IS 15221:2002

Indian Standard
SAFE HANDLING AND TRANSFER PROCEDURES OF
HALON1211 AND HALON 1301 (HALOGENATED
HYDROCARBONS) — FIRE EXTINGUISHING
MEDIA — CODE OF PRACTICE

ICS 13.220.10

CJ BIS 2002

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARC
NEW DELHI 110002

December 2002
Price Group 3

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Fire Fighting Sectional Committee, CED 22

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FOREWORD

This Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the Fire
Fighting Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.

These specifications are designed to establish that the medium in question has at least a minimum useful tire
extinguish ing capability and can therefore be reasonably used for fire extinguishing purposes.

This standard gives procedures for the transfer of Halon 1211 and Halon 1301 from one container to another.
These procedures can be applied to the filling and emptying of halon fire extinguishers and the containers used
in halon extinguishing systems, to the handling of halon shipping containers and to the recovery of halons frolm
containers which are to be scrapped, cleaned, internally examined, etc.

These procedures are recommended as good practice to reduce unnecessary emission of these halons wh ich may
have a damaging effect on the atmosphere.

HaIons (halogenated hydrocarbons), which exhibit exceptional fire fighting and explosion prevention/suppression
characteristics, have been found to possess high ozone depleting potential. They come under Group 11of Appendix
A of the Montreal Protocol, the international environment treaty for phasing out ozone depleting substances,
which came into force on 1 January 1989. For developing countries like India, the total phase out of halons is to
be achieved by 1 January 2010 as per the Montreal Protocol. India has ratified Montreal Protocol Treaty in 1992
and obligated to phase out use of ozone depleting substances including halons. Government of India has notified
phase out of halons in the fire protection sector with effect from 1 January 2001 except for essential use.
Meanwh iIe, the practical implication of the phasing out of the halons will cover, by and large, the following
aspects:

a) Production of halons in India to be stopped w.e.f. 1 January 2001.

b) Availability of halons will be restricted.
c) Discharge of halons for testing/training, etc, shall not be permitted.
d) All efforts shall be made for avoiding/minimizing halons emissions at various levels, such as production,
fire equipment manufacture, user, service and maintenance.
e) HaIons shall be restricted for ‘essential uses’ only, for protection of critical fire explosion risk areas
which would otherwise result in serious impairment of an essential service to society, or pose an
unacceptable threat to life, the environment, or national security and all other appropriate fire protection
measures have been taken.
f) instead of halon, use of suitable alternative extinguishing media/methods shall be resorted to.
g) Non-standard halon extinguishers, like aerosol type, shall not be permitted.

Detailed instructions issued by the Government of India from time to time for implementation of the country
program me for the phasing out of ozone depleting substances (ODS) shall have to be complied w ith.

The composition of the Committee responsible for the formulation of this standard is given at Annex A.

For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value,
observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS 2: 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised’. The number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
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lS 15221 :2oO2
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Indian Standard
SAFE HANDLING AND TRANSFER PROCEDURES OF
HALON 1211 AND HALON 1301 (HALOGENATED
HYDROCARBONS) — FIRE EXTINGUISHING
MEDIA — CODE OF PRACTICE
I SCOPE Manufacturers’ test data should be consulted when
selecting materials suitable for use in contact with
This standard recommends procedures to be used in
halons.
the transfer of Halon 1211 and HaIon 1301 from one
container to another to reduce unnecessary emission 5 AVOIDANCE OF MIXING AND/OR CON-
of these halons to the atmosphere. It also provides TAMINATION
recommendations and information relevant to the
health and safety of persons engaged in such 5.1 Avoidance of Mixing
procedures. HaIon 1211 and HaIon 1301 are miscible in all
proportions. Halons should not be mixed because this.
2 REFERENCE
will unnecessarily complicate their subsequent
The standard listed below contains provisions which recovery and reprocessing.
through reference in this text, constitutes provisions
of this standard. At the time of publication, the edition 5.2 Avoidance of Contamination
indicated was valid. All standards are subject to Precautions should be taken to prevent the entry of
revision and parties to agreements based on this oil, water and/or other foreign matter into ha]on
standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility containers.
of applying the most recent edition of the standard
NOTE — Excessive moisture in containers may lead to corrosion.
indicated below:
either directly, or indirectly by causing hydrolysis of the halon.
I,YNo. Tide
15220: 2!002 Specification for halogenated 6 PRESSURE HAZARD
hydrocarbons — HaIon 1211 and
6.1 General
halon 1301 — Fire extinguishing
media Halons are shipped, stored and used in fire
extinguishing equipment as liquefied gases under
3 DEF1NITION
pressure. Appropriate precautions should be observed
For the purposes of this standard, the following when filling and handling containers.
dctinition shall apply.
6.2 Pressure Control in Transfer Procedures
3.1 HaIon
It is essential that nitrogen cylinders are fitted with a
tlalogenated hydrocarbon used as a fire extinguishing pressure-reducing valve to control the nitrogen
medium. pressure to not more than the working pressure of the
halon containers in use at any particular time. The
NOTES
pressure-reducing valve should be fitted with a
1The tcnn “haIon(s)’ is used to mean HaIon 1211 and HaIon 1301.
pressure gauge on the outlet side, and with a pressure-
2 The wc~rd ‘baton’ is followed by a number, usually comprising
relief valve in the line to vent excess pressure if the
Ioor digits, which represents, in the order given, the number of
carbon. lluorine, chlorine and bromine atoms. Where this number pressure-reducing valve fails.
would terminate with one (or more) zero(s), such zeros are omitted,
‘Thus. I{alon 12] 1 is bromochlorodifluoromethane (CFICIBr) and WARNING — Bursting discs are not suitable
I lalon 130 I is bromotritlooromethane (CFIBr), pressure-relief devices for this application because
3 I lalon 12 I I is a colorless, faintly sweet-smelling gas, HaIon their operation will vent the total contents of the
1301 is a colorless, odourless gas. halon container.

