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Despite
the impending deadline dates, businesses remain very ignorant of their
responsibilities for the Halon they have on their premises under the EC
Regulation 2037/2000.
31
December 2002 was the last day that existing Halon systems could be
recharged with Halon. Now, if the system discharges it is effectively
useless. As there is currently no drop in replacement, businesses may
find that the equipment the system was protecting is vulnerable to the
risk of fire until a new system can be purchased and installed.
After
31 December 2003, all Halon systems must have been decommissioned and
the Halon itself must have been disposed of by an approved contractor.
Halon
has been an effective extinguishant used in fire suppression systems
since the 1950s and thousands of companies have entrusted their most
valuable computer and high tech manufacturing facilities to its care.
Unfortunately, Halons used in fire fighting equipment have the highest
ozone-depleting potential of any chemicals in common use. 150 countries
agreed in the Montreal Protocol to control the use of all ozone
depleting chemicals and Halon was one of the first to be banned.
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