Water Mist Fire Extinguishers
The Clubs website gives what I would call "traditional" advice about fire classifications and types of extinguisher to use. Nothing wrong with that of course but there is a new kid on the block in the shape of a water mist extinguisher. This is or at any rate claims to be a universal extinguisher including electrical fires and does not have the same environmental impact as dry powder. As such it seems ideal for a motorhome albeit only the larger sizes (from 3L) are kite marked.
Have the club assessed such extinguishers and if not would the be willing to do so ?
Have any members used one in anger or had any experience of them ?
Comments
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They are not that new. They have been in use on ships for years. They are also used in prisons as they are potable ( electric high pressure pump, so 220v required) and don't cause flood damage after use. They work by creating a fine mist of water, that suffocates the fire by removing the oxygen that is required for combustion.
They are basically a sprinkler system, but with less water.
They do work, but you have to consider the legionella risk and treat the water.
This is a basic outline of the systems I've had experience off.
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I have come across these systems in industry to, like gas turbine enclosures, where the system is interlocked against the entry doors as the mist displaces oxygen and would asphyxiate you if it went off when you were inside. they were all driven by high pressure nitrogen pushing the water so the only moving part was the valve to open the flow.
Having watched the video here:
http://www.safelincs.co.uk/e-series-water-mist-fire-extinguishers/
I'm not too sure I would use it on all fires, it does not look as effective as the common alternatives for some. The way the water is dripping onto the TV in the last fire lol!
I agree it would not make as much mess as a dry powder....but if the fire is bad enough to reach for the extinguisher, is that the last of your worries?
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The above two posts are very interesting. One of the reasons why I posted my query was precisely because there doesn't seem to be much in the way of official endorsement for water mist extinguishers so I wondered if they are in fact a silver bullet.
JC are you saying there is a Legionella risk presumably because the fine droplets could be inhaled ? However presumably the water is sterilised before filling the extinguisher.
CJ you seem to have doubts about the efficacy, would you buy one ?
I am familiar with advice to get out of the vehicle and stay out however the device may also be used to rescue third parties and some years ago I managed to knock out an electrical fire on a Ford Escort pending the rapid arrival of the Fire Brigade by using a (now prohibited) Halon Extinguisher.
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It is actually a few years since I encountered theses systems and I remember that on our risk assessments and safe systems required them to be filled with a chemical to resist the formation of legionella. You have to bare in mind that legionella is inhaled into the lungs in fine water droplets (water mist). I'm not saying that using this system would result in any form of respiratory infection.
Something that also springs to mind is the risk of freezing in extreme weather- then if you have a fire you could always warm it up first! ( sorry poor sense of humour)
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While I like idea of a water mist extinguisher, I think it would produce more risks than benefits. Any type of stored water is susceptible to legionella bacteria and without regular testing and disinfection could on use in it's aerosol form be a real danger.
I also have my doubts on it's use on an electrical fire?
On our club sites you will see at every fire point an AFFF extinguisher, as it's the best all rounder, and far far easier to clean up compared to powder.
In my mind any small extinguisher in a van should only be used to aid your exit.
Just my opinion and not necessarily that of the club
JK
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Thanks in light of the above comments I have ordered a 2 Litre Foam extinguisher for my new van which will supplement the dry powder one which comes as standard.
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