U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Test Program for Airport Firefighting
The test legacy of Halotron I includes a highly successful full-scale evaluation sponsored by the FAA at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, in 1993 and 1994. The program was designed to measure the firefighting performance of Halotron I relative to halon 1211, and included active participation by the U.S. Air Force. The tests included three-dimensional running fuel fires, jet wheel brake fires, pool fires and agent throw-range fires, which are summarized below.
The test legacy of Halotron I includes a highly successful full-scale evaluation sponsored by the FAA at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, in 1993 and 1994. The program was designed to measure the firefighting performance of Halotron I relative to halon 1211, and included active participation by the U.S. Air Force. The tests included three-dimensional running fuel fires, jet wheel brake fires, pool fires and agent throw-range fires, which are summarized below.
Dry Pool Fire Extinguishment Test
JP-4 jet fuel was poured directly onto a large concrete surface (up to 800 square feet or 74.3 square meters) and ignited. This test was designed to resemble real-world aircraft flight line spill fires where fuel falls directly onto a concrete surface.
Three Dimensional Inclined Plane Test
In this test, JP-4 fuel was poured down a 20 ft (6.1 m) long, 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ramp into a 4 ft (1.2 m) by 8 ft (2.4 m) steel catch basin, which was then ignited. This simulated the common situation where fuel flows from a ruptured tank down a sloping surface, such as an aircraft wing.
Simulated Engine Nacelle Running Fuel Fire Test
This test simulated a fire in the afterburner end of a simulated F-100 jet engine. JP-4 jet fuel was allowed to run through the 8.3 ft (2.5 m) high-by-16 ft (5 m) long test article onto a concrete surface below and then ignited. The fuel source was continuous throughout the test.
Simulated Wheel Brake Fire Involving Hydraulic Fluid
This test was designed to simulate a hot wheel brake hydraulic fluid fire. It consisted of an F-4 aircraft tire and magnesium rim mounted on a stand with a steel pan underneath. Flammable hydraulic fluid was poured over the tire and rim into the pan and then ignited.
Agent Throw Range Tests
This test attempted to measure the effective throw range of agents through use of a stationary nozzle positioned over an array of small steel pans, at various elevations, which contained fuel that was ignited.
JP-4 jet fuel was poured directly onto a large concrete surface (up to 800 square feet or 74.3 square meters) and ignited. This test was designed to resemble real-world aircraft flight line spill fires where fuel falls directly onto a concrete surface.
Three Dimensional Inclined Plane Test
In this test, JP-4 fuel was poured down a 20 ft (6.1 m) long, 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ramp into a 4 ft (1.2 m) by 8 ft (2.4 m) steel catch basin, which was then ignited. This simulated the common situation where fuel flows from a ruptured tank down a sloping surface, such as an aircraft wing.
Simulated Engine Nacelle Running Fuel Fire Test
This test simulated a fire in the afterburner end of a simulated F-100 jet engine. JP-4 jet fuel was allowed to run through the 8.3 ft (2.5 m) high-by-16 ft (5 m) long test article onto a concrete surface below and then ignited. The fuel source was continuous throughout the test.
Simulated Wheel Brake Fire Involving Hydraulic Fluid
This test was designed to simulate a hot wheel brake hydraulic fluid fire. It consisted of an F-4 aircraft tire and magnesium rim mounted on a stand with a steel pan underneath. Flammable hydraulic fluid was poured over the tire and rim into the pan and then ignited.
Agent Throw Range Tests
This test attempted to measure the effective throw range of agents through use of a stationary nozzle positioned over an array of small steel pans, at various elevations, which contained fuel that was ignited.
All tests were conducted with a wheeled 150 lb (68 kg) halon 1211 type fire extinguisher at a U.S. Air Force Base in Florida, U.S.
In addition, a 500 lb (227 kg) unit, of the same type used on aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles, was used on some
of the events in the latter stages of the test program. This FAA-sponsored series of tests was intended to simulate the types of
fires encountered by aircraft flight line firefighting personnel.
Selected Halotron® I approvals and listings
U.S. EPA Significant New AlternativesPolicy (SNAP) program approved for
commercial, industrial, maritime and
military use (1993).
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) approved for onboard use in a
UL-listed portable (2002).
U.S. FAA approved for airport
firefighting, on flight lines.
UL- and ULC-listed portable fire
extinguishers offered by Buckeye,
Amerex, Badger and Kidde Safety.
UL-listed wheeled fire extinguishers
from Buckeye and Amerex.
UL Component Recognized (File EX 5107).
U.S. Coast Guard approved.
International approvals for a range of portable extinguishers containing Halotron I
View images and videos of our
HALOTRON I clean extinguishing
agents in action.
HALOTRON I clean extinguishing
agents in action.
