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Halon phase-out - the facts

Many misconceptions exist regarding the actual situation in Halon fire extinguishing agents. Here, the FDIA attempts to simplify the situation by providing information on the European Community's actions.

Conscious that the deadline for the decommissioning of existing Halon systems is fast approaching, European companies are taking every possible step to enable them to comply with the relevant EC regulations.

Halon 1301 is a chemical gas with properties that make it an ideal extinguishant; however, its position within a family of chemicals that can damage the Earth's ozone layer led to it being phased out of production in January 1994 under the terms of the Montreal Protocol.

Ever-increasing environmental concern in Europe has now made it such that with effect from 1 October 2000, it became illegal to transfer Halon in bulk to destinations outside the European Union.

Shipment of the gas between EU member states may only take place when it is destined for a region which has insufficient Halon to meet the 'critical' requirements.

A revision to European Regulation 3093/94, controlling the use of 'Ozone-depleting substances', will shortly be introduced to demand, among other requirements, the 'decommissioning' of existing Halon systems. Under draft Regulation Article 4.4 Halons can only be 'used' until 31 December 2001 (use includes refilling and maintenance). After that date system owners will not be able to have their systems or extinguishers refilled.

There is an exemption to the above for a limited list of critical uses, which will be reviewed each year. Apart from this list, all Halon installations must be replaced by 21 December 2003, the recovered product destroyed or recycled for critical uses.

Although the above moves are being conducted in Europe, it must be remembered that South Africa is a signatory of the Montreal Protocol and SABS desires to follow the European lead. South Africa does have a Halon bank that can assist with these moves.

For further details contact the FDIA, tel: (011) 496 1701.

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