FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5278, 23 May 1928, Page 3

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.

i o— DANGER FROM GASES. SAFETY METHODS NECESSARY. At Thursday’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council, the following letter was received from the Chief Electrical Engineer, Public Works Department, .Wellington:— “In a recent publication of the Bureau of Standards, U.S.A., it is stated that the fumes produced, by .'heating carbon tetrachloride -are of a poisonous nature, and may contain such gases as chlorine, hydrogen, chloride, ,and phosgene. “The vapour of carbon tetrachloride is an ana.esthetic, and from this it seems that extinguishers containing this chemical should be, used' with caution on fires in closely confined spaces where the user cannot a,void breathing the fumes. “This property of carbon tetrachloride does not appear to be gener. aljy known, and where electric supply authorities are required to install extinguishers of approved type, and containing tetrachloride, it is necessary that the staff bei advised of the natureof the fumes emitted ■■ during use, apd that caution must be exercised in .closely confined:.spaces.

“The National Electric ■ Safety Rules, published by the same authority, state that gas masks of the army type afford sufficient protection against the above' fumes and gases.” The Mayor ('Mr W. Ma.rhals) said that the local Press was usually very geperous in giving important matters publicity, and he felt sure it would again co-operate with the council in making the danger known.