Halons are gaseous or easily vaporized halocarbons used primarily for fire and explosion protection and are listed as Group II, Class I ozone-depleting substances ODSs) under 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart A. Section 608 of the CAA directs EPA to issue regulations that reduce the use and emissions of ozone-depleting substances to the lowest achievable level and that maximize the recapture and recycling of such substances.
Despite their effectiveness as a fire fighting agent, halons are among the most ozone-depleting chemicals in use today. With 0.2 ozone-depleting potential (ODP) representing the threshold for classification as a Class I substance, Halon 1301 has an estimated ODP of 10, Halon 2402 an estimated ODP of 6, and Halon 1211 an estimated ODP of 3.
Several existing federal regulations address halons. The new production of halons has been banned in the U.S. since January 1, 1994. More recently, EPA issued a rule on March 5, 1998 (63 FR 11084), under the authority of Section 608 of the CAA, establishing certain practices and requirements relative to halons, including training requirements for technicians who handle halon-containing equipment; and prohibitions on releases of halons during technician training and during the testing, maintenance, repair, servicing, and disposal of halons and halon-containing equipment. The March 5, 1998 rule also provided for the proper disposal of halons and halon-containing equipment.
General Fire Equipment is one of the few companies in the region with our own complete Halon 1211 Recovery System. We therefore fully comply with the latest additions of NFPA 10 and the Guidance for EPA Halon Emission Reduction Rule. We also have full Halontron and Ansul CleanGuard recovery systems.