Fire extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user (i.e. no escape route, smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire department. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire.

There are two main types of fire extinguishers: Stored pressure and generated pressure. In stored pressure units, the expellant is stored in the same chamber as the firefighting agent itself. Depending on the agent used, different propellants are used. With dry chemical extinguishers, nitrogen is typically used; water and foam are pressurized with air. Stored pressure are the most common types of fire extinguishers. Cartridge-operated extinguishers, contain the expellant gas in a separate cartridge that is punctured prior to discharge, exposing the propellant to the agent. These types as are not as common, used primarily in areas such as industrial facilities, where they receive higher-than-average use. They have the advantage of simple and prompt recharge, allowing an operator to discharge the extinguisher, recharge it, and return to the fire in an reasonable amount of time. Unlike stored pressure types, these extinguishers utilize compressed carbon dioxide instead of nitrogen, although nitrogen cartridges are used on low temperature (-60 rated) models. Cartridge operated types are available in dry chemical and dry powder in the US and water, wetting agent, foam, and dry powder(ABC, BC, or D) in the rest of the world.

Fire extinguishers are further divided into handheld and cart-mounted, also called wheeled extinguishers. Handheld extinguishers weigh from 2 to 30 pounds (1 to 14 kilograms), and are hence easily portable by hand. They exist in both stored- and generated-pressure types and contain all types of suppressants. Cart-mounted units typically weigh 50+ pounds (23+ kilograms), are cartridge-operated, and typically contain either dry chemical, Purple-K, foam, Halon, Halotron-1 or CO₂. Wheeled models are most commonly found at construction sites, airport runways, heliports, and temporary landing sites.

Contents 1 History 2 Classification 2.1 Australia 2.2 United Kingdom 2.3 United States 3 Installation 4 Types of extinguishing agents 4.1 Dry chemical 4.2 Foams 4.3 Water 4.3.1 Wet chemical and water additives 4.4 Clean agents and carbon dioxide 4.5 Class D 5 Maintenance 5.1 Vandalism and extinguisher protection 6 Fire extinguisher signs 6.1 Placement of fire extinguisher signs 6.2 Photo-luminescent fire extinguisher signs 7 References 8 External links

History

The first automatic fire extinguisher of which there is any record was patented in England in 1723 by French C. Hopffer, a celebrated chemist. It consisted of a cask of fire-extinguishing liquid containing a pewter chamber of gunpowder. This was connected with a system of fuses which were ignited, exploding the gunpowder and scattering the solution. This device was probably used to a limited extent, as Bradley's Weekly Messenger for November 7, 1729, refers to its efficiency in stopping a fire in London.

The modern fire extinguisher was invented by British Captain George William Manby in 1818; it consisted of a copper vessel of 3 gallons (13.6 litres) of pearl ash (potassium carbonate) solution contained within compressed air.

The soda-acid extinguisher was first patented in 1866 by Francois Carlier of France, which mixed a solution of water and sodium bicarbonate with tartaric acid, producing the propellant CO₂ gas.

A soda-acid extinguisher was patented in the U.S. in 1881 by Almon M. Granger. His extinguisher used the reaction between sodium bicarbonate solution and sulphuric acid to expel pressurized water onto a fire.^[1]

A vial was suspended in the cylinder containing concentrated sulphuric acid. Depending on the type of extinguisher, the vial of acid could be broken in one of two ways. One used a plunger to break the acid vial, while the second released a lead bung that held the vial closed. Once the acid was mixed with the bicarbonate solution, carbon dioxide gas was expelled and thereby pressurize the water. The pressurized water was forced from the canister through a nozzle or short length of hose.

The cartridge-operated extinguisher was invented by Read & Campbell of England in 1881, which used water or water-based solutions. They later invented a carbon tetrachloride model called the "Petrolex" which was marketed toward automotive use.

The chemical foam extinguisher was invented around 1905 by Alexander Laurant of Russia, who first used it to extinguish a pan of burning naphtha. It works and looks similar to the soda-acid type, but the inner parts are different. The main tank contains a solution of water, foam compound (usually made from licorice root) and sodium bicarbonate. A cylindrical metal or plastic chamber holds about a quart and a half of 13% aluminium sulphate and is capped with a lead cap. When the unit is turned over, the chemicals mix, producing CO₂ gas. The licorice causes some of the CO₂ bubbles to become trapped in the liquid and is discharged on the fire as a thick whitish-brown foam.

