Description

Also referred to as Halon 1211 and Freon 12B1, BCF is a haloalkane with the chemical formula CF₂ClBr. It is used for fire suppression. Stored as a liquid under pressure, it vaporises when discharged to suppress fires.

First introduced in aircraft fire extinguishers during World War II, BCF is highly effective in suppressing electrical fires.  

A portable aviation fire extinguisher, which uses 1.25 pounds of Halon 1211 as its fire extinguishing agent, manufactured by the H3R corporation in 2015. [Source; Wikicommons, Auhtor: Bovineone, 14 August 2021]

Production of BCF and other chloroflourocarbons have been banned in most countries since 1994 because of their role in depleting ozone in the atmosphere. BCF is also a potent greenhouse gas. Nevertheless, recycling of Halon 1211 allows it to remain in use and BCF is still widely used as an extinguishing agent in "critical applications" such as aviation.

For more extensive information on BCF extinguishers and the regulatory issues, see the separate article on Halon fire extinguishers.