Table of Contents
- 1 How does a halon fire extinguisher work?
- 2 When would you use a halon fire extinguisher?
- 3 What is halon type fire extinguisher?
- 4 Does halon remove oxygen from the air?
- 5 What is a disadvantage of halon fire extinguishers?
- 6 Why was halon discontinued?
- 7 How do you know if you have a Halon fire extinguisher?
- 8 Can a Halon fire extinguisher be used in the Channel Tunnel?
How does a halon fire extinguisher work?
Halons are electrically non-conducting and have been acknowledged as the most effective universal extinguishing agent for aircraft use. They work mainly by chemically interrupting the reaction described as the ‘Fire Triangle’ (Fuel-Oxygen-Heat) which must be sustained for a fire to continue.
When would you use a halon fire extinguisher?
Halon Fire Extinguishers are recommended for protection of delicate, sensitive and expensive computers, electrical equipment, tapes and film, automotive and aircraft engines, laboratory chemicals and equipment. Halon Extinguishers can also be used in bedrooms, home offices, home kitchens, cars, and garages.
What type of fires can halon be used on?
Halon is one of the most effective fire suppression agents available today. It can be used for Class A, B and C fires with great effect. When it comes to Class D fires however; Halon should never be used.
Which gas is used in halon extinguisher?
Bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF), also referred to by the code numbers Halon 1211 and Freon 12B1, is a haloalkane with the chemical formula CF2ClBr….Bromochlorodifluoromethane.
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name Bromo(chloro)difluoromethane | |
| Other names Bromochlorodifluoromethane Halon 1211 Halon 1211 BCF BCF Freon 12B1 | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 353-59-3 |
What is halon type fire extinguisher?
Definition. Halons are fire extinguishing agents which are gaseous when discharged in the aircraft environment. Halon 1301 is used only in fixed extinguisher installations typically cargo holds or engines and is a total flooding agent.
Does halon remove oxygen from the air?
Contrary to popular belief, Halon does not remove oxygen from the air, but rather reacts with all elements of a fire. When Halon is discharged, it breaks the chemical chain reaction. This accounts for most of its fire fighting properties. The other properties come from the cooling effect of the expanding gas.
Where are used in halon fire extinguisher?
Halon 1301 is used only in fixed extinguisher installations typically cargo holds or engines and is a total flooding agent.
Which fire extinguisher is being used now days as replacement of halon extinguisher?
FE-36TM (Hydrofluorocarbon-236fa or HFC-236fa) is another “clean agent” replacement for Halon 1211. This DuPont-manufactured substance is available commercially in Cleanguard® extinguishers. The FE-36 agent is less toxic than both Halon 1211 and Halotron I.
What is a disadvantage of halon fire extinguishers?
Disadvantages: Generally >35% concentration by volume required for total flooding system. Toxic to humans at >4% by volume. Not the best agent for smoldering deep-seated fires (maintain concentration for >20 minutes)
Why was halon discontinued?
In 1994, halon production ceased in developed countries after scientific evidence suggested that halon contributes to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. While potential replacement chemicals have been proposed, none of them meet all of the stringent performance requirements for aviation.
Why are halon fire extinguishers illegal?
Halon fire extinguishers are now illegal in the UK, due to the damaging effect the fire extinguishing agent has on the Earth’s ozone layer. There are only three main exceptions to this rule; Halon fire extinguishers can be used in aircraft, for military use, and in the Channel Tunnel.
How does a halon system work?
How do you know if you have a Halon fire extinguisher?
When you need it most. How do I know if I have a halon fire extinguisher? Halon fire extinguishers are generally colour coded yellow. Since 1997, fire extinguishers in Australia are generally red with a coloured band near the neck of the extinguisher. This means halon fire extinguishers should stand out clearly in your workplace or home.
Can a Halon fire extinguisher be used in the Channel Tunnel?
There are only three main exceptions to this rule; Halon fire extinguishers can be used in aircraft, for military use, and in the Channel Tunnel. Although most halon fire extinguishers are painted green or red with a green area at the top of the label, to confuse matters, British Rail had theirs painted yellow…
When was the Halon fire extinguisher made illegal?
Halon Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems. Halon 1301 (pronounced thirteen-Oh-one) was used as the fire-extinguishing agent in some fixed fire protection systems, and this too was made illegal in 1999. All Halon-based protection systems and portable fire extinguishers were required to be decommissioned by 31 December 2003.
What do fire extinguishers look like in Australia?
Halon fire extinguishers are generally colour coded yellow. Since 1997, fire extinguishers in Australia are generally red with a coloured band near the neck of the extinguisher. This means halon fire extinguishers should stand out clearly in your workplace or home. I have a halon fire extinguisher, what do I do?