Around 1912 Pyrene invented the carbon tetrachloride (CTC) extinguisher, which expelled the liquid from a brass or chrome container by a handpump; it was usually of 1 imperial quart (1.1 L) or 1 imperial pint (0.6 L) capacity but was also available in up to 2 imperial gallon (9 L) size. A further variety consisted of a glass bottle "bomb" filled with the liquid that was intended to be hurled at the base of a fire. The CTC vaporized and extinguished the flames by creating a dense, oxygen-excluding blanket of fumes, and to a lesser extent, inhibiting the chemical reaction. The extinguisher was suitable for liquid and electrical fires, and was popular in motor vehicles for the next 60 years. In the 1940s, Germany invented the liquid chlorobromomethane (CBM) for use in aircraft. It was more effective and slightly less toxic than carbon tetrachloride and was used until 1969. Methyl Bromide was discovered as an extinguishing agent in the 1920s and was used extensively in Europe. It is a low-pressure gas that works by inhibiting the chain reaction of the fire and is the most toxic of the vaporizing liquids, used until the 1960s. The vapor and combustion by-products of all vaporizing liquids were highly toxic, and could cause death in confined spaces.

The carbon dioxide (CO₂) extinguisher was invented (at least in the US) by the Walter Kidde Company in 1924 in response to Bell Telephone's request for an electrically non-conductive chemical for extinguishing the previously difficult to extinguish fires in telephone switchboards. It consisted of a tall metal cylinder containing 7.5 lbs. of CO₂ with a wheel valve and a woven brass, cotton covered hose, with a composite funnel-like horn as a nozzle. CO₂ is still popular today as it is a ozone-friendly clean agent and is useful for a extinguishing a person who is on fire, hence its widespread use in film and television.

In 1928, DuGas (later bought by Ansul) came out with a cartridge-operated dry chemical extinguisher, which used sodium bicarbonate specially treated with chemicals to render it free-flowing and moisture-resistant. It consisted of a copper cylinder with an internal CO₂cartridge. The operator turned a wheel valve on top to puncture the cartridge and squeezed a lever on the valve at the end of the hose to discharge the chemical. This was the first agent available for large scale three-dimensional liquid and pressurized gas fires, and was but remained largely a specialty type until the 1950s, when small dry chemical units were marketed for home use. ABC dry chemical came over from Europe in the 1950s, with Super-K being invented in the early 60s and Purple-K being developed by the US Navy in the late 1960s.

Halon 1211 came over to the US from Europe in the 1970s, and had been used there since the late 40s or early 50s. Halon 1301 had been developed by DuPont and the US Army in 1954. Both work by inhibiting the chain reaction of the fire, and in the case of Halon 1211, cooling class A fuels as well. Halon is still in use today, but is falling out of favour for many uses due to its environmental impact. Europe and Australia have severely restricted its use, but it is still widely available in North America, the Middle East, and Asia.

Classification

Internationally there are several accepted classification methods for hand-held fire extinguishers. Each classification is useful in fighting fires with a particular group of fuel.

Australia

Type	Pre-1997	Current	Class
Water	Solid red		A
Foam	Solid blue	Red with a blue band	A	B
Dry chemical (powder)	Red with a white band		A	B	C	E
Carbon dioxide	Red with a black band		A (limited)	B	C	E	F
Vaporising liquid (not halon)	Red with a yellow band		A	B	C	E
Halon	Solid yellow	—	A	B		E
Wet chemical	Solid oatmeal	Red with an oatmeal band	A				F

In Australia, yellow (Halon) fire extinguishers are illegal to own or use on a fire, unless an essential use exemption has been granted.^[2]

United Kingdom

According to the standard BS EN 3, fire extinguishers in the United Kingdom as all throughout Europe are red RAL 3000, and a band or circle of a second color covering at least 5% of the surface area of the extinguisher indicates the contents. Before 1997, the entire body of the fire extinguisher was color coded according to the type of extinguishing agent.

