Labeling Containers of HCFC Fire Suppression Agent
What you need to know
v»EPA
Background
All countries are phasing out ozone-depleting
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Production and
consumption of all HCFCs in the United States is less than
0.5 percent of the historic U.S. baseline. Newly produced
or imported HCFCs may only be used to service
air-conditioning (AC), refrigeration, and fire suppression
equipment that was manufactured before January 1, 2020.
All U.S. production and import of HCFCs will end by 2030,
with limited exceptions.
Can fire suppression blends that use
HCFCs still be used?
Until 2030, HCFC-123 can be imported for making fire suppression agents to service existing
equipment manufactured before January 1, 20201 ("old units"). HCFC-123 imported after
January 1, 2020 cannot be used in the manufacture of new equipment or to service equipment
manufactured after January 1, 2020 ("new units"). Fire suppression agent produced with
HCFC-123 that is reclaimed or was imported prior to 2020 ("reclaimed" HCFC-123) may be used
without restrictions.
EPA recently revised the labeling requirements for
containers of fire suppression agent containing
HCFC-123 to help determine when the HCFC-123
was imported.
Will enough HCFC-123 be available for use
until the end of phaseout and beyond?
Up to 650 MT of HCFC-123 may be imported each year
into the United States for use in old equipment in 2020-2022 and then decreasing, each year until
the phaseout of HCFCs ends in 2030. Reclaimed material can still be used in any equipment.
Reclaimed material may be available from appliances such as retired chillers and industrial process
refrigeration equipment and can be stockpiled and used beyond the phaseout.
What is HCFC-123?
HCFC-123 is currently imported or
reclaimed for use as a refrigerant
and for the manufacture of a fire
suppression agent used in handheld
extinguishers, wheeled
extinguishers, and aircraft rescue
and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles in
commercial, industrial,
transportation, and military
applications in the United States.
Use new HCFC-123
agent in old units, and reclaimed
HCFC-123 agent in both old and
new units.
1 The only fire suppression agent containing HCFC-123 available in the United States is Halotron® I (also referred to as HCFC
Blend B). This information is for factual purposes only, as EPA does not endorse products.
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What must the label say on fire suppression containers?
EPA revised the requirements for labels on containers of HCFC-123 fire suppression agent to make
them easier for users to understand.
The labels on containers of fire suppression agent made with newly imported HCFC-123 read:
WARNING: Contains HCFC-123, a substance that harms public health and environment by destroying
ozone in the upper atmosphere. Use only for recharge of equipment manufactured before
January 1,2020.
The labels on containers of fire suppression agent made with reclaimed HCFC-123 read
WARN ING: Contains HCFC-123, a substance that harms public health and environment by destroying
ozone in the upper atmosphere. For use in any equipment.
Where can technicians find the manufacture date for
fire extinguishers and ARFF vehicles?
For fire extinguishers, the manufacture date should be on the
manufacturer's label that normally includes UL® listing information.
For ARFF vehicles, the manufacture date may be located on the
lower right-hand corner of the windshield, floor, dashboard, or door
jamb. For wheeled units, the Agency recommends inspecting the
unit to locate the date also on the manufacturer's label that includes
UL® information.
What is the industry doing?
The manufacturer has stated their intent to label their agent
containing HCFC-123 imported after January 1, 2020 with multiple
distinct, large, yellow striping (or equivalent). This is in contrast
to their current bulk container which has two green stripes.
Industry is also continuing to develop alternatives to fire
suppression agent containing HCFCs
Additional Resources
Updates to the HCFC Phaseout Program:
www.epa.qov/ods-phaseout/phaseout-class-ii-ozone-depleting-substances
Contact EPA: www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout/forms/contact-us-about-phaseout-ozone-depletinQ-substances
Office of Air arid Radiation (6205T)
June 2020
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