Rapid refilling for all suppression gas types

CO2 cylinders prepped at our Flint facility — typical fast turnaround

When a fire suppression system discharges, getting it back into service quickly is critical. LyonTech Engineering maintains one of the largest stocks of fire suppressant gases in the UK, allowing us to turn around the majority of refilling jobs within approximately approximately 3 working days for refills, or typically around 14 working days for full service exchange.

We supply and refill all major suppression gas types direct from our facility in Flint, North Wales, with next-day despatch available for stocked gases anywhere in the UK and worldwide.

Gases we supply and refill

• Halon 1301 and Halon 1211 (licensed supply)
• HFC227ea — FM200®
• FK5-1-12 — Novec™ 1230
• HFC125 — FE-25™
• IG541 — Inergen®
• IG55 — Argonite®
• IG100 — Nitrogen
• IG01 — Argon
• CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
• Watermist systems

Service exchange programme

Our service exchange programme is the most complete option for maintaining your fire suppression system. Rather than simply refilling your existing cylinder, we supply you with a fully overhauled, tested and filled replacement from our stock. Your original cylinder is returned to our Flint facility where it undergoes full valve refurbishment, hydrostatic pressure testing, repainting and re-labelling before being added to our exchange stock.

Service exchange jobs typically take typically around 14 working days — reflecting the thoroughness of the process. This is the right choice for cylinders due for pressure testing, those showing wear, or where a complete compliance record is required.

Full refurbishment included

All cylinders we refill are pressure-tested to the current standard, repainted, and have all valve seals replaced with compliant parts to the appropriate standard. Every completed cylinder is checked for leaks before despatch.

Our cylinders

Aviation and specialist sectors

LyonTech has specific experience in aviation fire suppression systems, supplying and refilling gases used in engine bay, APU and cargo hold protection systems on commercial and military aircraft. We understand the compliance requirements and documentation demands of this sector.

Mandatory 10-year pressure testing

Fire suppression cylinders installed across the UK are legally required to undergo hydrostatic pressure testing every 10 years. With thousands of systems reaching this milestone each year, LyonTech provides a specialist refurbishment service to keep your systems compliant and in service.

Every valve is stripped, inspected and rebuilt with compliant seals to the appropriate standard

Our refurbishment process

• Cylinder emptied and gas safely recovered
• Full external inspection and surface preparation
• Valve removed, stripped and all seals replaced with compliant components to the appropriate standard
• Cylinder hydrostatic pressure-tested to current standard
• Cylinder repainted and re-labelled
• Refilled with new gas to the required specification
• Final leak test and quality check before return

Cylinder exchange — back in service faster

Over 20 years of operation, we have built up an extensive stock of pressure-tested and refurbished cylinders from all major manufacturers. In most cases, we can provide a direct exchange — delivering a ready-to-install refurbished cylinder while yours undergoes testing. This eliminates system downtime and avoids the cost of a second site visit for reinstallation.

3-day quick turnaround service

If we don't hold an exact stock match for your cylinder, we offer a fast turnaround: we collect the cylinder from site, empty, test, repaint and reassemble it at our works, then return and reinstall — all within approximately approximately 3 working days for refills, or typically around 14 working days for full service exchange.

Protect your gas investment

LyonTech-supplied IG541 (Inergen®) cylinders on an active customer installation

Fire suppression gases — particularly Halon, FM200® and Novec™ 1230 — represent a significant financial asset. When systems are decommissioned, replaced or upgraded, the gas they contain can often be reclaimed, purified and reused rather than destroyed. LyonTech specialises in recovering that value for our clients.

Sectors we serve

• Aviation — engine bay, APU and cargo hold fire suppression systems on commercial and military aircraft
• Defence — vehicle, naval and fixed-installation suppression systems
• Commercial — data centres, server rooms, control rooms and clean agent systems
• Industrial — manufacturing plant, process facilities and specialist installations

Our reclamation process

Our F-Gas certified engineers attend your site to safely remove the suppressant gas from the system into specialist recovery cylinders. The recovered product is then transported to our facility in Flint where it undergoes analysis using our in-house gas chromatography equipment. We then provide a full purity certificate for your records.

If the recovered gas requires purification before reuse, we can process it through our proprietary distillation column — restoring it to a usable specification and returning it to you in certified cylinders.

