Joe, the issue with CO2 is dispersion and the resultant loss of
any fire-retardant. Dry powder also has the virtue that an
amateur can see where it's going and where it's been.

For really enclosed spaces that you can flood, yes, nothing
better (eg engine cavities/rooms with CO2 plumbed in). Dry powder
is a mess once fired and yes, you ahve to get rid of it fast, but
this is one reason why _CO2_ conventionally is recommended for
electrical fires.

BTW, foam is still the most effective agent for unenclosed liquid
fires but I'm not suggesting carrying foam, CO2 and dry powder
(+pressurised water from the pump) on a 30' boat so that one can
tackle each fire with the best agent. Dry powder remains the
best all-rounder but like all all-rounders is not necessarily the
best at a specific job.

Joe wrote:

Flying Tadpole wrote in message ...

Dry chemical extinguishers are IMO the worst choice anyone can make to
use.
CO2 is the way to go. Dry make a god aweful mess and are not the most
effective for different types of fires. Only thing I can think they
are good for is an electrical fire, but be prepared to rip out
everything the chemical touches.
Purple K is by far the most destructive fire suppressent ever made.

Joe

1. Inspect pressure gauge (where fitted). If it's out of the
green, get it professionally serviced anyway (or if a cheapie,
buy a new one). If it's dribbling powder, ditto.
2. Alongside your ear, tilt the extinguished gently. If the
powder is properly free, you should both hear it and feel the
transfer of weight as it literally flows from one end of the
extinguisher to the other.
3. if 2. doesn't work at all, or not much, grab a rubber tyre
mallet or other padded mallet (but NOT a sledgehammer, or
anything that will give a really sharp blow).
4. With the mallet, tap the base of the extinguisher gently until
the dry powder flows as in 2. If it's badly caked, this may take
a lot of taps. AVoid the temptation to beat the sh*t out of it
after the fifteenth tap.
5. Regularly (eg each time you're down at the boat) give it both
a shake and turn upside down lsitening to the powder flow. if it
doesn't, reservice.
6. throw out those teeny extinguishers and get at least a 1.5kg,
in multiples.


wrote:


This is exactly why you should have multiple ABC extinquishers, placed
strategically around the boat. The C.G. minimums are woefully inadequate. Buy
bigger, and more. Here's a little tip to make sure they are working when you
need them: When routinely safety checking your boat, remove each extinguisher
from it's bracket and shake the hell out of it. The main reason for failure in
these extinguishers, besides leakdown, is caking of the powder.

BB

--
Flying Tadpole

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