FIRE KWENCHER CO₂ FIRE EXTINGUISHER OWNERS MANUAL

Important ! Please read carefully!

Read this manual carefully before installing the extinguisher. Make sure anyone who may need to use this extinguisher is familiar with its operation. In an emergency you will not have time to read instructions.

If you are installing this extinguisher for someone else, leave this manual with the extinguisher.

The horn supplied with the extinguisher should be attached to the valve and tightened into place, if not already fitted.

NEVER USE A CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHER WITHOUT THE CORRECT HORN BEING FITTED otherwise the discharge time will be very short and the Extinguisher will be extremely difficult to hold and control. When the horn is correctly fitted, the extinguisher is easy to use and does not kick back when operated.

FIRE KWENCHER is manufactured by Soda-Club Ltd. Soda-Club is an established world leader in the production of small high-pressure aluminium cylinders and has expanded its operations into the fully integrated manufacture of CO₂ fire extinguishers.

We therefore control our manufacturing process from the raw material stage right through to the finished extinguisher ready for use, with the cylinders being manufactured and all key components being assembled under one roof.

Our ultra-modern manufacturing plant in Israel is ISO 9000 approved and cylinders are produced under stringent quality control to both European and US standards.

The FIRE KWENCHER model range.

ALL MODELS

Fire extinguisher ratings are a convenient way of assessing the capability of a fire extinguisher to extinguish standard test fires. FIRE KWENCHER Carbon Dioxide extinguishers have the highest ratings achievable for this type of extinguisher. Most 2kg CO₂ extinguishers have only a 34B rating. Our 2kg extinguisher has a 55B rating. The 1kg extinguisher is unique in the market place and has a rating of 34B. To achieve a B classification fire rating, an extinguisher has to defeat established standard flammable liquid test fires. The rating number relates to the size of the fire. A greater number represents a bigger fire.

The testing and approval of our extinguishers is done in accordance with BS EN 3-7:2004.

Recommended use:

Carbon Dioxide extinguishers are to be used for extinguishing fires involving flammable liquids (oils, petrol etc) and are suitable for fires involving live electrical equipment (computers, printers, fax machines, televisions etc). Unlike powder or foam extinguishers, Carbon Dioxide leaves no residue to be cleaned up after use and is not damaging to the surroundings. NOTE ! These extinguishers should not be used for cooking oil / chip pan fires. A fire blanket or damp cloth should be used to smother the flames and left to cool.

FIRE KWENCHER extinguishers are ideal for office installations and domestic use where electrical equipment is in use and in a garage environment where there is electrical and flammable liquid risk.

An extinguisher should be wall mounted close to electrical equipment in an easy to reach position. Try to arrange for the extinguisher to be located between the fire risk and an escape route. The wall-mounting bracket should be securely fixed to the wall and the extinguisher mounted onto the bracket. Extinguishers are best mounted in a position where they do not get in the way or are constantly being knocked. Mount the extinguisher high enough to keep it out of the reach of small children. Never mount the extinguisher close to a radiator, cooker or other source of heat and away from direct sunlight. The extinguisher is pressurised and will lose its charge if exposed to temperatures over 60°C. Fire extinguishers should be easily accessible and not put away inside cupboards or used as door stops.

Safe Use of CO₂ Fire Extinguishers

General

• First, sound the alarm and evacuate everybody away from danger to a safe area.

• Call the Fire Brigade by dialling 999 (a prefix may be required in commercial premises).

• A fire extinguisher is designed to fight a small fire that has just started.

• A small fire can quickly grow out of control.

• If you cannot get within 2 metres (6 feet) of the fire it is already too big and should be left to the fire brigade.

• Never put yourself or others at risk.

• Turn off the electrical supply if safely possible.

• Do not attempt to fight a fire involving flammable gas if the gas cannot be turned off in order to remove the risk of explosion.

• When leaving a fire area, close all doors behind you and do not stop to collect possessions.

• Ensure you have a clear escape path from a fire in case it gets out of control.

Extinguishing the Fire

To use your extinguisher;

Twist the safety pin on the handle to break the plastic seal and pull the pin out of the handle. Squeezing the trigger now will operate the extinguisher.
Stand 2 metres (6 feet) from the fire. Keep the extinguisher as upright as possible and aim the horn at the base of the fire.
Grip the handle firmly to operate the extinguisher and sweep from side to side across the fire to lay down a blanket of CO2. It is safe to use this extinguisher on live electrical fires but turn off the electrical supply as soon as soon as it is safe to do so to eliminate the possibility of electrical shock or the fire re-starting. If you hold the body of the extinguisher during use, let go immediately the extinguisher is discharged as it will become very cold.

For fires involving live electrical equipment, e.g. Computers, printers, servers, TV's, Microwaves, etc.

• Approach the fire from a direction where you have access to ventilation slots or air intakes.

• Discharge the extinguisher into the ventilation slots getting closer as you proceed.

• Discharge the entire contents into the equipment.

• Once the fire is extinguished, isolate the electricity if you have not already done so.

• Before trying to use the equipment again, get it checked by a professional electrician. The original fire was caused by a fault and using the equipment again will almost certainly result in another fire.

For fires involving flammable liquids,

• Approach the fire from upwind (so the flames are leaning away from you) and discharge the extinguisher at the leading edge of the fire.

• Sweep the fire back with a side to side motion to ensure that you are inhibiting the oxygen all the way across the fire.

• If the flames creep around and are between you and where you are aiming, re-adjust the stream of CO₂ and start again.

• The amount of CO₂ is limited so if you need to do this more than twice, stop attempting to extinguish the fire and retreat, closing all doors behind you and await the fire brigade.

• The extinguisher loses its fire fighting ability when the noise changes abruptly to a loud roar and the gas cloud becomes thin and transparent.

After the fire is extinguished

• Once the fire is extinguished, observe it for at least ten minutes, to ensure that the fire does not re-ignite. The fire brigade should be in attendance by this time, and they will probably assume this role.

• Open all doors and windows to allow the smoke to dissipate.

• Make immediate arrangements for your fire extinguisher to be recharged, even if you think you only used a small amount of the CO₂. A fire could happen at any time!

Servicing and Refilling.

• A CO₂ extinguisher should be checked annually to ensure it has not lost any gas and is available for use if it is required. A service contract can usually be arranged with your extinguisher supplier. Ensure this extinguisher is serviced at least once a year in accordance with BS 5306.

• This extinguisher must be refilled after any use. Refilling is to be carried out to BS 6643 Part 1 using only parts recommended by the manufacture. If in any doubt contact the fire extinguisher supplier (see label on extinguisher body).