Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simplified maintenance of a fire extinguisher with minimal training and without need for custom equipment. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.

An agitator for disposition within a cavity of a vessel body containing a particulate includes a weighted portion and a stirring portion. The agitator is positioned and disposed relative to the vessel body to move the stirring portion through the particulate in response to movement of the weighted portion in response to gravitational and/or inertial forces acting on the weighted portion due to movement of the vessel body. Particulate storage vessel arrangements and methods of particulate mixing are also described.

Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simplified inspection and maintenance of a fire extinguisher with minimal training and without need for custom equipment. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. Additional improvements include a larger opening to more quickly fill and inspect the powder within the chamber. Another improvement includes the use of a CO.sub.2 cartridge located external to the chamber to allow easier servicing or replacement of just the CO.sub.2 cartridge as well as the ability to maintain the chamber in an un-pressurized condition, allows for non-HASMAT shipping. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.

A pressure gauge for an aerosol container includes a scale attached to the container body and a pointer associated with and movable relative to the scale. The pointer is operatively coupled to a valve assembly of the aerosol container. The pointer moves relative to the scale in response to movement of at least a portion of the valve assembly due to internal pressure in the container body to provide a reading.

Environmentally-clean fire inhibiting and extinguishing dry powder compositions and products for sorbing flammable liquids while inhibiting ignition and extinguishing fire involving flammable hydrocarbon liquids such as, oils, fuels and non-polar solvents such as ketones and alcohols. The dry powder chemical compositions are made by mixing, blending and milling to suitable powder particle sizes, the following components: a fire extinguishing agent in the form of at least one alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acid; a powder fluidizing agent to help provide the dry powder composition with excellent fluid flow characteristics; and an oleophilic/hydrophobic composition for absorbing liquid hydrocarbons, while repelling water. A surfactant may be added to promote the formation of anhydrous semi-crystalline metal mineral salt film onto the surface of flammable hydrocarbon liquids involved in fire outbreaks to be extinguished and preferably absorbed by the dry powder chemical compositions.

Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simplified maintenance of a fire extinguisher with minimal training and without need for custom equipment. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.

An apparatus may comprise: a vessel, a fire-suppression composition disposed within the vessel, wherein the fire-suppression composition comprises a fibrous clay mineral and a propellant gas; and a valve disposed on an outlet of the vessel wherein the valve has at least an open position with a flow path between an interior of the vessel and an exterior of the vessel and a closed position wherein the flow path is blocked.

A fire suppression agent includes a potassium salt solution and vermiculite particles stored in isolation from the potassium salt solution. The vermiculite particles remain isolated from the potassium salt solution until triggered to mix with the potassium salt solution upon a discharge event.

A fire suppression agent suitable for suppressing a lithium battery fire includes a bicarbonate powder and exfoliated vermiculite particles blended with the bicarbonate powder.

Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simplified inspection and maintenance of a fire extinguisher with minimal training and without need for custom equipment. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. Additional improvements include a larger opening to more quickly fill and inspect the powder within the chamber. Another improvement includes the use of a CO.sub.2 cartridge located external to the chamber to allow easier servicing or replacement of just the CO.sub.2 cartridge as well as the ability to maintain the chamber in an un-pressurized condition, allows for non-HASMAT shipping. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.