FAQs

POPULAR QUESTIONS

Frequenty asked questions

GENERAL

Stored pressure type extinguisher is pressurized with Nitrogen gas as propellant which behaves qualitatively like an ideal gas, and approximately follows the Ideal Gas Law:
 

Pressure in the Ideal Gas Law (PV = nRT) is related to volume of the bottle (V), amount of gas in the bottle (n) and temperature (T). Therefore, as the temperature increases, for the volume and amount of the gas remaining constant, the pressure exerted increases. Conversely, as the temperature decreases, the pressure exerted decreases.

As working temperature of the extinguisher is normally -20°C to 60°C, thus the pressure in the extinguisher will vary as the temperature changes within the range, and therefore the needle is moving within the green zone of the pressure gauge.

 

The easiest way to check is to simply place the extinguisher in a controlled environment (an air conditioned room) for 24 hours. If the pressure gauge returns to its normal position, then the pressure fluctuation was due to temperature. If the pressure reading continues to be either too high or too low, then there may be a need for maintenance on the extinguisher in question.

Another method for checking the pressure within an extinguisher is by using a gas test kit.

Vibration test is required in USCG requirement but not required in EN standard. Eversafe extinguisher is designed and tested to EN standard as per MED 96/98/EC requirement, and therefore it is not tested for vibration test.
 
Thickness of Epoxy Polyester powder coating on external surface of Eversafe extinguisher body is >60μm.
 
All Eversafe extinguishers are fitted with safety accessories such as bursting disc and safety relief valve as devices for direct pressure limitation, and pressure monitoring indicator which enable adequate action to be taken to keep the pressure within allowable limits.
 
Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating to indicate how large a fire an experienced person can put out with the extinguisher. Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating because there is no readily measurable quantity for Class C fires which are essentially Class A or B fires involving energized electrical equipment. Class D extinguishers likewise do not have a numerical rating.
 

If an extinguisher has gained a Class B or Class A and Class B fire rating, it can be conformed suitable for use on Class C fire as per BS EN 3 fire performance requirements. However, this is applied only to powder type extinguisher.

Emptying the propellant gas (nitrogen) from the extinguisher is not required for yearly basic inspection. However, inspection on pressure gauge is needed as to give maximum assurance that an extinguisher will operates effectively and safely by:

a. Visual inspection on pressure gauge – ensure that the needle is inside the green zone.

b. Check that the pressure gauge is operating freely – using gauge test kit.

There is a self-adhesive transparent round plastic seal covering the small hole. You have to remove the seal before checking the gauge thru the hole and cover the hole back with the seal after checking. Thus, removing the glass is not required.

Certain metals are flammable or combustible such as sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium, uranium, lithium, plutonium, and calcium. Fires involving such are designated “Class D”. Class D fire is usually specific to manufacturing processes or commercial processes that handle flammable metal and processes involving them. Dry metal powder is used to extinguish these burning metals.

CAP 437 is a standard for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas issued by Civil Aviation Authority of UK. The CAP 437 minimum requirements for powder type extinguisher are as follow:

Minimum total capacity should be 45kg delivered from 1 or 2 extinguishers at the discharge rate of 1.35kg/s to 2kg/s.

Declaration of Conformity is issued to indicate that the product is produced via approved manufacturing processes, inspections and testing and it is in conformity with applicable EU Directives and design standard.

As the product is produced in a batch where a number of identical products is produced at one time, thus the Declaration of Conformity is issued for the whole batch of product and the serial number indicated in the attachment to the Declaration of Conformity is in range to prevent any typo error in the serial number and reduce time for generating the Declaration of Conformity.