F-500 EA® Aircraft Fire Extinguisher
for Cabins, Cargo Holds, and Cockpits
Modern aviation faces an expanding range of fire hazards driven by evolving aircraft technologies, passenger behavior, and the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, power banks, e-cigarettes, and other personal electronic devices are routinely carried throughout aircraft, increasing the risk of thermal runaway, flammable vapor release, explosive gas accumulation, and rapid fire propagation. These incidents can develop with little warning and are especially dangerous in confined aircraft environments, where evacuation options are limited and heat, smoke, and toxic combustion byproducts can quickly threaten passengers, crew members, and critical systems. Effective response therefore requires more than temporary flame knockdown. The fluorine-free F-500 EA® Aircraft Fire Extinguisher is supported by nearly two decades of scalable testing for managing these complex hazards in cabins, cargo holds, and cockpits.
Clean vs. Encapsulator Agents
Clean agents like Halon have long been considered the standard aircraft fire extinguisher, but efforts to phase them out due to health and environmental concerns have exposed other safety gaps. While clean agents primarily interrupt the chemical chain reaction, Halon compounds are heavier than air and can displace oxygen in the process. NFPA 18A-compliant Encapsulator Agents like F-500 EA® act on all four legs of the fire tetrahedron without displacing oxygen, helping protect aircraft passengers and crew.
Onboard Lithium-ion Battery Fires
UL Standards & Engagement’s 2024 Aviation Data Review highlights growing lithium-ion battery threats. Airlines reported an average of two thermal runaway incidents weekly, with one in five prompting a diversion, evacuation, or deplaning. Yet 38% of U.S. passengers admitted packing devices in checked luggage, where they are not readily accessible. These findings reinforce the need for F-500 EA® Aircraft Fire Extinguishers proven to mitigate lithium-ion battery flammability, explosivity, and toxicity risks.
F-500 EA® Testing and Compliance
Since 1997, F-500 EA® has undergone extensive compliance and performance testing by leading industry organizations and testing, inspection, and certification institutions worldwide. This decades-long evaluation history has examined its effectiveness across a broad range of fire, vapor, and contamination hazards under controlled laboratory conditions and realistic application scenarios. It has also helped establish clear criteria for distinguishing HCT’s proprietary Encapsulator Technology from other products marketed as Encapsulator Agents. As lithium-ion battery technology became more prevalent, dedicated testing began in 2008 to evaluate a 3% F-500 EA® solution and compare its ability to mitigate lithium-ion battery fire risks more efficiently and consistently than water and water mist applications. Continued collaboration with influential industry leaders and independent TIC organizations has produced a substantial body of technical evidence supporting F-500 EA®’s reliability, performance, and scalability across industries.
NFPA 18A Section 7.7
Tests an Encapsulator Agent’s ability to render hydrocarbon based fuel nonflammable and nonignitable.
NFPA 18A Annex 4.3
Recognizes third-party scientific testing of Encapsulator Agents on lithium-ion battery fire hazards.
UL NFPA 18
Tests a wetting agent’s ability to mitigate Class A and Class B fire hazards as well as flammable spill control.
NEN NTA 8133
Tests a fire extinguisher’s ability to halt thermal runaway propagation in lithium-ion battery fires under 600 Wh.
FAA AC 150/5210-6E
Includes Encapsulator Agents as acceptable Aircraft Fire Extinguishing Agents for Airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Encapsulator Agent?
Foams work on a mechanical level, relying on a bubble blanket to separate the fuel from the oxygen. Unlike foams, Encapsulator Agents work on a molecular level, relying on spherical micelles to encapsulate fuel. These spherical micelles work on all four legs of the fire tetrahedron simultaneously to deliver three unique features: encapsulation, rapid heat reduction, and free radical interruption.
Encapsulator Agents are recognized in NFPA 18A, Standard on Water Additives for Fire Control and Vapor Mitigation. This is the first standard outlining the criteria an agent must meet to be classified as an Encapsulator Agent. The Spherical Micelle Stability Test protocol in Section 7.7 evaluates a concentrate’s ability to form stable spherical micelles which are capable of encapsulating hydrocarbon and polar based fuels, thereby rendering them nonflammable.
Why should we buy F-500 EA® over Fluorine Free Foam?
Technology is outpacing the codes and standards put out by leading regulatory agencies. This has left markets and first responders unprepared for many of the challenges and hazards associated with today’s industrial fires. Many organizations are switching to Fluorine Free Foam (FFF) for “safe” protection, but these foams aren’t capable of mitigating the high hazards they’re faced with.