Type	Old Code	BS EN 3 Colour Code	Fire Class
Water	Signal Red	Signal Red	A
Foam	Cream	Red with a Cream panel above the operating instructions	A	B			sometimes E
Dry powder	French Blue	Red with a Blue panel above the operating instructions	A	B	sometimes C		E
Carbon dioxide CO2	Black	Red with a Black panel above the operating instructions		B			E
Wet chemical	No F Class	Red with a Canary Yellow panel above the operating instructions	A					F
Class D powder	French Blue	Red with a Blue panel above the operating instructions				D

The UK recognizes six fire classes. Class A fires involve organic solids such as paper and wood. Class B fires involve flammable liquids. Class C fires involve flammable gases. Class D fires involve metals, Class E fires involve live electrical items and Class F fires involve cooking fat and oil. Fire extinguishing capacity is rated by fire class using numbers and letters such as 13A, 55B. EN 3 does not recognize a separate E class - this is an additional feature requiring special testing (dielectric test per EN 3-7:2004) and NOT passing this test makes it compulsory to add a special label (pictogram) indicating the inability to isolate the user from a live electric source.

In the UK the use of Halon gas is now illegal except under certain situations.^[3]

United States

There is no official standard in the United States for the colour of fire extinguishers, though they are typically red, except for Class D extinguishers, which are usually yellow, and water, which usually silver, or white if water mist. Extinguishers are marked with pictograms depicting the types of fires that the extinguisher is approved to fight. In the past, extinguishers were marked with coloured geometric symbols, and some extinguishers still use both symbols. The types of fires and additional standards are described in NFPA 10: Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, 2007 edition.

Fire Class	Geometric Symbol	Pictogram	Intended Use	Mnemonic
A	Green Triangle	Garbage can and wood pile burning	Ordinary solid combustibles	Think A for anything that leaves ash
B	Red Square	Gasoline can with a burning puddle	Flammable liquids and gases	Think B for anything in a barrel - gas, oil, etc.
C	Blue Circle	Electric plug with a burning outlet	Energized electrical equipment	Think C for current
D	Yellow Pentagram (Star)	Burning Gear and Bearing	Combustible metals	Think D for ding things
K	Black Hexagon	Pan burning	Cooking oils and fats	Think K for kitchen

The Underwriters Laboratories rate fire extinguishing capacity in accordance with UL/ANSI 711: Rating and Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishers. The ratings are described using numbers preceding the class letter, such as 1-A:10-B:C. The number preceding the A multiplied by 1.25 gives the equivalent extinguishing capability in gallons of water. The number preceding the B indicates the size of fire in square feet that an ordinary user should be able to extinguish. There is no additional rating for class C, as it only indicates that the extinguishing agent will not conduct electricity, and an extinguisher will never have a rating of just C.

• For additional US UL rating information see Fast Flow Extinguishers

Installation

Fire extinguishers are typically fitted in buildings at an easily-accessible location, such as against a wall in a high-traffic area. They are also often fitted to motor vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft - this is required by law in many jurisdictions, for identified classes of vehicles. Under NFPA 10 all commercial vehicles must carry at least one fire extinguisher (size/UL rating depending on type of vehicle and cargo (i.e.. fuel tankers typically must have a 9.1 kg (20 lb). when most others can carry a 2.3 kg (5 lb).) The revised NFPA 10 created criteria on the placement of "Fast Flow Extinguishers" in locations such as those storing and transporting pressurized flammable liquids and pressurized flammable gas or areas with possibility of three dimensional class B hazards are required to have "fast flow" extinguishers as required by NFPA 5.5.1.1.

Varying classes of competition vehicles require fire extinguishing systems, the simplest requirements being a 1A10BC hand-held portable extinguisher mounted to the interior of the vehicle.

Types of extinguishing agents

Dry chemical

Powder based agent that extinguishes by separating the four parts of the fire tetrahedron. It prevents the chemical reaction between heat, fuel and oxygen and halts the production of fire sustaining "free-radicals", thus extinguishing the fire.

