Dear all,
I want more information about the fire extinguisher because a major incident happened near my company during training, where there was a possibility of the metal cap coming off and hitting a person's neck (Extinguisher -DCP -5kg). What could be the causes of such an incident? Possible reasons include:
1. Lack of proper servicing
2. Loose metal cap
3. Mishandling of the extinguisher
4. Pressure build-up due to blockage
Please provide any other relevant information to prevent such incidents in the future. Also, what is the working pressure of the extinguisher?
Thank you.
From India, Pune
I want more information about the fire extinguisher because a major incident happened near my company during training, where there was a possibility of the metal cap coming off and hitting a person's neck (Extinguisher -DCP -5kg). What could be the causes of such an incident? Possible reasons include:
1. Lack of proper servicing
2. Loose metal cap
3. Mishandling of the extinguisher
4. Pressure build-up due to blockage
Please provide any other relevant information to prevent such incidents in the future. Also, what is the working pressure of the extinguisher?
Thank you.
From India, Pune
Dear all,
I want more information about the fire extinguisher because one major incident happened near my company during training, and there may be the possibility of the metal cap coming off and causing injury to a person. (Extinguisher - DCP - 5kg) What may be the possibility of such an incident, such as:
1. Improper servicing
2. Loose metal cap
3. Anyone playing with the extinguisher
4. Pressure buildup inside due to choking
Please provide information on any other reasons to avoid further incidents and what the working pressure of the extinguisher is.
Thanks and Regards,
L.P. Shinde
Dear Mr. Shinde,
About 2-3 years ago, I heard of a similar incident in a chemical industry. Such incidents can be avoided by taking proper care, as you mentioned.
One important point is the Line of Fire. One should not stand or put themselves in the line of fire while operating such equipment or instruments. One must take a position away from the hazard's path, e.g., when striking the fire extinguisher's knob, opening the gas cylinder valve, etc.
It's good to see that you are participating in this forum and discussing your safety concerns.
Thanks,
Abhay
From India, Thana
I want more information about the fire extinguisher because one major incident happened near my company during training, and there may be the possibility of the metal cap coming off and causing injury to a person. (Extinguisher - DCP - 5kg) What may be the possibility of such an incident, such as:
1. Improper servicing
2. Loose metal cap
3. Anyone playing with the extinguisher
4. Pressure buildup inside due to choking
Please provide information on any other reasons to avoid further incidents and what the working pressure of the extinguisher is.
Thanks and Regards,
L.P. Shinde
Dear Mr. Shinde,
About 2-3 years ago, I heard of a similar incident in a chemical industry. Such incidents can be avoided by taking proper care, as you mentioned.
One important point is the Line of Fire. One should not stand or put themselves in the line of fire while operating such equipment or instruments. One must take a position away from the hazard's path, e.g., when striking the fire extinguisher's knob, opening the gas cylinder valve, etc.
It's good to see that you are participating in this forum and discussing your safety concerns.
Thanks,
Abhay
From India, Thana
Dear all,
Abhay Sir, thank you. If anyone has IS 2171 & IS 2878, please provide the same to investigate the above said incident. As per the investigation, it seems that:
1. It may be due to the metal cap kept loose by the servicing agency during servicing/refilling.
2. It may be a manufacturing defect.
Please discuss and cooperate.
Thanks & Regards,
L.P. Shinde
From India, Pune
Abhay Sir, thank you. If anyone has IS 2171 & IS 2878, please provide the same to investigate the above said incident. As per the investigation, it seems that:
1. It may be due to the metal cap kept loose by the servicing agency during servicing/refilling.
2. It may be a manufacturing defect.
Please discuss and cooperate.
Thanks & Regards,
L.P. Shinde
From India, Pune
Dear Sir,
The following conditions, as per IS 2190:19912, indicate the probability of mechanical failure of an extinguisher and render it unsafe for use:
1. Corrosion, wear, or damage to the threads of any pressure-retaining part.
2. Corrosion of welds.
3. Extensive general corrosion or severe pitting.
Regards,
Hansa Vyas
From India, Udaipur
The following conditions, as per IS 2190:19912, indicate the probability of mechanical failure of an extinguisher and render it unsafe for use:
1. Corrosion, wear, or damage to the threads of any pressure-retaining part.
2. Corrosion of welds.
3. Extensive general corrosion or severe pitting.
Regards,
Hansa Vyas
From India, Udaipur
Dear Sir,
Sorry to hear about the incident. These types of incidents are not unheard of.
It seems like the incident occurred on a stored pressure extinguisher with a CO2 cartridge.
The following could be the possible causes:
Powder:
There is also a chance of the discharge tube getting blocked due to caking in the powder (which can occur due to poor quality of powder, moisture getting in the powder, powder not taken out during periodic inspection, and de-caked).
