Fire prevention and supppresion

[NUTTSGT]

Good move e-tek!! This is what happens when you store flammables improperly! I had all my paints, reducers, etc. in a WOOD cabinet. Apparently just the right chain of events caused a spontaneous combustion and the rest is history! Thankfully I had good insurance!!

Cheers
Steve

Would you care to elaborate on the chain of events that happened and resulted in spontaneous combustion ? Please don't tell me it was a result of a rag soaked with linseed oil.

 

[fflintstone]

FWIW fire extinguishers only work when you use them.



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[stingry]

Would you care to elaborate on the chain of events that happened and resulted in spontaneous combustion ? Please don't tell me it was a result of a rag soaked with linseed oil.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely not! I am very careful about oil soaked rags, most people know that can cause spontaneous combustion! All the containers were sealed and there were no loose rags, etc. I was home at the time the fire started and heard the explosion. Looked out the window of the house and saw flames coming out of a window next to where the flammables were stored. After the fire, the State Fire Marshall was out and after his investigation, he concurred that the fire did start in the storage cabinet and that there were no other sources of ignition in that area. He said it was rare but he had heard of combustion starting in similar situations. The storage cabinet had been in the barn (later converted into a shop) for a long time. At some time, oil had been stored and a couple of the shelves were probably oil soaked. Apparently something leaked and combined with the wood to make the "perfect storm" and the contents of the storage cabinet ignited!


Steve

 

[fflintstone]

The guy checking the fire extinguishers came around today. I asked about refills and the minimum charge is $15 and a 2.5 lb would be $15, a 10 lb could be as high as $39.
I asked for a card and he said he would stop by before he left. I think he forgot.

 

[e-tek]

Whatever you use, put it next to the door! When a fire breaks out you go to the exit and then back to the fire location, with the door at your back. You always want to have yourself between the fire and your escape route when fighting a fire.
It's very easy to get tunnel vision when fighting a fire and things will get out of hand.
There is only one thing in your shop that cannot be replaced....you!

I've been a firefighter for 24 years.

EXCELLENT advice that should be common knowledge, especially for us shop guys. Hopefully you started something! I keep my flammable cabinet in the back corner of the shop - and my extinguishers by the door - for exactly that reason.

After setting the parts washer on fire myself by weld spatter falling into it, I try to keep the lid shut when not in use. It usually get left open by someone else, though - seems like I shut the dang thing once a day even though haven't used it in weeks.....

Most industrial-use parts washers have a heat-sensitive prop rod that closes the lid in case of fire and I've always wondered why the home-based units don't have them....

 

[plow]

inverting the extingisher and smacking the bottom with a mallet to insure the powder is "loose"

This is an urban legend. Totally unnecessary. The "old timers" Swear by it though.

 

[plow]

I like a C02 extinguisher. you dont have to clean up the mess afterwards.

Not good, Nor rated for class A fires.

 

[plow]

If y'all are interested, I can give you info and my thoughts on this subject. But it's going to be tomorrow as I'm dead tired and I'm fixing to go to bed.

I'll start by saying I've been in the fire protection industry for 20 years now. I've installed fire alarms, Sprinkler systems, Special hazzard fire systems ( including Co2....High and low pressure,FM-200, Dry chemical, etc) Kitchen vent hood systems,Paint booth systems, And portable fire extinguishers.. I've been inspecting them for 18 or so of those 20 years. I'm licensed in Louisiana, Texas, And Arkansas. The only reason I don't have a license in Mississippi, Is cuz they don't require a license to inspect or service there. I have NICET certifications of varying degrees in all the fire protection disciplines.. More factory certifications than I can remember.........

Ok, I'm bragging a little.. C-yall tomorrow.

 

[Worsedog]

This is an urban legend. Totally unnecessary. The "old timers" Swear by it though.

It is not "legend". The company that does our service does it as a matter of policy. Especially my extingishers as the vibration from being in a patrol vehicle will cause the powder to settle. For the ten seconds it takes it is worth it.

Maybe when it gets yanked out the trunk it will be shaken enough, maybe not, why take the chance?

 

[trainer]

It is not "legend". The company that does our service does it as a matter of policy. Especially my extingishers as the vibration from being in a patrol vehicle will cause the powder to settle. For the ten seconds it takes it is worth it.

