fire extinguishers

[Ross]

I bought my boat twenty years ago and it had been laid up on the hard for four years before I got it. There was a dry chemical fire extinguisher on board when I cleaned it out. I hung the extinguisher in the shop because the guage was still in the green. This morning I took it outside to see if it would still work. It did perfectly. But I was astonished by the cloud of dust that filled the air. I stood with my back to the wind but the dust was dense and as airborne as smoke. I can imagine that it would present a breathing hazard in a confined space.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

That's the whole idea, Russ

A chemical fire extinguisher smothers a fire. I dunno what the chemical is, but even baking soda in a concentration high enough to smother a fire would be a breathing hazard if you fill a room with it. You're not supposed to spray it into the air...you're supposed to spray at the fire--which btw, is an even bigger breathing hazard!

 

[Calif. Ted]

It is baking soda or a mix with it's cousin potassium bicarbonate, also has desicants to prevent caking. It will cause breathing problems really quick, your throat wants to close,and feels caked. Restaurants have very large systems for deep fat fryers that make it impossible to breathe without an air tank after they have discharged.

 

[Texas Lake Sailor]

From my days on navy subs, it was not unusual for those folks that were around dry chem ext to come down with severe respiration issues after using. However they are the most effective method to put out multiple fires. Remember the chemical depending on type is corrosive to equipment and hell on all bearings

 

[Ross]

I had this aimed at the ground about six feet in front of me. I believe that even if it were aimed at water from that distance it would fill the air with dust.
The date on the extinguisher was/is 1976.

 

[zeehag]

when i have my safety checks i donot replace the extinguisher anymore-----i used to religiously--but if the powder is still loose in the bottle and the guage is in the green, is all goood...

 

[Ross]

when i have my safety checks i donot replace the extinguisher anymore-----i used to religiously--but if the powder is still loose in the bottle and the guage is in the green, is all goood...

I was surprised that it was still good but I have pulled the charge from a muzzle loading shotgun and the powder would still burn even though the stock was rotted and the lock and barrel were very rusty.

 

[zeehag]

ross--you kinda live on the edge for an old curmudgeon.....LOL....

until i had to pop the extinguisher 2 yrs ago, this boat had the same ones for 4 yrs and my ericson has had the same ones for more than 10...lol......as long as powder is loose and the needle is in green , is a go !!!:dance: