What is a Halon Fire Extinguisher and Who Needs It?

Having a Halon fire extinguisher on hand in the event of fire is one of the most important safety steps for any worksite. Halon is a type of clean agent and is different than the average fire extinguisher. It is seen as the most ideal fire extinguisher but for many locations. As a clean agent, it is an electrically and non-conductive firefighting tool. It is also ideal for volatile and gas-related fires. What’s most unique about this type of extinguisher is that it does not create a residue when it evaporates. In many situations, this is ideal. The key benefit of Halon is its ability to extinguish a fire without damaging the assets it is protecting. It is a great option for manufacturing, aviation, electronic and computer environments.

How Does It Work?

The Halon fire extinguisher uses a compressed gas that is liquefied to function. To stop the fire from spreading, this liquid form of compressed gas will disrupt the combustion chemical process. Unlike other types of fire extinguishers, the material coming out of this type does not put humans at risk as it is very safe for human exposure.

When Should It Be Used?

Many environments will benefit from this type of fire extinguisher. Specifically, it is ideal for Class B events involving flammable liquids; Class C events involving electrical fires; And, it works well for most Class A events such as common combustible fires. Because of its versatility across Classes, it is overall a good choice for most environments where the risk of fire is present.

For most needs, having a Halon fire extinguisher on hand is important. Though several types exist, most are designed to be easy to use and very reliable. They are non-toxic and therefore suitable for many types of environments.