New EU regulations will prohibit the servicing and reactivation of older fire suppression systems using old fluorinated liquid suppression agents starting October 23, 2026. The handling of fluorinated liquid agents is strictly regulated, and these agents must be properly disposed of as hazardous waste. Legacy liquid-based fire suppression systems containing PFAS compounds must be clearly labelled as of October 23, 2026.
The old liquid agents can be replaced with new ones, but:
- A new risk analysis must be conducted for the system.
- The system sizing must be recalculated, as the properties of the old and new suppression liquid agents differ.
- Discharge nozzles and other components must be replaced to comply with approval test standards.
Manufacturers have not yet provided instructions for cleaning the old liquid tanks. However, given that the tanks are primarily made of aluminum and the permitted concentration limit is very low, we do not currently consider it likely that old systems can be cleaned thoroughly enough.
For the past year, we have already been replacing numerous legacy systems with entirely new Fluorine-Free Reacton systems because:
- It is more cost-effective.
- Based on approval tests, the customer receives a more efficient, A+ rated fire suppression system.
- The customer gets a completely new system.
Furthermore, the maintenance of a Reacton system is less demanding compared to traditional liquid systems. For example, there is no five-year intermediate service required. Only annual inspections are needed up to 10 years, at which point all pressure vessels must be inspected in any case.
Reacton fire suppression systems were originally designed to be PFAS-free.
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What Are PFAS and Why Are They Restricted?
PFAS contain strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which is why they break down extremely slowly. They can travel long distances in the environment and contaminate groundwater, surface water, and soil. Certain PFAS accumulate in humans, animals, and plants, and can cause adverse health effects, such as reproductive harm, fetal developmental disorders, endocrine disruption, and cancer.