4 MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONTACT WITH 7 TOXICITY HAZARD

HALON 1211 AND HALON 1301
7.1 Skin Contact Hazard
4. I Hal on 1211 and HaIon 1301 are stable and inert
to most common construction materials. Direct contact with liquid halons can degrease the skin
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lS 15221 :2002
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and cause a strong chilling effect. Gloves and eye 8 METHODS OF TRANSFER
protection should be worn during transfer procedures.
8.1 General
7.2 Inhalation Hazard
Halon should be transferred from one container to
7.2.1 Natural (Undecomposed) HaIons another by one of the methods described in 8.2 and 8.3.
7.2.1.1 Effects of exposures 8.2 Nitrogen Overpressurization Method
Tests on human volunteer subjects have shown that Use dry nitrogen to pressurize the vapour space in the
the maxim urn safe exposures are 7 to 10 percent (v/v) supply container to dispense the contents. It is essential
ot- Halon 1301 for 1 min and 4 to 5 percent (v/v) of that the moisture content of the nitrogen should not
Halon 121 I for 1 min. exceed 0.006 percent (m/m) (see also 5.2)
After exposure for 1 min at these concentrations, any It is essential that the safe working pressure of the
person may experience symptoms of dizziness and supply container is not exceeded.
SIight tingling of the fingers and toes. Exposures to
NOTES
concentrations less than these for several minutes
1 Excessive moisture in containers may lead to corrosion, either
would be unlikely to produce any significant effect,
directly or indirectly by causing hydrolysis of the halon.
but prolonged exposure to concentrations greater than
2HaIon1211 and HaIon 1301 can be propelled from extinguishing
these is hazardous and should be avoided. equipment by using nitrogen.

7.2.1.2 Precautions
8.3 Pumping
Attention should be paid to checking for and sealing
The pump should be located as near as possibIe to the
any leaks in the equipment. All transfer procedures
supply container. If a positive displacement pump is
should be carried out in well-ventilated areas. It is good
used, provision should be made to recycle halon back
practice to avoid al I unnecessary exposure to halons
to the supply container, so as to avoid the need to stop
and an occupational exposure limit of 1000 ppm (8 h
the pump every time that halon is not being dispensed.
time-weighted average) should be applied.

7.2.1.3 Treatment of affected persons 9 FILLING OPERATIONS

Persons suffering from over exposure to halon vapour 9.1 General

SI1OU Id immediately move, or be moved, to an area
To avoid contamination, operations involving the
contain ing fresh air. In treating persons suffering from
filling and/or re-filling of shipping containers, halon
the effects of over exposure to halons, the use of
extinguishers and/or halon extinguishing system
epinephrine (adrenaline) and similar drugs should be
containers should be completely separate from
avoided because they may produce cardiac arrhythmias
recovery operations.
including ventricular fibrillation.