Maybe when it gets yanked out the trunk it will be shaken enough, maybe not, why take the chance?

Inspection process is to invert, hit briskly with a rubber mallet for 20 seconds, inspect the nozzle for obstructions, check pressure on the guage, make certain the pin is in place, then record the date on the tag.


the powder will settle and cake together. The rubber mallet loosens things up

 

[plow]

Sorry Guys. But that's just not true. Like I said, The old timers do it, But it is totally unnecessary. I would like to see some documentation to back your stories up. Think about it. Would the manufacturers make a product that required that procedure to insure that their product worked when needed. I've discharged FEs that were sitting for 20 years or better. They worked like a charm. Check out NFPA 10. That's where you will find among other things, The inspection and maintenance procedures.

 

[pepi]

Sorry Guys. But that's just not true. Like I said, The old timers do it, But it is totally unnecessary. I would like to see some documentation to back your stories up. Think about it. Would the manufacturers make a product that required that procedure to insure that their product worked when needed. I've discharged FEs that were sitting for 20 years or better. They worked like a charm. Check out NFPA 10. That's where you will find among other things, The inspection and maintenance procedures.

Good to know I have wondered about this. I have 4 FEs around hope I never need them. Just for grins I have a self imposed rule of always conducting a smoke test for 10 min before leaving the garage after welding, has worked well so far...LOL and I like THAT..

 

[e-tek]

If y'all are interested, I can give you info and my thoughts on this subject. But it's going to be tomorrow as I'm dead tired and I'm fixing to go to bed.

I'll start by saying I've been in the fire protection industry for 20 years now. I've installed fire alarms, Sprinkler systems, Special hazzard fire systems ( including Co2....High and low pressure,FM-200, Dry chemical, etc) Kitchen vent hood systems,Paint booth systems, And portable fire extinguishers.. I've been inspecting them for 18 or so of those 20 years. I'm licensed in Louisiana, Texas, And Arkansas. The only reason I don't have a license in Mississippi, Is cuz they don't require a license to inspect or service there. I have NICET certifications of varying degrees in all the fire protection disciplines.. More factory certifications than I can remember.........

Ok, I'm bragging a little.. C-yall tomorrow.

So ya had enough time to give us your complete work certification history - before bed- but we have to wait until tomorrow to reap the benefit of your wisdom?! Lol!

 

[williaty]

So ya had enough time to give us your complete work history - before bed- but we have to wait until tomorrow to reap the benefit of your wisdom?! Lol!

Not just until "tomorrow" that was days ago.

 

[Worsedog]

Sorry Guys. But that's just not true. Like I said, The old timers do it, But it is totally unnecessary. I would like to see some documentation to back your stories up. Think about it. Would the manufacturers make a product that required that procedure to insure that their product worked when needed. I've discharged FEs that were sitting for 20 years or better. They worked like a charm. Check out NFPA 10. That's where you will find among other things, The inspection and maintenance procedures.

If it just sitting on a shelf or hanging on the wall, I agree. However, as I stated, mine are all in vehicles. Any type of powder used in an extingisher will settle if vibrated.

 

[trainer]

Sorry Guys. But that's just not true. Like I said, The old timers do it, But it is totally unnecessary. I would like to see some documentation to back your stories up. Think about it. Would the manufacturers make a product that required that procedure to insure that their product worked when needed. I've discharged FEs that were sitting for 20 years or better. They worked like a charm. Check out NFPA 10. That's where you will find among other things, The inspection and maintenance procedures.

http://www.firefightingincanada.com/content/view/1564/213/

""Care and maintenance of fire extinguishers is fairly simple. The inspection of fire extinguishers by fire fighters is usually a visual inspection. Dry chemical or powder extinguishers should be occasionally turned upside down and shaken or hit with a rubber mallet to keep powders from packing at the bottom.""

My extinguishers get the rubber mallet treatment.

 

[plow]

http://www.firefightingincanada.com/content/view/1564/213/

""Care and maintenance of fire extinguishers is fairly simple. The inspection of fire extinguishers by fire fighters is usually a visual inspection. Dry chemical or powder extinguishers should be occasionally turned upside down and shaken or hit with a rubber mallet to keep powders from packing at the bottom.""

