Halons

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Halons are bromochlorofluorocarbons which have been used extensively for fire extinguishing. They are amongst the worst substances known for depletion of the ozone layer. These substances are very effective and it is difficult to find substitutes that are satisfactory for all applications.

For example, computer rooms have to have an extinguishing agent that will not cause damage to the contents, including data storage devices. Obviously, water cannot be used for electrical fires and powder extinguishers would cause malfunctioning. Carbon dioxide gas flooding would be a possibility, except that anyone in the room when the gas was released would be suffocated!

The real problem though is with aircraft and ships. Halons are critical for their safety. However, it was found that most of the use of halons was not for fire-fighting but for testing fire-fighting systems. As these have already been deemed very reliable, rules were brought in to forbid releasing halons during testing. Many countries set up halon banks with unused and recycled products for replenishment of supplies for critical aircraft and ship use. Current halon manufacture is negligible.

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