• Monoammonium phosphate, also known as ABC Dry Chemical, used on class A, B, and C fires. It receives its class A rating from the agents ability to melt and flow at 177 °C (350 °F) to smother the fire. More corrosive than other dry chemical agents. Yellow in color.
• Sodium bicarbonate, "regular" or "ordinary" used on class B and C fires, was the first of the dry chemical agents developed. It interrupts the fire's chemical reaction, and was very common in commercial kitchens before the advent of wet chemical agents, but now is falling out of favour, as it is much less effective than wet chemical agents for class K fires, less effective than Purple-K for class B fires, and is ineffective on class A fires. White or Blue in colour.
• Potassium bicarbonate (aka Purple-K), used on class B and C fires. About two times as effective on class B fires as sodium bicarbonate. The preferred dry chemical agent of the oil and gas industry. The only dry chemical agent certified for use in AR-FF by the NFPA. Violet in colour.
• Potassium bicarbonate & Urea Complex (aka Monnex), used on Class B and C fires. More effective than all other powders due to its ability to decrepitate (where the powder breaks up into smaller particles) in the flame zone creating a larger surface area for free radical inhibition.
• Potassium Chloride, or Super-K dry chemical was developed in an effort to create a high efficiency, protein-foam compatible dry chemical. Developed in the 60s, prior to Purple-K, it was never as popular as other agents since being a salt, it was quite corrosive. For B and C fires, white in colour.
• Foam-Compatible, which is a sodium bicarbonate (BC) based dry chemical, was developed for use with protein foams for fighting class B fires. Most dry chemicals contain metal stearates to waterproof them, but these will tend to destroy the foam blanket created by protein (animal) based foams. Foam compatible type uses silicone as a waterproofing agent, which does not harm foam. Effectiveness is identical to regular dry chemical, and it is light green in colour (some Ansul brand formulations are blue). This agent is generally no longer used since most modern dry chemicals are considered compatible with synthetic foams such as AFFF.
• MET-L-KYL is a specialty variation of sodium bicarbonate for fighting pyrophoric liquid fires (ignite on contact with air). In addition to sodium bicarbonate, it also contains silica gel particles. The sodium bicarb interrupts the chain reaction of the fuel and the silica soaks up any unburned fuel, preventing contact with air. It is effective on other class B fuels as well. Blue/Red in colour.

Foams

Applied to fuel fires as either an aspirated (mixed & expanded with air in a branch pipe) or non aspirated form to form a frothy blanket or seal over the fuel, preventing oxygen reaching it. Unlike powder, foam can be used to progressively extinguish fires without flashback.

• AFFF (aqueous film forming foam), used on A and B fires and for vapor suppression. The most common type in portable extinguishers. It contains fluoro tensides ^[4] which can be accumulated in human body. The long-term effects of this on the human body and environment are unclear at this time.
• AR-AFFF (Alcohol-resistant aqueous film forming foams), used on fuel fires containing alcohol. Forms a membrane between the fuel and the foam preventing the alcohol from breaking down the foam blanket.
• FFFP (film forming fluoroprotein) contains naturally occurring proteins from animal by-products and synthetic film-forming agents to create a foam blanket that is more heat resistant then the strictly synthetic AFFF foams. FFFP works well on alcohol-based liquids and is used widely in motorsports.
• CAFS (compressed air foam system) Any APW style extinguisher that is charged with a foam solution and pressurized with compressed air. Generally used to extend a water supply in wildland operations. Used on class A fires and with very dry foam on class B for vapor suppression.
• Arctic Fire is a liquid fire extinguishing agent that emulsifies and cools heated materials quicker than water or ordinary foam. It is used extensively in the steel industry. Effective on classes A, B, and D.
• FireAde, a foaming agent that emulsifies burning liquids and renders them non-flammable. It is able to cool heated material and surfaces similar to CAFS. Used on A and B (said to be effective on some class D hazards, although not recommended due to the fact that fireade still contains amounts of water which will react with some metal fires).

Water

Cools burning material.

• APW (Air pressurized water) cools burning material by absorbing heat from burning material. Effective on Class A fires, it has the advantage of being inexpensive, harmless, and relatively easy to clean up. In the United States, APW units contain 2.5 gallons of water in a tall, chrome-plated cylinder. In Europe, they are typically red, containing 6-9 litres (1.75-2.5 gallons) of water.
• Water Mist uses a fine misting nozzle to break up a stream of deionized water to the point of not conducting electricity back to the operator. Class A and C rated. It is used widely in hospitals for the reason that, unlike other clean-agent suppressants, it is harmless and non-contaminant. These extinguishers come in 1.75 and 2.5 gallon units, painted white in the United States and red in Europe.

