The information contained on this page aims to provide updates on the development of halon alternatives for aircraft fire extinguishing systems and SARPs related to Halon. The production of halon has been prohibited and halon supplies are diminishing. Although halon is currently available for aircraft use by recycling existing supplies and States have taken measures to mitigate contamination, the potential risk of contamination of the reserves still remains. In recognition of these issues and their potential impact on safety, transitioning in a timely manner from halon to safe and effective halon alternatives has now become more urgent.
ICAO SARPs related to Halon
Halon is used for fire suppression on civil aircraft in four extinguishing system applications i.e.: lavatory, cabin, engine and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), and cargo compartment. ICAO provisions in Annex 6 — Operation of Aircraft and Annex 8 — Airworthiness of Aircraft established the timeframe for the use of an alternate agent to halon for fire suppression on aircraft in all four fire extinguishing applications as follows:
a) Lavatory fire extinguishing systems used in aircraft produced on or after 31 December 2011;
b) Hand-held fire extinguishers used in aircraft produced on or after 31 December 2018;
c) Engine and APU fire extinguishing systems used in aircraft for which application for type certification will be submitted on or after 31 December 2014;
d) Cargo compartment fire suppression or extinguishing systems for which an application for a Type Certificate under Annex 8 Part IIIB is submitted to the State of Design on or after 28 November 2024 shall use extinguishing agents that are not listed in the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Updates on the development of halon alternatives for use in aircraft fire extinguishing systems
For more information, please click here.
Go back to Airworthiness
