HARC is a non-profit trade association formed in 1989 to promote the development and approval of environmentally acceptable halon alternatives. HARC serves as a facilitating organization and information clearinghouse on issues related to halon replacement, halon recycling, and halon regulation. If you would like to receive the kind of information contained in this Home Page on a regular basis, consider membership in HARC.

Focus on Climate Change

Key decisions related to the regulation of greenhouse gases are likely to be made by local, national, and international governments over the next few years. These policies could influence the cost and availability of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), leading agents for special hazard fire protection. They could also influence the cost and availability of recycled halons that are still needed for critical fire protection uses. No other organization is more keyed into the climate change issue than HARC. For more information, download the new HARC brochure (PDF, 172 KB) or go to What’s New.

HARC

Voluntary Code of Practice for the Reduction of Emissions of HFC And PFC Fire Protection Agents

The voluntary code of practice for the reduction of emissions of HFC and PFC fire protection agents (VCOP) is an important environmental initiative of the fire protection industry and the Environmental Protection Agency aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases used as fire protection agents. For more information, please click here (PDF, 307 KB).

HFC Emissions Estimating Program

In conjunction with the VCOP, the fire protection industry has implemented a voluntary data collection effort called the HFC Emissions Estimating Program (HEEP). HEEP collects data on sales of extinguishing agents for recharge as a way to estimate annual emissions of HFCs and PFCs from the fire protection industry.

EPA Ozone Protection Progress Report

The US Environmental Protection Agency recently released a progress report to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol entitled Achievements in Stratospheric Ozone Protection. The achievements of the fire protection industry in phasing out halons and minimizing emissions of alternatives are highlighted on pages 16-17 and 23.