Selecting a Cartridge Fire Extinguisher

Most fire extinguishers use pressurized chemicals that expand outward when the nozzle is activated, thus covering and extinguishing a fire.

For those who want the latest technology, an Ansul cartridge operated fire extinguisher makes an excellent alternative. A cartridge operated fire extinguisher puts out flames extremely effectively without the hazards or inconvenience of pressurized content. This fire safety equipment comes at a higher initial price point, but is extremely reliable and easily refillable. 

Cartridges and More 

Ansul cartridge operated fire extinguishers allow for more reusability and less risk of degradation over time when compared with pressurized equipment, which can lose its effectiveness after lying dormant for several years. You can also have different cartridges for use in the same model, so an ABC rated fire extinguisher can become a class D extinguisher with the simple removal of one cartridge and insertion of another. Despite these conveniences, there are certain situations where pressurized extinguishers are the better option, usually when dealing with potentially large industrial hazards. For such situations, wheeled fire extinguishers offer some unique solutions.

When to Choose a Wheeled Fire Extinguisher

In areas that have a lot of space or particularly extreme fire hazards, an Ansul redline fire extinguisher might not be the best solution. Fortunately, the brand also has cartridge-free alternatives, such as a pressurized wheeled fire extinguisher that can handle even the most extreme situations. These wheeled options typically come in 50 pound or 125 pound varieties and can be selected as ABC, BC, or Purple K type extinguishers. You would need such a huge fire extinguisher in a large building such as a steel mill or airport, where a fire can spread to disastrous results. While the default wheeled extinguisher is pressure-based, 150 pound and 350 pound varieties can use the Ansul dry chemical cartridge model, allowing for one container to hold multiple fire suppression selections.

Choosing and Storing Cartridge Extinguishers

You should store a cartridge extinguisher in much the same way that you store any other fire equipment: off the ground and preferably in a secure cabinet. For large wheeled extinguishers, you should store them in an area where they cannot roll away and are on level ground. All extinguishers, regardless of type, should be clearly labeled so that people know how to find them in case of emergency. Make sure to store cartridges near the extinguisher itself and to label them clearly. During a fire, the ability to reload a cartridge model is extremely helpful as long as the right cartridge gets inserted to fight the right blaze. Poorly labeling your equipment can lead to serious trouble.

Cartridge fire extinguishers come with added versatility and the ability to fight multiple blaze types if properly prepared. These extinguishers are best used in commercial and industrial areas where multiple hazards may present themselves. You can also use cartridge extinguishers in a residence if you like that option better than the relatively higher-maintenance pressurized option, but you are unlikely to need more than ABC cartridges in such cases.