EPA Halon Rule Update

EPA Issues Final Rule on Intentional Release of Halon

Disposal of Halon, Technician Training and Manufacture of Halon Blends. On March 5, 1998 the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule governing the release of halons to the atmosphere during maintenance, repair and disposal of halon containing equipment. The rule is published on the web at www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/1998/March/Day-05/a5720.htm

The Final EPA Halon Rule clearly makes the owner of halon containing equipment responsible for proper maintenance of the equipment. Effective April 6, 1998, no owner of halon extinguishers and systems shall allow a halon release to occur as a result of failure to maintain this equipment and the owners are subject to the restrictions listed below. Fireline Corporation has over 30 years experience in the maintenance of halon equipment and have fully trained service technicians.

Effective April 6, 1998 no person may release halon into the environment while testing, maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of halon equipment. The restriction covers owners as well as service companies and their technicians. There are several exemptions:

• Emergency release of halon for fire suppression or other emergency applications
  
  
• De minimus release of halon during a good faith attempt to recover or recycle halon
  
  
• Release of halon during the testing of a halon system provided additional requirements are met
  
  
• Release of halon during alternative R&D efforts and during proper analytical determination of halon purity
  
  
• Release during certain qualification and development testing considered essential during the design of halon equipment

The EPA Halon Rule also states that companies who employ technicians who perform testing, maintenance, service, repair or disposal of halon shall be provided appropriate training regarding the halon emissions by September 1, 1998, or within 30 days of technician hiring, whichever is later.

Effective April 6, 1998, disposal of halon containing equipment must be sent to a halon manufacturer, a halon system manufacturer, a fire equipment distributor or a halon recycler. It is required that the company receiving the halon operates in accordance with all requirements in NFPA 10 and NFPA 12A. Most importantly, if the owner is disposing of the halon permanently, it must be disposed of by sending it for recycling to a recycler operating in accordance with NFPA 10 or NFPA 12A. It is important to note that in order to recycle halons, UL Approved equipment MUST be used. Fireline has been using UL Approved recycling equipment for both Halon 1211 and Halon 1301 for the past 4 years.

When it comes to trusting a service company with your halon equipment, Fireline is your source for all your maintenance and recycling needs.