Full compliance documentation

All gas movements are accompanied by the required F-Gas and hazardous waste documentation. We provide a full chain of custody record from collection to return, meeting the documentation requirements of aviation, defence and commercial clients.

The contamination problem

Contaminated fire suppressant gas is an increasingly common problem. Cross-contamination can occur during refilling, storage or system operation — and out-of-spec gas must be removed from service. The traditional approach — blending to dilute contaminants — is slow and imprecise. LyonTech developed a better solution.

Mixed suppression gas manifolds — contamination and cross-mixing is exactly what our distillation column corrects

Our proprietary distillation column

In 2008, LyonTech invested in the design and construction of our own purpose-built distillation column — one of only a small number of such facilities in the UK dedicated to fire suppressant gas processing.

The column works by precisely heating the gas mixture to boiling point. Different compounds vaporise at different temperatures, causing them to separate by weight into distinct layers. Lighter contaminants rise to the top; heavier compounds settle at the base. We draw off each fraction individually until only the target gas remains — pure and on-specification.

Why distillation beats blending

• True separation — contaminants are physically removed, not diluted
• Faster processing — significantly quicker than blending to specification
• Verified purity — every batch tested by in-house gas chromatography before release
• More sustainable — maximises gas recovery and reduces waste going to incineration
• Purity certified — full documentation provided on completion

Gases we purify

We process all major fire suppressant gas types including Halon 1301, Halon 1211, HFC227ea (FM200®), FK5-1-12 (Novec™ 1230), HFC125 (FE-25™), and inert gas blends. Typical purification turnaround is 2 weeks.

In-house gas chromatography

Our on-site gas chromatography laboratory allows us to accurately test and monitor the purity of all gases we process. This means every cylinder we return to a customer carries a verified purity certificate — not an estimate.

End-of-life system removal

Typical installed suppression system — we handle decommissioning at any scale

When a fire suppression system reaches the end of its serviceable life, safe and compliant decommissioning is a legal requirement. LyonTech's F-Gas certified engineers handle the entire process — from initial site survey and gas removal through to final disposal and documentation.

Our decommissioning process

• Initial site visit and system evaluation
• Written quotation with fixed pricing
• Scheduled attendance to suit your operations
• F-Gas certified gas removal and safe containerisation
• System disconnection and removal
• Hazardous Waste Consignment Note provided
• Certificate of disposal issued on completion

Regulatory compliance

Halons and HFCs are classified as controlled waste under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. Their disposal must be documented using a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note — which LyonTech provides as standard on every decommission job.

LyonTech Engineering Ltd is registered with the Environment Agency as a Top Tier waste carrier. Our registration number is CBDU7675. We also hold the required Environment Agency licence for Halon 1211 and Halon 1301 — the only fire suppressant gases in the UK requiring a specific licence for supply and handling.

Refurbishment as an alternative

Not all systems that appear to be at end-of-life need decommissioning. In many cases, a full cylinder refurbishment and re-gas can return a system to compliance and extend its service life significantly. We will always assess this option alongside decommissioning and recommend the most cost-effective solution for your situation.

Full range of portable extinguishers

LyonTech stocks and supplies a comprehensive range of portable fire extinguishers for commercial, industrial and specialist applications. All extinguishers are supplied to current British Standard from reputable manufacturers, and we can advise on the right type for your specific risk.

Extinguisher types available

Industrial suppression systems

Beyond portable extinguishers, we supply and service complete fixed fire suppression systems for data centres, server rooms, control rooms, industrial plant and aviation facilities. These use clean agent gases — FM200®, Novec™ 1230, Inergen® and CO2 — that suppress fire without damaging sensitive equipment or leaving residue.

CO2 total-flood suppression — industrial scale

Fixed suppression installation with control panel and piped distribution

Specialist & aviation applications

Our background in suppression gas engineering means we are uniquely placed to advise on specialist extinguisher and suppression requirements — particularly for aviation, data centres, control rooms and industrial facilities where standard extinguisher types may be insufficient or inappropriate.

LyonTech-supplied IG541 on a live Wormald installation

Portable suppression cylinders — multiple sizes stocked

Contact our team with your specific application and we will recommend the correct extinguisher type, quantity and size for your risk — with fast supply from stock.