Something new - discharged extinguisher?

[todd@bsaw]

I got a call from a client yesterday with a new problem that I wasn`t sure how to approach. Their son had a fire extinguisher discharge in his car. I haven`t found out yet exactly what type of extinguisher it was, but I`m assuming it is one of those small ones boy-racers put in their Integras.



Anybody know the best approach to clean this up? He was mostly concerned about how I would clean the door speakers and speaker baskets.



I`ll just say, this is going to be interesting to see in person... :grrr

[Pats300zx]

I had that happen years ago on one of my old work cars. It was an old 1980 Pontiac Firebird and the fire extinguisher exploded in the rear hatch area while I was driving. It was unreal. I don`t envy you.

[imported_shine]

It must have exploded due to sheer speed when the v-tec and turbos kicked in...



Something I found...

A word of caution is warranted. If you need to experiment to see what a dry chemical extinguisher can do, do it outside. So many have discharged an extinguisher inside just to see it work and have paid dearly. The powder gets into EVERYTHING! Any nook and cranny, crevice or hole, dishes, and appliances, everything gets covered. It is difficult to clean up because water or liquid cleaners make a paste out of it. The serious possible side-affect is with electronic equipment because the powder is corrosive to the parts and pieces of the equipment. It may fail in the future.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS



It doesn`t sound like a fun to clean up, that`s for sure.

[blk45]

It must have exploded due to sheer speed when the v-tec and turbos kicked in...

The powder gets into EVERYTHING! Any nook and cranny, crevice or hole, dishes, and appliances, everything gets covered. It is difficult to clean up because water or liquid cleaners make a paste out of it. The serious possible side-affect is with electronic equipment because the powder is corrosive to the parts and pieces of the equipment. It may fail in the future.

Good luck with that!

[jbone]

also when cleaning be careful! Wear some type of mask/respirator and/or have some good ventilation. Those dry chemical extinguishers are not healthy for you.

[todd@bsaw]

Thanks for the replies, guys. At least I have a better idea of how to attack this and what to expect. It sure doesn`t sound pretty.

[wannafbody]

also when cleaning be careful! Wear some type of mask/respirator and/or have some good ventilation. Those dry chemical extinguishers are not healthy for you.

Dry chemcial is a nuisance dust-it isn`t toxic and it won`t hurt you. It will make you sneeze though.

[wascallyrabbit]

one of the best ways to clean up dry chemicals is vacuum bulk and lightly mist the remaining residue then wipe away.