7.2.2 Decomposition Products 9.2 Filling Rig Construction

7.2.2.1 Formation of decomposition products The rig should withstand, without leakage or
permanent deformation, a test pressure of not less than
On exposure to a flame or hot surface, halons pyrolyse twice the anticipated normal working pressure. Pipe
into decomposition products usually identified as a runs should be as short as possible. Hose of a suitable
halogen acids (that is, HF, HC1 and HBr) and free pressure rating may be used to make any necessary
halogens (for example, Cl, and Br2). HaIon
flexible connections. The tilling hose should be as
decomposition products have a-characteristic, sharp,
short as possible and should be valved at the outlet.
acrid odour even in minute concentrations that are
fat’ below the concentrations considered to be 9.3 Filling Rig Use
immediately dangerous. The irritation produced by
these products provides a built-in warning system and The rig should be dry before use, It should be tested
thus encourages people to evacuate the area. for leaks before use and at regular intervals during
service.
7.2.2.2 l’recau;ions
NOTE — Soap solution or an electronic leak detector may be
\
Radiant heaters, heaters with open flames and heaters used.

with hot elements in contact with the air should not

9.4 Containers for Filling or Re-filling
be used in areas in which halon transfer procedures
are carried out. Other open flames and, in particular, Only extinguishers and balon containers complying
smoking should be prohibited in these areas. with appropriate standards should be tilled or re-fi Iled.

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 1S 15221:2002 —

Extinguishers for re-filling should be free of halon 10.2 Recovery Rig Construction
residues from the original filling. This
The rig should withstand, without leakage or
recommendation should also be followed when re-
permanent deformation, a test pressure of not less than
filling other halon containers, except where the
twice the anticipated normal working pressure. Pipe
original manufacturer can advise appropriate
runs should be as short as possible. Hose ofa suitable
procedures and good practice. Where extinguishers
pressure rating may be used to make any necessary
or containers are to be emptied before refilling, residual
flexible connections.
halon should not be discharged to atmosphere but
transferred to suitable containers using the recovery 10.3 Recovery Rig Use
rig (see 10). Extinguishers and containers should be
checked and rectified as necessary and should be free The rig should be dry before use. It should be tested for
from external and internal corrosion or damage, and leaks before use and at regular intervals during service.
should be clean and dry at the time of filling or NOTE — Soap solution or an electronic leak detector ma} be
re-filling. used.

Large containers should be checked for leakage before All liquid halon, and in the case of HaIon 130 I as
re-filling with halon. much vapour as possible, should be recovered from
each container presented for halon recovery.
After filling or re-filling, it is essential that
containers are checked for leakage and that any 10.4 Receiving Containers
showing excessive leakage that cannot be corrected
Receiving containers should comply with an
should be emptied as soon as it practicable using
appropriate standard for pressure vessels.
the recovery rig.
It is essential that receiving containers are not
9.5 Shipping Containers
overfilled, and a means of weighing the containers
C)n delivery of shipping containers, the valves should should be provided.
be checked for leaks before transfer to the store or To minimize the need for reprocessing, it is essential
connection to the filling rig. that separate receiving containers are used for Halon
When the container has been emptied, the valves 1211 and HaIon 1301 and for any mixtures which may
SI1OU Id be c Iosed and the container disconnected from be presented for recovery (see 5.1).
the transfer system. The protective covers should be Receiving containers should be clearly Iabelled to
{Itted immediately over the valves. identify the halon contents and whether the halon is,
NO’1”[: — I t’the valves are left open, the inside of the container is not, or may be contaminated.
will be exposed to atmospheric moisture and the risk of
corms ion. 10.5 Recovered HaIon

1(t RECOVERY OPERATIONS It is essential that recovered hal on is not used unless
it can be properly checked and shown to comply with
10.1 General the requirements of [S 15220. Where this cannot be
To avoid contamination, recovery operations should done, or if the halon is contaminated, it is essential
be completely separate from filling and re-filling that the material is reprocessed so that it compi ies
operations. with the requirements of IS 15220 before it is used.
lS 15221 :2002
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ANNEX A
(Foreword)
COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Fire Fighting Sectional Committee, CED 22

Organization Representative(s)
Ministry otl Iome AtTairs, New Delhi SHRJOM PRAKASH
(Cltairman)
Airport Authority oflndia, New Delhi SFUUL, C. GUFTA
SHRIH. S. RAWAT(Alternate)
Andhra Pradw.h Fire Services, Hyelerabad SHRJSWARANJJT
SEN
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai CNJSFFJFWOFHCER
Bombay Fire Ilrigade, Mumbai CSUEFFJREOFFICER
SHRJG. S. SAWANT(Alternate)
Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee DRT, P, SHAW
DR A. K. GUPTA(Alfernafe)
Central [ndustriai Security Force, New Delhi DEWY INSPECTOR
GErqAL (FJRE)
SHRJS. L. NAGARKAR
(Alternate)
(’entral [>ob!ic Works Department, New Delhi CHJEFENGSNEER
(E) I
Centrc for Environment and Explosive Safety, Delhi SHJUA. K. KAPDDR
SHRJH. S. KAPARWAN(Alternate)
Concord Arai Pvt Limited, Chennai %ttu R. fiMAKRISHNAN

