hetfield
I have reproduced the entire remarks column from our MEL for the A330 regarding the cargo fire bottles. My interpretation is that if bottle 1 (instant discharge bottle) is U/S the entire cargo fire fighting system is considered US and therefore would have to comply with the first note. If bottle 2 (slow metered bottle) was U/S I could dispatch as long as I could land within 1 hour from any point in the flight. If I want to dispatch ETOPS then both bottles must be serviceable. Remember there are only two bottles and they protect both the forward and aft cargo compartment depending which squib is pushed. If they are discharged into the aft cargo compartment for example there is nothing left to fight a second possible fire in the forward cargo compartment and vv. So in answer to your question, no you couldn’t load the forward cargo compartment unless you can comply with the first “Note”.
NOTE
The fire extinguishing may be
inoperative in one or more cargo
compartments provided
associated cargo compartment is
empty or does not contain
inflammable or combustible
materials.
Agent 2 bottle may be inoperative
provided:
Flight routes allow landing within one
hour.
ETOPS
Both bottles are required for
ETOPS dispatch. If dispatch is
made with one bottle inoperative,
raise a PADD downgrading
aircraft to Non ETOPS.