CONVINCING TESTS WITH PYRENE EXTINGUISHERS.
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On Friday last we witnessed a large number of quite convincing tests with the Pyrene fire exringuisher, which is marketed by the Pyrene Co., 19-21, Great Queen Street, WC. The operations were conducted on a. piece of waste land next to the Aldwych Theatre.
The Pyrene liquid is absolutely clean and will not even soil a collar if squirted on to it, simply evaporating and leaving no stain. It also has the advantage of withstanding a temperature of 60 degrees Fahr. below zero without freezing ; the complete apparatus weighs under six pounds. VVlien the liquid is subjected to a temperature of 200 degrees Fehr. or over, it is immediately transformed into a heavy, dry, cohering, nonpoisonous gas blanket, which surrounds the burning material and prevents access of air, thus effectively extinguishing the flame and quenching every spark. We noticed during the tests that though the gas generated is somewhat pungent and disagreeable yet it leaves no after effects, in spite of
the fact that some of us managed to absorb more during the afternoon than most people would do in putting out half-a-dozen ordinary small outbreaks of fire.
The first test consisted in putting out two quarts of burning petrol contained in a bucket.
The second test was more severe, as calcium carbide and water were added to the petrol already contained in the pail. At the first attempt the time taken to extinguish this mixture was only 3 sees. But after leaving the stuff burning for SOME) time, the flames became very fierce and the time required increased to 19 sees.
It was interesting to observe that, even with petrol, once the Pyrene liquid had quenched a portion there seemed to be little danger of that portion catching fire again from the other still burning for some little time, thus allowing the flames to be followed up and quenched in sections. For instance, when petrol was poured on the ground, making a blazing track a dozen or more feet long and six inches or so wide, one spray of the liquid along it was sufficient to put it out.
A tank with an open top, and con taming two gallons of petrol, was raised about four inches from the ground. A tap in it was then turned on, and both the petrol in the tank and that running out was lit. After burning for a minute or so the flames were put out in 30 secs A wooden platform 8 ft. square was raised about 1 ft. from the ground ; under this was placed a bushel of wood shavings saturated with petrol, and petrol was also poured over the platform. After igniting this and allowing it to burn for some seconds, every spark was put out in 54 sees.
Many other tests were carried out with coal tar, petrol-saturated cotton waste, di-sulphide of carbon, etc., all of which were extinguished in a most satisfactory manner in less than a minute.
We may mention that over 200 Pyrene extinguishers have been supplied to the Admiralty, and others to the Royal Aircraft Factory for use in aeroplanes.