The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. The Act gives the EPA authority to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% by 2036.
This is not the fire protection industry’s first experience with a global phasedown of a widely used agent—the same dynamic played out with Halon 1301 in the 1990s, as explained in Halon 1301: Why It Was Phased Out.
For the fire protection industry, one of the most important HFCs affected is HFC-227ea, commonly known as FM-200.
What Does This Mean for FM-200?
The AIM Act does not mean that existing FM-200 systems must be removed or that FM-200 suddenly becomes illegal. Instead, the supply of virgin HFCs is being progressively reduced.
Beginning in 2026, EPA requirements place greater emphasis on the use of recycled HFCs for servicing and repairing fire suppression systems. By 2030, recycled HFCs will also be required for the initial installation of fire suppression equipment using HFCs, subject to the applicable requirements.
As virgin supply becomes more limited, the industry can expect greater reliance on recovered, recycled, and reclaimed FM-200/HFC-227ea.
What Does This Mean for Fire Protection Contractors?
FM-200 systems will remain in service for many years, but availability and cost of the agent may become increasingly important. Fire protection contractors and facility owners should begin thinking about:
- Reliable sources of recycled/reclaimed HFC-227ea
- Agent availability and lead times
- Proper recovery and recycling
- Long-term maintenance costs
- Alternative clean-agent technologies
This is particularly important for data centers, electrical rooms, industrial facilities, and other mission-critical applications where a system may require a large quantity of agent following a discharge.
Looking Ahead
The AIM Act is not an overnight phase-out of FM-200. It represents a gradual transition away from virgin HFCs and toward recovery, recycling, reclamation, and lower-GWP alternatives.
For the fire protection industry, the message is simple: FM-200 is still here—but the way we source, service, and manage it is changing. Understanding these changes today can help facility owners and fire protection professionals make better long-term decisions about their fire suppression systems.
Related Reading
- Halon 1301: Why It Was Phased Out—and Why Fire Protection Professionals Still Need to Know It
- The End of 3M Novec 1230: What the Fire Protection Industry Needs to Know
- PFAS and the Future of Firefighting Foam
Roshan Karki is a Special Hazards Subject Matter Expert for educational content created by Fire Tech Productions, Inc.
