Seeing Halon recycling as part of a larger picture

 

It is a well-known fact that minimising Halon emissions into the atmosphere and increasing the recycling of such substances contributes to the natural restoring process of the ozone layer.  Research has indicated that the majority of halon closed recovery systems in use today, as well as all recycling units currently sold in this sector, meet or exceed industry standards that require minimum recovery efficiencies of 98%. 

This is why HBS feels it is important to reaffirm the fact that by helping us protect the ozone layer and the  environment with all of its components, we are in fact protecting the economy.

 

That time of the year....

Yes, it is that time of the year again, the time when NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center releases the Antarctic Hemisphere yearly map of total ozone. Satellite instruments monitor the ozone layer, and they use their data to create the images that depict the amount of ozone.
It is a helpful reminder that constant efforts to phaseout and recyle Halons will result in substantial reductions of ozone depleting substance emissions in the atmosphere.

 

 

Of course we also know Thanksgiving is fast approaching and at this time of celebration our thoughts turn gratefully to you with warm appreciation. Happy Thanksgiving!

NFPA Conference in Las Vegas

Very happy about the NAFED Conference in New Orleans - such a beautiful city.


Now preparing for the NFPA Conference  and Expo in Las Vegas, don't forget to bring your lucky charms with you!

NAFED 2012 New Orleans

The National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors is fast approaching, we are excited about meeting you there.

NAFED Conference in Las Vegas - March 8, 2012

Halon Banking Systems' booth in Las Vegas.
Hope to see you in Atlantic City and New Orleans!

Who else wants to properly bank Halon?

    According to a 2010 Report of the Halons Technical Options Comitee, there are still countries in the world where because of a prohibition on halon exports, cross-contaminated halons are a financial liability and are reported to be vented to the atmosphere:

  "Global Halon 1211 and 1301 Banking

   Halon banking is a critical part of the management of halons.
Halon Bank Programmes must be accessible to all halon users or the risk of accelerated atmospheric emissions will escalate as users find themselves with redundant stock.

   Halon banking operations can play a significant role in ensuring the quality and availability of recycled halon, in managing the halon use down to zero, and in assisting with emission data by providing regional estimates that should be more accurate than global estimates. National or regional banking schemes that maintain good records offer the opportunity to minimise the uncertainty in stored inventory and stock availability.
   There are companies available globally that will purchase and “clean” cross-contaminated halons; however, in some countries, because of a prohibition on halon exports, cross-contaminated halons are a financial liability and are reported to be vented to the atmosphere."
 2010 REPORT OF THE
HALONS TECHNICAL OPTIONS COMMITTEE.

Halon phase-out

" Halon Phase-out:

The 1992 Meeting of the Parties in Copenhagen decided to phase out consumption and production of halons in developed countries by January 1^st, 1994. Parties operating under Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol have a 10-year grace period where production for basic domestic needs is still allowed. In addition, Parties can ask for an exemption on production and consumption for essential end users under certain conditions.

At the same meeting, the Parties decided to allow unrestricted trade of recycled halons provided that the relevant data are reported to the UNEP under the procedures of the Protocol. These decisions make an orderly transition to fire protection without halons possible.

Existing valuable or critical installations can be protected  by halons until other arrangements have been made. In addition, the decisions allow time to for alternative means of protection to be developed for installations where other fire extinguishing systems are not adequate.

The importance of halon banks:

These decisions have made it important to plan for the recycling and reuse of halons. This will:

·         Facilitate the transfer of available halon from one user to satisfy the need s of another;

·         Discourage emissions into the atmosphere ;and

·         Mitigate the need for consumption and production exemptions for  “essential users”

If global-banking can be made more productive it will mean that halon 1301 will be available for several decades and halon 1211 for at least 10 years. International cooperation is needed to ensure that one nation’s surplus halon is exported to meet the need s of another nation. This especially true for developing nations which have minimal internal banks due to their restricted number of installations.”

Halon Management: Banking for the Future - UNEP IE/PAC

What everybody should know about Halon Prohibition

We have often stumbled upon the widely and incorrectly belief that Halon is banned from use. It is true that properly maintained Halon systems can be grandfathered and are still kept in use.

The 1989 Montreal Protocol required that all production of new Halon cease by January 1, 1994. Recycled Halon and inventories produced before January 1, 1994, are now the only sources of supply.
When the Montreal Protocol determined that Halon depletes the ozone layer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency subsequently banned its manufacture. It is indeed unlawful to newly manufacture any Halon blend. However, existing stores of Halon blends are not affected by the ban. This rule also prohibits the venting of Halons during testing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of Halon-containing equipment, or during the use of such equipment for technician training, only with few exceptions.

The rule of proper disposal establishes that Halon and Halon-containing equipment must be properly disposed of at the end of its useful life. Proper disposal is defined as sending such equipment for Halon recovery or recycling by a facility operating in accordance with NFPA 10 and NFPA 12A standards or destruction using one of several processes identified in the rule.

It is thus unlawful to produce new Halon blends or intentionally release Halon into the atmosphere. Plus, Halon and all Halon-containing equipment need to be properly disposed of. Halon Banking Systems possess a deep, moral commitment to protect the environment as we constantly try to reduce waste by re-using, recycling and by purchasing recycled, recyclable or re-furbished Halon and Halon-containing Equipment.


What it is important to know is that Halon is not banned from use. Critical End Users who have no alternative but to continue using Halons need access to supplies they can rely on, that is why banking procedures have to be strictly followed.