Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers
Clean agent fire extinguishers put out fires without leaving powder, water or any other residue, which makes them the safest choice for protecting expensive electronics. Every unit on this page uses Halotron I, a clean agent that discharges as a liquid stream, evaporates quickly and does not conduct electricity.
Clean agent extinguishers are the standard for computer and server rooms, telecom closets, control rooms, laboratories, museums, aircraft and luxury vehicles, anywhere a dry chemical discharge would cost more to clean up than the fire itself. The liquid stream also reaches farther than CO2, so the operator can stay back from the fire.
We carry Buckeye Halotron I extinguishers in two styles:
- Portable units from 2.5 lb to 15.5 lb, with hose or fixed nozzle, and a wall mount or vehicle bracket
- Mini-Guard automatic spot protection units in 18 lb and 25 lb sizes, which discharge on their own when heat at the unit reaches the set temperature
Smaller Halotron I units are rated for Class B and C fires. The 11 lb and larger portable models add a Class A rating, so a single clean agent extinguisher can cover paper, wiring and electronics in the same room.
Compare sizes, nozzles and mounting options below, or read our clean agent fire extinguisher guide further down the page to choose the right unit.
What Is a Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher?
A clean agent fire extinguisher uses an electrically non-conductive agent that leaves no residue after it evaporates. Clean agents were developed to replace Halon 1211, which was phased out for ozone depletion. Halotron I, the agent in every extinguisher on this page, is a liquefied gas blend that cools the fire and interrupts its chemical reaction, then flashes off without a trace.
Clean Agent vs. CO2 and ABC Fire Extinguishers
Compared with CO2
Both leave no residue. A clean agent fire extinguisher discharges as a liquid stream with longer range, and larger sizes are rated for Class A fires, which CO2 extinguishers are not. CO2 costs less per unit.
Compared with ABC dry chemical
An ABC fire extinguisher costs far less and has higher ratings for its size, but its powder is corrosive and gets into circuit boards, keyboards and machinery. In a server room, the cleanup after an ABC discharge can be worse than the fire.
Halotron I Fire Extinguisher Ratings and Sizes
Clean agents are less efficient per pound than dry chemical, so a clean agent fire extinguisher must be larger to earn the same rating. A 2.5 lb Halotron I unit is rated for Class B and C fires, enough for a vehicle or a small electronics closet. The 11 lb model adds a Class A rating, and the 15.5 lb model is rated 2-A:10-B:C, which lets it stand in for an ABC unit in a computer room. If your fire inspector requires a 2-A rating in an area full of electronics, a large clean agent unit meets it without exposing equipment to dry chemical powder.
Where to Use a Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher
Use clean agent extinguishers in data centers and server rooms, telecom and control rooms, medical and laboratory equipment rooms, libraries and archives, art galleries, clean rooms, aircraft hangars and aircraft cabins, boats, and high-value vehicles. Vehicle-bracket models suit service trucks that carry diagnostic equipment. Halotron I can be used in occupied rooms, but ventilate the space once the fire is out.
Portable vs. Automatic Clean Agent Units
Portable Halotron I extinguishers
Hose models make it easier to aim at the base of a fire inside a cabinet. Fixed-nozzle models are more compact for vehicles and tight spaces. Choose 2.5 lb or 5.5 lb for vehicles and small rooms, and 11 lb or 15.5 lb where you need a Class A rating.
Mini-Guard automatic spot protection
Mini-Guard units mount horizontally or vertically above a hazard, such as an electrical cabinet, generator or engine compartment, and discharge automatically when the heat-sensing element reaches its rated temperature. They protect equipment that runs unattended.
Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Inspect clean agent extinguishers monthly and have them serviced annually, like any workplace extinguisher. Check that the gauge reads in the green and the nozzle is clear. Halotron I units need a six-year internal examination and a 12-year hydrostatic test, and must be recharged only with Halotron I by a certified technician. Find brackets, signs and inspection tags in our extinguisher accessories department.