Author Topic: Nu-Swift discharge intervals  (Read 4548 times)

Offline M11

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Nu-Swift discharge intervals
« on: July 08, 2008, 07:51:28 PM »
A customer of ours has said the company he bought his Nu-Swift 3kg Powder Strike knob (code-E6003F) stored pressure Fire extinguisher has a 10 year discharge test period and not the usual 5. Is this true or is it a sales tactic to charge the customer an huge amount?

Offline John Dragon

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Nu-Swift discharge intervals
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2008, 09:09:17 PM »
BS 5306 part 3 Annexe A (page 8)
Powder - primary sealed - every 10 years

However, there surely cannot be many of these left by now?
They have to go back to the manufacturer for refill (or at least to Tommy Glover or similar), we haven't sent one for nearly 10 years.

Offline f500

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Nu-Swift discharge intervals
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2008, 09:32:54 PM »
I can refill these, but don't even bother anymore. Theres none left on our books.

Offline AnthonyB

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Nu-Swift discharge intervals
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2008, 10:42:16 PM »
The E600x range of powder extinguishers in 3,7 & 10 kilo (post '97 3, 6 & 9)has been around in one shape or form since the old E1607 back in the late 50's early 60's (a blue BC powder extinguisher of 7lb, but squeeze to stop on the nozzle rather than squeeze to start).

It was still manufactured up until a year or two ago and the long tried and tested 40 year plus design has been replaced by a Chinese squeeze grip in 4 kilo & a different design of factory sealed (still strike knob) 6 & 9 kilo model 6066 & 6099. In time I'm sure they will go all Chinese & squeeze grip using the kit made for the other London Securities firms (MK etc) by their internal 'trade' wing BWH manufacturing.

They do have a 10 year extended service interval, the primary sealed clause that's been around for decades in the BS was just for their powders, the only other manufacturer with primary sealed powders was Pyrene in the 60's with a powder filled variant of their primary sealed 3lb BCF/CBM extinguishers.

The 10 year interval is useful as the filling cost is prohibitive as special parts and adapters are required to refill it (they used CO2 instead of N2 as a propellant too). You could virtually sell a new kitemarked traditional model for the cost of taking away, filling and returning it for a customer. You could almost afford to buy a new one for the cost of a Nu Swift call out & Basic Service if you only had the one extinguisher (but with NS you would probably have at least three....).

I've never filled or extended serviced them, just put in a traditional design new or SX extinguisher in it's place.

Nu Swift have the gall to charge a couple of hundred quid for a Chinese 2 kilo Powder that will have cost them about £9.99 and you could buy as a end user for about £20 - the death of the E600x range severs NS historical ties with very solid, very long life kit.
Anthony Buck
Owner & Fire Safety Consultant at Fire Wizard


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Offline M11

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Nu-Swift discharge intervals
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2008, 05:48:56 PM »
Thanks all for your input, as always.