thisusedyet t1_j1v3kkt wrote
Reply to comment by wegqg in TIL that a typical fire extinguisher only lasts seconds while continuously being sprayed. A 20 pound extinguisher can only be sprayed for 25 seconds. by rtpkickballer
The problem with halon is it tends to kill people in the room too, not just the fire. It’s a little too good at displacing oxygen
Oscar_Cunningham t1_j1w82pc wrote
I don't think that's true.
> For example, Halon 1301 total flooding systems are typically used at concentrations no higher than 7% by volume in air, and can suppress many fires at 2.9% v/v. [...] Halon 1301 causes only slight giddiness at its effective concentration of 5%, and even at 15% those exposed remain conscious but impaired and suffer no long-term effects.
Also, Halon extinguishers don't work by displacing oxygen. They disrupt the chemical reaction of the fire itself by providing an alternative reaction.
thisusedyet t1_j1wa925 wrote
Apologies, I'd heard that a while ago and never questioned it. Turns out Halon fell out of favor because it damages the Ozone layer; CO2's the bigger danger for oxygen displacement.
EDIT:
Inhaling halon compounds in high concentrations can cause central nervous
system disorders including dizziness, unconsciousness and tingling in the arms and legs. Exposure
to halon compounds may also cause cardiac sensitization resulting in irregular heartbeats and even
heart attacks (in a severe circumstances). This is because when halon is used on fires, it produces
such decomposition byproducts as hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide and traces of free
halogens.
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