| Ozone Protection Hotline (800) 296-1996
Substitutes are reviewed on the basis of ozone
depletion potential, global warming potential, toxicity,
flammability, and exposure potential. Lists of acceptable
and unacceptable substitutes are updated several times
each year. A
chronological list of SNAP
updates is available from the hotline. If your
browser is unable to display tables, please call the
hotline for a free paper copy.
Note: SNAP Notices and Final Rules published in the
Federal Register take precedence over all
information on the web site.
| Powdered
Aerosol C (PyroGen, Soyuz) |
For use
in unoccupied areas only. |
| Powdered
Aerosol A (SFE) |
For use
in unoccupied areas only. |
| Carbon
Dioxide |
System
design must adhere to OSHA 1910.162(b)(5) and NFPA
Standard 12 |
|
Water |
None |
| Water
Mist Systems using Potable or Natural Sea Water |
None |
| Foam A
[formerly Water Mist / Surfactant Blend A]
(Phirex+) |
This
agent is not a clean agent, but is a low-density,
short duration foam. |
|
HCFC-22 |
Use of
blends containing this agent should be in accordance
with the safety guidelines in the latest edition of
the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems.
The NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems gives guidelines for blends
that contain HFC-134a or HCFC-22 and other acceptable
total flooding agents, rather than referring to
HFC-134a or HCFC-22 alone.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
|
HCFC-124 |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| [HCFC
Blend] A (NAF S-III) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| HFC-23
(FE-13) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| HFC-125
(FE 25) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
|
HFC-227ea (FM-200, FE-227) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
|
HFC-134a |
Use of
blends containing this agent should be in accordance
with the safety guidelines in the latest edition of
the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems.
The NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems gives guidelines for blends
that contain HFC-134a or HCFC-22 and other acceptable
total flooding agents, rather than referring to
HFC-134a or HCFC-22 alone.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| IG-100
(NM 100) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2,
5.
|
| IG-01
(Argotec; formally Inert Gas Blend C) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2,
5.
|
| IG-55
(Argonite; formally Inert Gas Blend B) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2,
5.
|
| IG-541
(Inergen) |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
This agent contains CO
2, which is intended to increase blood
oxygenation and cerebral blood flow in low oxygen
atmospheres. The design concentration should result
in no more than 5% CO
2.
See additional comments 1, 2,
5.
|
|
C6-perfluoroketone
[1,1,1,2,2,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pentanone]
(Novec 1230) |
Use of
the agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
For operations that install and maintain total
flooding systems using this agent, EPA recommends the
following:
- install and use adequate ventilation ;
- clean up all spills immediately in
accordance with good industrial hygiene practices;
and
- provide training for safe handling
procedures to all employees that would be likely to
handle containers of the agent or extinguishing units
filled with the agent.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| Gelled
Halocarbon /Dry Chemical Suspension (Envirogel) with
ammonium polyphosphate additive |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems,
for whichever hydrofluorocarbon gas is employed.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| HFC-125
with 0.1%
d-limonene (NAF S-125) |
Use of the agent should be in accordance with
the safety guidelines in the latest edition of the
NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems.
Extinguisher bottles should be clearly labeled
with the potential hazards associated with the use
of HFC-125 and
d-limonene, as well as handling procedures
to reduce risk resulting from these hazards.
See additional comments 1, 2,
3, 4, 5.
|
|
HFC-227ea with 0.1%
d-limonene (NAF S 227) |
Use of the agent should be in accordance with
the safety guidelines in the latest edition of the
NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems.
Extinguisher bottles should be clearly labeled
with the potential hazards associated with the use
of HFC-227ea and
d-limonene, as well as handling procedures
to reduce risk resulting from these hazards.
See additional comments 1, 2,
3, 4, 5.
|
|
Uni-light Advanced Fire Fighting Foam 1% water mist
system (Uni-light AFFF 1%) |
For use in both normally occupied and unoccupied
areas.
|
| Inert Gas/Powdered
Aerosol Blend (FS 0140) |
For use
in normally unoccupied areas only.
Any employee who could possibly be in the area
must be able to escape within 30 seconds.
The employer shall assure that no unprotected
employees enter the area during discharge.
|
The
manufacturer's SNAP application requested listing for
use in unoccupied areas only.
See additional comment
2.
|
| HFC-236fa
(FE-36) |
Acceptable
when manufactured using any process that does not
convert perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) directly to
HFC-236fa in a single step:
- for use in explosion suppression and explosion
inertion applications, and
- for use in fire suppression applications where
other non-PFC agents or alternatives are not
technically feasible due to performance or safety
requirements;
- because of their physical or chemical
properties, or
- where human exposure to the extinguishing
agents may result in failure to meet safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Extinguishing
Systems.
|
Use of this agent should be in accordance with
the safety guidelines in the latest edition of the
NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems.
The comparative design concentration based on
cup burner values is approximately 6.4%.
