Did you recently have to use a portable fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire in your home or business? If so, we can help.
Did you recently have to use a portable fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire in your home or business? You’re probably relieved to leave that incident behind you, but you’ll need to clean up fire extinguisher residue in a timely manner. This can help your commercial business get back to business as usual. There are a few recommended cleaning methods depending on the type of fire extinguisher used. Read on to learn just how to get your building cleaned up and back to normal!
Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher’s Residue
Dry chemical fire extinguishers use the firefighting agents monoammonium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. These leave behind a form of corrosive powder, so it is essential to clean up dry chemical fire extinguisher residue promptly, especially if it has come into touch with metal surfaces. Try to:
- Vacuum and sweep loose debris
- Spray stuck-on residue with isopropyl alcohol that is diluted 50 percent with warm er water. Allow the solution to sit around for a few minutes, then wipe with a damp rag.
- Apply hot water and vinegar, then wipe with a damp rag again.
- Apply baking soda with hot water, and wipe with a damp rag after a few minutes
- Give the affected spot a wash with soap and water, and rinse clean.
Class K Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher Residue
Because of the corrosive nature of any dry chemicals and superior extinguishing ability on cooking oils, Class K wet chemical extinguishers are recommended for use in commercial kitchens. When cooking oil or grease ignites a potassium acetate-based, low-pH Class K fire extinguisher discharges a fine mist to help cool cooking surfaces and extinguish any flames. Before you start to cook again, you must clean up the residue. Try this:
- To prep your area, shut off the power to all cooking, ensure they have cooled and put on rubber gloves.
- Wipe away the foamy residue with a sponge or cloth dipped in soapy hot water.
- Rinse off any surfaces that came into contact with wet chemicals and allow everything to dry entirely before you turn the power back on.
No Cleanup Required for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers
Clean agent fire extinguishers are non-conductive and non-ozone depleting, which makes them ideal for extinguishing fires involving electronics or computers that might be damaged by water or corrosive dry chemicals. Clean agent extinguishers are functional against Class A, B, or C fires. Since clean agents dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere, they leave no residue behind and require virtually no cleanup.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are located in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.