Safety Flash
Failure of fire extinguishers owing to corrosion
Failure of fire extinguishers owing to corrosion
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 12/16
- CorrosionInspection and MaintenancePressure Systems
- CorrosionMechanical failurePressure systems
- Inspection and maintenance
- Pressure vessel
Summary
A safety flash describes a near miss found during mobilisation inspections of a relatively new fire extinguisher. Corrosion at the brass fitting and aluminium stem connection caused the stem to fall apart when touched. The cylinder showed no corrosion. The notice highlights dissimilar-metal corrosion in pressure vessels.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Summary
Corrosion between dissimilar metals caused a fire extinguisher stem to fail during inspection.
IMCA SF 12/16. Themes: corrosion, inspection and maintenance, pressure systems.