Non-motoring > Fire extinguisher anyone? Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Rudedog Replies: 32

 Fire extinguisher anyone? - Rudedog
Had the task of clearing a relatives garage over the weekend....hidden at the back was a proper full size CO2 fire extinguisher that is full!

The gauge seems to indicate that it's full but it's missing the safety pin and any kind of yearly testing tag.

How the hell do I get rid of it safely?

If I emptied it would the dump take it or is it worth anything?

Last edited by: VxFan on Fri 30 Nov 18 at 02:48
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - sooty123
I'd just discharge it, then take it to the tip. Can't see why they wouldn't take it.

A couple of quid in scrap metal if it's a full size one.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - R.P.
I'd discharge it as well....just because you sort of can.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - No FM2R
Exactly.

Discharge a fire extinguisher for fun? It's got to be done.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - sooty123
We used to have to practise every year using them, usually with a fire of some sort. Normally a bbq type thing or an oil pit so we could practice with the big foam ones.
Just a PP presentation now, cutbacks eh?
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Zero
>> Exactly.
>>
>> Discharge a fire extinguisher for fun? It's got to be done.

Yup, however I would have a nice bonfire in the garden prepared to test it out,

Just because you can
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - VxFan
>> Discharge a fire extinguisher for fun? It's got to be done.

Even better, hide in some bushes and let it off as people walk past ;)
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Cliff Pope

>>
>> A couple of quid in scrap metal if it's a full size one.
>>

Not when I tried it. The scrap man said he wasn't allowed to take even an empty fire extinguisher. He didn't know why.
Perhaps it's like gas cylinders - theoretically they always belong to Calor or whoever, so anyone handling one is assumed to have stolen it?
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - bathtub tom
Keep it in your own garage, you may never know when it may be needed?
I've three in mine, a modern powder, an old halon and a vintage water.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - R.P.
Halon Gas probably. I can't remember why I know this, but it's bad (really bad folks).
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Runfer D'Hills
I sort of want Halon Gas to be an up and coming Country and Western singer. You know, someone Bob Harris has found in Nashville kind of thing.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Zero
>> I sort of want Halon Gas to be an up and coming Country and Western
>> singer. You know, someone Bob Harris has found in Nashville kind of thing.

Too late Van Halon has been around for years.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - CGNorwich
>> >> I sort of want Halon Gas to be an up and coming Country and
>> Western
>> >> singer. You know, someone Bob Harris has found in Nashville kind of thing.
>>
>> Too late Van Halon has been around for years.
>>

You’re getting confused with Halon Jennings. Used to sing “Ring of Fire” with Johnny Cash until his career was extinguished.when he went off by accident.. John Cash was very put out.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Cliff Pope
Oh well, Halon farewell.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Rudedog
Very tempting to left it off but I didn't think about keeping it myself as a 'just in case', won't take up much room.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Fullchat
Halon used to be the extinguisher of choice in rally cars, probably all competition cars as specified by the motor sports governing body. It was outlawed and AFFF foam became the new kid on the block.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - sooty123
We've still got in use lots of halon fire extinguishers, they aren't completely banned just limited in where you can use them now.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Zero
>> We've still got in use lots of halon fire extinguishers, they aren't completely banned just
>> limited in where you can use them now.

You need an exemption certificate, usually only provided for aeronautical use.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - henry k
>> You need an exemption certificate, usually only provided for aeronautical use.
>>
That was my understanding.

www.fireandsafetycentre.co.uk/advice-centre/halon-fire-extinguishers/

One site says "In fact, the FAA requires all commercial aircraft to exclusively use Halon"
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - sooty123
>> >> We've still got in use lots of halon fire extinguishers, they aren't completely banned
>> just
>> >> limited in where you can use them now.
>>
>> You need an exemption certificate, usually only provided for aeronautical use.
>>

By and large, I'm sure someone's got a certificate, somewhere or other.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Zero
Halom is safe, but illegal, Illegal to own and illegal to discharge and you need to pay to have it collected.

Its a great fire suppressant, but suppresses the ozone layer twice as quickly.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - R.P.
Maybe that's why the scrappie was dubious.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - tyrednemotional
...one certainly didn't want to be under the computer room false floor if halon was (accidentally) released....
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Zero
>> ...one certainly didn't want to be under the computer room false floor if halon was
>> (accidentally) released....

I know someone who was, and I was in the Ops bridge when it happened. The underfloor guy had to be taken to A&E to get his eyes washed out, due to the dust that was blown into the atmosphere, it was like a fog. We thought the computer room was clean!
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - sooty123
> Not when I tried it. The scrap man said he wasn't allowed to take even
>> an empty fire extinguisher. He didn't know why.
>> Perhaps it's like gas cylinders - theoretically they always belong to Calor or whoever, so
>> anyone handling one is assumed to have stolen it?
>>

Probably classed as hazardous waste.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Cliff Pope

>>
>> Probably classed as hazardous waste.
>>

It was empty, I'd unscrewed the gubbins from the top, and flushed it out with water. You could peer inside and see it was just an empty cannister, but he wouldn't have it.
I buried it along with lots of other junk when I filled in an inspection pit.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - sooty123
I bet the local council tip would still take them.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - CGNorwich
If you live in Norfolk you would lose that bet. Classified as hazardous waste.

 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Timeonmyhands
The old brass ones filled with carbon tetrachloride were handy, the fluid would “dry clean” grease off your clothes. Same ingredient as “dabitoff” which came in a bottle with a pad in the top for the same purpose.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - bathtub tom
>> The old brass ones filled with carbon tetrachloride were handy, the fluid would “dry clean”
>> grease off your clothes.

That's why they put a bright, red dye in them. Used one once on a car engine fire. The car owner was ambivalent. Grateful for having the fire put out, but he asked what he could do about his red engine and engine bay.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - sooty123
Good job I don't live in Norfolk! (anymore)
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - Dutchie
Long time ago I had to put an engine fire out with the extinguisher I had in the car.

The old chap was grateful and couldn't thank me enough.
 Fire exstinguisher anyone? - VxFan
>> The old chap was grateful and couldn't thank me enough.

Were his trousers also on fire then?
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