Silber
You raise a very very important issue. In reality this should be top priority for all aviation safety agencies around the world. As to whether it will or not, I remain sceptical, for all the reasons mentioned.
The simple fact is that halon is no use on class D fires, regardless of concentration.
It is effective for class A,B and C fires but only if the gas can get to the fire, and quickly. This is not guaranteed in cargo compartments of a/c where there is invariably a mix of ULD containers, pallets and the like.
The only solution is an aircraft-based foam system.
In addition there needs to be a quicker way of recognising the danger. Smoke detection systems can be fickle and take sufficient time to guarantee a catastrophe. Certification is done in an empty compartment.
Infra-red thermal detection is the gold standard, providing the additional few minutes that can possibly save the day.
T&C's are one thing but they won't kill you as quickly as a main deck or belly-fire over Siberia or the North Pacific. Or on second thoughts, anywhere once airborne.
FWIW
Last edited by VR-HFX; 19th Jan 2016 at 08:22.