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  REGULATIONS AND ALTERNATIVE FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS
The following international and national regulations regarding the phasing out and replacing of Halons (as fire extinguishing mediums) have been identified:

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
The Montreal Protocol of 1987 (with amendments) is an international treaty for the protection of the ozone layer. The means used are to restrict and eventually prohibit the production of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and control distribution of ODS. All ODS produced are, in this context, considered lost to atmosphere, hence the protocol does not discuss collection and controlled destruction of ODS.

European Community Regulations
The purpose of these Regulations is to agree on how the intention of the
Montreal Protocol can be met for the geographical area of the parties assigned as members of the European Community (EC). This is done by a set of EC Regulations concerning production, distribution, use and eventually decommissioning and destruction of OSD in order to meet the targets set by the EC. EC Regulation No.093/94 gave detailed means for controlling and phasing out the different ODS. However, this is replaced by EC Regulation No. 2037/2000, which was signed by the concerned parties on 29.06.2000 and entered into force on 1.10.2000. The Regulation in question will also cover the EEA area (Norway, Iceland, etc.).

Existing Halon fire extinguishing systems may be used and re-filled/topped up with re-cycled Halon until 31.12.2002. After this date any re-filling or use of Halon as a fire-extinguishing medium will be prohibited. By 31.12.2003, fire protection systems and fire extinguishers containing Halons shall have been decommissioned and Halons shall have been recovered as regulated by EC Regulation No. 2037/2000.

Gielle interprets that this means that Halons shall not be utilised as fire extinguishing mediums after 31.12.2002 and as a consequence, alternative fire extinguishing systems and extinguishers shall be available on board prior to this date. This Paper does not address the implementation of the EU directive into national legislation. This may delay the process, but owners should not rely on that. The directive should not have an effect on non-EU flagged vessels entering EU ports.

National Directives
Countries, which have signed the Montreal Protocol (more than 160 countries), may in addition have developed their own national regulations. Please check with the Flag State in question.

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 
The IMO under UN is the major organisation taking care of regulations applicable for ships and floating units in international trade or operation. Taking into account the Montreal Protocol and concern for environmental protection, IMO discussed the measures that may be considered practical for international trade at sea.

New installations of fixed fire extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers using Halon were prohibited from 1.1.1994 on board all ships and floating units. IMO considers that the shore-based regulations on Halons will govern the phasing out of existing installations, as the availability of Halons decreases. IMO has thus not defined any target date for the phasing out of Halons.

Classification Societies
The scope of work, when acting on behalf of Flag Administrations, is to see that the intention of IMO and possible additional regulations enforced by the Flag Administrations are put into effect. Hence, the major classification societies and the International Association for Classification Societies (IACS) will follow IMO and have subsequently enforced that new installations of halogenated hydrocarbon systems were prohibited on all new ships and floating units from 1.1.1994.

Use of Halon on Board Ships and Floating Units (MOUs) 
For vessels flying the flag of Administrations that have ratified IMO regulations  The installation of new fixed fire extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers with Halon on board ships and floating units is prohibited. A phase out scheme for existing installations has not been established. 

For vessels flying the flag of countries assigned as member states in EC The Administrations of these countries may enforce EC regulation No. 2037/2000, which allows use and re-filling of Halon until 31.12.2002 and requires decommissioning of fire extinguishing systems with Halon by 31.12.2003.




HALON BANKING AND RECEPTION FACILITIES
1 The Sub-Committee on Fire Protection, at its fortieth session (17 to 21 July 1995), having noted that, under the 1992 amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention (resolution MSC.27(61)), new installations of halon fire-extinguishing systems had been prohibited as from 1 October 1994, recalled its previous decision that, for the time being and until appropriate halon banking facilities were established, halons need not be withdrawn from existing systems.

2 The Sub-Committee considered it useful that information on the availability of halons at various ports of the world be circulated, as existing halon systems may need to be recharged with recycled halons to comply with the relevant requirements of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

4 The attached annex contains the revised listing of halon banking and reception facilities based on information received by the Secretariat during 2008, which supersedes that annexed to FP.1/Circ.35.
 
IMO FP.1/Circ.37 5 January 2009 HALON BANKING AND RECEPTION FACILITIES

Phase out of halons
 
Advice on Alternatives and Guidelines for Users of Fire Fighting and Explosion Protection Systems
   
 Ship halon alternative

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