08/17/2010 (People Port) We have slowly moved away from halon suppression systems. One reason, that hole in our ozone layer. While that hole may be what is keeping islands of people in their homes, churning out icebergs down South, No one wants it getting bigger. The Montreal Protocol On Substances That Deplete The Ozone Layer points to what is left, when (if) it will be gone.
This past April we had two major explosions. One in a mine (maybe a flood of methane), one on an oil rig (yes, methane). Halon systems have protected everything from aerosol to powdered milk plants. There are a host of substitutes today. Water is often one used. All have good points, risks and the like. Our Armed Forces have been way out front, they still need halon. Most risks can be handled.
In many systems an explosion suppression cannon propels the extinguishing agent into the developing fireball. Many are using nitrogen for propulsion. Those readers that have visited a computer room may have noticed the halon system. That light mist somehow stopped fires and explosions.
Retrofit costs for halon are high. New installations have options. All cost. Will they cost as much as safety equipment in use today. The backpack I used as a Firefighter was designed for use in mines. There are many reports on that mine explosion that suggested the airflow inside that mine was reduced at our government's insistence. I searched everywhere, cannot find, however, I did find that crack. It does seem probable those miners died from another methane explosion, like the oil rig.
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