Up in the Air

By Bill Polits

Reprised from Oct. 11, 2009

The Halon Alternatives Research Corporation (HARC) was formed in 1989, around the same time the Montreal Protocol was ratified. HARC is a private, not-for-profit corporation functioning as a trade association. Concerned members of various industries involved in fire suppression recognized that access to the very effective fire suppressant known as halon would soon become restricted because of its damaging effects on the protective layer of stratospheric ozone. Therefore, they reasoned, it would further the process of fire protection to meet regularly to share ideas and information on how to best transition to a world with a greatly-reduced level of access to halon. Thus, HARC was born, beginning its tradition of sponsoring quarterly meetings at various locations throughout the US.

In recent years as concern about global warming has intensified, HARC has evolved into the premier international organization with its finger on the pulse of goings on in the heated debate about climate change. As policy decisions about fire suppression agents will be made in the coming months and years that will have a lasting effect on the cost and availability of these agents, there has never been a better time to become a member of HARC.

With membership drawing from end-users of fire suppression companies large and small, to clean agent manufacturers, recyclers and members from US Government agencies such as the EPA and with membership who give reports from important United Nations committees on climate change and the environment, there are a multitude of points of view represented at HARC. Under the leadership of Executive Director Thomas A. Cortina, meetings cover the hottest topics at the crossroads of fire suppression, climate change and domestic and international regulation.

HARC is also involved in developing best practices in clean agent fire suppression with an emphasis on emissions reduction and tracking. In conjunction with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, HARC has developed the Voluntary Code of Practice for the Reduction of Emissions of HFC and PFC Fire Protection Agents (VCOP), which aims to lay out best practices for the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases used as fire protection agents. HARC is also at the forefront of focused efforts to gather data regarding HFCs and PFCs used in fire protection through the HFC Emissions Estimating Program (HEEP), a voluntary program to estimate annual emissions of HFCs and PFCs. These important initiatives underscore HARC's commitment to working with regulatory agencies to help chart a solid and information-rich foundation for critical decisions that will affect the future of fire protection.

HARC is where regulators, the fire protection industry and end-users meet for the common benefit and to chart a sensible path forward. HARC membership will provide you and your organization with a chance to air your points of view and to have your questions answered by those in a position to know.

For more information visit www.HARC.org.