Something that has been discussed while I've been studying at BCFT is the alternative methods of fire suppression systems used other than Halon. One particular method that seems to be discussed frequently are water mist systems. I understand that the use of Halon 1301 is the most common form of fire suppression, but it appears to me from reading various sources that more "eco friendly" methods such as water mist are more appealing.
If you were a passenger on a commercial aircraft that experienced a fire in flight, either in the cabin, the engine nacelle, or the cargo hold, would you really give a darn whether the type of extinguisher used was "
eco friendly"? Or would you prefer that the most effective type of fire suppressant was used?
Gases are much more effective for the hand-held extinguishers typically used for cabin fires. And Halon is safer than CO2 since it is less likely to suffocate passengers.