1.9	Million Pounds of Halon 1301 reported destroyed between 1996 and 2012
3.2	Million Pounds of Halon 1211 reported destroyed between 1996 and 2012
15.8	Million Pounds of Halon 1301 PRODUCED between 2006 and 2012 purportedly used as Feedstock
94.6	Million Pounds of Halon 1301 existing in the world "bank" as of 2014
72.6	Million Pounds of Halon 1211 existing in the world "bank" as of 2014
21,000	Commercial Airliners in the World Fleet as of 2014
30	Number of years in which commercial aviation will continue to require halons
0	Number of approved replacement chemicals for aviation cargo compartment
3.5 to 6	Number of years from time a replacement agent is found until a Type Certification can be filed (For FAA Approval)

Spotlight On: Dan Dempsey

Dan Dempsey

Position at Wesco HMB: Vice President

Length of Time Employed at Wesco: 22 Years

Experience: Operations, Finance, Administration

Five Things You Should Know about Dan:
1. Coached Girls Softball and Soccer for more years than he can remember.
2. 300,000 miles on his car is considered low.
3. Along with his father, built an entire addition onto his house.
4. Microsoft calls him when they want advice on how to improve Excel.
5. Married his high school sweetheart and they're still stuck on each other after 40 years.

What People Are Saying about Dan: "He's so smart, it's scary!"

Dan and his family

FSSA To Hold 33rd Annual Forum

This weekend, the Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) is hosting its 33rd Annual Forum at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater, Fla. Attendance at this year's forum is record-breaking, and the Association is excited about all of the great content that attendees will capture from guest speakers and industry leaders. Not only will there be presentations related to fire suppression systems safety from leading industry representatives, but Geno Church, the Chief Word of Mouth Inspiration Officer of Brains on Fire and a leading word of mouth mastermind, will share how academic research blended with practical, real-world case stories can help any business spark and sustain word of mouth marketing. To learn about other exciting aspects of this weekend's forum, click here. Cost for on-site registration is $1,179.00.

New Ozone-Destroying Gases on the Rise

(Photo: AP)

2/16/15

By Doyle Rice
USA TODAY

In humanity's ongoing experiment with the Earth's atmosphere, scientists Monday warned of a growing threat from new man-made gases that are chewing away at the ozone layer.

Located high up in the atmosphere, the ozone layer blocks potentially harmful ultraviolet energy from reaching the Earth's surface. If unblocked, this energy can lead to increased rates of skin cancer and other ailments in humans and animals.

The gases in question are known as "very short-lived substances" (VSLS) such as dichloromethane, which is used in a variety of industrial processes.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

New Legislation to Impact Fire Suppression Methods in Europe

1/9/15

By Peter Judge
Datacenter Dynamics

This month, a European Commission law comes into force which is designed to cut the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It will affect the fire suppression systems in data centers.

European regulations on the use of hazardous susbstances have been evolving for some time, but in March 2014, the European Parliament voted to cut the use of HFCs by 79 per cent (compared to the 2009 to 2012 levels). As HFCs are routinely used in fire suppression systems, this will have an effect on data center design and operation.

The new Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 comes into force this month (January 2015) but it gives industries until 2030 to achieve the required cuts. It replaces an early law, Regulation (EC) No 842/2006.

Click here to read the full article.

What Do the Changes in the Regulation Mean for the UK Market?

1/21/15

Fire Industry Association

Firstly and most importantly there is now a requirement to decrease the amount of F-Gases in the European market by up to two thirds of the 2010 emissions by 2030. This will be achieved by a gradual phase down on the use of F-Gases. The new regulation allocates quotas to individual producers and importers for the placing of F-Gases on the market. The quota system includes the amount of F-Gases in equipment not just virgin gas. The quotas will be based on the quantities of F-Gases that reported as having been placed on the marked during a reference period from 2009 to 2012.

The proposed reduction each year up to 2030 will be a percentage of average annual total quantity of F-Gases placed on the market during reference period. What this means is in 2015 it the same amount in 2016-17 it will be 91% of the 2015 amount and then going down in steps.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

What European HFC Rules Mean for Data Centers

1/9/15

By Bart Goeman, 3M
Datacenter Dynamics

Even without the new legislation, there were already some concerns around use of HFCs: while the ozone depletion potential of HFCs is zero, they are potent greenhouse gases. For instance, the global warming potential (GWP) of HFC-227ea is 3,220. This means it is 3,220 times more potent than CO2 in its climate impact.

