Fixed fire suppression systems protect critical infrastructure and assets. They rely on high-pressure cylinders filled with agents like CO₂, FM-200™, NOVEC™ 1230, and Halons. Over time, cylinders can leak, so regulations require checks every 6 months to ensure proper agent levels.

The Portamarine® is designed to measure liquid levels across a broad range of fluids, with its main use focused on fire suppression systems. It is particularly suited for verifying agent levels within fire extinguishing cylinders.

Commonly measured agents include:

• CO₂

• FM‑200™ (standard cylinder sizes)

• NOVEC™ 1230 (standard cylinder sizes)

• Halon‑based agents

• FE‑13™

• FE‑25™

• NAF S III™

• Most widely used Clean Agent fire suppression systems

This versatility makes the Portamarine® suitable for routine inspection and maintenance of the majority of fixed fire protection installations.

The Portamarine® is capable of determining the position of the liquid level to within ±1.5 mm of the true level inside the cylinder. When this measured level is converted into agent weight using the Portasteele® Calculator, the calculated results achieve an accuracy of within 1%.

The Portamarine® is designed for use across a wide range of cylinder dimensions, offering excellent flexibility for different applications. An extensive selection of compatible units is available, capable of measuring cylinders with diameters from as small as 10 cm to in excess of 15 metres.

Because requirements vary depending on cylinder size and application, users are encouraged to contact us to identify the most suitable Portamarine® solution for their specific needs.

No specialist gel is required. Any standard ultrasonic coupling gel—commonly available from pharmacies or medical suppliers—can be used, and petroleum jelly is also suitable. Plain water may be used as an alternative; however, in high‑temperature environments it evaporates quickly and must be reapplied frequently to maintain effective coupling.

No. When CO₂ is exposed to temperatures above approximately 31 °C, it transitions into a supercritical fluid state. In this condition, there is no clear separation between liquid and gas, meaning a defined liquid level no longer exists and cannot be measured.

For this reason, CO₂ cylinders must be tested at temperatures below this threshold to obtain valid results. We recommend carrying out CO₂ level checks in cooler conditions. If you operate in hot climates and require guidance on suitable CO₂ monitoring solutions, please contact us for further advice.

The Portamarine® is supplied with an extension rod that enables safe and effective measurement of cylinders installed in banked configurations. This accessory allows liquid level testing of cylinders positioned up to four rows deep, eliminating the need to reposition or dismantle the installation.

Yes, elevated temperatures can influence other fire suppression agents; however, Clean Agents are generally much more stable at higher temperatures than CO₂. While an increase in temperature will cause the liquid level to rise, the effect is significantly less pronounced than with CO₂. As a result, liquid level measurements can still be carried out reliably for most Clean Agent systems, even in warmer conditions.

Yes. The Portamarine® is specifically engineered to operate accurately even when a siphon (dip) tube is present inside the cylinder, so its presence does not prevent reliable liquid level measurement.