Q. Canadian Homebuilt: Fire Extinguishers - Halon

Hello All,

This question is regarding Canadian regulatory issue with importing a Halon
fire extinguisher.

I'm building an RV and am considering fire extinguisher options. Was about
to buy a Halon 1211 2lb fire extinguisher on ebay until I looked up the
legalities of importing it to Canada. Seems you can't anymore, even if it is
recycled Halon.

I know of homebuilders who use household CO2 fire extinguishers. However,
these devices, if discharged in a closed space will:

- decrease or obscure visibility
- reduced breathability wrt Halon discharge
- by-products can corrode aluminum if not cleaned off promptly (discharge
remains in faying aluminum layers.

The cheap household brands will self discharge in storage if the compartment
gets too hot (e.g. bubble canopy, on the ramp, standing in the sun).
Possible replacement for Halon is Sapphi
http://www.tyco.com/tyco/press_relea...l.asp?prid=718
however, I have not seen specific applications for aviation.

By the way, in Canada we are required by Transport Canada to carry fire
extinguishers in homebuilts.

What type of fire extinguishing agent to you use or plan to use? Looking
for comments and suggestions from Canadians as well as others familiar with
this issue. Thanks.



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References:



http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/...d19-7-2-e.html

In summary, the above regulations says:
5. The Ozone-Depleting Substances Products Regulations prohibit the
importation of:

d) any of the following products that contain any chlorofluorcarbon
or bromofluorcarbon from a place outside a party to the Montreal Protocol:

(3) fire extinguishers;




Transport Canada does not recommend replacement of Halon for aircraft:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/co...ars/AC0179.htm

"to date none of these agents have been approved as a substitute for Halon
hand-held fire extinguishers used on board aircraft."