Thread: Fire extinguisher Safety warning

Hi,
Heard a similar story from the days of the old Hobart Fire Brigade and the station polished brass extinguisher on display at the front door.
Every day the brass was polished to a fine gleam.
One day it was used in anger - and collapsed as the pressure came up.
The old soda acid extinguisher had been polished to death.
cheers

cant say i'm too suprised, but the last pic kinda disgusts me, how on earth could the guys using that ute not notice?

Originally Posted by Sprint

cant say i'm too suprised, but the last pic kinda disgusts me, how on earth could the guys using that ute not notice?

don't make it right but when it's part of your everyday enviroment you don't notice ...It's like people not noticing their kids growing but the neighbour does

Originally Posted by Australia Standard AS 1851 Maintenance of Fire
Protection Systems and Equipment.

All extinguishers have to be inspected at six monthly intervals and if they don’t have a pressure gauge, they may need to be weighed to check they are still full.
Some extinguisher types may require additional tasks to be carried out annually.
Extinguishers need to be emptied, pressure tested and refilled every five years.
There may be other servicing requirements at 3, 5 or 6years.

Maybe someone has been a bit slack.



Martyn

The only one I've ever blown open like that was a big water type one that came from inside a burnt building. I thought they had fusible plugs in them to release pressure if they got too hot, but obviously not the case.

That alternate bracket in the attachment doesn't look to be a whole lot better to me. Sure it keeps the extinguisher away from the bolts, but still imposes a couple of relatively point loads on the bottle.
IMO the original bracket has a better construction, just needs more clearance on those bolt heads.

Steve

I just love it when stuff blows up unintentionally, it really brings out the redneck in me

May be worth noting that LPG cylinders are clamped down in a very similar fashion, check them folks

Originally Posted by Bushie

Maybe someone has been a bit slack.



Martyn

Exactly.

Originally Posted by Bushie

Originally Posted by Standards Australia

AS 1851 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment.
All extinguishers have to be inspected at six monthly intervals and if they don’t have a pressure gauge, they may need to be weighed to check they are still full.
Some extinguisher types may require additional tasks to be carried out annually.
Extinguishers need to be emptied, pressure tested and refilled every five years.
There may be other servicing requirements at 3, 5 or 6years.

Maybe someone has been a bit slack.
Martyn

Five years - hmmmm - the one in my RRc Vague has been there for 25 years and the guage still reads in the green.

Haven't found a decent fire to use it on!

Maybe some shopping to do!