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.

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.

The invention relates to a fire extinguisher with a checking function comprises a fire extinguisher body; a through hole is formed in an upper part of a side surface of the fire extinguisher body; a fixing seat is mounted at the through hole; a checking component is arranged inside the fixing seat; a cavity is machined inside the fixing seat; a groove is formed at a front end of the cavity; a rubber ring for fixing the checking component is mounted inside the groove; a cambered surface mated with the checking component is machined inside the fixing seat; and the checking component is a transparent glass bead. The fire extinguisher has the benefits that the fixing seat is mounted on the fire extinguisher body, a fixing sleeve is mounted on the fixing seat, the glass bead is mounted at the internal cavity of the fixing seat and the fixing sleeve, the through hole is formed in the fire extinguisher body and the fixing seat is fixedly welded on the through hole; thus the fire extinguisher has many advantages that the structure is simple, fire extinguishing agents inside the fire extinguisher can be checked or liquid level and liquid weight can be inspected remotely (transmission of photos and of the latest identification code over a network), an warning about insufficient liquid amount is sent out using a travel controller, and it is convenient and efficient to use the fire extinguisher.

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.

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).

A fire suppression apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is of a type used particularly in fire suppression systems of vehicles and comprises a container in the form of a pressure cylinder having a discharge valve and, inside the cylinder, a tubular discharge conduit. The cylinder is shown in its operable configuration, arranged on its side, and the discharge tube includes a first portion, close to the valve, that extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and in this example is substantially central with respect to the cylinder. The tube also includes a second portion that extends downwardly from the substantially axial first portion towards the lowest part of the sidewall of the cylinder and a third portion that is again substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, but close to the sidewall of the cylinder, at an insert portion.

Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher where the improvements relate to a system where the owner of the extinguisher can monitor and maintain their fire protection. The improvements also include integration of technology into the fire extinguisher for real-time information of the status around the extinguisher, pre-recorded instructions in one or multiple languages. The technology can also include bi-directional communication whereby a user can communicate to a distant operator. With the inclusion of a speaker the fire extinguisher can provide safety and public service announcements using a wireless WiFi communication network without requiring separate speakers to be wired and connected throughout a building.

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.

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.