Patent ID: 7594545

Claim:
A system for maintaining a hypoxic environment within a space comprising: at least one nitrogen supply device for supplying nitrogen; a distribution system coupled to said at least one nitrogen supply device for distributing said nitrogen throughout said space; at least one oxygen monitoring device; at least one pressure relief device for performing at least one of the group consisting of relieving excess pressure in said hypoxic environment, positively pressurizing said hypoxic environment relative to an environment located external to said space, maintaining a static pressure of said space, and combinations thereof; at least one pressure monitoring device for measuring a pressure within said space; a control system coupled to said at least one nitrogen supply device, said at least one oxygen monitoring device, said at least one pressure relief device, and said at least one pressure monitoring device, said control system programmed to monitor said hypoxic environment and control said at least one nitrogen supply device and said at least one pressure relief device such that said hypoxic environment is maintained at a predetermined oxygen concentration setpoint and at a predetermined pressure setpoint; and at least one fire detection device coupled to said control system for detecting a fire prior to an ignition of said fire, wherein said at least one nitrogen supply device minimizes nitrogen storage by supplying nitrogen generated from compressed air.