QCM Design is thrilled to have developed and engineered another EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Halon-Free Fire Extinguishers for Airbus A318/319/320/321.

This is the second Halon-Free Portable Extinguisher STC awarded to QCM Design, the first of which was for Falcon 7X/8X. 

STC 10086714 Certification | Halon-Free Portable Fire Extinguisher & Installation

This upgrade involved engineering , certifying, and documenting the replacement of the existing portable Halon extinguishers with approved, Halon-free alternatives.

This is as per EASA Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009, amended by (EU) 2024/590 which stipulates that the use of portable extinguishers which contain Halon on aircraft is no longer permitted after 2025.

Installing Halon-Free Portable Extinguishers

For operators of the Dassault Falcon 7X and Airbus A318/319/320/321, replacing old extinguishers with halon-free models is now a quick and straightforward process. While the STC for the Airbus A318/319/320/321 does not cover the physical installation of the fire extinguisher due to the number of different models covered, the necessary concurrent design approval (minor change) is relatively straightforward.

We are also in the process of developing STCs for the Challenger 604/605, Challenger 850,  Falcon 2000, and Learjet 60, with certification expected to be completed in Q2 2025. These will enable operators to replace their fire extinguishers with minimal downtime, while ensuring compliance with the latest safety and environmental standards.

You can view the certificate of the STC here: QCM STC 10086714 Certification for Halon-Free Portable Fire Extinguisher & Installation

Halon-Free Portable Fire Extinguishers

The replacement fire extinguishers QCM Design certified for use in Falcon 7X/8X and Airbus A318/319/320/321 use an environmentally-friendly fire extinguishing agent, HALOTRON® BrX (BTP). This fire extinguishing agent has been approved by the European Union, as well as EASA.

Designed with cabin safety and operator convenience in mind, this extinguisher offers many advantages:

• It’s the smallest & lightest halon-free 5B:C cabin fire extinguisher on the market.
• The accompanying brackets are easy to retrofit due to the extinguishers’ small size and different hole patterns.
• The extinguisher is easy to handle and, being as lightweight as it is, can be operated using one hand.

Mandate for the Replacement of Portable Fire Extinguishers

The elimination of halon extinguishers from aircraft was mandated by regulatory bodies in 2019, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The intention of this mandate is to reduce the release of the chemical halon into the atmosphere. Despite halon, the extinguishing agent, being highly effective at eliminating fires without causing damage to aircraft equipment, it contributes to ozone layer depletion and exacerbates climate change.

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, such as QCM Design.

Depending on whether an STC for your aircraft type exists or not, this change might require a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), which can extend the process of swapping out the extinguishers by a few months.

You can read more about this mandate here.

The clock is ticking for operators to comply with the 2025 mandate to replace halon fire extinguishers. QCM Design has the expertise, certifications, and solutions to make this transition seamless and stress-free, having already completed the STC on the Falcon 7X/8X and Airbus A318/319/320/321, with more in progress.

STCs Coming Soon:

• • • Challenger 604/605
    • Challenger 850
    • Falcon 2000
    • Learjet 60

If you’d like a quote for replacing your portable fire extinguishers or need assistance with other design changes, don’t hesitate to contact our team at design@part-21.ch. We’re here to help with your certification needs.

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 (STC) 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 help you with any aircraft modifications, please see our QCM Design page, or contact us at design@part-21.ch.