Fire extinguishers for combustible metal

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Author Message David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 657 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 05:21 pm:    I am specifying fire extinguishers for a chemistry lab. This lab will have combustible metals, such as magnesium, that spontaneously react when exposed to air. All I can find out from NFPA 10 is that I need a type D dry powder extinguisher. I can not find a manufacturer that makes these specialized types. Any idea on size or manufacturer? Marc C Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 150 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 05:44 pm:    Magnesium does not spontaneously combust. If it did my back pack would have gone up a long time ago. Now once started...that's another story. Once started its so hot that it breaks water down into H and O and burns even better! (If I have my physics right) Now metallic sodium ... or phosphorous… try http://www.ilpi.com/safety/extinguishers.html#Picking David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 658 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 06:41 pm:    Found it: http://www.amerex-fire.com/Literature/classd.pdf I also did research on Mg and found out that is reacts with moisture in the air. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 324 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 07:27 pm:    Magnesium used to be one of the light weight components in helicopters in the Vietnam war, and the pilots were told that if they were hit, that the helicopter would combust before they could eject from the seat. Hence, they better be careful where they flew. http://www.safetyemporium.com/ILPI_SITE this site also has sand and sodium in a bucket that will extinguish the chemical fires as well, and aren't as tricky to use as a pressured extinguisher.