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Fire Suppression and Explosion Protection
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more.
Key Documents
List of all Substitutes for Fire Suppression (PDF) (15 pp, 67K)
Fire suppression and explosion protection have used halons in many applications because they are electrically non-conductive, dissipate rapidly without residue, are safe for limited human exposure, and are extremely efficient in extinguishing most types of fires. Because of their strong ozone depletion potential, the Montreal Protocol required the earliest production and import phaseout of halons in the U.S. in 1994.
End Uses
- Total Flooding Agents are where a specific concentration of extinguishing agent is achieved in an enclosed area by discharge of an automatic system. SNAP has approved alternatives for halon 1301.
- Streaming Applications are where and extinguishing agent is directed to a fire using portable fire extinguishers. SNAP has approved alternatives for halon 1211.
- Halon Substitute Manufacturers
Publications
- Review of the Transition Away from Halons in U.S. Civil Aviation Applications (PDF) (47 pp, 326K)
- Report reviews the continuing use of ozone-depleting halons in civil aviation fire extinguishing systems, examines current FAA standards and testing requirements for the halon alternatives, identifies and discusses potential barriers to adoption of the alternatives, and makes recommendations to support the transition away from halons for this sector of use.
Fire Suppression and Explosion Protection
- Review of the Use of Carbon Dioxide Total Flooding Fire Extinguishing Systems (PDF) (54 pp, 441K)
- A report that provides information on the growing use of carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems, particularly in the marine market, considers the personnel safety risks from use in occupied areas, and compares these systems to halon and other halon alternatives.
- Status of Industry Efforts to Replace Halon Fire Extinguishing Agents (PDF) (54 pp, 464K)
- A report on the progress U.S. industry and government are making in employing non-ozone depleting alternatives to halons in the fire protection sector.
- Carbon Dioxide as a Fire Suppressant: Examining the Risks
- An EPA report that provides information on the use and effectiveness of carbon dioxide in fire protection systems.