Specification for Portable Fire Extinguishers - Halon 1211 Type
1984 Edition

Overview of IS 11108: Scope and Key Tables

Materials Used (Clause 4.1, Table 1)

Construction Details (Clause 6.1)

• Cylinder shape: Cylindrical
• Max filling ratio: 0.75

Discharge Performance (Clause 10.5, Table)

• Discharge testing conducted at 27 ± 5°C, horizontal direction, still air.
• Minimum 95% agent content discharge required within specified time.

Materials for Construction per IS 11108 (Clause 4.1 & Table 1)

Minimum Wall Thickness Formula (Clause 7.1.1)

• For cylindrical shell:

[ t = \frac{p \times D_o}{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p} ]

• For tori-spherical ends:

[ t = \frac{p \times D_o}{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p} ]

• For semi-ellipsoidal ends:

[ t = \frac{p \times D_o}{200 \times 0.8 \times J \times R_e + p} \times K(0) ]

Design and Construction Requirements per IS 11108

1. Materials (Clause 4.1, Table 1)

2. Design Features (Clause 6.1)

• The extinguisher body must be cylindrical.
• Maximum permissible filling ratio is 0.75.

3. Performance Metrics (Clause 10.5, Table 10)

Capacity and Filling Ratio Highlights from IS 11108

• Maximum extinguisher capacity is 6.5 kg (Clause 2.1), with standard sizes including 1.25, 2.5, 4, 5, and 6.5 kg.

• Filling ratio must not exceed 0.75, as per Clause 6.1, calculated by:

[ \text{Filling Ratio} = \frac{\text{Mass of extinguishing agent}}{\text{Container Volume} \times \text{Agent Density}} \leq 0.75 ]

• Charging pressures specified:

  • For 2.5 kg units: 10.5 ± 0.5 kgf/cm² with +50% tolerance (Clause 2.5b).
  • For 4 kg units: Similar pressure requirements as 2.5 kg (Clause 2.5c).

• Discharge testing parameters (Clause 10.5):

• Tests are conducted horizontally in still air at 27 ± 5°C.

flowchart TD
    A[Extinguisher Capacity] --> B[Filling Ratio ≤ 0.75]
    B --> C[Charging Pressure Compliance]
    C --> D[Conduct Discharge Test]
    D --> E[Verify Minimum Throw Duration & Range]

Pressurization and Charging Details from IS 11108

1. Body Configuration and Fill Level (Clause 6.1)

• The extinguisher body must be cylindrical in shape.
• Maximum filling ratio allowed is 0.75 (i.e., up to 75% of container volume filled with agent).

2. Charging Pressure Specifications (Clause 1.25)

• For 1.25 kg capacity: Charge weight is 1.25 kg ± 50 g.
• Charging pressure must be 9.5 ± 0.5 kgf/cm² (~0.93 MPa ± 0.05 MPa).

3. Pressure Gauge Requirements (Clause 7.6)

• Except for universal types, extinguishers should be equipped with a pressure gauge.
• Gauge must indicate:
  • Normal charging pressure range.
  • Status of partial or full discharge.

4. Construction Materials (Clause 4.1, Table 1)

Charging Pressure Formula

[ P_{charge} = 9.5 \pm 0.5 \text{ kgf/cm}^2 ]

flowchart TD
    A[Extinguisher Cylinder (Cylindrical)] --> B[Filling with Agent (≤ 75% volume)]
    B --> C[Pressurization with Dry Nitrogen]
    C --> D[Pressure Gauge Indication]

Performance Characteristics as per IS 11108

• Extinguisher body must be cylindrical (Clause 6.1).
• Maximum filling ratio of 0.75 (Clause 6.1).
• Discharge tests performed at 27 ± 5 °C (Clause 10.5).
• Discharge must be a continuous horizontal stream in still air.
• At least 95% of the extinguishing agent by mass must be expelled during discharge.

Discharge Test Requirements (Clause 10.5):

flowchart LR
    A[Fully Charged Extinguisher] --> B[Discharge Test at 27±5°C]
    B --> C{Is ≥95% of agent discharged?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Minimum throw duration met]
    C -- No --> E[Test Failed]
    D --> F[Discharge completed within max time]
    F --> G[Jet achieves minimum range]
    G --> H[Performance Test Passed]

Testing Protocols in IS 11108

Sampling (Clause 1.2.1 & Appendix A-1.2.1)

• Samples are randomly selected from production lots.
• One sample undergoes drop testing (Clause 10.3) and performance discharge testing (Clause 10.5).

Material Verification (Clause 4.1)

• Materials for extinguisher components follow the specifications in Table 1.

