You might have installed fire extinguisher at your place to deal with the fire in emergency. They have a certain lifespan during which they deliver best of services and help users ensure safety of their property and life. When the intended life of these devices comes to an end they need to be taken out from the fire extinguisher cabinet and replaced with a newer one. However, it is not as simple as it seems because disposal of the expired ones is the major issue that arises at this stage. There have been reported several instances enlisting the casualties due to wrongful disposal of these equipment. Here, we will discuss about various reasons and methods to safely dispose of fire fighting devices.
As a user, you must remember that these devices are designed for a particular purpose and contain some chemicals or material that may cause deformities if not handled properly. These devices generally remain under high pressure with pressure restricting valves. And if the component is removed then life threatening incidents may come into existence. In fact in past, the wrong methods to dispose or dismantle it without professional training have also claimed lives of some people. The device may also explode if handled incorrectly or the valve may fire out causing serious injuries. Therefore, proper handling and disposing methods should be known.
There are several tricks you can employ in order to deal with it effectively. For instance, if you have an old device then you can use it as a training tool. CO2 and plain water devices make a good choice for training purpose and also solve your problem of replacing an existing device. Disposing other forms of devices like one using powdered chemicals needs adequate planning. The powder has to be removed and then sealed in suitable bags before being sent to a landfill. Also, check other components like fire department connection etc. before disposing.
If you are an industrialist then you need to be more careful in planning for disposal. You can take those devices to local council recycling site where an expert will make you understand the necessary steps followed in disposing the old and useless devices. There are legal consequences as well of not disposing the waste correctly. If you are found guilty of wrongful disposal of waste and there occurs any mishap then you could be charged for the damage done.
Therefore, seek expert guidance for disposing the useless and old extinguishers correctly.
