Do you have an old or expired fire extinguisher on your hands? Then you probably wonder, what to do with old fire extinguishers? Once fire extinguishers are no longer useful you need to handle the situation properly, bearing in mind fire extinguishers are classified as hazardous waste and need to be disposed of properly. So, what to do with old fire extinguishers, well, we are happy to tell you!
Fire extinguishers fulfill a really important job, these can literally save lives; however, there comes a time when these become unuseful so you start thinking of ways how to dispose of them. While is not all that common to use an extinguisher, you still need to know exactly how to handle them after they become expired. If you are lucky, you may never have to use one. That said, with contamination being the way it is now, people are becoming conscious of more eco-friendly and safe solutions for their old fire extinguishers.
While you need to replace your old fire extinguishers you also need a plan for the old ones, and though the trash is the first place that comes to mind, it might not be a suitable one. Old fire extinguishers can actually have other uses that you might find helpful. So before you decide to get rid of them; consider possible reuses around your house. If interested, below you’ll find different ideas and tips regarding what to do with old fire extinguishers.
What to do with Old Fire Extinguishers FAQs
How long does a fire extinguisher last?
With proper care, fire extinguishers should last at least 10 to 12 years. Once they reach this age, you should have them hydrostatically tested to check the integrity of the shell. If it holds up under high pressure, you can recharge the canister and continue to use it for a few more years. If not, you should replace the fire extinguisher.
Can fire extinguishers go in the trash?
a fire extinguisher that is visibly empty and depressurized because it has a hole in it OR the top nozzle has been unscrewed is not accepted at the household hazardous waste sites. Instead, it can be recycled as scrap metal or placed in the trash if it’s made out of plastic.
How do you dispose of a fire extinguisher?
Throw away small (18 inches or less) cylinder fire extinguishers, which must be empty, in your household trash. To empty, put the extinguisher in two heavy-duty plastic bags, such as contractor bags. Then, fold over the top of the bags to seal them and step on the seal with your foot to be sure it stays closed.
Even if you’re relatively certain that you’ve gotten all the pressure and contents out of your cans, under no circumstances you would want to put them out with the garbage. You don’t want them just exploding as soon as they get into a hot garbage truck.
Can old fire extinguishers explode?
“Antique” fire extinguishers may have rusted or cracked components that could fail or explode, so it may be best to just replace them with a new one.
How to deal with an expired fire extinguisher?
- For fully or partially charged fire extinguishers, call your local fire department and ask if you can drop off expired fire extinguishers at the firehouse. If they don’t accept old canisters, take your extinguishers to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
- For empty fire extinguishers, squeeze the lever to make sure the pressure has been completely released. Remove the extinguisher head to make it appear that the canister is empty. Call a local recycling facility and ask about dropping off the steel shell.
When should you replace an old fire extinguisher?
- The canister is slowly losing pressure, even though you haven’t used it in a long time.
- The hose or nozzle is cracked or clogged, which could make the extinguisher unreliable.
- The handle is wobbly or broken, making it difficult to hold.
- The pin is missing or damaged, which could result in an accidental discharge.
- The shell is damaged, creating a safety hazard.
- The inspection tag is missing, so you have no idea when maintenance last took place or what condition the canister is in.
- The shell fails the hydrostatic test, meaning it couldn’t withstand pressures up to 500 psi.
- You’ve had the same disposable fire extinguisher for 12 years (this style can’t be recharged).
How do you safely empty a fire extinguisher?
- Fire extinguishers contain different substances which are used to put out different types of fires. These substances can be toxic to the environment, so have to be removed from the extinguisher and disposed of in the correct manner.
- Powder: This type requires specialist disposal.
- Foam: This type can be dispensed into a sewer drain (not a rainwater drain).
- CO2: This type can be dispersed into the air.
- Water: This type can be poured into a drain.
Where do you dispose of an empty fire extinguisher canister?
Once fully discharged the cylinder can be dismantled and then recycled using standard metal recycling techniques. Other materials such as plastics and rubber are also recyclable meaning that almost 100% of extinguishers that have reached the end of their life can be recycled.
Fire extinguishers cannot be put into your household recycling bin, but you can take them to larger household waste recycling centers for disposal.
Where do you dispose of an old fire extinguisher?
Remember: if you allow the removal of old fire extinguishers from your possession by a person or company who does not hold a valid waste license, you as the original extinguisher owner could be prosecuted for not using a license holder.
Old and redundant fire extinguishers can be a potential threat to persons, buildings, and the environment. You must dispose of them correctly and ethically.
What chemicals were used in old fire extinguishers?
In the early 1800s, the copper fire extinguisher was introduced. It contained Potassium Carbonate (salt), also known in those days as pearl ash. The copper cylinder was filled with this salt solution and then filled with compressed air. Other extinguishers were designed and patented in the early 1900s.
Are old fire extinguishers worth money?
Since these extinguishers’ casings can be polished to reflect an attractive shine, they are incredibly collectible and proliferate the collectors’ market. On average, unrestored soda-acid fire extinguishers are worth around $100 to $200 but normally sell for about half of their estimated values.
What to do with Old Fire Extinguishers Ideas
Used Fire Extinguisher
Because they are filled with highly pressurized, hazardous materials, fire extinguishers are not something that one can just throw out with your regular garbage or even put into a curbside recycling bin without confirmation. Old fire extinguishers can be recycled or recharged for reuse, but only if certain conditions are met.
Fortunately, many of the components that make up a fire extinguisher are actually recyclable. The outside of the canister is made of aluminum and the valves themselves are usually made of steel or plastic, according to First Alert. Many municipal programs accept empty fire extinguishers but it’s rarely through curbside recycling programs.
Dispose of Fire Extinguisher
The first step in getting rid of a used fire extinguisher is to determine how much of the contents are still inside the container. The pressure gauge on the side of the canister usually indicates if the canister is charged, overcharged, or empty.
If the canister has any remaining pressure or contents, you’ll need to release it. You can do this by shooting a small amount of it out into an open area and letting the can sit for a few days until all the excess pressure has been released. As for what you should do with it afterward, well, that depends. You can choose between recycling or recharging it.
Wind Chime for Outdoor Decoration
Handmade wind chime made from a recycled fire extinguisher. Paint sanded off and top cut with a plasma cutter. The internal clapper is made from a wooden dowel attached to the chain. Windcatchers made from scrap metal are also cut with a plasma cutter. Top hanger soldered to top for hanging from anywhere from front porch to back yard.
