Question

what are two advantages and two disadvantages of using clean agents (halon or inert gases) as extinguishing agent in structure fires?

Answer 1

Halon

halon is liquified compressed that stops spread of fire by chemical disrupting combustion. It is highly safe for human exposure and does not leave uopn evaporation. for structure fire the two major advantage of Halon are

1. Halon is an electrical non conducting a so highly effective in electrical fire and also suitable for A, B and C class fires.

2.it stops fuel, ignition source and oxygen effect at the same time by chemically reacting with them so it stops fire quickly.

Disadvantage

1.Halon is costly chemical and contains chloroflouro carbon hence phased out in 2003 under the Montreal protocol as it is Ozone depleting agent.

2. Halon works effectively it have to flood the enclosure area means halon or inert gas need 10 minute holdup time to ensure fire is extinguished so can not be effective in open space of the structure.