A dry chemical closed recovery system for servicing fire extinguishers including first and second tanks, ball valves, and a pressure relief valve. The dry chemical closed recovery system accepts the high-pressure discharge from a dry chemical fire extinguisher and refills the fire extinguisher with dry chemical using low pressure. By manipulating the ball valves, the fire extinguisher can be refilled incrementally or all at once.

There is provided a valve for controlling the release of fire suppressant from a pressurized container, said valve comprising a diaphragm configured to perforate upon action of a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, a pyrotechnic charge arranged and adapted to combust to produce combustion products that form a shockwave directed onto the surface of said diaphragm, and a device encasing said pyrotechnic charge. The device comprises a hollow, elongate channel located over said pyrotechnic charge and directed at the center of said diaphragm so as to focus or direct said combustion products onto the center of said diaphragm. The elongate channel has a length that is at least 1.5 times its smallest width.

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.

Improvements to a self-fluffing vehicle fire extinguisher where the improvements relate to a system where the extinguisher can be monitored and maintained. Further Improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that is articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. An automatic fluffing motor and manual fluffing wheel. Pressurizing the fire extinguisher can be with an external gas chamber or can be with a compressor that maintains the pressure within the extinguisher. A delivery system can direct the fire extinguishing media to an area of the vehicle that has an elevated temperature or can distribute the media thorough the occupied or unoccupied portion of the vehicle.

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 system (23, 300) including a fire extinguishing apparatus capable of delivering a high velocity stream of fluid and fire extinguishing agent, both the fluid and agent directed toward the fire, the apparatus comprising: at least an outer first tube (100, 34) having a first end and a second end, the first tube having a predetermined length L, inner diameter and outer diameter, an air permeable tube, hose or sack (120, 350) positioned inside of the first tube, the sack having a first tube end and a second tube end; the sack extending from a first position along first tube end to a second position along the first tube and terminating close to or at the second end of the first tube; fire extinguishing agent (160) located between the permeable tube and the inner diameter of the first tube; a dislodgable plug or breakable disk secured to the second end of the first tube to prevent contaminants from entering the first tube; a source of high pressure fluid (180) connected directly or indirectly such as through a manifold to the first end of the first tube, the source configured to deliver the high pressure fluid upon receipt of an activation signal causing pressurizing fluid to enter the first end of the sock, the gas flow causing the plug to dislodge and flowing out of the sock to push the fire extinguishing material out the now open second end of the first tube.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to dry powder fire-fighting compositions. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of fighting a fire. The method can include contacting at least one of a fire and a source thereof with a composition including bentonite and aluminum hydroxide.

A passive fire extinguisher for indoor and outdoor use. The fire extinguisher comprises a three-dimensional body housing an extinguishing powder, a fuse, and an explosive. The fire extinguisher is removably placed in a fire-risk location and can be paired with additional apparatuses. A fire ignites the extinguisher's fuse, induces combustion, causes the apparatus to open and release the fire extinguishing powder, smothering the fire.

A two-part starter mechanism for a powder aerosol generator fire suppression system is provided. Generally, the starter mechanism includes a pyrotechnic igniter assembly and a removable mechanical trigger coupled thereto. The igniter assembly is integrally formed with and/or embedded within the powder aerosol generator and operable, upon activation by the mechanical trigger, initiates a chemical reaction leading to the discharge of the powder aerosol fire suppressant. By being detachable, the mechanical trigger may be transported and stored separate from the pyrotechnic igniter thereby improving the overall safety of the fire suppression system.

The present compact powder fire-extinguishing device comprises a container containing a fire-extinguishing powder, said container being in the form of a single-use cartridge (1) containing a fire-extinguishing powder (3), said cartridge being separable from the fire-fighting device by means of a reusable fast-action firing device (4), wherein the fire-extinguishing powder (3) is disposed inside of a casing (2) of the cartridge (1) in a polymer tube (5), one end (6) of which is fastened at an outlet of the casing (2) of the cartridge (1), about the periphery of said casing, and the second end of the tube (5) abuts a sleeve (7) and is configured as a piston (8) having an aperture (9). Within the casing (2) of the cartridge (1) are provided means that generate a propulsive charge and are configured as a striker-type igniter-percussion cap (15) and a pyrotechnic gas generator (16) disposed one after the other, said gas generator being connected to the cavity of the sleeve (7), and the other end of the cartridge (1) is provided with a contoured surface (18) and is connected to the firing device (4) that comprises a mechanism for fastening and discharging the cartridge. Furthermore, the firing device (4) is provided with a striker trigger mechanism that comprises a head (30), a flat striking spring (32) having a striker (33), a hammer (38) connected to a trigger (41), and a safety catch (46).