![]() ![]() Is Halon still legal?īecause Halon is a CFC, the production of Halon ceased on January 1, 1994, under the Clean Air Act. However, foams are inferior to Halon in that they do require cleanup and in that they are not for use on electrical fires. However, they are highly corrosive, and create billowing clouds of choking dust dry chemical extinguishers should not be used in an aviation environment.įoam extinguishers are effective on class A and B fires, and are particularly useful for preventing ignition of flammable liquid spills. Also, unlike CO2, there is no danger of "cold shocking" avionics or other sensitive electrical equipment.ĭry chemical fire extinguishers are effective on A, B and C class fires. Even for the toughest fires, less than an 8% concentration of Halon by volume is required, leaving plenty of air to use in the evacuation process. Unlike CO2, however, Halon does not displace the air out of the area where it is dispensed. ![]() Halon is similar to CO2 in that it is suitable for use in cold weather and leaves no residue. Halon is effective on common combustibles (although not as effective as water), but Halon is also effective on class B (flammable liquids), and it does not conduct electricity back to the extinguisher operator (class C). Water is very effective on class A fires (common combustibles like wood and paper). It actually interrupts the chain reaction of fire. ![]() It offers some of water's cooling effect and some of carbon dioxide's smothering action, but its essential extinguishing technique lies in its capacity to chemically react with the fire's components. Halon differs in the way it puts out the fire. The most common extinguishing agents like water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical and foams attack the fire physically to deprive the fire of one or more of the three critical elements needed for propagation. 2. Why is Halon the best choice?įire needs three elements to prosper: fuel, oxygen and heat. Therefore, recycling and reusing the existing supply intelligently and responsibly to protect lives and property is the wisest solution. There is no cost effective means of safely and effectively disposing of the Halon. Halon protects computer and communication rooms throughout the electronics industry it has numerous military applications on ships, aircraft and tanks and helps ensure safety on all commercial aircraft.īecause Halon is a CFC, production of new Halon ceased in 1994. Halon has been used for fire and explosion protection throughout the 20th century, and remains an integral part of the safety plans in many of today's manufacturing, electronic and aviation companies. It stops the fuel, the ignition and the oxygen from dancing together by chemically reacting with them."Ī key benefit of Halon, as a clean agent, is its ability to extinguish fire without the production of residues that could damage the assets being protected. Halon adds a fourth dimension to fire fighting - breaking the chain reaction. Traditionally, to stop a fire you need to remove one side of the triangle - the ignition, the fuel or the oxygen. The first ingredient is fuel (anything that can burn), the second is oxygen (normal breathing air is ample) and the last is an ignition source (high heat can cause a fire even without a spark or open flame). According to the Halon Alternative Research Corporation: "Three things must come together at the same time to start a fire. Halon is an extraordinarily effective fire extinguishing agent, even at low concentrations. Halon 1211 and Halon 1301 are low-toxicity, chemically stable compounds that, as long as they remain contained in cylinders, are easily recyclable. Halon is rated for class "B" (flammable liquids) and "C" (electrical fires), but it is also effective on class "A" (common combustibles) fires. Halon 1211 (a liquid streaming agent) and Halon 1301 (a gaseous flooding agent) leave no residue and are remarkably safe for human exposure. Halon is a liquefied, compressed gas that stops the spread of fire by chemically disrupting combustion. Halon is a "Clean Agent." The National Fire Protection Association defines, a "Clean Agent" as "an electrically non-conducting, volatile, or gaseous fire extinguishant that does not leave a residue upon evaporation." ![]()
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