Siosarnoir
Member
Anyone know a safe ,legal and cheap way to dispose of Halon fire extinguishers?
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Halon
- Thread starter Siosarnoir
- Start date
Moose
New member
Start a fire
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mickshep
New member
Not Legal, but chucking them through the windows of No 10 would be oh so satisfying, especially if it was on fire as well!!!! Mike
<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.
<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.
sailorman
Well-known member
try the american embassy they still like it, wot global warming
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Moose
New member
Or G. Browns Palace. Douse it in White Diesel and.........
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webcraft
Well-known member
As usual, everyone is rushing to help a new poster . . .
Legally Dec 31st 2003 was the deadline - all Halon appliances should have been decomissioned by then and the gases safely stored/disposed of. However, that didn't stop dodgy characgter with a big stall at a local boat jumble from trying to flog a 'new' automatic Halon extinguisher for £50 last month. He got very shirty when I pointed out publicly that this was in fact illegal, and insisted it was OK to own them if you didn't use them, or some such bo***x. He was bigger than me, so I left him to it.
I couldn't find a way to dispose of my Halon extinguisher - no one wanted to know. It is now sitting in my house instead of on the boat, and I think I'll just put it back on the boat . . . less chance of my illegality coming to light there, and I can always ditch it in 100 fathoms if necessary.
- Nick
<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>http://www.bluemoment.com</A></font size=1>
Legally Dec 31st 2003 was the deadline - all Halon appliances should have been decomissioned by then and the gases safely stored/disposed of. However, that didn't stop dodgy characgter with a big stall at a local boat jumble from trying to flog a 'new' automatic Halon extinguisher for £50 last month. He got very shirty when I pointed out publicly that this was in fact illegal, and insisted it was OK to own them if you didn't use them, or some such bo***x. He was bigger than me, so I left him to it.
I couldn't find a way to dispose of my Halon extinguisher - no one wanted to know. It is now sitting in my house instead of on the boat, and I think I'll just put it back on the boat . . . less chance of my illegality coming to light there, and I can always ditch it in 100 fathoms if necessary.
- Nick
<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>http://www.bluemoment.com</A></font size=1>
Moose
New member
I think my suggestion was very helpful. If it was my Halon bottle there is no way I would get rid of it!!! Keep it on the boat, if you have a fire you will be glad you did.
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ruff_n_tumble
New member
Firemaster Extinguisher took mine in exchange for buying a new halon replacement one. It was a Firemaster originally; I'm not sure if they take other makes. You could ring them and find out. Only trouble is the new one is bigger than the old one and won't fit into the engine compartment without some surgery to the woodwork.
<hr width=100% size=1>Steve Marsh
Hunter 27 OOD "Ruff-n-Tumble"
Gosport
<hr width=100% size=1>Steve Marsh
Hunter 27 OOD "Ruff-n-Tumble"
Gosport
FullCircle
Well-known member
I have an automatic halon in my engine compartment. I intend to keep it there safe and warm. If I have an engine fire it will probably accidentally go off, and it may even save my boat by lucky happenstance.
When I can afford a new one, and when the Industrial World stops polluting or carving up the rain forests, I will do my bit too. Kyoto Agreement Mr Bush? No? Didnt think so, as the US produces more than 25% of all pollutants.....
Or better still, export your junk producing processes to the India, or some such emerging producer... look here...
http://www.corpwatch.org/issues/PID.jsp?articleid=7508
Jim
<hr width=100% size=1>Second Chance - First Love. Ah well, Windex it is then. Hopefully it will all work when launched....
When I can afford a new one, and when the Industrial World stops polluting or carving up the rain forests, I will do my bit too. Kyoto Agreement Mr Bush? No? Didnt think so, as the US produces more than 25% of all pollutants.....
Or better still, export your junk producing processes to the India, or some such emerging producer... look here...
http://www.corpwatch.org/issues/PID.jsp?articleid=7508
Jim
<hr width=100% size=1>Second Chance - First Love. Ah well, Windex it is then. Hopefully it will all work when launched....
Brian_B
New member
Two places came to mind when I wanted to dispose of mine last January.
The local fire station and the council dump.
I went for the dump option and left it discretely next to the discarded refrigerators.
I suspect, if you attempt to dispose of a Halon extinguisher legally, you'll be charged about £30 for your efforts.
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The local fire station and the council dump.
I went for the dump option and left it discretely next to the discarded refrigerators.
I suspect, if you attempt to dispose of a Halon extinguisher legally, you'll be charged about £30 for your efforts.
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oldharry
Well-known member
If you continue to rely on Halon, and do have to use it just make VERY sure you dont get a lungful of the fumes. Halon is not only very good at putting out fires, but putting out life as well. It only takes a few whiffs of the gasses given off when used on a fire in a confined space (such as a boat cabin, or engine space) to put paid to you.