It has been reported in the US Proceedings of the National Academy for Sciences that if nothing changes, HFC emissions are likely to be equivalent to between 9-19 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Of course, regions will differ, but it's interesting to note the claim that without significant action, HFC emissions in the US are expected to double by 2020 and nearly triple by 2030, as reported on the Climate Action Plan website.

The good news is that there are cost-effective substitutes available, so the transition away from HFCs may be more seamless than for other sectors. Some of these alternatives are well-established and installed in data centers worldwide, including environmentally sustainable synthetic clean agents, water-based systems and inert gases.

Read the rest of the article here.

Kidde Announces New Clean Agent Fire Suppression System

1/8/15

Fire Engineering

Kidde Fire Systems has launched its new clean agent fire suppression platform, the Advanced Delivery System (ADS) using 3MNovec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. The new system offers the best coverage, highest nozzle, smallest diameter pipe and longest pipe runs, while leveraging an environmentally sustainable fire protection agent with ozone depletion potential of zero, global warming potential of one, and five days atmospheric lifetime. Kidde Fire Systems, a world leader in the development of fire detection and suppression systems, is a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp.

The Kidde� Clean Agent ADS system offers increased flexibility, as cylinders can be stored more than 200 feet from the space they are protecting. The system accommodates complex pipe networks to protect multiple hazards from a single cylinder bank location, and piping runs can be reduced by adding directional valves at strategic locations.

Click here to read the full article.

The Elbert Files: Shawn Mullen Explains How To Fight Fires With 'Magic Water'

1/9/15

By Dave Elbert
Business Record

"Magic water" is what Shawn Mullen calls the fire-suppressing chemical Novec 1230.

To demonstrate, he unscrews a brown bottle and pours several inches of the clear liquid into a large glass jar.

First, he drops his cellphone into the jar. It continues to operate, he explains, because Novec 1230 is nonconductive. Unlike water and most other liquids, it does not conduct electricity. To demonstrate, he places a call to the cellphone. It rings and vibrates, even though it is fully submerged.

Nor will "magic water" affect ink on paper, Mullen says as he scribbles with a Magic Marker on a Post-it note and drops it into the jar. Several seconds later, he retrieves the note. The ink has not smeared or smudged, and the sticky part of the Post-it is still sticky.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Tyco Buys Commercial Wireless Systems

1/22/14

By Marcia Heroux Pounds
Sun Sentinel

Tyco has acquired Commercial Wireless Systems International of Sunrise, which it will merge with Tyco Fire Protection Products unit. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Thirty-year-old CWSI specializes in wireless fire alarm and detection technology and has customers including property owners, architects, engineers, fire authorities and installation contractors.

Tyco Fire Protection Products, based in Lansdale, Pa., provides fire protection products to customers more than 190 countries.

Marines Injured When Halon System Was Triggered

This image provided by the U.S. Marine Corps shows Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit landing their amphibious assault vehicle Feb. 13, 2013 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. during Exercise Iron Fist. Nearly two dozen Marines were treated for exposure to a fire retardant gas Thursday Feb. 13, 2015 after an extinguishing system accidentally went off in an assault vehicle similar to the one shown during a training exercise, but there were no serious injuries, officials said. (AP Photo/U.S. Marine Corps, Sgt. Christopher O'Quin)

2/13/15

The Associated Press

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Nearly two dozen Marines were treated for exposure to a fire retardant gas Thursday after an extinguishing system accidentally went off in an assault vehicle during a training exercise, but there were no serious injuries, officials said.

An equipment malfunction caused the fire suppression system to go off inside a tank-like amphibious assault vehicle during an afternoon exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, base spokesman Dave Marks said.

There was no fire or explosion but 22 Marines were exposed to halon, Marks said.

All of them were taken to the base hospital. Three were kept overnight for observation and the rest were released to resume training, Marks said.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Intersec 2015 Was Larger Than Ever

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed opens the 17th Intersec security exhibition

1/19/15

Saudi Gazette

DUBAI - The focus of the global security and safety industry was firmly on Dubai last week as the 17th edition of Intersec, the world's largest trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection got underway on Jan. 18.

