The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert highlighting a critical failure discovered in a Halon 1301 fixed fire extinguishing system aboard an inspected towing vessel operating on the Upper Mississippi River.
The incident
After an engine-room fire broke out, the crew attempted to activate the vessel’s Halon system using the remote release station. Despite their efforts, none of the Halon cylinders discharged, even though all bottles were still fully charged. A post-incident investigation found that one of the system’s stackable pneumatic control heads had a bent actuation pin, preventing the mechanism from functioning and ultimately causing the system to fail during a real emergency.
Halon 1301 systems, although no longer produced in the United States since 1994, remain in service aboard many older vessels. Because current guidelines do not require hydrostatic testing of Halon cylinders unless they have been discharged, certain components—such as the actuation pin housed within the control head—may never receive the scrutiny they need over the system’s lifetime. Compounding this issue is the fact that some Halon systems are now considered obsolete by their manufacturers, meaning replacement parts, technical support, and specialized service knowledge may be limited.
Recommendations
The Coast Guard recommends that fire protection service companies conduct careful inspections of control heads during routine maintenance. In particular, they should examine the actuation pins for proper alignment and any signs of damage, such as bending or deformation. If the pin shows any irregularities, the entire control head should be replaced to ensure reliable system performance.
Vessel owners and operators are also urged to maintain comprehensive records of all inspections, servicing, actuation tests, and modifications, and to confirm that the companies maintaining their systems have the necessary expertise and resources to support aging Halon installations.
The alert serves as a reminder that fire suppression systems must be kept in proper working order, especially as they age and lose manufacturer support. A malfunction in a critical component can render an entire fire extinguishing system ineffective at the moment it is most needed. Vessel operators should remain vigilant, prioritizing proactive maintenance and planning for long-term solutions if their Halon systems become increasingly difficult to service.
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Source: USCG
