Accidentially artistic: The fire department recommended that we discharge or 30-year-old fire extinguisher before discarding it and buy a new one. Thinking that I must post a Facebook...

LCD

The fire department recommended that we discharge or 30-year-old fire extinguisher before discarding it and buy a new one. Thinking that I must post a Facebook PSA about checking your old extinguisher, I snapped a few shots with my cel phone after I discharged it near our back steps. The sunbeam streaming through the trees created an unexpected bit of artistry.

uhaas2009

Once a lifetime fun.....lol.....👍

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

A lot of art happens accidentally. But it takes us to see it.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

I would have recommended getting a new extinguisher, and instead of discarding the old one, keep it around as a backup.

LCD

That is what the guy at the fire department recommended. The cost of refilling and pressure testing would be as much as a new one.

couch coyote Loc: northern Illinois

Nice catch. Beam me up, Scotty.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

LCD wrote:

The fire department recommended that we discharge or 30-year-old fire extinguisher before discarding it and buy a new one. Thinking that I must post a Facebook PSA about checking your old extinguisher, I snapped a few shots with my cel phone after I discharged it near our back steps. The sunbeam streaming through the trees created an unexpected bit of artistry.

I found that the dry chems. get packed down from sitting, when we did our weekly safety check in the shops I worked on we would turn the extinguishers upside down and shake them or bang them with a rubber hammer to make sure the powder didn't compact. We also had a company come in once a year and check and recharge all extinguishers. The small 2# were trashed, not worth the cost!!!

LCD

After 30 years of neglect, our extinguisher seem worked perfectly well. But after 30 years I think we could afford an extinguisher that will definitely work if we need it to.

Mister H Loc: Michigan

LCD wrote:

The fire department recommended that we discharge or 30-year-old fire extinguisher before discarding it and buy a new one. Thinking that I must post a Facebook PSA about checking your old extinguisher, I snapped a few shots with my cel phone after I discharged it near our back steps. The sunbeam streaming through the trees created an unexpected bit of artistry.

You probably tried, but did you try any editing or B&W Versions? Accidental greatness is rewarding. By the way, you may want to see if a collector wants your extinguisher. I have a number of them (part of an accidental collection), but couldn’t put out a fire.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

Manglesphoto wrote:

I found that the dry chems. get packed down from sitting, when we did our weekly safety check in the shops I worked on we would turn the extinguishers upside down and shake them or bang them with a rubber hammer to make sure the powder didn't compact. We also had a company come in once a year and check and recharge all extinguishers. The small 2# were trashed, not worth the cost!!!

I have read that they should be mounted horizontally when mounted on a boat; that way they don't get packed down.