On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:17:11 -0600, "Roger Helio"
wrote this crap:

Pyrene fire extinguishers where the defacto fire extinguisher aboard boats
up until the 1950's.

http://www.vintagefe.com/chriscraft.html

Two problems:

1. They used carbon tetrachloride as the agent which affects the human brain
("mad hatter").

2. When used on burning magnesium, phosgene (nerve gas) was generated.

Today, a powder substance also called "Pyrene" is used for class D
extinguishers which include magnesium fires. However, I don't believe it is
carbon tet. I would recommend mariners carrying a Class D extinguisher as
well as filling the mast with concrete for fire protection.



It's been a while since I took organic chemistry, but I still remember
that carbon tet, (CCL4 ) is highly flammable. Not to mention,
poisonous.




I'm Horvath and I approve of this post.