Portable fire extinguishers are a benefit that is undisputed. The latest data shows that portable fire extinguishers can be very effective at controlling small fires. Some of these extinguishers can leave behind a mess that you need to clean up quickly. This article will give you some tips on how to clean up the residue from fire extinguishers and address common safety concerns.
Know the Type of Residue You’re Working With
Although fire extinguishers might look similar, they can be quite different. Different types of fire extinguishers use different chemicals. Different extinguishing chemicals may require unique safety precautions and cleanup procedures. It is important to understand the type of residue that you are working with.
There are three types of extinguishing agents: dry chemicals, wet chemicals and clean agents. Every fire extinguisher must mark with a label or sticker identifying the type of extinguishing agent and its type.
Safety Concerns
The majority of fire extinguishing residuals are non-toxic, especially in the amount you would expect to find after using a portable extinguisher. You should be aware of some precautions regardless of which fire extinguisher you use. Some can cause skin irritation. To protect your hands and clothing covering the arms and legs, wear rubber gloves or latex gloves and avoid direct contact with any residue.
Cleaning up fire extinguisher remnants usually does not require costly personal protective equipment (PPE). If inhaled, some chemicals in fire extinguishers can cause severe irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. They can also cause eye irritation. It is essential to use safety goggles and a dust mask for these types of clean ups. NIOSH-rated dust masks N95 and N100 can filter 95 to 100 percent of small particles in fire extinguishers.
Safety Hazards
You should consult the material safety sheets (MSDS) before you start cleaning. These sheets provide detailed and extensive information about the chemicals you’ll be cleaning up. They also include any safety hazards and first aid options.
- Because of most fire extinguisher residues, basic first aid includes:
- For skin exposure, wash with soap and water.
- Due to eye exposure, flush the eyes with water until the pain or irritation goes away.
- If residue is inhaled, get to an area with fresh air.
Seek medical attention if you experience persistent skin or eye irritations, as well as shortness of breath.
This information is intended to highlight the fact that most fire extinguisher chemical are safe. It is important to review the MSDS/SDS before you begin cleaning up to make sure that you are aware of all risks and how to dispose of any chemical residues.
It is possible to find a hard copy or a printed version of the MSDS/SDS at your location. If not, you can find MSDS/SDS in online. Simply enter the model number from the label on your fire extinguisher to search the manufacturer’s site. This searchable database is also available.
Cleaning Up Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Residue
Dry chemical fire extinguishers use a pressurized spraying of a dry chemical to extinguish a fire. Monoammonium phosphate and sodium/potassium bicarbonate are the most commonly use dry chemical fire extinguishers. You should use this type of extinguisher quickly as these powders can cause metal corrosion and may lead to additional damage.
You should remove remaining residue from electrical contacts with an electric contact cleaner. This is typically a compressed air canister containing a fast-evaporating cleaning agent such as isopropyl alcohol.
To avoid powdery residue from suspend, it is always a good idea to turn off the ventilation in the area you are cleaning. You might tempted to vacuum it. You may be tempting to vacuum it up. But, before you do that, you should know exactly what dry chemical agent use.
Monoammonium Phosphate Residue
Class ABC fires can be extinguished using Monoammonium Phosphate fire extinguishers. This residue should be cleaned manually as it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes if it is re-suspended in air using a vacuum cleaner. You can clean the floor with a dust suppressant if this type of extinguisher is used.
You should clean surfaces containing Monoammonium Phosphate with a dry, clean cloth or brush. A 2013 study found that soot removers are effective in removing dry chemical residue from certain types of materials. Natural rubber sponges call soot erasers you can use to remove dirt, dust, and soot from hard surfaces, without it gett wet.
A cleaning paste made from equal parts baking soda, hot water, can use to clean surfaces that are safe to be wet-washed. After the paste has been applied, it should be left on the surface for at least a few minutes before being wiped off with a damp cloth. You can clean any residue that has adhered to surfaces with a 1:1 solution made of isopropyl alcohol, warm water and some soap. This will help break down the silicone in this type extinguishing agent.
Sodium and Potassium Bicarbonate Residues
Class B and Class C fires you can extinguish using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and potassium bicarbonate extinguishers (also called PKP or “Purple K” based its violet color).
Monoammonium Phosphate residues can be more caustic than sodium and potassium bicarbonate. You can remove it safely using a vacuum with the HEPA filter.
Bicarbonate-based residues can cleaned the same way as Monoammonium Phosphate using a dry, clean cloth or brush. You can safely wash surfaces with vinegar and hot water.
Class D Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher Residue
The Class D dry powder fire extinguisher you can also use. Manufacturers have designed this extinguisher is designed to extinguish combustible metal fires in areas such as industrial, manufacturing or laboratory settings. The specific metals that are protected by Class D dry powder fire extinguishers will determine the extinguishing agent, but it will typically contain one of these:
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium carbonate
- Copper
- Graphite
While some residues you can clean easily, others will require professional assistance. Graphite-based powders can be combustible if they are airborne, making them dangerous to vacuum. It is important that you read the MSDS/SDS for all the agents in Class D fire extinguishers before cleaning up.
Cleaning Up Wet Chemical Residues
Wet chemical fire extinguishers of Class K are use in commercial kitchens for fighting cooking fires. These extinguishers contain a mixture of alkaline chemicals like potassium carbonate, potassium acetate or potassium citrate. The foam forms and blankets the fire, depriving it from oxygen.
You can find this type of extinguisher in commercial kitchens, and around cooking appliances. Before cleaning any equipment, it is important to shut off the power. Before you turn on any appliances, make sure that everything is dry.
Usually, you can clean up Class K extinguishers’ residue with hot water and soap. Spraying the foam with water will only make it more dense and cause more mess. To collect foam, vacuum, pump or use absorbent materials is the best option. For proper disposal, any residue left behind by a wet vacuum; you should bagg it. You should bag absorbent materials for proper disposal. After you have removed the foam in its entirety, you can clean any residue with soap and water.
fire extinguisher residue
After removing any fire extinguisher residue, it is essential to thoroughly clean the area. It is important to wash all dishes, cookware, utensils, and other food exposed to fire extinguisher residue. You can wash any cloth that has residue with regular laundry detergent in a clothes washer.
You must consult the MSDS and SDS for any adverse effects of chemicals in the residue. Even if you are only expose to a small amount of foam agents, some foam agents can cause damage or impairment to your nervous system and vital organs. You will need an air-purifying respirator if you are working with an agent that poses this risk. No matter what type of wet agent you are using, it is important to ventilate the work area to avoid inhaling mist and fumes.
Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers Require Little Clean-Up
It may seem that there is not much to clean depending on which type of fire extinguisher you have used. It is possible that the fire extinguisher was a clean agent fire-extinguisher. Clean agents are non-volatile and electrically nonconductive. They also leave no residue. This makes them suitable for areas with sensitive electronics or materials that may be damaged by water, wet chemicals, or other substances.
Today, there are two main types of portable fire extinguishers: those containing carbon dioxide or CO2 and those including Halotron. This is an alternative to older Halon-based extinguishers. Although Halon-based fire extinguishers still exist, they are less common today due to environmental concerns.
Although most of the gas used for fire extinguishers is dissipated into the atmosphere, it’s still important to clean the areas where they were used. This will remove any particulates that the flames may have left behind and also neutralize any smoky odors. You can simply wipe the affected areas with a mild degreaser.
Placing Your Fire Extinguisher Back Into Service
It is often possible to clean up after using a portable extinguisher quickly and for a very low cost. The job is not complete until the fire extinguishers you have return to service.
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