Best Type Of Co2 Fire Extinguisher

[gruntus]

Hi All,

I have found a local Fire Equipment supplier that has about 1000 used and out of date extinguishers (different brands/types/sizes). He is willing to part with as many as I want for about $30 bucks each (fully gassed - with dipstick).

I was hoping that anyone with CO2 fire extinguisher experience (as a BOC replacement) could recommend the best brand/type/size for a 'Dual Guage (Micromatic)' regulator.

Thanks in advance.
Grant.

 

[Frank]

I don't think it makes that much difference on type, as long as the thread of your Regulator can screw straight on. Take your Reg down and show him and he will be able to shortlist the ones suitable. Then you need to work out which one is the neatest and looks the right size for your set up. Tall skinny ones will be easy to knock over, once you refill and have the dip tube removed.

 

[white.grant]

I've mostly seen the 5 kg bottles in use for kegging. $30 for a gassed 5kg cylinder (even if it is ood) strikes me as pretty good value, you can't buy a recharge for that.

The connections for regulators vary on the type of extinguisher but adaptors appear to be available. I'd buy one for that money.

cheers

Grant

 

[Batz]

And who's going to refill an out of date extinguisher?


Batz

 

[domonsura]

exactly - the bottle will be completely useless once empty, unless it has a stamp on it within test date, and you can find someone to fill it. Still a cheap bottle of CO2 all the same though.......

 

[Batz]

I'll give ya $5.00 for them...empty

 

[LethalCorpse]

Cant you just get them retested and restamped once they're out of date?

 

[roger mellie]

You might want to have the dipstick removed also. You only want the CO2 gas.

Here in WA - the best source of CO2 cylinders is a local chap that tests cylinders - he also fills them.

RM

 

[domonsura]

yeah you can get them retested & stamped, but from memory that's usually around $75-80.

 

[gruntus]

Thanks for the replies. The guy said that if I ever want it refilled then it will cost me $90....probably means that it would be retested?

 

[pixelboy]

Thanks for the replies. The guy said that if I ever want it refilled then it will cost me $90....probably means that it would be retested?

Id be keen on one of these? where are they?

 

[gruntus]

PM sent with the contact details

 

[Screwtop]

Hi All,

I have found a local Fire Equipment supplier that has about 1000 used and out of date extinguishers (different brands/types/sizes). He is willing to part with as many as I want for about $30 bucks each (fully gassed - with dipstick).

I was hoping that anyone with CO2 fire extinguisher experience (as a BOC replacement) could recommend the best brand/type/size for a 'Dual Guage (Micromatic)' regulator.

Thanks in advance.
Grant.

Grunt, first of all let me say that I actually use extinguisher cylinders (3 atm) so my comments are from experience, I am actually providing these comments with the intent of answering your question not increasoing my post count.

There are some differences in cylinders, without seeing them my advice would be to take your Reg along and look for tall cylinders with a male thread (after removing the discharge hose and shroud). Some smaller cylinders with female threads (after removing the discharge hose and shroud) require a male to male adaptor to enable attachment of the Reg. This presents a problem. I've never been able to buy an adaptor with the correct male thread to match the Reg thread, thread tape is required and I have had an occasion where a newly filled cylinder has blown the Reg off the cylinder and stripped the thread off the adaptor (luckily I was not standing nearby at the time). The tall narrow 5Kg cylinders have the correct male thread to match Micromatic and Harris Reg's.

As has been stated by some other brewers (above) who actually use extinguisher cylinders, ask about refilling and testing and be sure of the cost involved. It is possible to use cylinders still fitted with a diptube in the inverted (upside down) position until empty, then have the cylinder supplier remove the diptube prior to testing, certification and refilling. Your cylinder will then be good for refilling for the test period so long as the refiller is prepared to refill for use as a homebrew CO2 beer cylinder.

The problem here lately has been that fire services refillers do not have a "procedure" for refilling Co2 cylinders for use for dispensing beer and so are refusing to refill due to the "litigation bogeyman" who apparently haunts workplaces and reduces output for companies while reducing risk and maintaining insurance company profits

Cheers,

Screwy

 

[FarsideOfCrazy]

.

The problem here lately has been that fire services refillers do not have a "procedure" for refilling Co2 cylinders for use for dispensing beer and so are refusing to refill due to the "litigation bogeyman" who apparently haunts workplaces and reduces output for companies while reducing risk and maintaining insurance company profits

Cheers,

Screwy

I hear what your saying.... :angry:

But to have no problems with my gas I just recently bought a KOL cylinder. Sometimes I just like stuff to work with no hassles and after reading a couple of posts about leaky fire extinguisher valves and losing a tank of gas, I just thought it easier to lash out on a new cylinder.

 

[Screwtop]

I hear what your saying.... :angry:

But to have no problems with my gas I just recently bought a KOL cylinder. Sometimes I just like stuff to work with no hassles and after reading a couple of posts about leaky fire extinguisher valves and losing a tank of gas, I just thought it easier to lash out on a new cylinder.

As you say less hassles, working toward replacing the el-cheapo's, but they have served me well and are great while they last.

 

[InCider]

Beerwah HBS refill as long as the cylinder is in date. I asked about my fire extinguisher, and she said as long as she can fit the gas to it it'd be fine

 

[gruntus]

Thanks for the advice Screwy....I will take my reg with me and see if I can get the biggest one (with the most CO2) with the correct fittings.

I currently have my BOC cylinder in my fridge....would it be OK to do the same thing with the fire extinguisher?

What's the best way to keep it upside down without damaging the reg?

Cheers,
Gruntus

 

[Screwtop]

Thanks for the advice Screwy....I will take my reg with me and see if I can get the biggest one (with the most CO2) with the correct fittings.

I currently have my BOC cylinder in my fridge....would it be OK to do the same thing with the fire extinguisher?

What's the best way to keep it upside down without damaging the reg?

Cheers,
Gruntus

Some refillers put the cylinder in the freezer to fit enough gas in so there should not be a problem with the cylinder, the Reg may depend on quality, check with the manufacturer.

You'll have to fabricate something I thought about making up a sling out of motorcycle tiedown straps for my second cylinder as it had some gas in it, but never got around to it, had the dip tube removed and refilled.