Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: Sun, 26 May 91 14:03 EDT From: Macy Hallock Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: I Was Caught In a Big Halon Discharge Message-ID: Organization: Hallock Engineering and Sales Medina, Ohio USA +1 216 722 3053 Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 402, Message 4 of 9 Lines: 58 [ good discussion about Halon deleted ] >> I watched a test of a Halon fire supression system installed at Yale a >> number of years ago. The testers remained inside the room as the >> system was set off; they seemed quite unconcerned. > I suspect that the test you witnessed was performed with a dummy > substance in the tank rather than Halon. This is true. In a decent size computer room, a Halon 1301 dump can cost $10k-30k. For this reason, testing is done using another gas. The tests I particpated in (one of the companies I own does fire alarm work, and I hold a valid State of Ohio Fire Alarm Installer License) used CO2. I was told CO2 dispersed in a similar fashion as Halon and cost far, far less. All personnel were evacuated prior to the test. The only people remaining in the room had breathing gear on. (It looked like fire/mine type assisted breathing apparatus to me) The discharge itself was rather spectacular, and sure stirred up the air. A slight mist/fog could be seen. The air temperature dropped several degrees, according the the evironmental systems. Frost formed on the manifold and pipes above the tanks, and on the halon tanks themselves. The sound was impressive, too. I'm told the actual change in the air mixture in the room is rather rapid and when either halon or CO2 is used, should not be deadly. However, the possiblility of accidental asphyxiation is possbile, either by incomplete dispersal (the high discharge veolcity is intended to even mix/disperse the gas) or for physical reasons (poor health, etc>). Accordingly, the correct procedure is to evacuate without delay, and reenter only with assisted breathing apparatus until the room's atmosphere is returned to normal. Later, after I was off site, some idiot got to fooling around with the room's fire alarm system and dumped the real halon. The bill was around $20k at this site (a major insurance company), and the idiot tried to blame our fire alarm system. We had to demonstrate the system operated well within spec and also got written statements from several other people in the computer to resolve the issue. Sigh. I really didn't want to learn about Halon systems to the extent required by the situation. Note that the computer room involved was actually smaller than most major central office ESS equipment rooms are. I now notice that some of the local telcos and carriers are installing Halon systems. They are also breaking up their offices into smaller areas and using firestops and doors to compartmentalize their Halon systems and fire risks. Its about time. Macy M. Hallock, Jr. N8OBG 216-725-4764 Home macy@fmsystm.UUCP macy@NCoast.ORG Note: macy@ncoast.org is best reply path to me. uunet!aablue!fmsystm!macy [No disclaimer, but I have no real idea what I'm saying or why I'm telling you]