What Alternatives Are There?
There are a number of traditional fire extinguishing agents, such as water, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals, and foam that are good alternatives to halons for many applications. In addition, recent research has led to the commercialization of new agents and technologies. These fall into four basic categories: halocarbon compounds; inert gas mixtures; water-mist or fogging systems; and powdered aerosols. The growing list of alternatives to halon, in conjunction with advanced detection and fire resistant materials, provides protection from a broad spectrum of potential hazards. For more information on halon replacement agents, see the March 1996 report (revision 12) of the EPA Questions and Answers on Halon and their Substitutes, or contact HARC.
What Is HARC?
The Halon Alternatives Research Corporation (HARC) was formed to focus efforts for finding suitable alternatives for the halons used in fire fighting. It is also the major industry association providing information to the user community on halon-related issues. HARC has facilitated and encouraged the involvement of the fire protection community in environmentally responsible activities, including:
- Coordinated development of an Industry Code of Practice for the best use of recycled halon.
- Assisted in development of EPA Public Education Brochures.
- Sponsored major conferences on aviation fire safety and alternative technologies.
- Sponsored workshop on toxicological issues related to halocarbon replacements.
- Sponsored research on halon bank management leading to the formation of the Halon Recycling Corporation (HRC).
HARC is now in its seventh year, and during that time has developed a unique, cooperative working relationship with government agencies concerned with the halon/CFC issue. For more information contact HARC at the telephone or fax numbers listed in this brochure.
Can Halon Be Recycled?
Unlike aluminum cans or newspapers, once halon is released it is virtually impossible to recover. If halon is still contained in cylinders retired from service or if a container is leaking, the halon can be recovered for reuse. In fact, some halon distributors and users have been doing this for many years, long before halon emissions were identified as an environmental problem. Current legislation prohibits the production or importation of new Halon 1211, 1301, or 2402 into the U.S. Recycled halon is now the only source of supply.
It can be obtained from a number of sources, including fire equipment distributors and independent recylclers. Industry, in conjunction with EPA, formed a non-profit organization to assist in halon recycling. The Halon Recycling Corporation (HRC) acts as a facilitating organization by providing information services to match companies who have a surplus of halon with those companies who have an ongoing need for the fire fighting agent. For more information contact HRC at the telephone or fax number listed in this brochure.