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BrendanS
Well-known member
Actually, Halon gas has a low toxicity, which is one of the reasons it was so widely used. You only have to worry if you are in an enclosed space if the halon goes off. Not because it's toxic, but because it will displace the air in the compartment, leaving you with no oxygen to breath.
Breathing a few whiffs of it won't harm you at all
<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
Breathing a few whiffs of it won't harm you at all
<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
SteveA
Active member
Quite true, Halon is fairly harmless but the trouble comes when it is heated - one of the products formed is phosgene gas and that IS lethal.
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BrendanS
Well-known member
The amount of phosgene produced is miniscule if at all. The main breakdown products depend on whether using Halon 1301 or 1211, but are largely hydrofluoric, hdrobromic and hydrochloric acid, and free bromine and chlorine. You'll soon notice if you are breathing these, and move well out of the way.
However, the more practical comment, is that halon will only work effectively in confined spaces, and you shouldn't open doors or hatches to an engine on fire. If you stick your head down there while the system is going off or immediately afterwards, then you don't deserve to pass your DNA on to the gene pool
<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
However, the more practical comment, is that halon will only work effectively in confined spaces, and you shouldn't open doors or hatches to an engine on fire. If you stick your head down there while the system is going off or immediately afterwards, then you don't deserve to pass your DNA on to the gene pool
<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
oldharry
Well-known member
This is not what the Fire Brigade told us when we asked about it - they warned us very specifically about high levels of toxicity when Halon used on a fire and although it is a good extinguishant, it is extremely dangerous to use in confined spaces such as a boat. I understand it is not the Halon itself, but the way it reacts with other combustion products at high tempratures. But then I am neither a chemist nor a fully trained trained Fire fighter.... simply passing on a warning given me on several occasions by experienced professional firefighters in the course of safety training.
CO2 is also not recommended in the confined spaces of a boat due to its asphyxiant properties. For this reason the recommendation is to install at least 4Kg of Dry Powder stored in 2kg canisters and a Fire Blanket, in my boat. They also pointed out that most home fire extinguishers sold by firms such as B&Q and many Yacht chandlers are much smaller than this - at 1/2 - 1 kg, and are 'virtually useless' on a boat, being far too small for serious fire fighting. These small units are marketed as a first line for home fires, as the FB want you OUT of a fire zone FAST - so they do not have to come and rescue you when overcome by the smoke.
At sea you are on your own, and there will not be 9 tons of Fire Engine racing to rescue you in the event of fire, and you need serious and safe fire fighting equipment. And like all our safety gear you need to know how to use it effectively.
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CO2 is also not recommended in the confined spaces of a boat due to its asphyxiant properties. For this reason the recommendation is to install at least 4Kg of Dry Powder stored in 2kg canisters and a Fire Blanket, in my boat. They also pointed out that most home fire extinguishers sold by firms such as B&Q and many Yacht chandlers are much smaller than this - at 1/2 - 1 kg, and are 'virtually useless' on a boat, being far too small for serious fire fighting. These small units are marketed as a first line for home fires, as the FB want you OUT of a fire zone FAST - so they do not have to come and rescue you when overcome by the smoke.
At sea you are on your own, and there will not be 9 tons of Fire Engine racing to rescue you in the event of fire, and you need serious and safe fire fighting equipment. And like all our safety gear you need to know how to use it effectively.
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Gordonmc
Active member
This is timely as yesterday I had my briefing at work from a firm which has just taken over our contract for fire equipment maintenance.
When the subject of halon came up he commented breathing in the stuff would either kill you or put a big smile on your face, depending on what it reacts to. The ban was because of ozone depletion rather than hazard.
He agreed, however, that halon was probably the most efficient fire-killer around and far better than powder on liquid fires, which is what we are concerned with. In addition halon and CO2 won't kill an engine.
I have two powder extinguishers in the saloon, plus a fire blanket at the galley. Close to the companionway I have a "last resort" CO2 extinuisher to empty into the (empty) cabin if all goes pear-shaped. I would rather stay topsides on a floating boat than watch her burn and sink from the dinghy.
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When the subject of halon came up he commented breathing in the stuff would either kill you or put a big smile on your face, depending on what it reacts to. The ban was because of ozone depletion rather than hazard.
He agreed, however, that halon was probably the most efficient fire-killer around and far better than powder on liquid fires, which is what we are concerned with. In addition halon and CO2 won't kill an engine.
I have two powder extinguishers in the saloon, plus a fire blanket at the galley. Close to the companionway I have a "last resort" CO2 extinuisher to empty into the (empty) cabin if all goes pear-shaped. I would rather stay topsides on a floating boat than watch her burn and sink from the dinghy.
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Mike21
New member
Dorset council according to their website will take halon extinguisher for disposal free of charge
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