Why shouldn’t dry powder fire extinguishers be used up completely?
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Why can’t the dry powder fire extinguishers in my company be emptied completely? Please give me some advice! (Powder fire extinguisher containing phosphates, produced by Qingdao Loushan Fire Fighting Equipment Factory in the second half of 2006; the pressure in the gas cylinder remains normal when it is used – the gauge indicates a value in the green zone – about 5 kilograms remain after using a 8-kilogram container; it is stored in an outdoor environment.)
I suggest the original poster read an article; maybe it will be useful to you! Ammonium phosphate dry powder fire extinguishant: http://www.china-fireren.com/article/lunwen/200486100226.htm There are probably two reasons for this: 1. Quality issues with the product, which may lead to caking! 2. Storage environment issues! Moisture absorption is the direct cause of dry powder caking. An excessive moisture absorption rate causes the dry powder to clump up during storage, affecting its usability! This post was last edited by netlover on 2008-2-16 21:27]
I think the quality issue is the main factor. Here, our dry powder fire extinguishers are also stored outdoors, but we have never encountered a situation like yours. Moreover, are you using them correctly?
The pressure reading on the pressure gauge is not necessarily reliable either!
1. Whether the pressure display is accurate (whether the pressure gauge is in good condition and gives correct readings). 2. The fire extinguisher was stored outdoors previously; check whether there are any defects in the extinguisher itself. Take a look at the materials provided on the 2nd floor – they’re good
Whether the pressure indication is correct requires an answer from the building owner. After use, does the pressure gauge indicate correctly? As for ordinary pressure-storage type phosphate dry powder fire extinguishers, if the pressure is not at the required level or the indicator is incorrect, the most likely issue is not an inability to use them altogether, but rather an inability to use them properly. This is particularly evident in old fire extinguishers.
The pressure gauge pointer on the fire extinguisher indicated the red zone after it was placed there, but I didn’t unscrew the gauge from the pressure storage cylinder to check its reading
Since it works normally after use, the pressure gauge is likely fine! Regarding the issue you mentioned about the calibration of pressure gauges, since there are currently no unified and clear standards for the inspection, maintenance, and disposal of building fire extinguishers, the matters related to calibration and the required qualifications are indeed subject to discussion. Your verification and suspicions are essentially based only on professional manufacturers. This post was last edited by netlover on 2008-2-20 12:37.]
Thank you all for your guidance! The fire extinguishers were manufactured in October 2006. Since we have a coking plant, during accidents and fires in January and February 2007, these extinguishers were unable to put out the flames completely, which caused strong complaints from the employees
There’s little air, and the lumps are large; it’s perfect to connect you to it
Under normal circumstances, it should be possible to empty it completely. There must be a problem with the quality of your fire extinguisher – either the dry powder is damp or it has been adulterated
Press the handle to check whether there is still pressure at the nozzle. Or shake it to check if there is still powder inside the bottle.
How do you know that the remaining 5KG hasn’t been released? Did you compare the amount before and after release? The requirement is that the remaining amount shouldn’t exceed 15%, but yours exceeds 60% – there’s definitely a problem with the quality!
First, check whether the storage conditions are suitable; otherwise, it is a problem with the quality of the dry powder
2 possibilities. 1. Quality issues or caking due to moisture. 2. Improper use can also cause it. If the fire extinguisher is used by spraying it upside down, it is also possible for the nozzle to get clogged. However, this only occurs among those who do not know how to use a fire extinguisher. I guess yours is the first case.
Possible reasons: 1. The dry powder clumps together when exposed to moisture； 2、The gas filling in the fire extinguisher does not meet the standards ； 3. There are quality issues with the fire extinguisher itself.
The remaining amount must be less than 15% to be considered qualified; it seems that your fire extinguishers are substandard products!
1. Estimate quality issues. 2. Please share the test results so that we can exchange ideas and learn from each other.
Hehe, I’d like to ask everyone in what situations is dry powder fire extinguishers generally used, and for what types of fires?