fire safety

[brslk]

I had just finished doing some welding in my garage tonight and was sitting back admiring my wondrous work when out of the corner of my eye I spotted my fire extinguisher.

I know people that weld for a living have people that take care of these things in their shops but for the hobby welder you are pretty much on your own.

I thought I was being pretty safe by having an extinguisher mounted on my work bench in my garage.

I then noticed that the end (where the powder comes out) was pretty much crimped shut.

Upon further checking it out I also noticed that where the hose meets the bottle had a small hole.

The extinguisher was well within the last inspection date and I don't recall dropping it but it must have been. The bottle itself is dented.

Another thing I noticed tonight was that I had replaced the missing pin with a bent paper clip.

I remember doing that...

Just a heads up to check or get a fire extinguisher.

 

[devino246]

And, be sure to get an ABC extinguisher.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Get a 5Lb ABC, better yet a 10Lb ABC. In an area with gas/oil (hopefully nowhere NEAR your weld area, get a BC. Monthly inspection should include;
*Check pressure gage to ensure pressure is in "operable" range
*Check safety pin installed and sealed
*Check that there is no visible rust/damage to cylinder or valve assembly
*Unscrew and look through hose or nozzle to ensure that is is unobstructed. Blow out with compressed air as necessary

Other tips
*extinguisher should be professionally inspected annually
*Must be hydrostatically requialified every 12 years (kind of like a BBQ tank)
*Every year or so, invert extinguisher, holding it by the valve and tap all around the cylinder with a rubber mallet. Do NOT hit the valve. The powder is quite fine and will compact over the years, possibly to the point of inoperability
*NEVER test-fire a powder extinguisher. Even a quick shot will introduce the powder to the valve seals, which will not reseal properly. The nitrogen will slowly escape until it is useless and requires recharging.
*Once an extinguisher has been used, even for a second, it must be serviced or replaced. Do not put it back in service. The powder must be checked (weight), the valve has to be cleaned and serviced as do the seals, and it must be recharged.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I would say 5-10lb might be overboard.. mine is just this I small single use, home one... But I am very careful where I launch my slag/sparks...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Well... Would you rather MAYBE have enough agent to put out the fire, or be CONFIDENT that you do? 5-pounders don't cost much more than 2-3 pound units...

 

[redsox985]

Saving your house is well worth the extra cost and additional mess of a 10lb unit. I, for one, know my mom would be pissed if I burnt down the house. But I'd also weld outside.