My extinguishers get the rubber mallet treatment.

Go right ahead.


http://www.wcb.nt.ca/YourWSCC/Resources/Documents/Safety Alert - Fire Extinguisher Incident.pdf

 

[plow]

http://www.theclassictoons.com/23/forward-march-hare/


Mallet hitters remind me of this (At about 6:30 or so). LOL.

 

[trbomax]

Yep,here's mine! Cheap,simple, easy to maintain, and will supress the fire for hours without running out! I do have to use it occasionally on my welding bench, so it gets tested frequently!

 

[plow]

So ya had enough time to give us your complete work certification history - before bed- but we have to wait until tomorrow to reap the benefit of your wisdom?! Lol!

Sorry. I honestly felt bad about bragging. It's not like me really. I post on mostly gun boards under the name phillip if it's not taken. Then I default to plow.

Actually, I don't think hitting a FE with a mallet would be enough to make it blow. Just thought one jankey link deserved another.

They put anti caking additives in them from keeping them from doing that. I guess back in the day it was necessary. Not today. Bottom line is that a fire ext. is your first line of defense. Get a good one with a metal head and a hose rather than a nozzle, AT LEAST 5# or bigger. I've found that the cheap plastic (zytell iirc) ones are susceptible to temp change and vibration. If you squirt it EVEN just a bit (either metal head or plastic), It WILL leak down on you. If you turned it upside down and introduced the dry chem into the gauge port, It may not indicate it's lost it's charge. That's why I discourage the practice. I also think that's why you won't find any credible links to the contrary.

 

[plow]

Yep,here's mine! Cheap,simple, easy to maintain, and will supress the fire for hours without running out! I do have to use it occasionally on my welding bench, so it gets tested frequently!

Dat'll work. Luckily I have access to a chit load of FEs. I have them all over. I also have a dozen of the 2 1/2 Gal water exts. We do alot of wood pile burnin around here and they come in handy. Also have a tractor mounted disk with a 55 gal plastic drum mounted on it, 12vdc pump to put out the bigger runaways.



ps. That's a bad azz beard you got going there an all, But your Mule is purtier.

 

[plow]

"griots garage has some automatic extinguishers that hang from the ceiling."


What is this? Sounds like a bad idea if it's what I'm thinking they are.

 

[williaty]

"griots garage has some automatic extinguishers that hang from the ceiling."


What is this? Sounds like a bad idea if it's what I'm thinking they are.

They deploy themselves using the same temperature-sensitive device that a normal sprinkler system does. Then gravity takes care of getting the chemical out of the tank and through the spreader. I've never been able to decide if I think they're worthwhile or not. The self-activating feature is nice, but at that point, get a real damned sprinkler system if you're so concerned, you know?

 

[plow]

They deploy themselves using the same temperature-sensitive device that a normal sprinkler system does. Then gravity takes care of getting the chemical out of the tank and through the spreader. I've never been able to decide if I think they're worthwhile or not. The self-activating feature is nice, but at that point, get a real damned sprinkler system if you're so concerned, you know?

Are these things tuna can sized, And they literally dump (ie fall outta the can) chemical?

 

[williaty]

No, they're bigger, like a 5-gallon water cooler bottle.

 

[plow]

Like this?


http://www.louisvillefireprotection.com/stovetop.htm

 

[williaty]

Like this?


http://www.louisvillefireprotection.com/stovetop.htm

No, look up to the post before yours, I found a picture of one.

 

[plow]

No, they're bigger, like a 5-gallon water cooler bottle.

I seen these before. All but 1 were a clean agent. The 1 was a mixture of a clean agent and dry chem. It was in a file archive room. I don't remember exactly why, But I had to "red tag" it for something or other. As I recall, All these are sized according to the volume of the enclosure. So if you have a roll up open it aint going to work so well as you just increased the volume . Also fans and air flow had alot to do with it as well. I wasn't impressed with them. I guess they have their place.......Just not in a open area garage.

Now IF he was going for a local application on say a piece of machinery.....I might could see that.

 

[trbomax]

ps. That's a bad azz beard you got going there an all, But your Mule is purtier. [/QUOTE]

Thanks,I hear that a lot! I tell people she's my 22 yr old girlfriend.