Attention old timers

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mshields

mshields

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Location
Boston, MA
Guys, Did a survey of a City Hall in Massachusetts. This building had no fire alarm system nor sprinkler system (so I'll refrain from telling you which town). But what they did have in rooms that had old documents were these round red glassed hanging "things". They look like somewhat large christmas tree orniments and they are labelled to indicate that in the event of a fire, the bottom part melts and the contents then come out.

Any idea what these things are. Obvioulsy it's not water so I assume it's some kind of a chemical - no doubt highly toxic and quite illegal these days.

I have no idea. Anybody?

Appreciate your help.

Mike
 
they are old automatic fire extinguishers and the stuff inside could be harmful
but they are worth a pretty penny
 
Fire Protection

Fire Protection

mshields said:
Guys, Did a survey of a City Hall in Massachusetts. This building had no fire alarm system nor sprinkler system (so I'll refrain from telling you which town). But what they did have in rooms that had old documents were these round red glassed hanging "things". They look like somewhat large christmas tree orniments and they are labelled to indicate that in the event of a fire, the bottom part melts and the contents then come out.

Any idea what these things are. Obvioulsy it's not water so I assume it's some kind of a chemical - no doubt highly toxic and quite illegal these days.

I have no idea. Anybody?

Appreciate your help.

Mike
Click to expand...

The one I am holding in my hand came from a building I re-wired back in the 1970's. It is about 4-1/2" in diameter and 10" tall. Its black (not fancy like yours) but designed to be hung in the attic space at some specified distance between each unit. There is a lead seal at the bottom of the internal glass container that contains the fire suppressent. In over 40yrs its the only time I have ever seen anything like it. When a fire reached these the seal melts and acts like a fire sprinkler. There is also a small inspection hole in the metal enclosure so you can look and see the liquid to make sure the unit is full. The building where the fire sprinkler came from was built in the 1800's.
 
Qualifying as an "old timer" I can recall these being referred to a "pyrene" balls. Before it's hazardous chemical nature was discovered, I beleive "pyrene" was used in these as a fire supressant.

The link below shows ads for Pyrene fire extinguishers form the 20-30s.
http://www.vintagefe.com/pyrene.html

and there is still a "Pyrene" fire extingusihing brand, though the chemicals are noe less dangerous.
 
Carbon Tetrochloride

Carbon Tetrochloride

I've learned via another avenue that these things are likely filled with Carbon Tetrochloride. It is of course a carcenogen and whats more when exposed to fire creates a gas used for chemical warfare in WWI

Evidently, this particular Town Hall is more dangerous than Sadem Husseins entire arsenal of chemical weapons.

Thanks for the input!

Mike
 
mshields said:
Guys, Did a survey of a City Hall in Massachusetts. This building had no fire alarm system nor sprinkler system (so I'll refrain from telling you which town). But what they did have in rooms that had old documents were these round red glassed hanging "things". They look like somewhat large christmas tree orniments and they are labelled to indicate that in the event of a fire, the bottom part melts and the contents then come out.

Any idea what these things are. Obvioulsy it's not water so I assume it's some kind of a chemical - no doubt highly toxic and quite illegal these days.

I have no idea. Anybody?

Appreciate your help.

Mike
Click to expand...
ive found these fire grenades in houses before hanging next to the furnace. ive also read that they are toxic :)
 
mshields said:
I've learned via another avenue that these things are likely filled with Carbon Tetrochloride. It is of course a carcenogen and whats more when exposed to fire creates a gas used for chemical warfare in WWI

Evidently, this particular Town Hall is more dangerous than Sadem Husseins entire arsenal of chemical weapons.

Thanks for the input!

Mike
Click to expand...

The also had pretty brass fire extinguishers with carbon tet in them. You could buy the stuff most anywhere. Pretty good degreaser and had a pleasant smell to it.
 
CTC (Carbon Tetra Chloride) was a valid fire extinguisher right up into the late '60s; that's when my Dad had to stop using it in commercial bakery oven installations. He provided it in what were called "Fire Bombs" that were glass balls the size of Christmas ornaments filled with CTC in a red steel box on the side of the oven. In the even of a fire, you opened the box and threw the balls at the base of the fire, releasing the CTC.
 
Halon is the modern stuff to use. From what I've heard, food that has been exposed to it is still edible (if it didn't burn, I guess.)
 
Yes the old timer drew me like a moth to a flame and yes I have seen probably 100 or so of these in my career. My father the original contractor out here with a low 3 digit license number Used these as a rattle for all of us kids (just kidding) . Yes I have seen them and will continue to I am sure.
 
I've seen these as well, but a little different from yours.....

I've seen these as well, but a little different from yours.....

These were glass globes about 9" or 10" in diameter. They were perched on a wooden ring joined to an arm that had a hinge at the bottom, where it was mounted to the wall. A chain attached the arm near the ring to the wall higher up, holding the arm out at a 45 degree angle. It looked like what you would put a torch into in an old castle. The last link of the chain was a fusible link. This was in a warehouse, spaced about every 15' around the inside perimeter, and about 16' or 18' high. I didn't know what I was looking at; a guy there had to explain it to me.
 
Halon's been pulled off the market....

Halon's been pulled off the market....

LarryFine said:
Halon is the modern stuff to use. From what I've heard, food that has been exposed to it is still edible (if it didn't burn, I guess.)
Click to expand...

FM200 or Energen is what's being used in it's stead. Halon 1301 is a major threat to the ozone layer......
 
MichaelGP3 said:
FM200 or Energen is what's being used in it's stead. Halon 1301 is a major threat to the ozone layer......
Click to expand...
As Johnny Carson used to say, "I did not know that!"
 
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