UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT HALON


Halotron BRX new replacement for required CABIN extinguishers. Halotron BrX™ (2-BTP) is a unique solution for Halon 1211 extinguishers. These extinguishers utilize Halotron BrX and are considered the next generation of aviation extinguisher. BrX is a low GWP (Global Warming Potential) and approved for use on commercial aircraft.


Halotron BrX is a UL, ISO, EN, EASA and FAA compliant Halon 1211 alternative.


About Halon


Halons are powerful ozone-depleting chemicals containing a chemical called bromine. These products have been successfully used in fire protection for decades.


They are considered a controlled product under what is called the Montreal Protocol (1994).


As the search continues for replacement, versions of Halon are still used in aviation and military applications. After military applications, aviation is the largest use of halons and is increasing.


The diminishing supply of halon, combined with the uncertainty surrounding suitable alternatives, has created uncertainty in the aviation sector.


Management of halon reserves is critical for the aviation sector to maintain supply of halon to meet global fire protection needs as the lengthy process of identifying and implementing safe and effective alternatives happens.


There are different types of halon and halon mixed gasses. Halon 1211 is used in aviation for cabin handheld portable fire extinguishers. Halon 1301 is used for in-built lavatory trash receptacles extinguishers (lavex), engine nacelles/auxiliary power units and cargo compartments on aircraft.


The Montreal Protocol phased out the production in 1994 Recycling remains the sole source of halons for fire protection applications where alternatives are still under development.


The search for aviation halon alternatives more than 2 decades ago.These alternatives must meet stringent fire standards, safety and toxicity requirements, satisfy weight and size restrictions, and pass prescribed certification tests. The process and timelines are lengthy for development and certification of successful alternatives: the duration from new design aircraft certification to aircraft production is about 10 years. These factors narrow the pool of prospective fire protection agents and lengthen the duration of the search for and introduction of successful candidates.


Non-halon fire protection agents in aviation are now being fitted in new aircraft and in existing older aircraft where retrofit is feasible.


These alternatives include high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbon chemicals (HFCs): HFC-227ea and HFC-236fa. For a lav application, these two HFCs are the only alternatives to halon 1301 currently available.


Acceptable alternatives to halon 1301 are not available for larger fire protection systems on aircraft, i.e., engine nacelles/auxiliary power units and cargo compartments.


Alternative fire suppression systems for aircraft engine nacelle and auxiliary power units or cargo compartments face many hurdles in their development.


Potential alternative agents are in early stages of qualification. With no currently available non-halon agents for cargo compartments and engine/auxiliary power units, halon 1301 is still likely to be installed in new production aircraft for the next 20-40 years.


Inflight Fire and Smoke 14


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