Dry Chemical Type Fire Extinguishers
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BELL SYSTEM PRACTICES SECTION 770-330-153 Plant Series Iss. 1, January 1971 AT&TCo Standard DRY CHEMICAL TYPE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 1. GENERAL ficient effectiveness to earn a 1-A rating even though they have some value in extinguishing 1.01 This section describes a multi-purpose small class "A" fires. dry chemical fire extinguisher for use on Class A, B or C fires, i.e those involving general 1.06 ' On occasion a class "D" fire will be re- trash material such as wood, paper etc., flam ported. This fire requires a special chemi mable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, naptha, etc., cal for extinguishment because of the relatively and electrical equipment. high heat generated by the burning metal. There are several dry chemicals available to 1.02 The dry chemical extinguisher is quite extinguish metal fires, but to date only a chemi effective on tire and gasoline fires. For cal identified as MET-L-X, can be applied to the this reason it should be used primarily in ga burning metal with a standard type rages. It can also be used in Paint Storage fire extin guisher. Basically the chemical is sodium areas, Tire Storage rooms, Heater Rooms and chloride with additives to render it free flowing Kitchens. The advantage of the Dry Chemical and cause heat caking. A 30 pound extinguisher over the Carbon Dioxide extinguisher is its is the smallest hand model available, only ability to prevent the re-ignition of a fire. This through the Ansul Company, in Marinette, characteristic is not present in the Carbon Diox Wisconsin. ide extinguisher. 1.03 This extinguisher should not be used in 2. DESCRIPTION or near telephone equipment areas. It is almost impossible to remove all traces of the 2.01 Underwriters Laboratories and Factory chemical after use, without actually washing Mutual Listings down the area. Also the fine chemical could be Each extinguisher shall bear the apJ?:roval of carried by air currents to every nook and the Underwriters Laboratories and/or'Factory cranny in an equipment room, thus possibly Mutual. The extinguisher (average 10 pound disapling telephone relays and electrical unit) consists of a steel cylinder which may vary contacts. in size from 16" to 21-1/2" long and from 5" to 8-1/2" wide, depending on the outboard hard 1.04 This extinguisher could replace the Foam ware. Some units are pressurized by an external Type unit, since it is a bit more effective gas cartridge when a lever is depressed, thus and is easier to re-charge and is also not subject puncturing the cartridge which allows the gas to freezing. to flow into the cylinder placing the dry chemi cal under approximately 175 psi. This chemical 1.05 The Dry Chemical unit is available, as a is released when another lever at the end of the portable unit, in several weights and hose is depressed, permitting the dry chemical sizes, starting with approximately 5 pounds to to be aimed at the fire. Releasing this lever 30 pounds. Wheeled Dry Chemical units are gen stops the flow of the chemical. Other.units are erally available from 75 to 350 pounds. The fire pressurized with either dry air or dry nitrogen extinguishing agent is usually a very finely and are operated by simply pulling the safety divided chemical composed of ammonium phos pin and then squeezing the hand grips and aim phate with added chemicals to provide for free ing the hose at the fire. Releasing these grips flowing capabilities and having water repellant stops the operation of the extinguisher. The properties. There are several manufacturers chemical should shoot from the nozzle to a dis that market a small 2-1/2 or 3 pound Dry Chemi tance of not less than 12 feet. Underwriters cal extinguisher that does not carry a class "A" Laboratories requires no less than 85% of the rating. This is only because they have an insuf- chemical be discharged, by weight, at 70°F. ©American Telephone and Telegraph Company 1971 Printed in U.S.A. Page 1 SECTION 770-330-153 2.02 Rating 6. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION For an extinguisher to be used in the Bell System, the unit should have a minimum 6.01 A. For Cartridge Dry Chemical Extin rating of 1A-10BC. This is not to say that a guisher smaller unit is not effective in a small home type fire. It should be remembered that if a 1. Remove extinguisher from wall small fire is checked in time, a conflagration mounting. can be avoided. 