FM Global

Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

4-8N
January 2001
Supersedes July 1990
Page 1 of 3

HALON 1301 FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

Table of Contents
Page
1.0 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 FM GLOBAL INTERPRETATION .......................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 Shall versus Should .............................................................................................................. 2
2.1.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction ................................................................................................. 2
2.1.3 Related NFPA Standards ...................................................................................................... 2
2.1.4 Listed or Approved ................................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Comments and Exceptions ............................................................................................................. 2
3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 3
3.1 General ............................................................................................................................................ 3
4.0 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 FM Global ........................................................................................................................................ 3
4.2 NFPA ................................................................................................................................................ 3
4.3 Other ................................................................................................................................................ 3

2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of Factory Mutual Insurance Company.

4-8N

Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems

Page 2

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

1.0 SCOPE
FM Global has accepted and adopted NFPA 12A, Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems, 1997
Edition. FM Global comments including any differences between the NFPA and FM Global are provided in
the FM Global Interpretation Section. FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 4-0, Special Protection
Systems, also applies to Halon 1301 systems.
The primary purpose of this data sheet is to provide continuing guidance for existing Halon 1301 system
installations. The main topic added in the 1997 Edition of NFPA 12A is the decommissioning and removal
of Halon 1301 systems. Refer to Subsection 2.2, Comments and Exceptions under the FM GLOBAL INTERPRETATION Section for further clarification/information.
2.0 FM GLOBAL INTERPRETATION
2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Shall versus Should

In most if not all instances, the widespread use in the text of the mandatory shall, within the NFPA Standard, can be replaced by the more permissive should. This is in keeping with other FM Global standards.

2.1.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction

There are many references in the NFPA Standard to the term authority having jurisdiction. Legally, this
could mean the state fire marshal, the local fire department, or some other state or municipal office. In the
application of this data sheet, the reference is solely to FM Global unless the legal authority takes precedence.

2.1.3 Related NFPA Standards

There may be a number of references to other NFPA standards. In many instances FM Global has a
corresponding Data Sheet. FM Global Data Sheets will generally take precedence.

2.1.4 Listed or Approved

Within the NFPA Standard, Listed means equipment approved by Factory Mutual Research and listed in
the Factory Mutual Research Approval Guide.
Within the NFPA Standard, Approved means acceptable to the Factory Mutual Insurance Company. Factory
Mutual Research Approved equipment should be used whenever possible.
2.2 Comments and Exceptions
FM Global has advised against installing new Halon 1301 installations since 1992 as a result of the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; however, existing Halon 1301 installations continue to be acceptable to FM Global where allowed by governing jurisdictions. Most countries of the world
continue to allow existing Halon 1301 systems although Germany and Australia have previously banned them.
Also, the European Union (EU) recently made revisions to European Regulation 30093/94 controlling the
use of Ozone Depleting Substances. The revised regulations include a ban on the sale and use of halons
after December 31, 2002 (except for essential uses) with mandatory decommissioning of non-critical halon
systems required by December 31, 2003. The revised regulations make compulsory the recovery and disposal of halons from all fire protection equipment. The critical/essential use restrictions will effectively eliminate
the industrial application/use of any halons within the EU. Information on halons and halon alternatives,
including regulatory and standards updates, are provided on the Halon Alternatives Research Corporation
(HARC) web site (www.harc.org). Also presently available on the HARC web site is a publication entitled
Safety Guide for Decommissioning Halon Systems which emphasizes the need for trained, qualified
technicians consistent with the guidance provided in this data sheet.
FM Global Insured considering removal of Halon 1301 systems should contact their local FM Global office
for guidance on alternate protection.
Note: There are Factory Mutual Research Approved clean agent fire extinguishing systems available if gaseous total flooding system protection is needed. However, there still are no drop-in replacements acceptable
to FM Global.

2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems

4-8N

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Page 3

There are no significant FM Global exceptions to the guidance provided in the NFPA 12A Standard.
3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 General
Satisfactory performance of a Halon 1301 system can best be assured by following the loss prevention
guidance provided within this document.
4.0 REFERENCES
4.1 FM Global
Data Sheet 4-0, Special Protection Systems.
4.2 NFPA
NFPA 12A, Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems, 1997 Edition.
4.3 Other
Halon Alternatives Research Corporation (HARC) web site (www.harc.org).

2000 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.