Fire Extinguisher Expiry Date

[Rob and Val]

Does a Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher (for use in the MH) have an expiry date or, if unused, do they last for ever?

 

[pappajohn]

I think they all have a finite life and the date should be printed on it somewhere.
Regardless of that, a powder extinquisher needs a good shake periodically as the powder settles and solidifies with vibrations from travelling and may not work when needed.

 

[andy63]

Does a Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher (for use in the MH) have an expiry date or, if unused, do they last for ever?

that is really up to you... if it comes with a date recommended by the manufacturer, then you would be guided by that.. different organisations will have their own guidelines for checks, tests on various extinguishers depending on type..
if its a stored pressure type as is more likely , it will have a pressure gauge to indicate its capable of been used.. ie in the green segment... if that stays good and you give it a shake about now and then to ensure the powder isn't compacted there is no reason to have a time limit on its service life ...

 

[pappajohn]

Interesting.....powder extinguisers

Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Plus:
– Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene
Plus:
– Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v

Specialist dry powder extinguishers are onlyused on flammable metals, such as titanium and magnesium.

Do not use for:
– Fires involving cooking oil
– Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
– or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties

(Risk of inhaling powder)

 

[Bart]

In a commercial environment they would usually be test discharged / replenished every 5 years, however for private use as long as you turn it up and down and shake it to loosen the powder regularly and also check the gauge is in the green and also importantly make sure there is no sign of powder in the nozzle, then I personally would give it 10 years before I would replace it.
pappajohn
They say that about using powder extinguishers in confined spaces as it obstructs your viability / capacity to make a safe exit from said fire, plus also the health hazard of eating some nice powder
And the reason it's in a mh is as an ABC class powder this is what provides fire cover for class C fires in the MH ( class c = gaseous fires) , but the best way to tackle a gas fire is to cut if the gas supply.

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[WillH]

A problem I have found with old extinguishers is disposing of them. Our local recycling centre refuses to accept them, I even asked the council officer in charge. He could only suggest returning them to the original supplier.

 

[Bart]

A problem I have found with old extinguishers is disposing of them. Our local recycling centre refuses to accept them, I even asked the council officer in charge. He could only suggest returning them to the original supplier.

So true