Performance Testing (Clause 10.5)

• Extinguishers are filled to their marked full mass.
• Discharge tests are done at 27 ± 5°C in typical operational orientation.
• At least 95% of the agent must be expelled in a continuous stream.
• Discharge is horizontal in still air.

Summary of Discharge Test Parameters:

• Discharge time must not exceed the maximum allowed for 95% content.
• Jet range must meet or exceed specified minimum.

flowchart LR
    A[Random Sample Selection] --> B[Drop Test (Clause 10.3)]
    A --> C[Discharge Performance Test (Clause 10.5)]
    C --> D{≥95% Discharge?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Pass]
    D -- No --> F[Fail]

Marking and Labeling Specifications per IS 11108

1. Fire Class Indications (Clause 9.3)

• Letters 'B' and 'C' denote fire classes.
• Letter height: 2.5 cm, black color.
• Enclosing shapes:
  • 'B' inside a green square (4 cm).
  • 'C' inside a green circle (2 cm radius).
• Green color as per Shade No. 284 of IS 5-1978.
• Paint conforms to IS 2932-1974 standards.

2. Mandatory Extinguisher Markings (Clause 11.1)

• Manufacturer’s name and trademark.
• Clear operating instructions.
• Label stating “Halon 1211.”
• Capacity and charging pressure details, including radiography status.
• Warning: “Send for re-charging immediately after use.”
• Year of manufacture.
• Test pressure and capacity.
• Tare and full weight (gas plus liquid).
• Warning: “WARNING: Ventilate the area after use.”

3. BIS Certification Mark (Clause 11.2)

• Use of the Standard Mark is optional and regulated under the BIS Act, 1986.
• Licensing conditions available from BIS.

graph TD
A[Fire Extinguisher] --> B[Markings]
B --> C[Fire Class Labels (B & C)]
B --> D[Manufacturer Details]
B --> E[Operating Instructions]
B --> F[Capacity & Pressure Info]
B --> G[Safety Warnings]

Key Safety Specifications from IS 11108

1. Cylinder Shape and Fill Limits (Clause 6.1)

• Must have a cylindrical body.
• Filling ratio limited to 0.75 to maintain safe vapor space.

2. Materials Used (Clause 4.1, Table 1)

3. Discharge Performance Requirements (Clause 10.5, Table 10)

Sampling and Conformity Protocols in IS 11108

Sampling Plan (Clause 1.2.2, Appendix A)

• Samples must be drawn randomly from the production batch.

Additional Notes (Appendix A-0.1)

• Fire extinguishers require stringent quality due to critical safety function.
• Quality control includes design verification, raw material inspection, and manufacturing process control.

Conformity Assessment

• Acceptance or rejection of lots is based on test outcomes of sampled extinguishers.
• Sampling sizes and procedures minimize the risk of failures.

flowchart TD
    A[Extinguisher Lot] --> B{Lot Size?}
    B -->|≤ 25| C[Select 3 Samples]
    B -->|26-50| D[Select 5 Samples]
    B -->|51-100| E[Select 8 Samples]
    B -->|101-200| F[Select 8% Samples]
    C --> G[Conduct Tests]
    D --> G
    E --> G
    F --> G
    G --> H{Conformity?}
    H -- Yes --> I[Accept Lot]
    H -- No --> J[Reject Lot]

Certification and Standard Marking per IS 11108

1. BIS Certification Mark (Clause 11.2)

• Extinguishers may bear the BIS Standard Mark.
• Use of this mark is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986.
• Licensing conditions for mark usage can be obtained from BIS.

2. Sampling and Compliance Verification (Clauses 12 & 1.2.7)

• When no manufacturer’s test certificate is available, components are tested individually.
• Charge quality must comply with specifications.

3. Materials Reference (Table 1, Clause 4.1)

flowchart TD
    A[Manufacturer] --> B[Apply for BIS Licence]
    B --> C[BIS Evaluation & Testing]
    C --> D{Compliant?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Licence Granted & Standard Mark Allowed]
    D -- No --> F[Application Denied]
    E --> G[Product Marked with BIS Logo]

Annexures and References for IS 11108

Table 1: Materials for Construction (Clause 4.1)

Notable Amendments & Remarks:

• Steel body material updated to IS 513-1986.
• Neck ring steel standards include IS 6240-1976 and IS 9550-1980.
• Spring steel updated to IS 454 (Part 1)-1981.
• Siphon tube brass standard updated to IS 1545-1982.
• Added mechanical failure testing (Clause 10.1).
• Clarified body finish requirements (Clause 9.1).

Material Standards References:

• IS 513 - Cold-rolled low carbon steel sheets.
• IS 6240 - Hot-rolled steel plates for low-pressure gas cylinders.
• IS 318 - Leaded tin bronze ingots and castings.