Taking place over three days at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Intersec 2015 was opened by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Larger and more representative than ever before, the three-day event featureed 1,237 exhibitors from 54 countries, showcasing more than 2,000 brands across 48,000sqm of exhibition space - a 10 percent increase over the previous edition.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

DuPont Presented Its Range of Suppressants at Intersec

1/13/15

TradeArabia

DuPont, a leading innovation and market-driven science company, presented its leading range of clean agent fire suppressants at a trade fair for safety and security in Dubai, UAE.

The 17th edition of Intersec ran from January 18 to 20 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Bashar Abu Sitta, Fluorochemicals sales manager - Middle East and Africa, said : "Intersec is an excellent platform for showcasing DuPont's state-of-the-art solutions and promoting greater regional awareness on fire protection.

"When it comes to the protection of sensitive, expensive and mission-critical assets from the ravages of fire, FM-200 waterless fire protection systems are the most widely specified clean agent systems worldwide.

"Since their introduction over two decades ago, FM-200� systems have provided the peace of mind that comes with proven performance, a perfect history of safety in use, and the most cost effective waterless fire protection available."

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Aviation Industry Teams Up to Find Halon Replacement

1/27/15

Aerospace Manufacturing and Design

Cleveland - Airbus SAS, The Boeing Company, Bombardier Inc., Embraer S.A., Textron Inc., and the Ohio Aerospace Institute have initiated activity to form the Halon Alternatives for Aircraft Propulsion Systems (HAAPS) consortium. This international collaboration among aircraft manufacturers, fire extinguishing system suppliers, engine/auxiliary power unit/nacelle companies, and other key stakeholders aims to identify a common environmentally- acceptable non-halon fire extinguishing solution for use in engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fire zones. Halon fire extinguishing agents have been in use for decades, but new production has been banned by international agreement per the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Considerable effort has been expended by industry aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, and fire suppression companies, primarily working independently, to find a suitable replacement for Halon 1301, which is the primary agent currently used in aviation engine and APU fire zones. However, these efforts have not produced a widely accepted replacement. Further independent development is expected to take considerable time and resources with little hope for meeting the replacement requirements in new aircraft certification applications.

Read the full story here.

UTC Subsidiaries Violated Iran Sanctions

2/6/15

HartfordBusiness.com

Hartford aerospace manufacturer United Technologies Corp. disclosed in its annual filing this week that three of its foreign subsidiaries sold products and services to Iranian-owned companies, in violation of U.S. sanctions enacted in 2012.

UTC said subsidiaries operating through its UTC Climate, Controls & Security segment sold fire safety products and services to entities controlled by Iran's government in France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom over the past three years.

The entities included Bank Melli Iran, Melli Bank PLC, Bank Sepah, Bank Sepah International PLC, IranAir, and Bank Saderat Iran.

Click here to read the entire article.

Amerex Announces New Extinguisher for Aircraft Ramp Protection

Amerex Corporation announces the availability of the Model 775 using 3M™ Novec™1230- in a UL Listed wheeled fire extinguisher for aircraft ramp protection.. The Model 775 is now available as a UL Listed 3A:80B:C rated wheeled extinguisher using 150 lbs. of 3M™ Novec™ 1230. The Model 775 meets the requirements of NFPA 407 Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing and NFPA 410 Standard on Aircraft Maintenance. This agent has an extremely low atmospheric lifetime, zero effect on the ozone layer (or zero ODP) and a Global Warming Potential (GWP) comparable with CO2, making a case for the agent's sustainability. This new option for meeting the wheeled unit requirements of NFPA 407 and NFPA 410 is now available with both firefighting effectiveness and environmental sustainability.

Click here to see more information on this.

Breakingviews: DuPont Drives Wedge Between Shareholders and Peltz

2/6/15

By Kevin Allison
Reuters

DuPont has driven a wedge between shareholders and Nelson Peltz. Adding two turnaround veterans to the $70 billion chemical giant's board may make stockholders think twice about voting in a rival slate from the billionaire activist's Trian Fund Management. DuPont says Peltz nixed an offer to add one of his picks because he wanted the spot. He may just have been outplayed.

The nominees put forward by Delaware-based Dupont are impressive. Tyco International Chairman Edward Breen presided over two breakups at the once-struggling industrial conglomerate during his decade as chief executive. James Gallogly led rival chemicals maker LyondellBasell out of bankruptcy.

