FAQs Clean Agent Fire Protection & Halon
Whatever you need to know about Halon, we can help. Take a look at our frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, contact the A-Gas team.
Halon is a fire suppressant agent found in both Fire Suppression Systems (Halon 1301) and in handheld Fire Extinguishers (Halon 1211). This is the most effective extinguishing agent available. Halon is a clean agent, which means it leaves no residue when used, so it causes no damage to your property.
The use of Halon is not banned, but rather the manufacturing of Halon globally, because of its Ozone Depleting properties. In 1987 the Montreal Protocol found Halon was damaging the environment.
Halon is still used in many applications. From protecting computer rooms throughout the electronics industry to numerous military applications on ships and even on commercial aircraft, Halon is an integral and unparalleled fire-extinguishing agent. Halon 1211 fire extinguishers play a vital role in protecting peoples’ lives and their property, including homes, automobiles, and boats.
Contrary to popular belief, Halon does not remove oxygen from the air, but rather it reacts with all elements of a fire. When Halon is discharged, it breaks the chemical chain reaction. This accounts for most of its fire-fighting properties. The other properties come from the cooling effect of the expanding gas. Because of this, Halon can be safely used in an occupied space.
Popular replacements for Halon 1211 are HFC-236fa and Halotron® 1. View the complete list of Streaming Agents on the US EPA's website.
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We have the following storage containers available for Halon 1211, Halon 1301, HFC-227ea, HFC-125, and HFC-236fa:
- 50 lb.
- 100 lb.
- 150 lb.
- 200 lb.
- 300 lb.
- 500 lb.
- 1000 lb.
- 1 ton (2000 lb.)
HRC Voluntary Code of Practice is an ethical code of practice for reclaimers of Halon. This Code of Practice has been developed to assure the public that HRC Enrolled Sellers engaged in the business of Halon recycling and recovery are operating in a manner that promotes safe and environmentally responsible Halon reclamation. View the HRC Code of Practice here.
Laboratory Certifications are proof that an agent has been tested and approved for passing the industry-accepted standards (i.e. ISO-7201 or ASTM-D5632, Type 1 or Type 2). It is standard practice that every cylinder or bulk tank of agent supplied by A-Gas has a laboratory certification.
A-Gas established a comprehensive Halocarbon Management Program in response to our customer’s environmental and fire protection needs. We purchase, reclaim, and sell recycled halocarbons, meeting or exceeding all industry standards. We only sell to “critical users” and strictly follow all regulations and laws regarding the safe handling and transportation of halogenated agents.
A-Gas can also help you dispose of your Halon. Occasionally, owners of ozone-depleting chemicals may select destruction as a preferable option, especially if their corporate policies require permanent disposal of all ODSs (Ozone Depleting Substances), Class 1 CFCs, and Halons. A-Gas stands ready to accept these unwanted agents for destruction. This program is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and can achieve destruction efficiencies up to 99.9999%.
Recycled Halons are used Halons cleaned by means of filtration, distillation, separation, or other mechanical processes. As a result, our finished product meets the standards as set forth in ISO 7201 or ASTM D5632, Type 1 or Type 2. A-Gas can assist sellers wishing to dispose of Halon in an environmentally friendly manner, as well as, assist buyers with “critical needs” who require Halon 1211 and 1301 for recharging their existing systems. A-Gas operates a comprehensive Halocarbon Bank Management Program which meets all requirements of the EPA’s 1990 Clean Air Act, as well as, the HARC code of practice.
Absolutely you can buy used Halon. But when you buy a system container of Halon which has not been recycled and/or laboratory tested, you cannot be assured of what is in it. A-Gas takes great pride in selling only recycled and laboratory-certified products. Always demand laboratory certifications for each tank and/or cylinder containing Halon. Visit NFPA for guidelines for refilling Halon.
A-Gas does not sell fire suppression systems, but we do sell the gases which go inside of these systems, as well as the service to refill the tanks. Agents like HFC-227ea, HFC-125, NOVEC™ 1230, and Halon 1301.
Clean agents are non-conductive, non-corrosive, and do not leave behind a residue. They are most often used in systems that protect irreplaceable or high-value products such as data centers, museums, power plants, etc.
Yes, A-Gas still offers Halon recharges and is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
We can supply the gasses to refill extinguishers, as well as decant any extinguisher. Unfortunately, we do not provide filling services for Halon fire extinguishers at this time.