Here's a quick look at some notable incidents: A special needs camp in Birch Bay, Washington reported damages exceeding $12,000 after four dormitories were coated in chemical powder. How to Choose and Use a Fire Extinguishe... How to Choose and Use a Fire Extinguisher. The fire triangle is the relationship between oxygen, heat, and fuel that produce a fire. Scrub the spot you are having trouble with vigorously, and you should be able to get it out. The fire was put out by an employee using an ABC dry type fire extinguisher. Water can make the powder pasty, more corrosive, and harder to clean. Soot and smoke damage may cover walls, smoke odors may linger, and there may be fire extinguisher residue from putting out the fire by yourself. Cleaning Measures; Powder Fire Extinguishers: Wear the protective equipment as listed above; Use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the powder residue, or a brush to … Dry chemical extinguishers are the ones known for making a mess. She holds an LLBS from the University of Zimbabwe, and is a lifelong learner who always seeks to improve the world around her. If there are any lingering patches of hard-to-remove residue or smells, you can use these techniques to get rid of them. 1. Since the vast majority of fire extinguishers contain ammonium phosphate and/or ammonium sulfate, you need to be careful about cleaning up. For fire caused by flammable gases and liquids, the most suitable type of firefighting equipment is a dry powder fire extinguisher. You can remove any smells left by fire extinguisher chemical residue with any common household odor eliminating products. Clean up the powder residue by using a vacuum or a brush. 3. You don't want to be caught without a fire extinguisher if there is a fire again in your home or business. Vacuum or sweep up loose debris. The most intensive work you’ll need to do following discharging either of these extinguishers will be to grab a towel to sop up moisture.Dry chemical extinguisher… A shop-vacuum can be used to clean up fire extinguisher residue outdoors, but it is better to use a special HEPA vacuum for indoor clean up that will not disperse the chemicals and the dust into the air. Many areas do not permit phosphates or sulfates to be added to the water table. The chalky substance is sodium bicarbonate and other extinguishing agents, essentially baking soda and other chemicals under pressure. See “How to Clean After Using a Fire Extinguisher”. If you use a mono ammonium phosphate fire extinguisher, also known as an ABC Dry Chemical extinguisher, you will need to scrub away the residue by hand. The fire extinguisher is a marvelous invention, and its use in successfully combating a fire before it spreads out of control is a major triumph. Unfortunately there was an air handler return right above this area and a bunch of the extinguisher powder was sucked into the air handler and disbursed over the inventory room. When used, a dry chemical extinguisher coats the surrounding area in a layer of chemicals that, while great for smothering flames, makes a huge mess and can damage electronic equipment. If you cannot vacuum for some reason, or do not own a vacuum cleaner, sweeping the residue away with a broom or a dry cloth will work just fine. … Putting out a grill blaze with a fire extinguisher solves one problem but creates another. He's an experienced home improvement researcher and project creator with a wide range of interests, and especially enjoys learning about plumbing, gardening, window design, and tree cultivation. • Clean up the powder completely before using the stove or oven. Imagine this: you’re working at your desk when a spark jumps from an electrical outlet into your trash can, setting it ablaze. For eye exposure, flush the eyes with water until the pain or irritation goes away. © Servpro Industries, LLC. Use a damp cloth to clean any residue of powder off affected surfaces. If you are cleaning up after a halotron fire extinguisher, you are already done. To clean up wet chemical fire extinguisher residue: Shut off all cooking equipment in the area and put on rubber gloves. Lindani especially loves researching natural, non-harmful ways to clean. Rinse with clean water and dry completely before powering equipment back on. If you think the fire had an electrical origin: • Shut off the electrical power, if possible--do not touch any If you use a foam extinguisher, you will need to use lots of water to dilute and wash away the foam. For small spots of chemical residue, mix vinegar with water and apply it to a rag. This is mentioned as these chemicals are corrosive to metals and can lead to damage when not cleaned up quickly (Koorsen). With these instructions, you can minimize the mess and efficiently clean the chemicals from this type of fire extinguisher. Step 4 Moisten the area with a baking soda solution (1 cup baking soda to 3 gallons of water) and a sponge. Let the solution sit for a few minutes, wipe it with a wet cloth, and then vacuum again. If you used a fire extinguisher containing potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate, you can simply get your vacuum cleaner and vacuum away the mess. This type of extinguisher interrupts the triangle by using a multipurpose dry chemical that creates a barrier between oxygen and the fuel element of the fire, effectively putting it out. Let the solution stand on the area for three to five minutes and wipe it clean. Once you know what chemicals you are cleaning up, you are ready to get started. Banner School's experience with fire extinguisher clean-up may be among the worst—but it's far from the only act of extinguisher vandalism. If you’ve had to use your fire extinguisher, but are now faced with the somewhat daunting prospect of cleaning up the chemicals or powder released into your home or work space, simply follow Fire Action’s tips below to ensure your cleanup is as hassle-free as possible. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". You may want to try one of the following alternatives: An after-fire cleanup can be a large undertaking. Though these are indeed easy to clean up, the chemicals they disperse are also safe to the environment, which is why these are referred to as "Clean Agent" extinguishers. Now that you know what you are up against, you are ready to apply the specific, appropriate techniques. We welcome your comments and The chemicals most often used in these kinds of extinguishers are monoammonium phosphate and sodium or potassium bicarbonate. Though they are usually easy to clean up, different chemicals require different methods. With over 20 years of professional home cleaning experience, Lindani has extensive knowledge about best practices, space management, and cleaning solutions. Since the vast majority of fire extinguishers contain ammonium phosphate and/or ammonium sulfate, you need to be careful about cleaning up. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. In the tight areas around the top and bottom of the cylinder, daub the paste on thickly with the brush. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent How to Clean up Fire Extinguisher Discharge. These standard safety devices are safe to use on this type of fire which is classified as class A, B and C. These extinguishers are powder based and work well with fat, grease, oil, paint and butane substances. If you have discharged a dry chemical fire extinguisher and are now preparing to engage in the clean up process, read our other article titled, “How to Safely Clean Up Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Residue”. 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