The XM Wheeled Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher is a portable fire suppression system designed for effective and safe operation, recharge, inspection, and maintenance. This manual provides comprehensive guidelines for its use, emphasizing adherence to safety regulations and proper handling procedures.
Function Description
The primary function of the XM Wheeled Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher is to suppress fires using a dry chemical agent. It is a mechanical device that, when activated, discharges the extinguishing agent to combat various types of fires, including flammable liquid spills and combustible gas pressure fires. The extinguisher is designed to be wheeled, allowing for easier transport and deployment in larger areas or industrial settings where a stationary unit might be insufficient.
For flammable liquid spill fires, the recommended usage involves directing the stream at the base of the flames with a side-to-side motion. For flammable liquid or combustible gas pressure fires, the stream should be directed into the source of the escaping fuel, utilizing the velocity of the fuel to carry the extinguishing agent to the point of combustion.
Important Technical Specifications
While specific technical specifications like agent type, capacity, and discharge range are not explicitly detailed in the provided excerpts, the manual highlights several critical aspects:
- Pressure Vessels: The extinguishers are pressure vessels and must be handled carefully.
- Hydrostatic Testing: Extinguisher shells, cylinders, and some hose assemblies require hydrostatic testing at regular intervals, as per NFPA 10, or more frequently if inspection or maintenance indicates a need. Air or gas should not be used for pressure testing due to the risk of violent and dangerous shell failure. The extinguisher must be charged and hydro-tested at twelve-year intervals.
- Cylinder Requirements: Cylinders utilizing a US Department of Transportation (DOT) marking must be hydrostatically tested or replaced according to DOT requirements. Cylinders (except those charged with Carbon Dioxide) complying with Part 173.34(e) 15, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, may be hydrostatically tested every 10 years.
- Operating Pressure: The cylinder gauge pointer should be in the black operating pressure range. For recharge, if the cylinder pressure is below 1500 PSI (10341 kPa) at 70 °F (21 °C), the cylinder should be replaced.
- Dry Chemical Agent: Only the ANSUL® dry chemical specified on the nameplate should be used for filling the tank. The tank should be filled to its rated capacity, with the dry chemical level not more than 6 inches (15 cm) from the bottom of the fill opening.
- Visual Inspection Seals: Part No. 197 is used for cylinder valve visual inspection seals, and Part No. 25940 for valve handle visual inspection seals.
- Hose Inspection Discs: For Model 150-C, Part No. 14236 is used, and for Model 350-C, Part No. 14237.
- Safety Shipping Cap: Part No. 73066 is the safety shipping cap for the nitrogen cylinder.
- Regulator Test Kit: The improved regulator test kit (Part No. 16171) and its manual (Part No. 53141) are mentioned for annual regulator testing.
- Temperature Correction Chart: The ANSUL® Wheeled and Stationary Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers Operation, Inspection, Service and Maintenance, and Recharge Manual (Part No. 79012) contains a Temperature Correction Chart for cylinder pressure readings.
Usage Features
- Ease of Operation: The operation involves a few straightforward steps: turning the cylinder valve handwheel counterclockwise to fully open, pulling off the hose and standing back a recommended distance (20 ft for 150-C, 25 ft for 350-C), and opening the nozzle.
- Valve Operating Positions: The manual specifies the operating positions for various valves:
- Red Tank Valve: Open
- Green Vent Valve: Closed
- Blue Hose Clean-out Valve: Closed
- Black Dry Chemical Valve: Open
- Safety Alerts: The manual uses DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, and NOTICE alerts to highlight potential hazards and important information, emphasizing the risk of serious personal injury or death if warnings are not heeded, especially regarding cylinder valve outlets and pressure testing.
- Training: ANSUL® offers hands-on fire fighting training at its fire school for proper use and suppression applications.
Maintenance Features
The manual outlines a comprehensive maintenance program, including inspection, recharge, and service/repair.
- Inspection:
- Frequency: Inspections should be conducted at regular intervals, varying from hourly to monthly, based on the situation's needs.
- Checks: This "quick-check" ensures the extinguisher is available, fully charged, operable, and free from obvious physical damage or tampering. Specific checks include designated location, general appearance (mechanical damage, corrosion), readability of nameplates, visual inspection seal on the nitrogen cylinder valve, cylinder gauge reading (black operating pressure range), ring pins and seals on valve handles, and wheel lubrication.
- Fill Cap Indicator: On indicator fill cap models, if the red indicator stem is in the "up" position, a complete maintenance examination is required.
- Recharge:
- When to Recharge: After use, or when indicated by an inspection or maintenance.
- Materials: Only materials specified on the nameplate should be used. Using other materials can impair efficiency, cause malfunction, or rupture the extinguisher.
- Location: Recharge should be performed in a dry, warm, and preferably enclosed location with atmospheric conditions of not more than 55% relative humidity and ambient temperatures of not less than 65 °F (18 °C).
- Steps: The recharge process involves closing various valves, clearing the hose line, closing the nitrogen cylinder valve, opening the dry chemical valve to clear the pick-up tube, filling the dry chemical tank, inspecting and lubricating gaskets and threads, replacing the nitrogen cylinder if necessary, connecting hoses, coiling the hose, and returning valves to their operating positions.
- Fill Cap Indicator (Recharge): If the fill cap is an indicator model, ensure the red indicator stem is in the "down" position before securing the fill cap.
- Maintenance (Annual/Semi-Annual):
- Frequency: Semi-annually for stationary extinguishers and annually for wheeled extinguishers, or when indicated by an inspection.
- Checks: A "thorough check" to ensure effective and safe operation. This includes checking the designated area, general appearance (mechanical damage, corrosion), nameplates, nitrogen cylinder gauge pressure (referencing the Temperature Correction Chart), removing and inspecting the high-pressure hose for dry chemical residue, checking the dry chemical tank (fill cap, pressure relief vent, gasket, threads, dry chemical level), inspecting the nozzle for obstructions and free movement, returning valves to operating positions, and checking wheel lubrication.
- Regulator Testing: Regulators must be tested annually using the improved regulator test kit (Part No. 16171).
- Service and Repair:
- Troubleshooting Tables: The manual provides detailed tables (Table 6 to Table 20) listing common disorders and their corrective actions for various components, including the extinguishing agent tank, fill cap, extinguishing agent, expellant gas and agent control valves, pressure relief valve, agent tank safety release, hoses, and nozzle.
- Component Replacement: Emphasizes using only genuine ANSUL® replacement components.
- Professional Consultation: For complex issues or if unable to resolve a disorder, users are advised to consult Johnson Controls Technical Services or an Authorized ANSUL® Distributor.
- Record Keeping: Each extinguisher must have a tag or label indicating the date of maintenance, recharging, hydrostatic test, and the person/agency performing the service. A permanent file record should also be kept.
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