.
Who supplies FK-5-1-12 now?
We found no official, complete list of producers, but the sources we reviewed confirm the agent is available from companies other than 3M. The EPA list itself gives several other trade names for the substance. The table summarizes what each says and what to check before relying on it:
| Source | What it states | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fike, SF1230 | Announced in May 2024 in partnership with The Standard Fluids Corporation; Fike says it is the same chemical compound, compliant with NFPA 2001 and ISO 14520, UL listed and FM approved, and a drop-in replacement for new and existing installations | Acceptance under your specific system’s listing, not the general claim |
| Firetrace | Indirect low pressure (ILP) systems in 5, 10 and 20 lb sizes use alternatively sourced FK-5-1-12, described in 2023 trade press as UL listed and FM approved | Described for enclosures such as CNC machines and electrical cabinets; confirm suitability before considering them for a room |
| Your system manufacturer | Knows which agent sources are accepted under your system’s listing | A written reply naming the accepted agent and source |
In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Technical Regulation for Fire Control Materials and Equipment covers firefighting substances, lists Part 5 of ISO 14520 for FK-5-1-12, and requires a certificate of conformity from a notified body through the SABER platform for covered products.
What should owners of existing Novec 1230 systems do?
- Collect the system data: manufacturer and model, listed design manual, agent quantity per cylinder, and the latest weight and pressure records.
- Ask the system manufacturer in writing which FK-5-1-12 agents are accepted for refill under the system’s listing.
- As good practice, ask for a batch certificate of analysis for any agent; imported agent also needs the certificate of conformity the SASO regulation above requires.
- Agree in advance on a filler authorized by the manufacturer and the refill lead time, so the hazard is not left unprotected after an unexpected discharge.
- Do not fill cylinders with an agent the manufacturer has not accepted, and do not change the agent without redesign and approval.
- Record every refill in the system log: agent, source, batch number and quantity.
- If the system is old or spares are scarce, study an upgrade or replacement early rather than waiting for the next discharge.
Maintaining existing FK-5-1-12 systems
3M’s exit changed nothing in maintenance: the monthly visual inspection, semiannual agent quantity and pressure checks and the 5% quantity and 10% pressure loss limits of NFPA 2001 (2018 edition), detailed in our NFPA 2001 guide, still apply. What changes is the log: record the agent name, source and batch with every weighing after a refill.
Clause numbers differ in the 2025 edition, and the manufacturer adds procedures for its system. It is good practice to reassess enclosure integrity after any new cable, duct or ceiling work, and to test detectors, the releasing panel and interlocks within the maintenance program.
Keep FK-5-1-12 or move to an alternative?
3M’s exit does not force replacement of existing systems. For a new room, or where no accepted agent can be found for an old system, compare these options:
| Option | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| FK-5-1-12 from another source | Few cylinders; GWP under 1 | Acceptance under the system listing; owner or insurer policy on PFAS |
| FM-200 (HFC-227ea) | Few cylinders | GWP 3,220; controlled under the Kigali Amendment; since 1 January 2025 the EU has prohibited placing on the market fire protection equipment that contains or relies on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), except when required to meet safety requirements |
| Inert gases such as IG-541 and IG-55 | Zero GWP; outside HFC and PFAS controls | More high-pressure cylinders, larger storage and pressure relief vents |
| Water mist | No fluorinated chemicals | Needs a system listed for the specific hazard and a water supply |
| Condensed aerosol | Compact units | Designed to NFPA 2010, where the technology suits the hazard |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Normally unoccupied hazards | Lethal at extinguishing concentrations; designed to NFPA 12 |
Changing the agent family is not a cylinder swap: each has its own quantity, storage pressure, pipe sizes, nozzles and calculations, so it usually needs redesign and approval.
Saudi requirements
Design and installation follow the Saudi Fire Protection Code (SBC 801), mandatory in its 2024 edition since 30 June 2025, and Civil Defense requirements. The code and Civil Defense set the NFPA 2001 edition for the project; the current edition is 2025, with tentative interim amendment (TIA) 25-1 on the egress time study.
If you move to an HFC such as FM-200, note that Saudi Arabia accepted the Kigali Amendment on 10 September 2025, and ask the consultant to check current national requirements and environmental import clearance with the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC).
Common mistakes
- Assuming any FK-5-1-12 can refill any system.
- Waiting for the next discharge before finding a refill route.
- Skipping semiannual weight and pressure checks, so leaks are found late.
- Changing the agent family in an existing system without redesign and approval.
- Accepting agent without a certificate of analysis or conformity certificate.
- Altering the room after handover without reassessing its integrity.
How AZEIDK helps
AZEIDK’s assessment of existing systems and scope of work definition reviews available documents and records, inspects component condition on site, identifies technical gaps and priorities, and recommends repair or upgrade options. Through our special fire suppression solutions, AZEIDK studies the hazard on site, supplies, installs, tests and commissions gas suppression systems from the brands it carries and integrates them with the fire alarm system where required, and our annual maintenance contracts cover the inspection program.
Brands AZEIDK supplies include American Fire Control (AFC), whose range with us includes an FM-200 gas suppression system; FirePro condensed aerosol systems; and Context Plus, including the EP203/CON automatic gas extinguishing control panel. Our team brings more than 16 years in the Saudi market, with more than 300 technical and administrative team members across more than 17 branches and service regions.
FAQ
Does the end of Novec 1230 mean my system is no longer acceptable?
Not by itself. 3M’s exit ended one trade name and one source; it did not withdraw FK-5-1-12 or NFPA 2001, and the EPA still lists the agent as acceptable for total flooding. Keep maintaining the system, secure a refill route, and check any recent local requirements with your consultant and Civil Defense.
Is FK-5-1-12 the same as Novec 1230?
As an agent, yes. The EPA lists FK-5-1-12 and Novec 1230 as trade names of the same substance, and Fike says SF1230 is the same chemical compound. But identical chemistry does not automatically mean acceptance in your system, because the listing covers the system as a whole; your system manufacturer’s reply is the reference.
Can a Novec 1230 system be refilled with SF1230?
Fike describes SF1230 as a drop-in replacement for new and existing Novec 1230 installations and says it is UL listed and FM approved. Still, confirm in writing with your system manufacturer that the agent is accepted under its listing, and it is good practice to use a filler the manufacturer authorizes.
Should I replace my Novec system with FM-200?
Not necessarily. HFC-227ea has a GWP of 3,220 and is controlled under the Kigali Amendment, which Saudi Arabia has accepted, and imports may need environmental clearance. Changing agents usually needs redesign and approval, so compare keeping FK-5-1-12 from an accepted source with the other options on your actual room before deciding.
What records should I keep after refilling with FK-5-1-12 from another source?
Keep the system manufacturer’s written acceptance of the agent, the filler’s name and the refill date, the agent name, source and batch number, any certificate of analysis, the conformity certificate for imported agent, and each cylinder’s post-refill weight and pressure. These records show the refill stayed within the system’s listing.
Do you own an existing Novec 1230 system? Send us the system data and maintenance records, and we will help you assess it and choose the right refill or upgrade route. Contact the AZEIDK team
