Standardization News

Halon 1211 is employed in hand-held fire extinguishers on civilian aircraft. A new ASTM International standard will be used to test Halon 1211 to ensure that the product will provide the required level of fire protection and is free of harmful impurities that could affect its safety in use.

D7673, Specification for Halon 1211, Bromochlorodifluoromethane (CF2BrCl), was developed by Subcommittee D26.09 on Fire Extinguishing Agents, part of ASTM International Committee D26 on Halogenated Organic Solvents and Fire Extinguishing Agents.

"D7673 includes detailed gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectra test methodology that ensures the detection and identification of impurities in Halon 1211 supplies," says Mark L. Robin, Ph.D., senior technical services consultant, DuPont Fluoroproducts, and D26 chairman. Halon 1211 suppliers, equipment manufacturers and end users will all benefit from D7673.

Robin notes that all interested parties are welcome to join in the standards developing activities of D26.09. This includes future revisions to D7673 as well as revisions to standards related to Halon 1301, which is also used in civil aviation.

To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585). CONTACT Technical Information: Mark L. Robin, DuPont Fluoroproducts • Wilmington, Del. • Phone: 302-999-5002 • E-mail: mark.l.robin@usa.dupont.com O ASTM Staff: Christine DeJong • Phone: 610-832-9736 • E-mail: cdejong@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: June 15 • June Committee Week • Anaheim, Calif.