Wet chemical and water additives

• Wet Chemical (potassium acetate, carbonate, or citrate) extinguishes the fire by forming a soapy foam blanket over the burning oil (saponification) and by cooling the oil below its ignition temperature. Generally class A and K (F in Europe) only, although newer models are outfitted with misting nozzles as those used on water mist units to give these extinguishers class B and C firefighting capability.
• Wetting Agents Detergent based additives used to break the surface tension of water and improve penetration of Class A fires.
• Antifreeze Chemicals added to water to lower its freezing point to about -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Has no appreciable effect on extinguishing performance.

Clean agents and carbon dioxide

Agent displaces oxygen (CO₂ or inert gases), removes heat from the combustion zone (Halotron, FE-36) or inhibits chemical chain reaction (Halons). They are labelled clean agents because they do not leave any residue after discharge which is ideal for sensitive electronics and documents.

• Halon (including Halon 1211 and Halon 1301), a gaseous agent that inhibits the chemical reaction of the fire. Classes B:C for lower weight fire extinguishers (2.3 kg ; under 9 lbs) and A:B:C for heavier weights (4.1-7.7 kg ; 9-17 lbs). Banned from new production, except for military use, as of January 1, 1994 as its properties contribute to ozone depletion and long atmospheric lifetime, usually 400 years. Halon was completely banned in Europe resulting in stockpiles being sent to the United States for reuse. Although production has been banned, the reuse is still permitted. Halon 1301 and 1211 are being replaced with new halons which have no ozone depletion properties and low atmospheric lifetimes, but are less effective. Currently Halotron I, Halotron II, FE-36 Cleanguard and FM-200 are meant to be replacements with significantly reduced ozone depletion potential.
• CO₂, a clean gaseous agent which displaces oxygen. Highest rating for 7.7 kg (20 pound) portable CO₂ extinguishers is 10B:C. Not intended for Class A fires. CO₂ is not suitable for use on fires containing their own oxygen source, metals, or cooking media, however, it is one on the best agents to use on a person who is on fire.
• Mixtures of inert gases, including Inergen and Argonite.

Class D

There are several Class D fire extinguisher agents available, some will handle multiple types of metals, others will not.

• Sodium Chloride (Super-D, Met-L-X or METAL.FIRE.XTNGSHR)-contains sodium chloride salt and thermoplastic additive. Plastic melts to form a oxygen-excluding crust over the metal, and the salt dissipates heat. Useful on most metals, magnesium, titanium, aluminium, sodium, potassium, and zirconium.

• Copper based (Copper Powder Navy125S)-developed by the U.S. Navy in the 70s for hard to control lithium and lithium alloy fires. Powder smothers and acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat, but also forms a copper-lithium alloy on the surface which is non-combustible and cuts off the oxygen supply. Will cling to a vertical surface-lithium only.

• Graphite based (G-Plus, G-1, Lith-X, Pyromet or METAL.FIRE.XTNGSHR)-contains dry graphite that smothers burning metals. First type developed, designed for magnesium, works on other metals as well. Unlike sodium chloride powder extinguishers, the graphite powder fire extinguishers can be used on very hot burning metal fires such as lithium, but unlike copper powder extinguishers will not stick to and extinguish flowing or vertical lithium fires. Like copper extinguishers, the graphite powder acts as a heat sink as well as smothering the metal fire.

• Sodium carbonate based (Na-X)-used where stainless steel piping and equipment could be damaged by sodium chloride based agents to control sodium, potassium, and sodium-potassium alloy fires. Limited use on other metals. Smothers and forms a crust.

• New water-based Class A/B/D/K/F extinguisher products have appeared in recent years. Examples include the Fire Blockade brand of suppressant. However, no UL listed or FM approved extinguisher is rated for all types of fire. These small aerosol types are targeted for home use and would not be safe for anything other than a small class A or B fire, as they typically contain a water based agent such as AFFF. ^[5]

Most Class D extinguishers will have a special low velocity nozzle or discharge wand to gently apply the agent in large volumes to avoid disrupting any finely divided burning materials. Agents are also available in bulk and can be applied with a scoop or shovel.