Read the rest of the article here.

UTC Has High Q4 Earnings

1/27/15

Industrial goods manufacturer United Technologies Corporation delivered stellar fourth-quarter 2014 results riding high on healthy margin improvement and six consecutive quarters of organic sales growth. The company reported fourth-quarter 2014 net income of $1,473 million or $1.62 per share, up from $1,463 million or $1.58 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported earnings for the quarter included unfavorable one-time and restructuring costs. Excluding the one-time items, recurring earnings for the quarter were $1.88 per share, which comprehensively beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.61.

Click here to read the full article.

Society of Fire Protection Engineers Relocating to Gaithersburg, MD

1/14/15

Gazette.Net

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers, a national professional association representing those who practice in the field of fire protection engineering, is relocating its global headquarters from Bethesda to Gaithersburg in March 2015, according to a city of Gaithersburg release.

The society has 4,500 members worldwide and more than 60 regional chapters. Its activities include educational seminars and short courses, technical symposia and conferences, and books and publications designed to advance the state of the art of fire protection engineering and provide technical information to the fire protection community, according to its website.

The relocation was made possible, in part, by a $8,528 economic development grant from the city to assist with the buildout costs for 4,264 square feet of new office space at 9711 Washingtonian Blvd.

EPA 2015 U.S. Stakeholder Meeting

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of State will host a meeting for stakeholders to share views on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Administration's Climate Action Plan, announced in June 2013, states that "to reduce emissions of HFCs, the United States can and will lead both through international diplomacy as well as domestic actions."

Click here to read all of the information on this meeting.

UL Warns of Counterfeit Fire Sprinkler

1/31/15

PRNewswire

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Dec. 31, 2014 - The following is a notification from UL that the fire sprinkler identified below bears a counterfeit UL Certification Mark for the United States and Canada. The fire sprinkler has not been evaluated by UL to the appropriate Standards for Safety and it is unknown if the fire sprinkler complies with any safety requirements. Although the fire sprinkler's wrench boss is marked "TYCO," the fire sprinkler is not manufactured by Tyco, its affiliates or agents.

Name of Product: Pendent Type Fire Sprinkler

Identification: On the product: The counterfeit sprinkler has the UL Mark on the wrench boss.

Read the full article here.

2015 SFPE Greater Atlanta Annual Fire Safety Conference

The 2015 SFPE Greater Atlanta Fire Safety Conference will be held March 17-18, 2015. They have a stellar program lined up with lots of opportunities for professional development, business exposure and networking. If you are interested in one of the numerous exhibitor or sponsor opportunities, please visit the Sponsors and Exhibitors page. For attendee registration, please visit the Conference Attendee Page.

All information on the conference can be found here.

Wesco News: Joe and Carly Saladino Welcome a Baby Boy

Congratulations to Joe Saladino, Wesco's Senior Recycling Technician! He and his wife, Carly, are the proud parents of a baby boy named Joseph. He is 6 lbs, 14 oz, and 17.5 inches. Wesco is thrilled to add another baby to the Wesco family and wish them well!

Obituary for Richard Stearns, Member of NFPA

Richard T. Stearns

1/15/15

Seacoastonline.com

STRATHAM - Richard T. Stearns, 74, of Stratham, passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at his home.

He was born Dec. 16, 1940, in Scituate, Mass., the son of the late Thomas and Hazel (Felt) Stearns. He was a graduate of Scituate High School, Class of 1959, and attended Lowell Institute.

Richard was the proprietor of R. T. Stearns, Inc. which he founded in Warner in 1985. He was a member of N.F.P.A. (National Fire Protection Association).

"The Pump Man" as he was fondly referred to in the fire protection community, exemplified a true entrepreneurial spirit fueled by his underlying desire to enhance or pass on his knowledge of all things mechanical. His hands-on heritage originated from working in his father's machine shop where he learned at an early age the importance of problem solving to help any and every customer; regardless of the scope or scale of work required.

Click here to read the full obituary.

Most Popular Stories from December 2014

These are the stories in our last issue that got the most clicks. If you haven't already, check them out!

If you have any questions, comments, would like to be featured in a future Halon Herald, or would like to be added to our mailing list for this newsletter, please contact Kari Buser at kbuser@ushalonbank.com.

WESCO HMB
1.800.433.1751
www.ushalonbank.com
OUR BLOG