Tutorial de Low-tech Lab | Categories : Tools
Make a fire extinguisher for type A and B fires.
Make a fire extinguisher for type A and B fires.
extincteur, bicarbonate, vinaigre, extinguisher, baking soda, vinegar, NomadeDesMers, LT4Refugees en fr 1
Fires in slums are a recurring problem with very often devastating consequences. In South Africa, an average of 10 "shacks" fires per day have been recorded each year, causing thousands of families to lose their belongings and housing without any possibility of compensation. The fires, often belatedly detected, spread at high speed in these dwellings made of flammable materials. Prevention maneuvers are of course preferred to the means of reaction, but the populations often lack tools at their disposal to react quickly in case of problem.
In South Africa, a conventional fire extinguisher costs around € 10. Because fires are very common, this amount can become very important for a low-income family. This low-tech fire extinguisher is mainly made from recycled materials, and products to buy are common and available for less than one euro.
The low-tech fire extinguisher is based on the reaction between baking soda and acetic acid vinegar.
Water absorbs heat by evaporating; baking soda decomposes during an endothermic reaction (which absorbs heat) and creates water when exposed to a temperature exceeding 270 ° C; carbon dioxide is a heavy gas that "displaces" oxygen and "starves" the fire.
A hole is drilled in the bottle. When you want to activate the fire extinguisher, pierce the bag containing baking soda. Vinegar, mixed with water, reacts with baking soda to form carbon dioxide, water and sodium acetate. By shaking the bottle, the reaction is accelerated: the carbon dioxide produced pressurizes the bottle, and a CO2-water mixture is ejected through the hole, which is pointed towards the fire. Water, carbon dioxide and soda extinguish the fire, and the foam created by the washing-up liquid prevents it from being re-ignited.
Drill a 7 mm diameter hole in the top of the bottle and cover it with masking tape.
Note: The bottle will be filled to three quarters with liquid, so it is important to make the hole above this limit.
Pour 750 mL of water, 750 mL of vinegar, and tablespoon of dishwashing liquid into the bottle.
Note: for convenience, you can mix dishwashing liquid and water before pouring into the bottle.
Check that the plastic bag is not punctured before doing this step
Note: When using the extinguisher, it is the pressure of the cork on the pieces of metal that will pierce the bag.
Close the bottle with its cap, by wedging the plastic bag in the neck, so as to make a small bag of baking soda suspended above the liquid. The pocket should not be too big (just the volume of baking soda) so that it can be pierced by pressing the nail.
Remove excess plastic around the neck.
The fire extinguisher is ready!
1. Remove the tape;
2. Shake the bottle by plugging the hole with a finger to thoroughly mix the dishwashing liquid, water and vinegar;
3. Press the nail to pierce the bag. Repeat the operation until the bag is well drilled;
4. Shake the bottle by plugging the hole with a finger to dissolve the bicarbonate in mixture and increase the pressure;
5. Direct the jet towards the fire;
6. Sweep the base of the fire with the foam. 'Do not aim at the flames!' Aim the base of the fire to extinguish it.
7. It is advisable to turn the bottle over for easier aiming, and so that all the liquid is well ejected.
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