Question

[molly 2]

How often should change a dry powder fire extinguisher

 

[RichardHelen262]

I found some that were well over 20 years old , didn’t fancy anyone relying on them I decided to set them off and they all worked perfectly.
If they have a gauge on them it will show you what pressure is in them.

 

[st3v3]

How often should change a dry powder fire extinguisher

Surely it's got a date on it?

 

[witzend]

I found some that were well over 20 years old , didn’t fancy anyone relying on them I decided to set them off and they all worked perfectly.
If they have a gauge on them it will show you what pressure is in them.

I was told that the power settles in them after being in a vehicle and won't work regardless of pressure

 

[runnach]

I was told that the power settles in them after being in a vehicle and won't work regardless of pressure

On UK poor road surfaces, the powder won’t settle!

 

[witzend]

On UK poor road surfaces, the powder won’t settle!

Its the vibration that tamps it down

 

[The laird]

How often should change a dry powder fire extinguisher

SURELy it DEPENDS HOW OFTEN YOU'VE USED IT BAZZA

 

[1807truckman]

How often should change a dry powder fire extinguisher

I think it's supposed to be every 5 years and checked every year.

 

[myvanwy]

When I did my fire marshal course I found out that if you ever use a dry powder ext in a kitchen, then you can forget ever using it for food prep again as you cannot get rid of the powder. Co2 best or the mega expensive Halon.

 

[runnach]

I had to use powder one in earnest a few year ago on my Dethleffs. It did the job, but what a damn mess the powder makes, took me weeks to clean it all up.

This thread has reminded me to look at an alternative to powder, one that is not so messy.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

When I did my fire marshal course I found out that if you ever use a dry powder ext in a kitchen, then you can forget ever using it for food prep again as you cannot get rid of the powder. Co2 best or the mega expensive Halon.

it is bicarbonate of soda / baking powder so everything will be self raising from then on.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I had to use powder one in earnest a few year ago on my Dethleffs. It did the job, but what a damn mess the powder makes, took me weeks to clean it all up.

This thread has reminded me to look at an alternative to powder, one that is not so messy.

That would be nothing to the time I split a big bag of finish plaster on the boot latch of my Golf.
EVERYTHING had to be taken out and cleaned before it got damp. EVERYTHING.

 

[molly 2]

When I did my fire marshal course I found out that if you ever use a dry powder ext in a kitchen, then you can forget ever using it for food prep again as you cannot get rid of the powder. Co2 best or the mega expensive Halon.

Halon is banned for general use , can only be used by military and chanel tunnel,

 

[molly 2]

SURELy it DEPENDS HOW OFTEN YOU'VE USED IT BAZZA

I suppose its a bit like saying how often dose a plain crash , just once ,

 

[myvanwy]

I was in the army cadets if that counts.

 

[Tim120]

If you're asking then my guess is replace it and sleep tight. They are not too expensive.

 

[Tim120]

Have seen an extinguisher called a Fire Safety Stick...
I have no experience of them but they do look interesting.
Different brands exist which apparently all do the same thing.

 

[molly 2]

Hi Tim I did buy one the same type fitted from new , that started me thinking when should I have replaced it , what would you use , years ago I used Halon

 

[Fisherman]

How often should change a dry powder fire extinguisher

Dry powder fire extinguishers were first used by the RAF during WW2. They are great for fighting magnesium fires in engines as they form a hard cover preventing oxygen getting to the fire.
But they suffer from caking and once this has taken over they simply won’t work.
Also if you ever set one off off they make one hell of a mess.
We used to use vapour forming gas extinguishers the most popular being BCF but they contained chemicals which damaged the ozone layer, and also if used in a confined space could remove much of the oxygen for the user, they were known to have killed users. ( not in the U.K.) prior to this we used poisonous CTC (carbon tetra chloride) they to are banned.
All that’s left are CO2 which is noisy, can result in cold burns if not used properly, and is not suitable for confined spaces, or foam, which is not suitable.

I would replace dry powder extinguishers every 2 to three years.
They are cheap £12-20 why keep them for longer periods.
Another useful extinguisher to carry is a fire blanket.
If you ever use a fire blanket leave it in place for 30 minutes after the fire has extinguished. Lifting frying pans to soon after a fire may lead to fresh combustion and can lead to terrible burns and fire spread.

My advice is simple, extinguishers of any type are designed to fight fires in their incipient stage, they won’t extinguish fires once they reach a more advanced stage. Never allow a fire to get between you and your means of escape. If in any doubt get out stay out and call the fire service. Vans can be replaced people can’t.

 

[mark61]

I thought most extinguishers would have a date stamp and or some info to indicate a lifespan.

Carry a dry powder extinguisher, fire safety stick and fire blanket in van.