Fire extinguisher

We just noticed that one of our fire extinguisher has lost its pressure. Apparently it can be reloaded from what we can read on the sticker.
Does anybody know where this can be done (up here in Canada ).
Does it worth it or is it the same cost as buying a new one?

L

Greetings,
Mr. L_t. IF the nozzle is plastic it is not worth having them refilled. Just as well to buy a new one or two or three. On the other hand, IF the nozzle is metal it is worth having them re-filled or so I was told by the fellow who sold us our extingiusher'S. 5 in total including one 10 lb. CO2.

This one is metal with a rubber hose extension of around 1 feet. I will take a picture tomorrow when I am back to the boat. I have 3 others aboard but better to have more than less

L

check for a local fire extinguisher company as they are usually required for commercial buildings.

Greetings.
Mr. L_t. https://www.yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/Fire+Extinguishers/Montreal


One of these companies will have a much better answer for you.

Yellow pages for fire equipment. There are small businesses everywhere.

When you call the companies (usually safety supply places, lock/safe/alarm businesses, etc.) tell them the make and model of the extinguisher, along with the manufacture date. They'll tell you IF it can be refilled and you can make your decision from there.

Thank you guys!

L

Funny - just happened to glance at one of my portables yesterday. About 2/3 pressure - well below the green range. Led me to check the others. Found another the same way. These units are 7 years old, never showed any integrity issues, both inspected & certed 3 months ago. 3 others good. All same manufacturer. First time I've ever had this happen.

I'm a little late but, go to the local fire department with the extinguisher in hand.
They should know or maybe one of the folks have a sideline business.
I have mine inspected every year.

Consider a clean agent, as opposed to powder. More expensive, but they don’t create a mess after the fire is out and everything including the electrical aytems are covered in powder.

We have CO2 for possible electrical fires (helm) and at the entrance to the engine room/galley, and chemical in the Saloon and staterooms. The engine space is a halon Fireboy.

To my knowledge the department store fire extinguishers cannot be recharged, while the units from fire equipment companies can be recharged. Shop around! Some fire equipment companies are much more expensive than others.

Jim

Whats the warranty of the extinguisher?


3 years? 6 years? 15?


If it fails and you are outside their limits.....

I have been told, to get the same effectiveness as a 5# dry chemical extinguisher you need a 10# CO2, twice as much.

what_barnacles said:

Whats the warranty of the extinguisher?


3 years? 6 years? 15?


If it fails and you are outside their limits.....

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Maybe they will send you a new one,.
Meanwhile, find another extinguisher to fight the fire?

Look into Purple K if you really want to stop a diesel or oil fire. Makes a mess but who cares if your boat is on fire.

Lou_tribal said:

We just noticed that one of our fire extinguisher has lost its pressure. Apparently it can be reloaded from what we can read on the sticker.
Does anybody know where this can be done (up here in Canada ).
Does it worth it or is it the same cost as buying a new one?

L

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You did not mention the size, rating or agent.
Usually anything that does not require a DOT hydro inspection in considered disposable after a few years.
Any size that requires a DOT hydro inspection (CO2 & some others) is worth servicing.

OldDan1943 said:

I have been told, to get the same effectiveness as a 5# dry chemical extinguisher you need a 10# CO2, twice as much.

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Your insurance company usually does not pay for the dry chemical clean up. It is a hazardous material not to be inhaled. Around your electric panels and galley, please have on hand CO2 or Halon.
Worth their expense.

if the boat is burning, who cares about the cleanup? I just want to survive.

wwestman said:

if the boat is burning, who cares about the cleanup? I just want to survive.

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A good comment. But we can usually put out lil flare up quickly when we are in tune with the boat and prepared. The aftermath is what usually ticks us off more.

A good vacuum and a clean paint brush will go a long way on the clean up.
Granted, not as easy as CO2 and or Halon.
I suspect, the US Navy submarines are still not using CO2 or Halon for obvious reasons.

OldDan1943 said:

A good vacuum and a clean paint brush will go a long way on the clean up.
Granted, not as easy as CO2 and or Halon.
I suspect, the US Navy submarines are still not using CO2 or Halon for obvious reasons.

