In 2019, regulatory bodies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), mandated the elimination of halon extinguishers from aircraft.

For aircraft owners and operators who have portable halon extinguishers on board, these must be replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives – by the end of 2025.  

This global directive has been put in place to reduce the release of halon into the atmosphere. While halon, the extinguishing agent, is highly effective at eliminating fires without causing damage to aircraft equipment, it contributes to ozone layer depletion and exacerbates climate change.

Fortunately, there are now approved halon-free fire extinguishers available on the market which are just as effective as halon without damaging the environment. 🧯

Now, you might be thinking, “Where can I buy my replacement extinguishers so that I can swap them out myself?”

But, unfortunately, when it comes to implementing this regulation, it’s not as simple as swapping out one portable fire extinguisher for another.

Due to the difference in chemicals and, in some cases, the weight of the replacement extinguisher (which could affect placement in the aircraft), the replacement of halon fire extinguishers with an alternative is classified as a Major Change, meaning that you will need to have this change certified by an approved design organization.

Depending on the aircraft, it’s worth keeping in mind that this change might require a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), which can extend the process of swapping out the extinguishers by a few months – so we recommend not leaving it until the last minute to get a quote!

More information and guidelines about the regulation can be found on EASA’s website.

If you have the necessary approvals and capabilities in-house, this modification should be straightforward.

For everyone else, it might be time to reach out to a design organization to discuss your options.

Our Part-21J design organization, QCM Design, has extensive experience certifying this change – if you’d like a quote to replace your fire extinguishers (or to have any other design changes certified), please reach out to our team at design@part-21.ch.

QCM Design is an EASA Approved Part-21 DOA with over 10 years’ experience helping clients to achieve their creative and technical design goals, while ensuring that the highest safety regulations and industrial quality standards for their aircraft are met.

As well as assisting with the certification of minor and major changes to airplanes and helicopters, we offer tailor-made solutions for any desired design concept, including the installation of new avionics or electronics systems, cabin interiors, galleys, or various other equipment installations.

For more information about how we can assist you with any design changes, contact us at design@part-21.ch or visit https://www.qcm.ch/doa/