12/1/14

Halon Replacement Aviation Rulemaking Committee

Halons are the principal fire-extinguishing agent used onboard aircraft because of their unique fire extinguishing properties. Due to their detrimental effect on the earth's ozone layer, their production (not use) was banned through the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that has been ratified by every country in the world. Under the Protocol, halon ceased to be produced in developed countries in 1994, and in developing countries in 2010. As no new halon is being produced, the supply of previously produced halon is finite and will eventually run out. While residual supplies are being used or held for use in key areas including civil aviation, military, oil and gas, and other critical fire protection applications, their use in civil aviation represents the largest source of future demand for halons.

Until alternatives are certified and implemented, commercial aircraft will continue to need halon to meet current fire protection requirements. Specifically, halons are used in lavatory bottles, handheld extinguishers, engine nacelles and auxiliary power units (APUs), and cargo compartments. While the supply of stockpiled and recycled halon currently meets demand, over the 30-40 years needed to support the existing fleet the risk of supply chain disruptions and contamination of the reserves increases significantly. In addition, at some point in the future the scarcity induced price of halon will reach a level where the use of halon will no longer be economically viable. As that timeframe approaches and the cost increases due to reduced supply, the risk of sales of contaminated halon presents a growing concern.

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