Halon Sustainment: Past, Present + Future

Protecting the Ozone

Since its adoption in 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, managed under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has served as the international treaty recognizing the need to protect ozone (O3) in the stratosphere, commonly referred to as the ozone layer. Ozone is produced and destroyed in the stratosphere through interaction with UV light. This reaction in the stratosphere prevents harmful UV rays from reaching the Earth’s surface, in particular UV-B. International scientists discovered that the ozone layer was being destroyed by manmade chemicals, most notably halons, chlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide. There are serious consequences from a depleted ozone layer. Over-exposure to UV radiation is linked to three of the most common forms of skin cancer:

• Malignant melanoma
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma

It also increases the risk of cataracts. A healthy ozone layer helps protect food supplies, fisheries and other aquatic resources.     

Halon 1301 is a highly effective, clean, non-conductive, low toxicity fire suppression agent. However, it is also highly destructive to stratospheric ozone and has the highest ozone depletion potential (rate of destruction) of any man-made chemical. The UNEP Fire Suppression Technical Options Committee (FSTOC) was established in 1989 as part of Article 6 of the protocol to assess control measures using available scientific, environmental, technical and economic information. 

FSTOC Insight

The FSTOC, formerly the Halons Technical Options Committee (HTOC), is part of the Montreal Protocol's Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, one of three panels that advise the parties (signatories) to the Montreal Protocol. Based on required reporting under Article 7 and assessments made by FSTOC, all developed countries phased out production and import of newly produced Halon 1301 in 1994, and global production ceased in 2010. Halon 1301 is still in use in important long-term or enduring applications, including:

• Civil aviation inflight engine and cargo compartment fire suppression
• Legacy oil and gas production
• Nuclear power plants
• The military

When Halon 1301 is no longer needed in a specific application, it is sold to a qualified recycle/reclamation organization. The FSTOC 2022 Assessment report provides best practices for decommissioning halon systems. The halon is recovered, purified and redeployed to support enduring uses.

The FSTOC has been reporting on emissions and global amounts of Halon 1301 since 1989. Article 6 of the protocol requires that at least every four years or when the parties request it by a formal Decision, the FSTOC performs a technical and economic evaluation for the parties and the general public. For over 10 years, the FSTOC has reported to the parties that there may not be enough global Halon 1301 to support all enduring uses indefinitely. 

The FSTOC estimates that, under a business-as-usual scenario, the supply of Halon 1301 for enduring uses, including production and maintenance of civil aircraft, will run out in 2035, +/- four  years.

The FSTOC 2026 Assessment will be presented to all 196 parties to the Montreal Protocol in July 2026, with anticipated updates in late 2026.

Civil aviation has not identified alternatives for engines and cargo compartments for either new or in-production aircraft. Under Decision XXXVII/4, the parties instructed the FSTOC to work with the International Civil Aviation Organization to develop a standalone report specific to halon availability and global distribution to address this run-out risk. This report has been published and is available here.

Jensen Hughes FSTOC Global Experience

Jensen Hughes has served on the HTOC/FSTOC since its inception in 1989 and continues today.  It is imperative for all users and maintenance providers of Halon 1301 systems and storage to develop life-cycle management plans to reduce uses and emissions everywhere in the support chain. Through our unique global experience supporting the Montreal Protocol since its entry into force,  deep expertise across the full spectrum of fire and life safety, and international reach, Jensen Hughes can help you evaluate life-cycle emissions from your application, identify safer alternatives to halon (and other hydrofluorocarbons) used in fire suppression and develop best practices for safe, effective halon use now and into the future. Jensen Hughes can serve as your trusted advisor not only for Halon 1301, but for all of your fire suppression and life safety needs.