Fire supressants protect public areas.

Fire extinguishing gases that do not damage the protected property or harm humans, if accidentally exposed, are required for some fire protection applications. These include electronic data processing, telecommunications, internet and data storage protection. The importance of this class of fire protection to society has grown in proportion to the worldwide growth of communications and internet technologies. In the past, ozone depleting Halons 1301 and 1211 effectively served this fire protection need. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and certain non-HFCs (e.g. carbon dioxide and inert gases) are now used. HFCs are the fire suppression technology of choice due to their fire fighting efficiency, extinguishing speed, people safety, limited space requirements and minimal environmental impact. Commercially available throughout the world, HFCs are efficient, low in toxicity, cost-effective, can be used safely and are reusable.

Control facilities for many manufacturing plants need fire suppression.

On January 1, 1994 halon production ceased in developed countries. That same year, HFCs (non-ozone depleting gases) were commercially introduced as alternatives and provided an environmentally beneficial replacement for halon. The emission rates of HFCs used in fire protection are much lower than for the halons due to improvements in the manufacturing, testing, installation and maintenance of gaseous fire protection systems. Subsequent improvements in automatic fire detection and releasing systems have further reduced non-fire discharges. Fire extinguishing gases are normally retained in their original containers for their entire lifetimes, especially in the largest use area of total flooding systems. Thus, HFC use in this application is essentially non-emissive except in the rare event of a fire. HFC emissions from all sources are approximately 2% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and from fire fighting approximately 0.006% of all GHG emissions.¹

Air traffic controllers need critical system protection.

Life Cycle Climate Performance considers the overall environmental performance of a product, providing a framework of "cradle to grave" environmental responsibility. In fire suppression, this includes the fire extinguishing agent manufacture, system manufacture and operation, agent release frequency and/or ultimate agent recovery. An LCCP analysis completed on a fire suppression system shows HFCs perform equal to or better than an inert or carbon dioxide system. HFCs are used in space efficient fire suppression systems, thus minimizing CO2 emissions related to construction. Fire suppression speed is also an HFC agent benefit, extinguishing fires in incipient stages before the fire itself produces grave environmental impact. Currently, industry is promoting initiatives to eliminate non-functional emissions, which will postively impact LCCP.

Electronic telecommunication switching gear needs protection even in non-visible locations.

The Technology and Economic Assessment Panel of the United Nations Environment Programme has reported, "HFCs are currently essential substitutes for some highly important uses of ODS including _replacement of halon 1301 in specialized fire protection where space and weight are critical. HFCs are important halon substitutes primarily in occupied areas where space and weight are constrained, or speed of suppression is important."¹

The fire protection industry worldwide is committed to responsible use and management of all fire suppression agents, including HFCs. The industry actively promotes the following principles:

• Provide fire suppression products with high reliability and negligible emissions;
• Endorse rigorous standards in fire suppression system design, installation, commissioning, inspection and maintenance;
• Recommend advanced fire detection and extinguishing systems that minimize discharges;
• Minimize emissions from testing and training; and
• Support HFC recovery and recycle.

The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy is a leading industry voice which coordinates industry participation in the development of reasonable international and U.S. government policies regarding ozone protection and global climate change.

¹"The Implications to the Montreal Protocol of the Inclusion of HFCs and PFCs in the Kyoto Protocol," Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, UNEP, October 1999.

The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 850 - Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: (703) 243-0344 - Fax: (703) 243-2874 E-mail: info@arap.org