Presto Fire Extinguisher - Have you ever filled one??

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old1955
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Presto Fire Extinguisher - Have you ever filled one??

#1

Post by old1955 »

G'day
Has anyone ever refilled one of the presto extinguishers, I have the smaller one it's about 6" or 150mm long
and 1 3/8" or 40mm diameter. It's brass. I can't figure out how to even get into it. You could take the valve
apart at the top maybe?

Pete
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Re: Presto Fire Extinguisher - Have you ever filled one??

#2

Post by Cotten »

Pete!

I don't have one, but I must ask before you attempt anything;
Is it a carbon tetrachloride extinguisher?
Have you access to CCl4?

....Cotten
hjans
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Re: Presto Fire Extinguisher - Have you ever filled one??

#3

Post by hjans »

Pete ,
The Presto "CB" Fire Extinguisher contained chlorobromomethane and could only be used in well ventilated areas. While a very good fire supressor, chlorobromomethane could cause serious cardiac arrest if inhaled. The use of chlorobromomethane was banned by the EPA because it depleted the ozone layer.
All the more reasons to keep your fingers away from it !!

Though it seems you can make a lot of money with it...........
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old1955
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Re: Presto Fire Extinguisher - Have you ever filled one??

#4

Post by old1955 »

Well Cotten, the one I want to refill has nothing in it, but I have a new one still sealed
in a plastic bag and including the instructions on the front it also says contains:

chlorobromomethane "CB"
return to manufacturer to refill

But I reckon Merlite Industries may have gone west by now.

No access to CCI4. I have no idea what that is, maybe a fire retardant chemical

And thanks for that "Lifes is fine on the 59"

Pete
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King
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Re: Presto Fire Extinguisher - Have you ever filled one??

#5

Post by King »

Hi Old 55
The Presto and others of its ilk were banned in the US years ago for several reasons as have been pointed out. The substance Cotten referred to is carbon tetrachloride (also banned) which was a popular fire retardant and household "dry cleaning" chemical from the 1920's to the 50's. It proved to be a rather good carcinogen and is best not messed with. I put out a fire in an old shed with a carbontet extinguisher (it worked great) when I was a kid and the fumes nearly killed me and two of my mates. We coughed for days.
The Presto and other similar extinguishers were commonly mounted on Police Bikes in the old days and if you have the mounting brackets would make a great accessory but just don’t use it unless you are outside and downwind!!
Cheers,
King
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Re: Presto Fire Extinguisher - Have you ever filled one??

#6

Post by epazikas »

Hi, does anyone have an update on this? I guess it is possible to refill the fire extinguisher with contemporary refilling products?
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