Protecting Priceless Pages with Sustainable Fire Suppression

The Ivy League Rare Book and Manuscript Library in New Haven, Connecticut, houses hundreds of thousands of rare books and several million manuscripts, including a Gutenberg Bible and works by Charles Dickens and Benjamin Franklin. Protecting these irreplaceable collections from fire was critical, but traditional suppression methods posed a significant risk. Water and other conventional agents could cause extensive damage to rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials. Additionally, the library required a solution that could accommodate unique architectural constraints while providing long-term protection for both the collection and occupants.

The library selected the ANSUL® INERGEN® Clean Agent Fire Suppression System, a sustainable fire protection solution that delivers effective suppression without compromising valuable assets or the environment. Composed of naturally occurring atmospheric gases, INERGEN® provides fire suppression without leaving residue, damaging sensitive materials, or creating environmental concerns associated with some alternative agents.

The system addressed several key challenges:

• A gentle discharge protected delicate books and manuscripts, with testing confirming that not a single sheet of paper was displaced.
• The agent maintained the required design concentration beyond the NFPA 2001 minimum requirement, ensuring effective fire suppression.
• Long-distance agent flow enabled remote cylinder placement, providing greater flexibility within the library's unique structure.
• Because INERGEN® is made from gases already present in the atmosphere, it offered an environmentally responsible solution that protects people, property, and valuable collections.

The ANSUL® INERGEN® system delivers comprehensive protection for one of the world's most important, rare book and manuscript collections while supporting the library's commitment to preserving resources for future generations. The environmentally friendly, non-hazardous agent safeguards priceless historical materials without exposing them to water damage or harmful residues. At the same time, it provides a people-safe solution for employees, researchers, and visitors occupying space.

By choosing INERGEN®, the library gained a fire suppression solution that protects irreplaceable cultural assets while minimizing environmental impact.