Maintenance

Most countries in the world require regular fire extinguisher maintenance by a competent person to operate safely and effectively, as part of fire safety legislation. Lack of maintenance can lead to an extinguisher not discharging when required, or rupturing when pressurized. Deaths have occurred, even in recent times, from corroded extinguishers exploding.

There is no all-encompassing fire code in the United States. Generally, most municipalities (by adoption of the International Fire Code) require inspections every 30 days to ensure the unit is pressurized and unobstructed (done by an employee of the facility) and an annual inspection by a qualified technician. Hydrostatic pressure testing for all types of extinguishers is also required, generally every five years for water and CO₂ models up to every 12 years for dry chemical models.

Recently the National Fire Protection Administration and ICC voted to allow for the elimination of the 30 day inspection requirement so long as the fire extinguisher is monitored electronically. According to NFPA, the system must provide record keeping in the form of an electronic event log at the control panel. The system must also constantly monitor an extinguisher’s physical presence, internal pressure and whether an obstruction exists that could prevent ready access. In the event that any of the above conditions are found, the system must send an alert to officials so they can immediately rectify the situation. Electronic monitoring can be wired or wireless.

In the UK, three types of maintenance are required:

• Basic Service: All types of extinguisher require a basic inspection annually to check weight, correct pressure (using a special tool, not just looking at the gauge) and for signs of damage or corrosion, cartridge extinguishers are opened up for internal inspection & check weighing of the cartridge, labels are checked for legibility, where possible dip tubes, hoses and mechanisms checked for clear free operation.

• Extended Service: Water, Wet Chemical, Foam & Powder extinguishers require every five years a more detailed examination including a test discharge of the extinguisher and recharging- on stored pressure extinguishers this is the only opportunity to internally inspect for damage/corrosion. By recharging fresh agent is used as they all have a shelf life, even water goes foul inside an extinguisher; Note: extinguishers should be percentage tested according to total number of units in any given area. Some extinguishers contain pressure in excess of 1.38 MPa (200psi) and this internal pressure over periods of time affects each brand & make differently depending on their placement & location.

• Overhaul: CO₂ extinguishers, due to their high operating pressure, are subject to pressure vessel safety legislation and must be hydraulic pressure tested, inspected internally & externally and date stamped every 10 years. As it cannot be pressure tested a new valve is also fitted. If replacing any part of the extinguisher (valve, horn, etc) with a part from another manufacturer then the extinguisher will lose its fire rating. This may invalidate insurance, as would incorrect or inadequate servicing if it were to be found.

In the United States there are 3 types of service as well:

• Maintenance Inspection: All types, annually (with the exception of water types which require a yearly recharge), consists of a physical maintenance and visual inspection. The extinguisher is checked to make sure it has good pressure (gauge in green or proper cartridge weight), has the correct volume of agent (tech weighs it), is within the required hydrotest and internal maintenance intervals, is in good condition and all external parts are serviceable. Dry chemical and dry powder types are hit on the bottom with a rubber mallet to make sure the powder is free-flowing, which is called "fluffing" the powder. The tech will then attach a new tamper seal around the pin and a yearly service tag.

• Internal Maintenance: Water-annually, foam-every 3 years, wet chemical and CO₂, every 5 years, dry chemical, dry powder, halon and clean agents, 6 years.

The extinguisher is emptied of its chemical and pressure to check for proper operation. All components are disassembled, inspected, cleaned, lubricated, or replaced if defective. Liquid agents are replaced at this time, dry agents may be re-used if in good condition, halon is recovered and re-used, but CO₂ is discharged into the atmosphere. The extinguisher is then re-filled and recharged, after a "verification of service" collar is placed around the cylinder neck. It is impossible to properly install or remove a collar without depressurizing the extinguisher. Note: Cartridge-operated extinguishers should be visually examined, but do not require a verification of service collar.

• Hydrostatic testing: Water, Foam, Wet chemical, and CO₂, every 5 years. Dry chemical, dry powder, halon, and clean agents, every 12 years.

Extinguishers installed on vehicles-every 5 years regardless or type.

Note: these are the required intervals for normal service conditions, if the extinguisher has been exposed to excessive heat, vibration, or mechanical damage it may need to be tested sooner.

