Reduction of Quantities of HFC Gas Allowed Into The UK And Europe (FM200)

As a result of the publication of the above regulation, from 2016 there has been reductions in the quantity of HFC’s that are allowed into the European Union. Please click F Gas Regulation 517-2014 to download a copy.

FM200 is just one of the many HFC’s in use the UK and EU as well as throughout the rest of the world. It was the main alternative to Halon and has been used for 20 to 30 years as a fire suppressant.

What does this actually mean for FM200?

The initial reductions from the baseline in 2015 had no effect on our prices in 2016 and 2017, but with the increase to a 37% reduction for 2018 in supplies to the UK by the EU Regulation has resulted in the manufacturers raising their prices by a minimum of 180% per Kg of FM200.

This means that the price of FM200 has gone from £25/Kg to £70/Kg from the 1st January 2018 without any prior warning of such a large increase.

Table of Reductions

Year Percentage Based On Average Of 2009-2012
2015 100%
2016-2017 93%
2018-2020 63%
2021-2023 45%
2024-2026 31%
2027-2029 24%
2030 21%

Although an increase in price of FM200 was expected, a nearly 3x increase was not and has meant that apart from refills this could mean the end to FM200 as this has made it the most expensive of the three (FM200, Novec 1230 and Inert Gas). FM200 was not perfect and has the worst Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the three but had meant that many companies have been able to protect their businesses at a relatively low cost in comparison to other alternatives.

What does this mean for you?

A 180% increase in FM200 per Kg means that even a small system containing 36Kg of FM200 has doubled the price of the suppression system, making it the most expensive system between FM200, Novec 1230 and Inert Gas.

What does that mean for Concept Fire Suppression Ltd?
From 1st January 2018 we will stop supplying new FM200 systems and only offer refills and 10 year service exchanges, but please contact us for an up to date pricing for these.

If FM200 pricing changes in the future we will re-assess our decision.

For all new systems Inert Gas and Novec 1230 will be the products on offer, CO2 and Kitchen Systems are not affected by this.

At Concept Fire Suppression Ltd we believe in providing you with the solutions that are right for you.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.