Powder not replaced on time.
Cap and throat:
Loose threads on the cap or the cap itself placed loose after periodic inspection.
Threads got disintegrated due to corrosion.
Vent hole on the cap was blocked and not cleared during servicing.
The extinguisher might have been repeatedly used for demonstration, and the cap not placed properly after in situ refilling.
Operation:
Plunger got stuck, and more effort was put to activate.
Someone tried to open the cap after the extinguisher failed to discharge without giving time for the gas to escape through the vent hole.
Placing face right on top of the extinguisher thereby coming in line of fire.
Thanks and Regards,
Unnikrishnan Nellanat
Process Specialist-HSE
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd
From India, Trivandrum
Sorry to hear about the incident. These types of incidents are not unheard of.
It seems like the incident occurred on a stored pressure extinguisher with a CO2 cartridge.
The following could be the possible causes:
Powder:
There is also a chance of the discharge tube getting blocked due to caking in the powder (which can occur due to poor quality of powder, moisture getting in the powder, powder not taken out during periodic inspection, and de-caked).
Powder not replaced on time.
Cap and throat:
Loose threads on the cap or the cap itself placed loose after periodic inspection.
Threads got disintegrated due to corrosion.
Vent hole on the cap was blocked and not cleared during servicing.
The extinguisher might have been repeatedly used for demonstration, and the cap not placed properly after in situ refilling.
Operation:
Plunger got stuck, and more effort was put to activate.
Someone tried to open the cap after the extinguisher failed to discharge without giving time for the gas to escape through the vent hole.
Placing face right on top of the extinguisher thereby coming in line of fire.
Thanks and Regards,
Unnikrishnan Nellanat
Process Specialist-HSE
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd
From India, Trivandrum
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From India, Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
Dear Mr. unnikrishnan nellanat, Good inputs from your post . Thanks Hansa . In my views such emergencies need to include in Onsite emergency Plan . Thanks Abhay
From India, Thana
From India, Thana
Dear Abhay,
To avoid such incidents, regular inspection of fire extinguishers needs to be carried out. During fire training and demonstration, it should be taught to trainees to keep their body away from the fire extinguisher. This incident should be quoted as an example so that they understand the consequence of operating a fire extinguisher in its line of fire. Show them how to operate it while keeping their body away. This is what I used to do during my fire training sessions.
Regards,
Hansa
From India, Udaipur
To avoid such incidents, regular inspection of fire extinguishers needs to be carried out. During fire training and demonstration, it should be taught to trainees to keep their body away from the fire extinguisher. This incident should be quoted as an example so that they understand the consequence of operating a fire extinguisher in its line of fire. Show them how to operate it while keeping their body away. This is what I used to do during my fire training sessions.
Regards,
Hansa
From India, Udaipur
Dear Abhay,
To avoid such types of incidents, regular inspection of fire extinguishers is to be carried out. Fire extinguishers kept outside should be protected from environmental factors such as heat and rain. In-plant training should be practiced regularly. Yes, it's true that such incidents can occur in pressurized CO2 cartridge type extinguishers.
Regards,
Deepak Dorik
From India, Kalyan
To avoid such types of incidents, regular inspection of fire extinguishers is to be carried out. Fire extinguishers kept outside should be protected from environmental factors such as heat and rain. In-plant training should be practiced regularly. Yes, it's true that such incidents can occur in pressurized CO2 cartridge type extinguishers.
Regards,
Deepak Dorik
From India, Kalyan
Dear Sir,
Two more incidents occurred in the same manner. While operating the fire extinguisher, the metal cap was removed, and the cylinder hit the operating person, causing him to lose his life. Following these incidents, the Government has implemented changes to fire extinguisher regulations. Instead of the bang type cylinder, companies have introduced the squeeze type cylinder, which is much safer to use. With the DCP cylinder, once it is operated, the powder will be released entirely. However, with the squeeze type cylinder, depending on our requirements, we can control the release by squeezing. It is advisable to use the squeeze type cylinder to prevent similar incidents in the future.
From India, Sriperumbudur
Two more incidents occurred in the same manner. While operating the fire extinguisher, the metal cap was removed, and the cylinder hit the operating person, causing him to lose his life. Following these incidents, the Government has implemented changes to fire extinguisher regulations. Instead of the bang type cylinder, companies have introduced the squeeze type cylinder, which is much safer to use. With the DCP cylinder, once it is operated, the powder will be released entirely. However, with the squeeze type cylinder, depending on our requirements, we can control the release by squeezing. It is advisable to use the squeeze type cylinder to prevent similar incidents in the future.
From India, Sriperumbudur
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