The temperature in the computer room is being increased from 18°C/64°F to 27°C/81°F.

With Halocarbon fire suppression systems, as the temperature increases, the amount of gas required for effective suppression decreases. This is because Halocarbon agents are stored as a liquid and discharge as a gas, expanding more at higher temperatures. As a result, less agent is needed at higher room temperatures to achieve the desired concentration for fire suppression.

Detailed Explanation:

Halocarbons rely on specific volumetric concentrations to suppress fires. Higher temperatures cause the agent to expand more rapidly, effectively filling the protected area with less agent needed to reach the required concentration. This is in contrast to some other gases, where temperature changes might not have the same effect on discharge quantities.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI data center training on fire suppression indicates that understanding the physical properties of agents like Halocarbons is key for correct system sizing. As the temperature rises, the gas expands more readily, thus requiring adjustments in the amount needed for effective coverage.