Thread: Fire extinguishers

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

hmmm, sounds like we might have a professional pyromaniac or two here, hahahahaha, but seriously if one of you are I would be interested to hear a professional view of the $15 gas stoves with their 3 for $5 butane refills.....I've noticed a lot of guys in the club using them including myself......brilliant for the cost and simple convenience......

What do you mean professional?? I am a minesite ESO which means I am a fireman / medic / rescue.
The single burner gas stoves are great, we have been using them for years and have had no issues. The biggest thing is dont leave the butane cans where they can get too hot (direct sunlight). We keep ours in the side cupboard in the back of the defender, but roller drawers are ok too.
If you are concerned only put them in each trip.

Originally Posted by CraigE

The biggest thing is dont leave the butane cans where they can get too hot (direct sunlight). We keep ours in the side cupboard in the back of the defender, but roller drawers are ok too.
If you are concerned only put them in each trip.

The empties in the camp fire can be fun. From a distance of course.

Dave.

Originally Posted by CraigE

Also a good idea to tap it as you upturn it with a rubber mallet. Part of our recertification process. Also check fro rust, cracks in hoses etc.
Remember also these things have a 5 year hydrostatic test date and after that are generally a throw away item, not worth the cost of testing.
Where room permits fit a 4.5kg DCP.

Another way of minimising powder compaction in vehicle/boat instalations is to mount the extinguisher horizontally and rotate it 180 degrees every so often.

The only dry chem extinguisher I know of that doesn't suffer this powder compaction problem is made by NuSwift. What they did was use CO2 instead of nitrogen/dry air as the propellant and tailor the density of the powder and the pressure of the CO2 to be the same. Absolutely brilliant. The powder and propellant were always mixed with the added benefit of the propellant being an extinguishing agent as well. Comparatively expensive when compared with traditional dry chems but they always worked. Don't know if they are still around but were definitely the Rolls Royce of dry chems.

For most stored pressure extinguishers I think you'll find the hydrostatic test period is 10 years, probably 5 years where you are because of the 'harsh environment'.

It always used to amaze me that people would spend tens of thousands on their boat/4WD but balk at buying other than the cheapest/smallest extinguisher to protect their investment.

Deano

Originally Posted by DeanoH

It always used to amaze me that people would spend tens of thousands on their boat/4WD but balk at buying other than the cheapest/smallest extinguisher to protect their investment.

Deano

If my boat ever catches fire(very low risk being an out board)I am not even going to reach for the extinguisher. I am jumping overboard. Let it burn and I get a new one on insurance.

Dave.

BCF were great, put out both the fire and killed off some of the people at the same time.

(But if you survived, your kids genes seemed O.K. - at least if you were a rat.)

5 years for Fire extinguisher Hydrostatic Test date from date of manuafacture not date of purchase or first placed into service.. Where did you get the 10 year figure from. LPG is 10 years.
FAQs - Fire Protection Services
http://www.fpaa.com.au/information/d...ce%20Guide.pdf
Plus there are many more links like Wormalds, Chubb etc.
It is part of my job.
Hydrostatic testing for most extinguishers is not worth the cost, most often it is cheaper to just buy another. Yes companies still do it and if tou have a heap and live near a testing facility it may be worth while, but as soon as you start adding freight, it is not.
Most places will not retest a extinguisher over 10 years old either.
BA cylinders we can get 15 years out of before retirement, but they have to be hydrostatic tested minimum every 5 years, plus bi annual checks, tests and inspection by an accredited technician.
Dont pull out the cylinder hydrostatic check sheet as it will only confuse you as there are checks from 1 year to 10 years depending on cylinders.
As for rotating 180 degrees I get your point, but if done vertical, damage can occur to pins etc causing accidental discharge (I have seen it first hand in a car). If you are pulling it out to rotate it is is just as easy to give it a few rotations and a tap.
Not trying to be a smart arse, but that is the way it is.
Also if used in a commercial application and this includes any company vehicle as part of your salary packaging they must be inspected every 6 months and tagged.

Originally Posted by DeanoH

Another way of minimising powder compaction in vehicle/boat instalations is to mount the extinguisher horizontally and rotate it 180 degrees every so often.

The only dry chem extinguisher I know of that doesn't suffer this powder compaction problem is made by NuSwift. What they did was use CO2 instead of nitrogen/dry air as the propellant and tailor the density of the powder and the pressure of the CO2 to be the same. Absolutely brilliant. The powder and propellant were always mixed with the added benefit of the propellant being an extinguishing agent as well. Comparatively expensive when compared with traditional dry chems but they always worked. Don't know if they are still around but were definitely the Rolls Royce of dry chems.

For most stored pressure extinguishers I think you'll find the hydrostatic test period is 10 years, probably 5 years where you are because of the 'harsh environment'.

It always used to amaze me that people would spend tens of thousands on their boat/4WD but balk at buying other than the cheapest/smallest extinguisher to protect their investment.

Deano

Originally Posted by CraigE

5 years for Fire extinguisher Hydrostatic Test date from date of manuafacture not date of purchase or first placed into service.. Where did you get the 10 year figure from. LPG is 10 years............................................. ..

Seems things have changed substantially since I was involved in this area back in the mid 80's. (Just had a quick look on line.)
Back then hydro testing was done at 10 year intervals. Since then AS 1851 has come along and changed a lot. Though I did pull this of the CFA web site.

What is a hydrostatic test?

It is a pressure test that is performed on the fire extinguisher cylinder at either three or six yearly intervals from the date of manufacture or last hydrostatic test date as identified in Table 3.1 of Australian Standard 1851.1 (Level 4 service). This test is performed in conjunction with Level 1 & Level 2 services, and may be performed onsite or the extinguisher may be sent away to a service depot depending on the type of extinguisher.




Perhaps this is old info, pre the latest AS1851 changes?


Deano

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

If my boat ever catches fire(very low risk being an out board)I am not even going to reach for the extinguisher. I am jumping overboard. Let it burn and I get a new one on insurance.

Dave.

Not out here you wouldnt...

Then the Wife would get a new boat AND husband insurance payout

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