Users should observe the limitations on
HFC-236fa acceptablity by taking the following
measures:
- conduct an evaluation of foreseeable
conditions of end use;
- determine that the physical or chemical
properties or other technical constraints of the
other available agents preclude their use;
- determine that human exposure to the other
alternative extinguishing agents may result in
failure to meet applicable use conditions;
Documentation of such measures should be
available for review upon request.
Feasible for use in a normally occupied
area.
The principal environmental characteristic of
concern for HFC-236fa is its high GWP of 9400 and
long atmospheric lifetime of 226 years. Actual
contributions to global warming depend upon the
quantities emitted.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| C
3F
8 (PFC-218, CEA-308) |
Acceptable
for nonresidential uses where other alternatives are
not technically feasible due to performance or safety
requirements;
- because of their physical or chemical
properties; or
- where human exposure to the extinguishing
agents may result in failure to meet safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Extinguishing
Systems.
|
Use of this agent should be in accordance with the
safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA
2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing
Systems.
The comparative design concentration based on cup
burner values is approximately 8.8%.
Users should observe the limitations on PFC
acceptablity by taking the following measures:
- conduct an evaluation of foreseeable conditions
of end use;
- determine that the physical or chemical
properties or other technical constraints of the
other available agents preclude their use;
- determine that human exposure to the other
alternative extinguishing agents may result in
failure to meet applicable use conditions;
Documentation of such measures should be available
for review upon request.
The principal environmental characteristic of
concern for PFCs is that they have high GWPs and long
atmospheric lifetimes. Actual contributions to global
warming depend upon the quantities of PFCs
emitted.
For additional guidance regarding applications in
which PFCs may be appropriate, users should consult
the description of potential uses which is included
in the March 18, 1994, final rule (59 FR
13044).
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5. |
| C
4F
10 (PFC-410, CEA-410) |
Acceptable for nonresidential uses where other
alternatives are not technically feasible due to
performance or safety requirements;
- because of their physical or chemical
properties; or
- where human exposure to the extinguishing
agents may result in failure to meet safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Extinguishing
Systems.
|
Use of this agent should be in accordance with the
safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA
2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing
Systems.
The comparative design concentration based on cup
burner values is approximately 6.6%.
Users should observe the limitations on PFC
acceptablity by taking the following measures:
- (i) conduct an evaluation of foreseeable
conditions of end use;
- determine that the physical or chemical
properties or other technical constraints of the
other available agents preclude their use;
- determine that human exposure to the other
alternative extinguishing agents may result in
failure to meet applicable use conditions;
Documentation of such measures should be available
for review upon request.
The principal environmental characteristic of
concern for PFCs is that they have high GWPs and long
atmospheric lifetimes. Actual contributions to global
warming depend upon the quantities of PFCs
emitted.
For additional guidance regarding applications in
which PFCs may be appropriate, users should consult
the description of potential uses which is included
in the March 18, 1994,
final rule (59 FR
13044).
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5. |
| SF
6 |
Only for
use as a discharge agent in military applications and
in civilian aircraft. |
Users should limit testing only to that which is
essential to meet safety or performance
requirements.
This agent is used only to test new Halon 1301
systems.
|
| CF
3I |
Use only
in normally unoccupied areas. |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| Haltron
II |
Use only
in normally unoccupied areas. |
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
| Gelled
Halocarbon /Dry Chemical Suspension (Envirogel) with
any additive other than ammonium polyphosphate |
Use only
in normally unoccupied areas. |
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems,
for whichever hydrofluorocarbon gas is employed.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
|
HFC227-BC |
Sodium
bicarbonate release in all settings should be
targeted so that increased pH level would not
adversely affect exposed individuals. Users should
provide special training to individuals required to
be in environments protected by HFC227–BC
extinguishing systems.
Each HFC227–BC extinguisher should be
clearly labeled with the potential hazards from use
and safe handling procedures.
|
Use of
this agent should be in accordance with the safety
guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001
Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
|
|
HFC-32 |
This agent
is flammable. |
| Chlorobromomethane |
Other
alternatives exist with zero or lower ODP; OSHA
regulations prohibit its use as extinguishing agent
in fixed extinguishing systems where employees may be
exposed. See 29 CFR 1910.160(b)(11). |
| HBFC-22B1 (FM-100) |
HBFC-22B1
is a Class I ozone-depleting substance with an ozone
depletion potential of 0.74. The manufacturer of this
agent terminated production of this agent January 1,
1996, except for critical uses, and removed it from
the market because it is a fetal toxin. |
Additional Comments
- Must conform with OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L
Sections 1910.160 and 1910.162.
- Per OSHA requirements, protective gear (SCBA) must
be available in the event personnel must reenter the
area.
- Discharge testing should be strictly limited only
to that which is essential to meet safety or
performance requirements.
- The agent should be recovered from the fire
protection system in conjunction with testing or
servicing, and recycled for later use or
destroyed.
- EPA has no intention of duplicating OSHA coverage
related to the use of perosnal protective equipment
(e.g., respiratory protection), fire protection, hazard
communication, worker training or any other
occupational safety and health standard with respect to
regulation of halon substitutes.
|
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