Halon

AuxiliaryComms · Post by **AuxiliaryComms** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:50 pm

While looking for my missing drainhole, I paid a bit of attention to my Halon fire extinguisher. The nozzle on it seems to be very corroded and I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling about it going off. It doesn't look to be connected to anything so it should just be a matter of taking it out of the bracket but I wanted to make sure.

Should I take any special precautions for removing it and is there a special place I'll have to dispose of it?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 6:38 pm

Check with your local fire house .I still have one on my boat in good shape . I wish they still made them . .

chumwithabottleofrum · Thu Dec 25, 2008 6:57 pm

Halon is one of the chemicals that were banned under the Montreal Protocol-it is a CFC (Freon type material) and it's illegal to possess it in the US as a fire supression chemical as on 2003. You can take it to any company that disposes of chemicals and they can take care of it for you. (CFCs were\are suspected to be destroying the earth's ozone layer and their production, distribution and possession were regulated in 1987 via the Montreal Protocol-an international agreement that phased out CFCs).

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:21 pm

well mine stays .( both a survyer and CG aux reccmend I hold on to it ) both newport news and hampton have a no questions asked program a few times a year were they take stuff like this .

AuxiliaryComms · Post by **AuxiliaryComms** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:27 pm

I'm pretty sure some boats under federal agencies have Halon systems in their engine rooms. I just know it can be nasty stuff (to my health, not the environment). Two members of our Aux flotilla are volunteer firemen though so I'll have to ask them too.

chumwithabottleofrum · Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:30 pm

here's the link to the epa's webpage
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/snap/fire/qa.html
If I read it correctly you're probably okay with halon for use as a marine fire suppression system.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:43 pm

I though is was illegal also. but I just learn something

heres another link http://www.periphman.com/fire/halon-fir ... .shtml#qA2

It is still legal to have halon . in fact you can buy it reclycled

from the EPA link

"Must I now dismantle my halon fire protection system?
No. It is legal to continue to use your existing halon system. It is even legal to purchase recycled halon and halon produced before the phaseout to recharge your system. "