Fire Extinguisher

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 02/29/2020 at 12:14 • Filed to: None

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I have had this kitchen fire extinguisher for 28 years (I marked it with the year 1992 when I bought it). The meter shows that it’s still good, but is it? Is there a shelf life on these things?

CB > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:17

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I'd get it inspected if I were you.

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:23

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word is 15 years max reliable life. Rechargeable ones every 10 and to be safe non-rechargeable every 12.

I wouldn’t trust it

Brickman > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:26

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Start a fire and put it out :)

facw > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:29

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Maybe?

Also is that a Kidde? They had massive recall on plastic handled fire extinguishers, I think pretty much every one they sold over 45 years: https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2019/07/05/reminder-of-ongoing-kidde-recall

https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/

WilliamsSW > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:30

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Ahh, this picture reminds me of my college days, when we would refill these with water, then take them to get pressurized pretty much every weekend...

Boxer_4 > CB 02/29/2020 at 12:34

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Unless its a really nice one, most household extinguishers cost just as much to inspect, re-certify , and recharge as it would to outright replace them.

CB > Boxer_4 02/29/2020 at 12:36

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Fair enough.

I'd replace it.

Boxer_4 > facw 02/29/2020 at 12:37

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That caught my eye, too. The recall focused on the ones with the vertical pull-out pin ( like this one ), and the push-button style.

I’m not sure if this one is a Kidde based on the handle design, but it should be investigated.  

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:38

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I wouldn’t trust it in an emergency situation

ttyymmnn > facw 02/29/2020 at 12:39

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Aaaaand, that’s why I ask Oppo.  Yes, it’s a Kidde. That’s good to know. Thanks.

ttyymmnn > Boxer_4 02/29/2020 at 12:41

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It’s a Kidde. I’ll investigate the recall, and replace it.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:44

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Have your boys start a fire in a can in the yard. Then use this to put it out. Make it an exercise in fire safety practice. You’ll know if it was any good.

Then go buy a new one.  

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:49

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The powder gets hard after a while. Throw it away, just to be safe. Also get a 5lb unit, the little ones are worthless. 

Boxer_4 > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:50

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Replace it regardless, but if it is part of the recall you should be getting a free replacement.  

vondon302 > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 12:57

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And this is why I’m on oppo.

Just realized my youngest fire extinguisher is 16 years old.

facw > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 13:05

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Well it’s good, it just reminded me to file on mine, which I’ve been putting off forever. Sounds like they’ll just send a new one free.

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 02/29/2020 at 13:09

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That’s a great idea, except that one of the parts of the recall that facw mentioned is that the bottle can become separated from the handle. That could cause some real damage. 

ttyymmnn > vondon302 02/29/2020 at 13:11

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That’s the thing about this place. There is such an extraordinary range of expertise (or at least educated opinions) that there is likely no question that you can’t get a good answer for. Oppo is amazing. 

vondon302 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/29/2020 at 13:25

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Never really thought about it till this post but makes sense.

My big one in the garage is almost 30 yikes. I'll look into getting this one inspected but the rest I'll replace.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 13:33

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One thing to note - never let your fire extinguisher sit in a place where the bottom can get wet. They can rust out and fail explosively. A few people have been killed when they dropped or bumped an extinguisher and it launched, hitting them in the chest or head.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 13:35

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Oh, well then you should just do it yourself and use safety precautions.

I think I’m gonna do with mine. 

ttyymmnn > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/29/2020 at 13:37

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Good to know. Thanks. 

AestheticsInMotion > Chariotoflove 02/29/2020 at 13:46

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I designed a fire safety training course that involved my team testing out fire extinguishers, and at the end of the day... I admitted to myself that I just wanted an excuse to play with a fire extinguisher 

f86sabre > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 13:52

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The materials inside the extinguisher can solidify over time.  Time for new. 

ttyymmnn > f86sabre 02/29/2020 at 14:00

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facw informed me of a recall. Looks like I can get a new one gratis.

MM54 > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 14:33

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I have one with an inspection tag from 1991 and another with an inspection tag from 1986. They came with the house and are nice commercial units... but yeah I wouldn’t count on them working. (I also have much newer ones on hand).

Extinguishers are cheap enough you might as well go buy a couple new ones to count on, and either dispose of or play with those (like others said, build a fire in the yard and put it out).

I might try to find somewhere to get my “nice” old ones looked at / serviced since they probably can be made good as new. Maybe.

MM54 > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/29/2020 at 14:35

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(moves extinguisher that has been on the floor beside the furnace since 1986)

Chariotoflove > AestheticsInMotion 02/29/2020 at 16:18

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I mean, those aren’t incompatible goals. 

SirDrivesAlot (now with hybrid powerrrr) > ttyymmnn 02/29/2020 at 17:57

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I had contacted Kidde back when the recall first  came out——no response. I fin al ly got around to doing again a couple of weeks ago. They shipped me new ones within 4 days, and gave me ret ur n label s to ship the recalled ones back. Now I just have to call FedEx Ground for a pick up....you can’t take them to a drop off center.

ttyymmnn > SirDrivesAlot (now with hybrid powerrrr) 02/29/2020 at 18:35

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Good to know. Thanks!