Do regulations require that a Halon fire extinguisher be removed from a plane at high temperatures?
Following are excerpts from three key documents regarding the use of fire extinguishers on aircraft. In AC20-42C, “Hand Held Fire Extinguishers for use in Aircraft,” the FAA recommends “approved” (such as by UL) fire extinguishers for use in aircraft, but mentions nothing about removing a fire extinguisher from an aircraft due to temperature. NFPA 408, 2-1.4, “Standard for Aircraft Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers,” states: “All aircraft hand portable fire extinguishers shall function properly at temperature ranges from -40 degrees F to 120 degrees F.” NFPA 10 “Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers” does call for aluminum-shelled fire extinguishers to be removed from service and hydrostatically tested if they are exposed to temperatures in excess of 350 degrees F.
