After 31 December 2003, all Halon systems must have been decommissioned and the Halon itself must have been disposed of by an approved contractor

Chubb Fire can help you decommission existing systems and select a suitable alternative

All you need to know

DEADLINE: 31 DECEMBER 2002

It is now illegal to recharge a Halon Fixed Fire Extinguishing System. Call the Halon Hotline on 01932 777265 for advice and further information.

Halon

Halon has been an effective extinguishant used in fire suppression systems since the 1950s and thousands of companies have entrusted their most valuable computer and high tech manufacturing facilities to its care. Unfortunately, Halons used in fire fighting equipment have the highest ozone-depleting potential of any chemicals in common use. 150 countries agreed in the Montreal Protocol to control the use of all ozone depleting chemicals and Halon was one of the first to be banned.

31 December 2002 is the last day that existing Halon systems may be recharged with Halon. So after this date, if the system discharges it is effectively useless. As there is currently no drop in replacement, businesses may find that the equipment the system was protecting is vulnerable to the risk of fire until a new system can be purchased and installed.

After 31 December 2003, all Halon systems must have been decommissioned and the Halon itself must have been disposed of by an approved contractor.

Important Dates

150 countries agreed in the Montreal Protocol to control the use of all ozone-depleting chemicals, and Halon was one of the first to be considered.  As a result of Montreal, the following steps were taken to eliminate Halon from common use:

31 DECEMBER 1993

The manufacture of Halon is banned. Recycled Halon can be used to recharge systems but all Halon being recycled needs to be tracked to prove its origins.
Halon retains some commercial value as recycled Halon is a commodity in demand.

1999 EUROPEAN REGULATION EC/5748

Formulated a timetable to phase out the use of Halon altogether and to govern the collection and destruction of both Halon 1301 (typically used in fixed systems) and 1211 (found in hand held extinguishers).

31 DECEMBER 2002

The last day that existing Halon systems may be recharged with recycled or reclaimed Halon.  After this date, if a Halon suppression system discharges it is effectively useless. The equipment it is designed to protect will be vulnerable until a new system can be purchased, installed and commissioned.

31 DECEMBER 2003

By this date all existing Halon systems must have been decommissioned and the Halon itself must have been disposed of by an approved contractor. Halon portable extinguishers must also be taken out of service by this date. Although Halon systems are still permitted in certain specialist applications (mainly military*) the export of Halon is severely restricted. Halon therefore now has a negative value, requiring certified disposal.

Protecting your assets

By its nature, Halon was used to protect highly sensitive and valuable equipment.  Since the end of 2002 these assets are now vulnerable. Should any system discharge either by accident or to deal with a fire incident it is illegal to recharge it. Until a new system can be purchased, installed and commissioned your most valuable equipment will be unprotected.

There is no true 'drop in' replacement for Halon currently available, so selecting an alternative will require careful planning, including a review of practical alternatives and acomplete redesign of the existing system.

Where protection of vital equipment is reliant upon a Halon system, it is unlikely that insurance cover will be obtained after 2002 since this protection cannot be regarded as a permanent solution. Insurance cover may be dependent upon an agreed timetable for the replacement of the Halon system.

Your responsibilities - to the environment

Users of Halon are responsible for its safe disposal under waste management controls included in:

• Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994
• The Environmental Protection Act 1990

The effect of these regulations is to require holders of waste to take all reasonable steps to keep the waste safe and ensure it is treated legally. Anyone concerned with controlled waste must ensure it is managed properly, recovered and disposed of safely. It must only be transferred to someone who is authorised to receive it.

Proof may be required, so it is essential that the decommissioning of a Halon system is accompanied by an audit trail which provides a standard certification procedure to confirm that the Halon has been disposed of in a properly authorised fashion. Chubb is licensed to perform this function and provides a standard system of certification.

Halon decommissioning

Between now and eventual decommissioning of your Halon system Chubb can help you at every step of the way. Chubb is accredited with ISO 9001 and will complete all transactions and steps below inaccordance with this accreditation.

The decommissioning of your Halon system requires the following actions to be taken:

CONDUCT FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Finding an effective alternative to Halon is no longer a choice, it is a necessity. This may mean a complete change in fire protection strategy for your premises. Chubb, with over 100 years of experience of providing fire fighting equipment, will conduct a complete risk assessment to identify a new system that is technically capable of protecting the risk, and will evaluate individual requirements of the project.

DESIGN AND PLAN NEW SYSTEM
Following the risk assessment, Chubb will design and plan a new system, ensuring that new fire fighting equipment ensures adequate protection required by Fire Safety Regulations applying to the site.

Chubb will also provide information on the implications of the new system relating to the relevant Health and Safety and COSHH guidelines.

REMOVE AND SAFELY DESTROY EXISTING HALON
Chubb can remove and safely destroy Halon from your existing system and provide youwith the certification to confirm that disposal has been completed in accordance with current environmental regulations.

DECOMMISSION HALON SYSTEM AND INSTALL NEW SYSTEM
Chubb's installation engineers will decommission your old system and install the new system.

Chubb will issue you with a Certificate of Conformity to confirm that the firefighting equipment is ready for use and provides adequate protection for your premises as required by Fire Safety Regulations applying to your site.

ONGOING SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Chubb can offer integrity testing (recommended annually) in accordance with BS ISO 14520 of your protected areas to check the room's continued capacity to hold gas.

Chubb can offer bi-annual servicing of fire fighting equipment (including third party equipment, not just our own) to maintain the performance of the system.

Useful Contacts

For comprehensive advice on the selection and installation of Halon replacement systems, contact Chubb:

Halon Telephone Hotline: 01932 777265
E-mail: halon@chubb.co.uk

Other useful contacts are:

Halon Users National Consortium Ltd
Global House, College Street, Petersfield, Hants, GU13 4ADT
Tel: 01730 264040
Fax: 01730 269042
Website: www.hunc.org

Environment Agency Head Office
Public Enquiries
Tel: 01454 624411
Fax: 01454 624014
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

DTI Environmental publications
ADMAIL 528, London, SW1W 8YTT
Tel: 0870 1502500
Fax: 0870 1502333
Website: www.dti.gov.uk

Remember:NO ACTION IS NOT AN OPTION

Deadline: 31 DECEMBER 2002