Scrapping fire extinguishers

[jeddy]

I have some 13 dry powder fire extinguishers that are scrap, I went for some advice from an industrial waste site to see where I can send them and dispose of safetly, but they did not have an answer for me!...I have already holed them so there not a danger in that way, any idea's anyone?

[AnthonyB]

Normally with extinguishers you need to carry out an 'Environmental Disposal'.

The following have facilities for third parties:

Chubb
Thomas Glover and fire trade customers of theirs (goes to Chubbs ERC in the West Mids)
Express Fire
PJ Fire

The top two (or one as it's the same place) have full facilities for the correct recovery& disposal of the media as well as scrapping cylinders, the others have arrangements with scrap dealers but am not sure about the recovery of the media (they don't dump it at their premises though so assume the scrapper deals with that)

For environmental disposals there is normally a charge.

If you just have empty shells, especially if holed, weigh them in. I took a load to a general metals dealer, separated them into aluminium & steel for separate weighing (different scrap value) and got money back for them. I just ensured that they were all empty and had head caps & valves removed and threads damaged to prevent reuse.

[jeddy]

Thanks Anthony! it's a start anyway...I'm just surprised by the industrial waste guy's knowing nothing about there disposal when I asked them...I am scrapping the Co2 as they have brass valve heads so I have been doing that for now, the problem was the dry powder as there is an environmental factor I have to address...I hear the powder is biodegradable, is that right?

[AnthonyB]

Why are you scrapping the CO2 because they have brass valves - or do you mean you are scrapping them for the brass value and not because of the valves?

ABC powder is not biodegradable and has be be disposed of by landfill at approved facilities in tightly sealed bags. It's ID number on the European Waste Catalogue is 160304. being water soluble it can lower the pH if it enters watercourses & the ammonium salts & phosphates in it also act as a plant nutrient, which is not always beneficial.

Foam is equally as much of a problem to deal with.

The Chubb web site has a video clip going through it's Environmental Disposal process and what they do with the extinguishers and media and worth a look (if its gone I have a copy).

Aluminium bodied CO2 with parallel threads in 2 or 5 kilo size are collected by Saffire & PJ Fire for recycling/overhaul and they will credit you if you don't need a refurb extinguisher in exchange.

[jeddy]

I'm scrapping them for there value, I'm pretty sure some scrap dealer will take them off my hands, thanks for the info about the powder..I will look into that further!

If the Chubb video has gone I could do with seeing it Anthony...thanks.  I am also looking to weigh the Aluminium Co2 in as well for there value..thanks again.

[AnthonyB]

Link to their page - http://tinyurl.com/5bqh6h if the video doesn't work email me & I'll send it across.

If you ever come across one of the old blue nu-swift strike knob CO2's that's reasonably well preserved put it aside as I'm trying to find one for the museum - they are rare! Trying to find any old CO2 in original condition is difficult as over the years they get hydro tested revalved & repainted in generic labels & black.

In fact I'm always after any really old extinguisher related stuff including sales literature up to 1990 and any well preserved old kit

[jeddy]

Thanks!....I got the link, I have come across loads of old fire extinguishers including the blue nu-swift model you mentioned, I used to hold onto them for my old boss as he has a museum of his own for that stuff, if I ever get hold of anything of interest I will let you know..and take a picture if need be..but how you will view it is another matter, I'm sure photobucket can do something about that.

[Ricardo]

Normally with extinguishers you need to carry out an 'Environmental Disposal'.

The following have facilities for third parties:

Chubb
Thomas Glover and fire trade customers of theirs (goes to Chubbs ERC in the West Mids)
Express Fire
PJ Fire

Hi AnthonyB, is this service available north of the border as well? by Chubb and the others?

[AnthonyB]

Thomas Glover/Chubb will operate UK wide, the others are normally for local customers that can drop them off, but if you are having regular pick up's and drop offs of CO2's etc from PJ Fire they may help - they have their own fleet.