Although Fluorine Free Foam (FFF) can be useful under specific circumstances, NFPA 11 states that foam is an inappropriate choice for fighting three-dimensional and flowing fuel fire hazards. For all-encompassing fire protection covering multi-class, three-dimensional, and flowing fuel hazards, an alternative is needed. That’s where fluorine free Encapsulator Technology comes into play.
What types of fires can F-500 EA® extinguish?
F-500 EA® can effectively extinguish blazes containing mixed materials.
Class A
Wildland Fires, Wood, Paper, Cloth, Rubber, Plastic, Coal, Etc.
Class B (2D)
Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, Oil, E10, E85, Ethanol, Methanol, Jet Fuel, Etc.
Class B (3D)
Transformers, Oil Rigs, Aircraft Turbines, Distillation Columns, Etc.
Energized Environments
Solar Panel Installations, Charging Stations, Substations, Etc.
Class D
Magnesium, Titanium, Aluminum, Zirconium, Lithium, Etc.
Lithium-ion Batteries
Battery Energy Storage Systems, EVs, E-bikes, Phones, Laptops, Etc.
Is F-500 EA® recognized by leading life safety institutions?
Yes!
UL NFPA 18
Tests a wetting agent’s ability to mitigate Class A and Class B fire hazards as well as flammable spill control.
NFPA 18A Section 7.7
Tests an Encapsulator Agent’s ability to render hydrocarbon and polar based fuels nonflammable and nonignitable.
NFPA 18A Annex 4.3
Recognizes third-party scientific testing of Encapsulator Agents on lithium-ion battery fire hazards.
NEN NTA 8133
Tests a fire extinguisher’s ability to extinguish lithium-ion battery fires under 600 Wh.
FAA AC 150/5210-6E Circular
Includes Encapsulator Agents in an advisory circular on aircraft fire extinguishing agents for airports.
What percentage of F-500 EA® do we need in our solution?
Please consult all appropriate F-500 EA® SOGs for more information.
Class A
0.5%-1% F-500 EA®
Class B (2D)*
3% F-500 EA®
Class B (3D)
3% F-500 EA®
Energized Environments
3% F-500 EA®
Class D
3% F-500 EA®
Lithium-ion Batteries
3% F-500 EA®
*Although F-500 EA® can quickly extinguish a Class B fire, this is not to be confused with fuel spill neutralization. To encapsulate an entire hydrocarbon fuel spill, you will need to know how much fuel has been spilled. For fuel neutralization, the ratio is 1 part F-500 EA®, 8 parts fuel, and 40 parts water. For example, a typical 8-gallon fuel spill would require one gallon of F-500 EA® and 40 gallons of water to render the spill nonflammable and nonignitable. It can then be left to evaporate, depending on local regulations.
Is F-500 EA® environmentally friendly?
Yes! F-500 EA® is fluorine free, biodegradable, and noncorrosive.
Nontoxic & Non-Skin Sensitizing
F-500 EA® was found to be non-sensitizing when tested in accordance with OECD-406.
Non-hazardous
F-500 EA® does not contain any ingredients reportable under the Superfund Amendments, Re-authorization Act (SARA) Title III, Section 313, or Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act (CERCLA). It can be discarded as a non-hazardous waste under RCRA CFR261.
Biodegradable
Testing shows that F-500 EA® is fully biodegradable. As with any substance, care should be taken to prevent uncontrolled discharge from entering ground water, surface water, or storm drains. With advance notice, F-500 EA® can be treated by local biological wastewater treatment plants. The lower the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), the lower the demand for oxygen and the better for the aquatic ecosystem. When compared to several AR-AFFF products, F-500 EA®’s BOD is 87% less and its COD is 80% less.
EPA NCP Product Schedule Listed
F-500 EA® is listed on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a surface washing agent.
What is the shelf life of F-500 EA®?
The shelf life of an unopened container of F-500 EA® concentrate is at least 15 years. Testing is ongoing.
Is F-500 EA® approved by the Insurance Services Office (ISO)?
Yes! F-500 EA® is recognized by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) as a foam equivalent and therefore qualifies for point credit recognition.
Where can I buy F-500 EA®?
F-500 EA® is available across the globe! Please contact us directly to receive a quote on domestic and international sales. If we have a distributor in your region, we’ll connect you with them, giving you the opportunity to purchase F-500 EA® locally.
How long have you been selling F-500 EA®?
We’ve been selling F-500 EA® since 1997. Over the years, it has gained worldwide recognition as an innovative agent for firefighters and industry leaders looking to transition to a sustainable future.
Where can I get a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for F-500 EA®?
Please contact us directly to receive a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for F-500 EA®.
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