The agent is emptied and depressurized and the valve is removed. After a thorough internal and external visual inspection, the cylinder is filled with water, placed inside a safety cage, and pressurized to the specified test pressure (varies with the type, age, and cylinder material) for the specified time period. If no failure, bulges, or leaks are detected, the cylinder passes. The cylinder is then emptied of water and thoroughly dried. CO₂ types have the test date, company's ID, etc. stamped on the cylinder, all other types get a sticker on the back of the cylinder. Once dry, the units are recharged. Unlike the UK, the US does not rebuild extinguishers and replace valves at specific intervals unless parts are found to be defective, with the exception of halon. Halon types are often given new o-rings and valve stems at every internal maintenance to minimize any leakage potential.

OEM equipment must be used for replacement parts for the extinguisher to maintain its UL rating. If parts are unavailable, replacement is recommended, keep in mind extinguishers have a projected service life of about 25-35 years, although many are of such quality that they can outlast this, but realize that science is ever-changing, and something that was the best available 30 years ago may not be acceptable for modern fire protection needs.

Vandalism and extinguisher protection

Dry chemical ABC fire extinguishers can be a target of mindless vandalism in public schools and other open spaces. The pin is pulled, and the release handle briefly squeezed/struck to expel a small puff of powder. The pin is then reinserted by the vandal.

This brief burst of powder emission forms a dust coating between the sealing surfaces of the extinguisher valve, preventing the valve from closing completely. Over the next few weeks, the cylinder slowly loses gas pressurization and eventually becomes useless, full of powder but unable to release any of it during an emergency.

In open public spaces, extinguishers are ideally kept inside cabinets that have glass that must be broken to access the extinguisher, or which emit an alarm siren that cannot be shut off without a key, to alert people the extinguisher has been handled by an unauthorized person when a fire is not present.

Fire extinguisher signs

Fire extinguisher identification signs are small signs designed to be mounted near a fire extinguisher, in order to draw attention to the extinguisher's location (Ex. If the Extinguisher is on a large pole the sign would generally be at the top of the pole so it can be seen from a distance) Such signs may be manufactured from a variety of materials, commonly self-adhesive vinyl, rigid PVC and aluminium.

In addition to words and pictographs indicating the presence of a fire extinguisher , some modern extinguisher ID signs also describe the extinguishing agent in the unit, and summarize the types of fire on which it may safely be used.

Some public and government buildings are often required, by local legal codes, to provide an ID sign for each extinguisher on the site.^[6]

Similar signs are available for other fire equipment (including fire blankets and fire hose reels/racks), and for other emergency equipment (such as first aid kits).

Placement of fire extinguisher signs

Fire extinguisher signs are mounted above or to the side of the extinguisher they relate to.

Most licensing authorities have regulations describing the standard appearance of these signs (e.g. text height, pictographs used and so on)^[7].

Photo-luminescent fire extinguisher signs

Photo-luminescent fire extinguisher signs are made of a polymer that absorbs ambient light and releases it slowly in dark conditions - the sign "glows in the dark". Such signs are independent of an external power supply, and so offer a low-cost, reliable means of indicating the position of emergency equipment in dark or smoky conditions.

Photo-luminescent signs are sometimes mis-described as being reflective. A reflective material will only return ambient light for as long as the light source is supplied, rather than storing energy and releasing it over a period of time. However, many fire extinguishers and extinguisher mounting posts have strips of retroreflective adhesive tape placed on them to facilitate their location in situations where only emergency lighting or flashlights are available.

References

Automatic Sprinkler Protection - Goram Dana, S.B.

External links

• Underwriters Laboratories tips
• MSDS Sheets for hand held portable fire extinguishers
• OSHA requirements
• -Extinguisher-museum.com > Online museum about antique fire extinguishers and their history
• Fire Extinguisher Advice
• Fire Extinguisher Information Site
• National Fire Help
• How to use a fire extinguisher
• Aviation requirements for fire extinguishers

Fire protection
General: Active fire protection — Fire alarm system Fire suppression: Fire extinguisher — Fire sand bucket — Fire sprinkler — Gaseous fire suppression — Fire blanket Detection/alarm: Control panel — Heat detector — Pull station — Fire alarm box — Notification appliance — Smoke detector Practices: Fire drill