Car fire extinguishers: expiration date. Types of car fire extinguishers

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

All drivers must adhere to traffic rules. But in addition to the rules, there is also a law that provides for certain duties and requirements for drivers. So, it is forbidden to drive a car if it does not have a first-aid kit or a fire extinguisher. In addition, you need to know the expiration date of the car device, because if it is overdue, the traffic police inspector can issue a fine. And if necessary, such a device will be useless.

Types of fire extinguishers

What types of car fire extinguishers are there? First of all, all these devices differ in the composition of the substance inside. There are carbon dioxide and powder fire extinguishers. Of course, there are other types of these devices, but they are not very popular due to inefficiency. For example, foam-air oraerosol devices are not able to extinguish a strong flame, so there is little point in using them.

Carbon dioxide

The principle of operation of a carbon dioxide device is simple and is based on the ability of carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame and cool it. The main advantage of such fire extinguishers is the substance contained inside. It penetrates even into hard-to-reach places, does not leave streaks on the car at all, does not change its properties during storage, and is distinguished by the qualities of an excellent dielectric.

The only drawback of these models is the risk of carbon dioxide poisoning, as well as injury (there is a low chance of getting burned by steam). As for the shelf life of a car fire extinguisher, it is important to take into account several components at once. The UO cylinder itself serves for 15-20 years, however, the inspection of the cylinder must be carried out every year. But the service life of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher charge is only 5 years. After this time, there is a high chance that the charge inside will not be able to effectively fight the fire.

Powder or foam models

The composition of these devices includes powder. If it comes into contact with combustion products, it immediately turns into foam. Therefore, these fire extinguishers are also called foam. It must be remembered that foam and powder fire extinguishing tools are one and the same.

The main advantage of such a device is its high efficiency. He can easily destroy any fire, even a fairly strong one. Histhe disadvantage is the elimination of the powder that remains after using the fire extinguisher.

On models designed for cars, there is a marking with the letters "З", "Б", "Г". They make it clear how the powder is forced out:

1. "Z" - pumping devices. That is, the powder is pumped inward under pressure. It is it that ensures the storage of the substance inside the balloon.
2. "B" - a cylinder with compressed air. The principle of operation of this type of device is simple: when you press the lever, the fire extinguisher is pierced with a spike. As a result, air under high pressure breaks out and takes the powder with it.
3. Gas generating cartridge. The device is similar to the operation of the previous type of powder fire extinguisher. Here, too, the puncture is carried out with the help of a spike. Air enters through the formed hole, mixes with the substances inside and reacts with them. As a result, pressure is created, due to which the powder is forced out.

Expiration date of car fire extinguisher

As with carbon dioxide, powder extinguishers also have a tank and charge, and their service life is different from each other. In particular, the cylinder will last 10 years, the charge - 5. In this regard, the carbon dioxide device is in operation longer on average by 5-10 years, although this only applies to the cylinder. The charge has the same service life.

Of course, the life of the fire extinguisher itself is longer than the service life of the working mixture, but it can be recharged. True, not inin all cases it is appropriate to do so. For example, there is no point in recharging powder fire extinguishers OP-2, since a new device will cost less. But as for carbon dioxide, these are most often recharged.

Checking the expiration date of a car fire extinguisher

There are no non-standard ways to check the expiration date of this device. There is only a sticker on which you can see the date of manufacture of the unit and determine its suitability by it.

Note that the requirements for fire extinguisher labels are strictly regulated. For example, their height should not exceed the middle of the device. Indicating the expiration date of a car fire extinguisher is also a mandatory requirement. The date of manufacture and the expiration date of the cylinder must be stamped on the label.

What does it depend on?

There is a nominal and real expiration date for a fire extinguisher. How to understand which one is more important?

Rated determines how long the device can be in working condition under ideal storage conditions. But in fact, storage conditions are not always observed. Consequently, the service life of the device is reduced. This is exactly what the real expiration date of a car fire extinguisher is.

As for the requirements for storing the device, they are as follows:

• do not keep in the light and in close proximity to heating appliances,
• don't hit,
• followbody corrosion.

In order for the actual service life to approach the nominal one, it is necessary to carry out a technical inspection of the fire extinguisher or repair it by specialists every year.

How is the term normalized?

GOST defines the service life of automotive fire extinguishing systems. In addition, the manufacturer himself must indicate on the label GOST, which corresponds to the device produced by him.

As for the check, at the technical inspection point, experts weigh it, measure the pressure, examine it for impact, corrosion, and any mechanical damage. After the test, the service sticks a special sticker on the device, which is proof of the test. If you don’t know where to turn on this issue, then the most reasonable way out is to find the nearest VDPO, of which there are more than a thousand in Russia.

Using an expired fire extinguisher

Now that we know what the expiration date of a car fire extinguisher is, we can answer the question of the admissibility of its use after the expiration date. The fact is that the caked powder loses its chemical properties and loses pressure (and this is far from all), and when you open the device, no one knows exactly how it will behave. Therefore, it is definitely impossible to use such a fire extinguisher.

However, this does not stop many drivers who drive their car quite calmly for years, forgetting about the deadlinessuitability of automobile fire extinguishers. Types, descriptions of these devices and their service life are now known to you. Be sure to check your fire extinguisher for compliance with all requirements and replace it with a new one if its service life has already expired.