Fire Extinguisher

[fiftyplusfive]

In my kitchen I have a fire extinguisher which i must have had for 30 years!!! If I needed it would it still work? On the base there is a block of red,green,red and a pointer pointing to the green (just).

[EDDIE51]

I would not trust it to work,you need a replacement.
You don't want to find out when you actually have a fire!!

[gingejbee]

You don't say what type of extinguisher it is...but I wouldn't trust it at all.

[EDDIE51]

It is quite possible that the pointer is stuck ! Definitely do not trust it!

[trt]

I wouldn't think twice, get rid, and buy a new one.

Life is to precious.

[ivor4781]

ive had one for that time too a NU-SWIFT,E1807
same, the meter is in green.just unscrew the large chrome nut it comes off easy and test the plunger goes up and down freely if it does its ok replace the nut. a fire officer told me how to check this,

[dance2trance]

If it were a can of food wd you eat it? No.
If it were milk wd you drink it? No.
Would people laugh as they watched your house burn down because you were too mean to buy a new one? Yes.

[ivor4781]

dance2trance
if it's in perfectly good order no need to waste your money on a new one at £30+

[EDDIE51]

^ Sorry I do not agree it's just not worth the risk! A new fire extinguisher is just a few £s why risk your life for the sake of a few £s?

[EDDIE51]

Look here surely your safety is worth £5?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIRE-EXTINGUISHER-FOR-HOME-CARAVAN-CAR-TAXI-BOAT-600g-BC-Powder-Flame-/281103686513?hash=item417315db71:g:-H8AAOSwIgNXtEw3
Powder fire extinguishers are the ONLY ones that are suitable for all types of fire. Your old one is probably a gas powered water one which is dangerous if used on a fat fire like a a chip pan.

[EDDIE51]

^ £8, sorry hit the wrong key!

[ivor4781]

EDDIE51
its a 4kg powder type
built like a tank as long as the gas pressure is on green and the push down pierce button if function like i said in the first reply its ok

[ivor4781]

anyway its up to the questionnaire im ok with this one ive got

[EDDIE51]

I was worried that the gauge was stuck, has been known to happen.
I still think that for £8 or so it's just not worth the risk!

[ivor4781]

eddie mine is £ 30+ it's not a tin can it weighs 16lbs it a commercial type .nice chatting but cant go any further on this

[fiftyplusfive]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom. It is a foam extinguisher. I have decided to buy a new one,this one may be ok but I agree probably not worth the chance.

[EDDIE51]

^ you will be a lot better off with a dry powder one. The foam ones contain water and a foaming agent which is forced out by a CO2 gas cylinder. Again they are not suitable for all types of fire as powder is.