Co2 fire extinguishers must be handled with care. The extinguisher itself is a thick Steel container (unlike other types) and may be pressurised up to 2000 psi.   All other types of fire extinguishers are charged to around 100 – 130 psi.   Dropping or in this case piercing with an excavator can cause the extinguisher to explode.

So what went wrong?   This fire extinguisher had somehow found itself in a pile of general rubbish. When it came time to remove the rubbish from the site, an excavator pierced the extinguisher causing it to explode and propel 60 metres across a carpark, finally coming to rest inside a tradesman van.   This was an official safety share released by Worksafe in 2012.

Although most recycling centres in the Perth Metropolitan area will take your old fire extinguishers free of charge, Perth fire and safety will not charge you a disposal fee when replacing your expired units.

Dry chemical powder fire extinguishers are now being recycled and the contents being used as fertiliser by our farmers.   The stainless steel is much sought after by our metal recycling companies, so nothing goes to waste.