Comment by oasisbob

> I would expect it wouldn't be sufficient for a lithium ion battery fire - you'd temporarily displace the oxygen

(Edit: sorry, in hindsight it's obvious the comment I'm replying to was referring to inert gas systems, and not halogenated systems)

Halon and friends don't work through an oxygen displacement mechanism, their fire suppression effects are primarily due to how the halogen moieties interfere with the decomposition of other substances in the flame. IIRC, A key mechanism is the formation of hydrogen(!) from hydrogen radicals.

Apparently if the calibration is correct, halon can de deployed in a space to suppress a fire without posing as asphyxiation risk.

A good review is here: https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/el/fire_research...