Fire Extinguisher Age

WDD

WDD

Final Approach
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Vintage Snazzy (so my adult children say)
So, in-cabin fire extinguisher:

Halon is very effective, works great on electrical fires as well as engine fires. Dissipates quickly. Of course it’s been banned.

Halotron is its replacement, works almost as well.

Extinguishers don’t necessarily expire, although they recommend they last 12 years or so. The one in the plane I bought was 16 years old. Date is stamped on bottom of the bottle.

A 2.5 pound Halotron extinguisher costs around $200. Right size, fits nicely between front seats.
 
Extinguishers should be inspected annually. If it has a gauge and looks worthy? I keep them in service. I won’t buy or carry extinguishers that don’t have pressure gauges.
 
Some can be like our old planes, as long as they get inspected (and hydro’ed). We have one we take to the race track from the 1950’s.

I downgraded my plane extinguisher to my hangar tool box and got a new one for the plane. Cheap enough and now I have two.
 
WDD said:
Extinguishers don’t necessarily expire, although they recommend they last 12 years or so.
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But they do have hydrostatic test requirements which are usually at 6, 10, or 12 years. Its actually is a DOT requirement. There are also several FAA guidance documents on the subject.
 
The Halon extinguisher in my DA 40 has to be reconditioned every 10 years, and has to be weighed every year. It can lose only 2% of the full refilled weight each year. I had it overhauled once, had to be sent to CA for it, and with shipping, was around $300. When it was due next, I bought an exact model new one for $250 (eBay), and kept the old one in our kitchen.
 
NavAir said:
The Halon extinguisher in my DA 40 has to be reconditioned every 10 years, and has to be weighed every year. It can lose only 2% of the full refilled weight each year. I had it overhauled once, had to be sent to CA for it, and with shipping, was around $300. When it was due next, I bought an exact model new one for $250 (eBay), and kept the old one in our kitchen.
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I read that although Halon isn't manufactured any more, there are still some recycled supplies of it, and it is still possible to find a place that would recondition / refill.

For me and my 2.5 Halotron Kidde extinguisher, after I called around a few places I found it was cheaper to just buy a new one. As the bottle was stamped 2008, they would have had to hydrostatic test it and replace the plastic valving before recharging it.
 
Folks should educate themselves on extinguishers if they may use them.

They are not necessarily benign.

1. If a dry-powder type is discharged in a large room it is impossible for
me to inhale. It would be bad for me on an airplane.

2.A guy I knew kept everything spotless by dunking in a fire extinguisher.
Carbon Tet. He checked out early.

3.The C-54 used a type of liquid that resulted in poison gas. Smoke mask
first - address fire second. Never had to use it.

4. Is dry powder corrosive when discharged on an engine? Actions needed?
 
All valid points, but I'm also noy sure how safe it is to discharge an asphyxiant gas in the cockpit, either.

Many years ago a friend had an engine fire during an attempted start. Backfired and ignited fuel that had leaked from the carb due to overpriming. The first person to get close to the aircraft had a powder extinguisher, and that's how the fire was put out. After the engine was cleaned and inspected, it was given the all clear.
 
Halon and Halotron are not inherently dangerous to humans. Contrary to popular belief they do not displace oxygen. They interrupt the combustion process. In an aircraft fire or any fire the bigger danger to humans is the smoke that accompanies the fire and the extinguished fire. Anyone who’s had a fire knows that. One breath of that noxious smoke can take months to fully recover from. Of course one breath leads to an uncontrollable cough and intake of more smoke.

I’ve used both Halon and Halotron to extinguish engine fires in my own airplanes. Both worked equally well. Given that experience my airplanes and trucks carry Halotron extinguishers because they’re easier to find and less expensive that true Halon.
 
Additional fun fact - besides not being poisonous and taking away the O2, Halon and Halotron don’t conduct electricity. They are great for electrical fires.
 
Magman said:
4. Is dry powder corrosive when discharged on an engine? Actions needed?
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Yes. The standard ABC extinguishers (ammonium phosphate) are very corrosive to aluminum. With the way the powder flows, if it gets on an aircraft, disassembly will probably be required, and pretty soon afterward, to prevent corrosion. Purple K is an accepted dry chemical extinguisher, as it’s generally noncorrosive to aluminum. However it is only rated for Class B and C fires.
 
I have a few Element extinguisher sticks. Probably okay for a campstove fire but the last thing I’d choose for an airplane.
 
I’ve wondered if an external air vent connected to a mask could be helpful
in an emergency?
 
ateamer said:
The standard ABC extinguishers (ammonium phosphate) are very corrosive to aluminum. With the way the powder flows, if it gets on an aircraft, disassembly will probably be required, and pretty soon afterward, to prevent corrosion.
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Even after disassembly, the plane is likely to corrode. That stuff is nasty to metals.
 
Cap'n Jack said:
Even after disassembly, the plane is likely to corrode. That stuff is nasty to metals.
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Excellent point - maybe even sticky worthy. Don’t use a random extinguisher from Home Depot or WalMart. Choose carefully.
 
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