2. Remove cartridge guard. 3. OPERATION 3. Unscrew cartridge and inspect seal 3.01 In all cases, aim the stream of dry chemi- to see that it has not been punc cal at the base of the fire. Approach as tured. (Cartridge may have left close as safety will permit and play the stream hand threads) slowly from side to side closing in until the fire is extinguished. If the fire has burned to a verti 4. Weigh Cartridge. If weight is 1/2 cal position, start the chemical stream at the ounce less than weight stamped on bottom of the column and work up the fire cartridge, replace with new car making sure the bottom fire is out before pro tridge. ceeding upwards. When the fire is extinguished, release the hand lever. This will shut off the 5. Operate the puncture lever several flow of chemical, thus preventing the dry chem times to insure free movement. ical from unnecessarily contaminating the area. As is the case with all fire extinguishers, once 6. Check gasket in cartridge receiver the unit has been used, do not return it to its to see that it is in good condition. normal building location. Set it aside for imme diate recharging. 7. Remove hose from elbow and blow through hose to insure a cle~ 4. LOCATION passage. 4.01 Dry <;hemical fire extinguishers are not 8. Replace hose and make sure the subject to freezing so its location in an hose is screwed on tight. unheated area is immaterial. 9. Remove fill cap. Make sure that the 4.02 Extinguishers should not be located dry chemical is in proper condition where they are subject to mechanical and the chamber filled to the prop injury from moving objects. er level. 5. MOUNTING 10. Examine fill cap threads and gas.,. kets to see that they are in good 5.01 The extinguisher should be mounted so condition. that the bottom of the extinguisher shall be not less than 18 inches from the floor, or th~ 11. Screw fill cap tightly in place. top of the unit not more than 60 inches from the floor. A hanging loop should be an integral part 12. Replace cartridge and guard. or an extension of the valve assembly. It should properly engage in the center peg of the Bell 13. Attach E-5962 form, properly u System 30A Fire Extinguisher Bracket. filled out. u Page 2 l ISS 1 I SECTION 770-330-1 53 14. Return extinguisher to its posi 7. Replace operating head assembly tion on the wall. and tighten head ring firmly. Have gauge facing operating instruc B. For Dry Chemical, stored pressure. tions on cylinder. 1. Remove extinguisher from wall 8. Replace ring pin. hanger. 9. Install charging adapter. Connect 2. Observe pressure gauge. Add to nitrogen cylinder through pres either dry air or nitrogen to in sure regulator dead set at 225 psi. crease pressure if below operaole range and test for leakage. (see 10. Pressurize to 195 psi by slowly C-14). opening the nitrogen supply valve. 3. Weigh extinguisher. Weight should 11. Close nitrogen supply valve. Re be within 1 pound of that shown on lease charging line by loosening maintenance plate. hose coupling to adaptor. Remove charging adaptor. 4. Unscrew hose from extinguisher and blow through hose to insure a clear passage. 12. Check hose and nozzle for obstruc tions or damage and replace on 5. Replace hose, tighten firmly. operating head, tightening firmly. 6. Return extinguisher to its location 13. Record recharge date on E-5962 on wall. form. C. Recharging a stored pressure Dry 14. Observe the pressure 48 hours Chemical extinguisher. after recharge. If gauge shows pressure loss, check for leakage 1. Release any residual pressure and by dry chemical by inverting the ex tinguisher and opening the nozzle at the end of the hose. a. Remove hose assembly. 2. Remove hose. b. Install recharge adaptor. 3. Remove operating head assembly. c. Apply a soap solution film to Do not damage the seating sur adaptor end. faces in fill collar on the extin guisher. d. Apply a soap solution around top and bottom of head ring 4. Recharge the extinguisher to the joint. rated capacity with the proper dry chemical. e. Bubbles indicate point of leak age. 5. Clean the dry chemical off the seat ing surfaces and threads. f. If tightening the ring or hose connection does not stop the 6. Clean and lubricate "0" ring with a bubbling then it might be nec thin film of a good grease or oil. essary to replace the "0" ring. Page 3 SECTION 770-330-153 7. APPEARANCE ( 7.01 The·finish of the extinguisher should be examined_ and cleaned (not painted) to restore good appearance, if required. r ( Page 4 4 Pages .