C’ontrollerate of Quality Assurance (Fire), Pune COL G. P. KtuSHNAMOR~tV

Deience Rtxwarch and Development Organization, Delhi DJRECTOR
(FIRESAFETY)
DEPUTYDIRECTOR(FJRESAFETY)(Alternate)
Delhi Fire Service, New Delhi SHRJR. C, .%ARMA
SHRJSURINDER KUMAR(Akernute)
Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals, Hyderabad SHRJM. GANGARAJU
SHRIV. K. VERMA(Alternate)
Ellgilleer-itl-Cllief’s Branch, Army Headquarter, New Delhi SHRJR. A. DUBEY
SHRIAJAYSHANKAR
(Akerrra[e)
Fire and Safety Appliances Company, Kolkata SHRJS. N. KUNOU
Home (Police Department), Hyderabad DEPUTYDIRECTOR
(FurESAFETY)
Home Department (Fire Service), Chennai DIRECTOR
DEPUTYDtRIcToR (Alternate)
In personal capacit y (33/2965-A, Vennala High School, Vennala, Cochin) SHRJG. B. MENON
In personal capacity (29/25, Rajendra Nagur, New Delhi) SHRIS. K. DHERt
[nstitulion ot’l:ire Engineers (India), New Delhi pREstDENr
GENERAL
SECRETARY
(Alternate)
Koove[ii Devshi & Co (P) Limited, Mumbai SHRJP. H. SETHNA
SHRJN. T. PANJWAiW
(Alternate)
K.V. Fire Chemicals, Navi Mumbai SHRJH. M, SABADRA
Loss Prevention Association of India, Mumbai MANAGJNGDJRECTOR
SHRJD. K. SARKAR(A//errrate)
Matlwr and Platt (India) Limited, New Delhi SHRJDEEPAK
AGARWAL
ME(-VN limited, Ranchi SHruR. N. CHACHRA
SHRISUMLDAS(Ahernaie)
Ministry ofl [ome AtTairs, New Delhi SHRJD. K. SHAMI
Nefvagc industries, Mumbai SHRIB. J. SHAH
SHRIA. M. SHAH(Alternate)

‘1

(Continrred on page 5)

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 lS 15221 :2002
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([ ’orrlinued,~rom page 4)

Organization Representative(s)

Northern Railway, New Delhi Ssrru 1. M, MANSOW+

~il and Natural Gas Commission, Debra Dun %a R. P. SAXENA
SHRINEERAJSHARMA(Alternate)
Oil Industry Safety Directorate, New Delhi Join-TDIRECTOR (PROCESS)
Real Value Appliances Limited, New Delhi SHRtASHUTOSH
MANGAL
SatieXFire Services Limited, Mumbai SHRIJITENDRASHAH
SHRI SANOIP SHAH (Alferrrafe)
Slate Bank ot’lodia, Mumbai SHRI J. S. GAHLWT
State Fire Train iog C’entre, Mumbai DR NAVINCHANDRA JAIN

Steel Authority oflndia, Rourkela SHRI B. N. DAS

SHIU B. P..DAs (A[fernafe)
Steel Authority oflrrdia, Bokaro SHRSA, RAUTELA

SW C. P. SINGH (Alternate)
Steel age industries Limited, New Delhi SHRISHIVNATH
(A[fernafe)
SHRI V. KAMALANATHA
Surex production and Sales (P) Limited, Kolkata SHRITAIUTSUR
SHRI D. NEOGI (Alfernate)
l’wit?’Advisory Committee, Chennai SHRIA. MUKHERJEE

SW H. C. MAHESHKUMAR (A//errrafe)
‘laritYAdvisory Committee, Mumbai Smu T. R. A, KRISHNAN
Vijay Fire Protection Systems Pvt Limited, Mumbai SW HAtUSHSAUJT
West Bengal Fire Service, Kolkata Sw+t B. PATHAK
t31SDirectorate General SW S. K, JAIN, Director & Head (Civ Engg)
[Representing Director General (.Ex-o#lcio)

Member Secreiary
sHRr s. cHA71nwEoI
Joint Dkector (Civ Engg), BIS

5
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Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis
periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when
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should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments
‘B1S Catalogue’ and ‘Standards: Monthly Additions’
of comments. Standards are also reviewed
such review indicates that no changes are
up for revision, Users of Indian Standards
or edition by referring to the latest issue of

This Indian Standard has been developed from DOC : No. CED 22 (5950).

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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