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IS 11108:1984 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for portable fire extinguishers - halon 1211 type. This standard provides specifications for the material, construction, performance, and testing of portable fire extinguishers using Halon 1211 (BCF). It covers various capacities from 0.6 kg to 5 kg. Due to the ozone-depleting nature of Halon, its use is now highly restricted, making this standard primarily for legacy reference in critical applications.
Specification for Portable Fire Extinguishers - Halon 1211 Type
! Halon 1211 is an ozone-depleting substance banned for new production and general use under the Montreal Protocol. This standard is not for new designs but for maintaining existing critical systems (e.g., aviation).
! Modern, environmentally friendly alternatives are 'clean agent' extinguishers covered by standards like IS 16018 (HFC-236fa) or those using FK-5-1-12.
! Discharging Halon in a confined, unventilated space is hazardous as it displaces oxygen and can produce toxic by-products when exposed to fire.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
Halon 1211steelBCFclean agent
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ISO 7165:1999International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva
HighWithdrawn
Fire fighting — Portable fire extinguishers — Performance and construction
Covered performance and construction requirements for all types of portable extinguishers, including Halon 1211.
NFPA 10National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
MediumCurrent
Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
Covers selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and testing of all portable extinguishers; contains legacy information on phased-out Halon units.
BS 5423:1987British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for portable fire extinguishers
Was the primary UK standard for the manufacture of portable extinguishers, including a specific section for Halon types.
UL 1093Underwriters Laboratories (UL), USA
HighWithdrawn
Standard for Halogenated Agent Fire Extinguishers
Specifically covered the safety, testing, and certification requirements for Halogenated agent extinguishers like Halon 1211.
Key Differences
≠The fire rating system in IS 11108 (e.g., 1A, 8B) is based on IS 2190, which differs in test fire size and methodology from the UL rating system used in NFPA 10 (e.g., 1-A:10-B:C) or the European system in EN 3.
≠IS 11108 specifies a hydrostatic test pressure of 3.0 MPa. In contrast, UL 1093 required a much higher test pressure of 4 times the service pressure, resulting in a more robust cylinder design.
≠The Indian standard is prescriptive about body material, requiring deep drawing quality steel conforming to IS 513. Modern international standards like the EN 3 series are more performance-based, allowing any material that meets stringent pressure, burst, and corrosion tests.
≠Historical British standards (BS 5306) specified a distinct color code for Halon extinguishers (emerald green), whereas IS 2190 specified a red body with a canary yellow band, which has since been simplified to all-red.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are for stored-pressure type extinguishers, where Halon 1211 is pressurized with an expellant gas like dry nitrogen.
≈The specified extinguishing agent is Bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211), with similar high-purity requirements (typically >99.0%) across all standards to ensure effectiveness and prevent corrosion.
≈All standards mandate fundamental safety features, including a safety pin or similar device to prevent accidental discharge, and a pressure gauge or indicator to verify readiness.
≈There is a common understanding across all standards that Halon 1211 is primarily for use on Class B (flammable liquid) and Class C (electrical) fires, leveraging its non-conductive and clean agent properties.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Agent Purity (Halon 1211)
Minimum 99.0% by mass
Minimum 99.5% by mass
ISO 7201-1:1989
Hydrostatic Test Pressure
3.0 MPa (approx. 435 psi)
4 times the service pressure (e.g., ~4.1 MPa or 600 psi for a 150 psi extinguisher)
UL 1093
Operating Temperature Range
-20°C to +55°C
-40°C to +49°C (-40°F to 120°F)
NFPA 10 (common UL listed range)
Minimum Body Wall Thickness (Steel)
1.25 mm (for diameter up to 200 mm)
Performance-based; must withstand burst pressure test (typically >4x service pressure)
BS EN 3-8
Minimum Agent Discharge Percentage
90% for sizes up to 2.5 kg; 95% for sizes above 2.5 kg
90% for extinguishers with a rating of 2-B or less; 95% for higher ratings
NFPA 10
Moisture Content of Agent
Maximum 0.005 percent by mass
Maximum 10.0 ppm by weight (0.001%)
ISO 7201-1:1989
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Purity of Halon 121199.0% minimum by mass
Hydrostatic Pressure Test3.0 MPa (or 30 kgf/cm²) held for 2.5 min
Minimum Effective Discharge Time (1.25 kg model)8 seconds
Minimum Percentage of Discharge95%
Body MaterialCold rolled mild steel sheet conforming to IS 513
Colour CodeCanary Yellow band on Post Office Red body (as per IS 2190)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Performance Requirements for Portable Halon 1211 Fire Extinguishers
Can I still use or buy a Halon 1211 extinguisher?+
No, production and import for general use are banned. They are only permitted for 'essential' or 'critical' uses (like aviation) from recycled stocks, subject to strict regulation.
What class of fire is Halon 1211 used for?+
It is highly effective for Class B (flammable liquids) and Class C (energized electrical equipment) fires, and also has some effect on Class A fires.
What is the colour code for a Halon extinguisher?+
As per IS 2190, the extinguisher body is Post Office Red with a Canary Yellow colour band.
What has replaced Halon extinguishers?+
Clean agent extinguishers using agents like HFCs (IS 16018), Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12), and inert gases have replaced Halon in most applications.