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Not sure what you mean about Halon in your comment. The original design was to put a fire down to a controllable without removing O2 for humans.
What fire control do you think Subs use? Not dry chemical I assure you.

OldDan1943 said:

A good vacuum and a clean paint brush will go a long way on the clean up.
Granted, not as easy as CO2 and or Halon.
I suspect, the US Navy submarines are still not using CO2 or Halon for obvious reasons.

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Have you ever cleaned up a dry chemical discharged in confined spaces? It usually requires a remote breather for the person cleaning, and a haz-mat vacuum. Asbestos has nothing on the ingredients in a dry chemical fire extinguisher.

wwestman said:

if the boat is burning, who cares about the cleanup? I just want to survive.

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Most shipboard fires aren't that dramatic...especially if your prepared.

Captain Ralph said:

Not sure what you mean about Halon in your comment. The original design was to put a fire down to a controllable without removing O2 for humans.
What fire control do you thing Subs use? Not dry chemical I assure you.

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Yup back in the 60s, all portable extinguishers were dry chemical.

CO2 and Halon has a way with messing with a breathable atmosphere in the confined spaces of a submarine.

OldDan1943 said:

Yup back in the 60s, all portable extinguishers were dry chemical.

CO2 and Halon has a way with messing with a breathable atmosphere in the confined spaces of a submarine.

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Errr, on small personal craft.
CO2 is still the main stay on large surface craft (fixed and portable) for a good reason;; It works well. Halon or later EPA Halon like gases are #2.
Dry chemical is cheap and ideal for small craft.
Oh, when your the US Navy and all else has failed, Go-zillion gallons of sea water eventually works also, unless you in a sub, then # 22 above.

The original halon was breathable at the fire fighting concentration. A friend of mine researched it for use in USCG Aviation back in the early 80s.

The new stuff I can't speak for and some along the way was toxic when heated enough I think I heard in the USCG.

Captain Ralph said:

Errr, on small personal craft.
CO2 is still the main stay on large surface craft (fixed and portable) for a good reason;; It works well. Halon or later EPA Halon like gases are #2.
Dry chemical is cheap and ideal for small craft.
Oh, when your the US Navy and all else has failed, Go-zillion gallons of sea water eventually works also, unless you in a sub, then # 22 above.

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Something about using using Go-zillions of sea water in a submarine is VERY defeating in survivability LOL

Captain Ralph said:

Have you ever cleaned up a dry chemical discharged in confined spaces? It usually requires a remote breather for the person cleaning, and a haz-mat vacuum. Asbestos has nothing on the ingredients in a dry chemical fire extinguisher.

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https://www.quora.com/Are-fire-extinguishers-toxic

Due to Workplace Health & Safety protocols, all fire extinguisher contents must be non-toxic, however they’re not entirely safe either. The chemicals used are considered appropriate for home use, but you should take precautions to avoid touching or inhaling too much of the powder. Since the vast majority of fire extinguishers contain ammonium phosphate and/or ammonium sulphate, you need to be careful about cleaning up. The chemicals can irritate skin, so use gloves and avoid inhaling by using a dust mask. You should be able to simply sweep or vacuum the residue up and then don’t forget to get a fire extinguisher inspection, recharge, or buy a new one. If you have more questions, I would recommend contacting Fire Extinguishers-Fire Safety Equipment-Fire Extinguisher Suppliers

psneeld said:

The chemicals used are considered appropriate for home use

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How many fuel fires, electrical fires, fiberglass or dense wood fires do you try to control at home??
On a boat, you can not just walk away.
As on post #19 above, your fighting for your life. When you win, it has to be cleaned up. Not a house use douse either.

Guys, I'm not talking high tech here,,load up on the best fire equipment you can. Read and learn when and how to use it. It's a small expense that could save your boat and your life. We push a 58' mostly off shore and understand, calling 911 is not going to put a fire truck on us in a few minutes.. On a plastic boat, a few minutes is all you have to get any fire down. We can't just walk away. You have to fight and put any fire down.

We have Halon, CO2 and dry chemical available to every cabin and area.

When I started comments on this thread, it was sounding like penny
pinchers.

Keep current and many fire fighting products on board, not the minimum stated by some meathead in DC.