Halon Replacement FAQs

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If you use a Halon fire suppression system to protect your building from fire, you probably already know that it's the single most effective fire protection solution out there. However, since it has been determined that Halon is destructive to the atmosphere (actually very destructive) there is some tricky regulation surrounding the use and reuse of the fire suppressant.

Q: What's the deal with Halon?

A: Once widely produced due to its incredible fire stopping abilities, new Halon production has been ceased since the gas is such a powerful CFC. Halon gas can be reused many times, however, and Halon recovery plants exist to make used Halon usable again.

Q: Is Halon still legal to use?

A: Yes, provided your building has a Halon fire suppression system that was installed prior to the Clean Air Act of 1994.

Q: How can I recharge my Halon system?

A: Since Halon production has been outlawed, the only way to recharge your Halon fire suppression system after it goes off is by reclaiming the Halon gas after it is discharged. Used Halon goes through a fairly complex reclamation process that includes:
Recovery - actually using a pump to collect the old Halon gas.
Recycling - cleaning the Halon gas through a process of refrigeration and filtration that removes all the contaminants, including oils, moisture, nitrogen and other particulates. After this process, the Halon is basically new and is ready to be reused.
Reclamation - at this point, the Halon gas is filtered, dried, distilled and treated before it is put back into service.

Q: Is it true that it's illegal to test a Halon fire suppression system?

A: Yes and no. The gas itself should be routinely tested via gas chromatography to make sure it stays pure. That said, it is illegal to release any gas in order to test your system. The reason for this is that existing Halon stores are tightly regulated so the actual release of the gas must be limited to times when you need it to put out a fire.

Q: Where is Halon most commonly used?

A: A non-electrically conductive, non-sediment forming gas, Halon has widespread applications for a variety of industries and can be found in vital areas of military operations, including on ships, aircrafts and tanks. Halon systems are also useful in communications rooms, computer rooms and data centers. Many people also use Halon systems for personal use, including in their homes, cars, boats and RVs.