- Location
- Golden, CO
My employer had the local Fire Department give a fire extinguisher class today. I think I'm the last person on the planet to learn this, but maybe not:
The typical 5lb ABC fire extinguisher has a charge that lasts on average from 9 to 14 seconds. This 30% deviance is because the dry powder in your typical ABC extinguisher settles over time and fails to discharge when packed. Thus, you need to "flip" the extinguisher on a regular basis to loosen the powder.
To loosen the powder, invert the extinguisher compared to it's mounting position and thump the bottom with your palm. When you hear a hollow sound you have disloged the powder. You should be able to feel the weight of the powder moving if you tip the extinguisher from end to end.
A stationary extinguisher in your house or garage should have the powder loosened at least twice a year.
An extinguisher mounted in a vehicle or on equipment should have the powder loosened at least once a month.
If your extinguisher is mounted in a horizontal position, it is even more critical to loosen the powder because the siphon tube may have been uncovered due to settling.
If you have to use an extinguisher, taking two seconds to thump the bottom (even while you are getting to the fire) will buy you that last 5 seconds of discharge time. That's a pretty good trade-off!
A few more tidbits from the Fire Chief:
Buy an extinguisher with a metal head. They have answered calls where an extinguisher had a plastic head that broke off and the extinguisher bottle became a projectile...inside a vehicle.
Compared to anything else, motor vehicle fires are THE MOST toxic.
Good stuff to keep in mind when you are in a remote area and think you smell something burning. Class dismissed! :lecture:
P.S. Yes, we did get to put out a fire with an extinguisher; all 30 of us. It was fun!
The typical 5lb ABC fire extinguisher has a charge that lasts on average from 9 to 14 seconds. This 30% deviance is because the dry powder in your typical ABC extinguisher settles over time and fails to discharge when packed. Thus, you need to "flip" the extinguisher on a regular basis to loosen the powder.
To loosen the powder, invert the extinguisher compared to it's mounting position and thump the bottom with your palm. When you hear a hollow sound you have disloged the powder. You should be able to feel the weight of the powder moving if you tip the extinguisher from end to end.
A stationary extinguisher in your house or garage should have the powder loosened at least twice a year.
An extinguisher mounted in a vehicle or on equipment should have the powder loosened at least once a month.
If your extinguisher is mounted in a horizontal position, it is even more critical to loosen the powder because the siphon tube may have been uncovered due to settling.
If you have to use an extinguisher, taking two seconds to thump the bottom (even while you are getting to the fire) will buy you that last 5 seconds of discharge time. That's a pretty good trade-off!
A few more tidbits from the Fire Chief:
Buy an extinguisher with a metal head. They have answered calls where an extinguisher had a plastic head that broke off and the extinguisher bottle became a projectile...inside a vehicle.
Compared to anything else, motor vehicle fires are THE MOST toxic.
Good stuff to keep in mind when you are in a remote area and think you smell something burning. Class dismissed! :lecture:
P.S. Yes, we did get to put out a fire with an extinguisher; all 30 of us. It was fun!
