Refilling Fire Extinguishers

[Steve-Maine]

Is it worth having fire extinguishers refilled. I have a couple that say they are refillable. What is cost of refilling compared to new ones?? Thanks

 

[Dialed In Restorations]

I just get new ones. It is always fun to play with the expired ones.

 

[IOWA NORTHEAST]

Definatly worth it, but if it has a plastic head, they will not refil it. Check out your local fire station if you need information where to get it done.

 

[RayP(MI)]

My experience, costs about as much as replacement. Your local fire cheif can probably advise.

A few years back, wife was coming home from her job, late at night. Came upon a car on fire. Pulled out her extinguisher and put it down. She was a local hero with the local volunteer FD, who arrived shortly after. They even paid to have extinguisher refilled.

 

[MF24-4]

I had a refillable one and they said they couldn't refill if because of the date on it. Couldn't be to old to refill. I can't remember the date.

 

[bill mart]

I think one of the nfpa 2007 codes states anything 1984 or older shouldnt be refilled. bill m.

 

[Owen Aaland]

If it does not need to be hydro tested it can be worth while to have them refilled. The ones in my shop are about 1/2 price to get serviced but if they need the pressure test then the cost is about 80% of a new unit.

 

[Brad Gyde]

I have had a couple 5lb. ABC's refilled..

Costs 8 bucks, as opposed to 40 or so for a new one..

Worth it for me.

Brad

 

[dlplost]

Ya just gotta love the old co2 extinguishers.

 

[CLTX]

The CO2s don't leave a mess like the dry chemicals do. The better quality extinguishers are worth refilling. When I had a shrimp boat, we were required by the Coast Guard to have our extinguishers inspected annually. If the pressure was in the green, the inspector usually just shook the extinguisher to be sure that the power was loose. If it was caked, it was dumped and replaced with fresh powder. I always try to invert and shake my home and RV extinguishers at least annually to keep the powder loosened. You can feel the powder shift if it is loose.

 

[rustyj14]

Many years back, a travelling salesman sold me a little brass fire extinguisher, with a mounting bracket. It was about 5 inches long, by 2 inches across. Had a nozzle and a knob to turn.
One Saturday, the wife left for grocery shopping. I was home with the kids.
Suddenly here she came up the road, blowing the horn, and sliding up in front of the house, just a-hollerin her head off! I looked out and saw smoke billowing out by the steering wheel, so i grabbed that little extinguisher, ran out, twisted the knob, and the fire went out! It saved the car! Never could find another one.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hello.i am a fire extinguished tech.for firex inc.in tulsa ok.if you have a good brand ext.it is usually cheaper to have them recharged v.s. buying a new one.i recharde 5lb for around 15 dollars plus a 7 dollar valvestem and oring kit.or you could keep throwing money away on disposable ones.i also do hydro tests for around 30 dollars.the brand we sell for a 5lb new one sells for 63.00.

 

[Dusty MI]

(quoted from post at 20:26:03 03/07/11) Many years back, a travelling salesman sold me a little brass fire extinguisher, with a mounting bracket. It was about 5 inches long, by 2 inches across. Had a nozzle and a knob to turn.
One Saturday, the wife left for grocery shopping. I was home with the kids.
Suddenly here she came up the road, blowing the horn, and sliding up in front of the house, just a-hollerin her head off! I looked out and saw smoke billowing out by the steering wheel, so i grabbed that little extinguisher, ran out, twisted the knob, and the fire went out! It saved the car! Never could find another one.

I would guess it was a Halon extinguisher. They have a unique way of putting a fire out, which as you saw is very effective, but Halon has been declared an air pollutant, or something like that.

They were used in places like computer rooms. Halon is a gas, no clean up after it was used.

Do a Google search for Halon.

Dusty