What type of fire extinguisher for hydrocarbon flames?

[rabbitweed]

I have access to a fire-extinguisher marked "CO2", will this do?

Yes, I have googled and wikipedia'd, and been unable to find this info. Probably because I suck at words:)

[fcknut]

yeah, CO2 should do for the most part - just make sure you know how to use it! Expect a loud noise when you pull the pin, and don't touch the nozzle cos it will get fucking cold!

Also, keep a fire blanket handy - they are cheap and effective on small scales - no point not having one...

[ComradeAsh]

Generally the extinguisher usage codes/suitabilities are written on the extinguisher itself.

[fcknut]

Generally the extinguisher usage codes/suitabilities are written on the extinguisher itself.

Yeah... I dunno if it's worldwide, but the powers that be, in their infinite wisdom, decided to make it much more difficult to tell which extinguishers are which, and which are suitable for what... MUCH better to know beforehand, particularly if you are going to have to pick them up yourself, or go running round looking for one in the event event of a "situation"...

[Von Bass]

I'd imagine that would be a good type for it. Hydrocarbon fires have no independent oxidiser, so removing its source of oxygen by flooding with CO2 would be ideal.

[InspiredByMe]

CO2 is fine for hydrocarbons, just make sure you have a place to recharge it.

But can someone recommend a good fire extinguisher for chemical fires? A bucket of water is always at my side for emergencies, but I don't think that would cut it if my chemical cabinet started burning.

[fcknut]

But can someone recommend a good fire extinguisher for chemical fires? A bucket of water is always at my side for emergencies, but I don't think that would cut it if my chemical cabinet started burning.

Water extignuishers, generally speaking, are not all that common in Chemistry labs, CO2 will often be the extinguisher of choice.


However, your chemical cabinet

SHOULD NOT CONTAIN INCOMPATIBLE COMPOUNDS STORED TOGETHER

For example, your halogenated and non-halogenated solvents, should not be stored together - there is an explosion hazard.

Your strong acids and bases should be in separate cabinets.

If you are in a situtation where you have, for example, your bottle of 40-60 petrol next to your Pd/C next to your sodium in hexanes, FUCKING SORT IT OUT.

If you are serious about safety and are not prepared to let the the whole place burn while you get the fuck out, and be happy and able to answer the ensuing questions, again:

FUCKING SORT IT OUT

[InspiredByMe]

Water extignuishers, generally speaking, are not all that common in Chemistry labs, CO2 will often be the extinguisher of choice.


However, your chemical cabinet

SHOULD NOT CONTAIN INCOMPATIBLE COMPOUNDS STORED TOGETHER

For example, your halogenated and non-halogenated solvents, should not be stored together - there is an explosion hazard.

Your strong acids and bases should be in separate cabinets.

If you are in a situtation where you have, for example, your bottle of 40-60 petrol next to your Pd/C next to your sodium in hexanes, FUCKING SORT IT OUT.

If you are serious about safety and are not prepared to let the the whole place burn while you get the fuck out, and be happy and able to answer the ensuing questions, again:

FUCKING SORT IT OUT

I'm not retarded jeese. I always keep reactive and incompatible chemicals away from eachother. I have one big cabinet and 2 other small ones.

And I barely use reactive solvents, which are in 1 of the small cabinets and my acids are stored in a drawer. My oxidizing agents are stored separate from all others.

I have it all sorted out, but I will look for a water fire extinguisher.

[fcknut]

I'm not saying you're stupid, I'm just making the point that people need to be concerned about safety in the lab. I've seen far too much shit when people just "can't be bothered" to make the right arrangments. Most of the time, it doesn't turn out to be a problem, but sometimes it does. And people get horribly, horribly injured.

If you're going for a second extinguisher, I would advise against water consdiering that if you need to use it, it's like to involve not only chemicals, but also electricals (hot-plate/stirrer, vac-pump etc.).

But hey, it's your life.

[stateofhack]

..In a lab you ALWAYS need:

-fire extinguisher (CO2 one)
-fire blanket
-bucket of water
-bucket of sand

and always where a lab coat, goggles, gloves and suitable protection depending on the reaction.

Of course if i or anyone else has to say all of this to you, then i hope natural selection helps you figure it out.

[Ford Prefect]

Of course if i or anyone else has to say all of this to you, then i hope natural selection helps you figure it out.

Heh. :thumbsup:

/Question answered.