Fire Extinguisher Clean-Up

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Fire extinguishers can be made of different dousing agents. It's important to know which one you have so you can safely clean the residue left behind.

Fire extinguishers can be a quick and effective tool for most cases of minor fire break outs. It’s important to know how to clean up any residue left after the fire has been completely extinguished. The first step is to check the label on your extinguisher to identify which chemical was used as the dousing agent. After identifying the dousing agent, we recommend the following steps:

• Dry Chemical
  • Potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate – Safe to remove with a vacuum. It is recommended to wear a mask, goggles, and gloves to prevent inhalation or an allergic reaction.
  • Mono Ammonium Phosphate – Wipe residue with a cloth using a 1:1 solution of baking soda and warm water. Finish by drying and sanitizing, as needed.
• Wet Chemical
  • Clean with hot, soapy water rinsing frequently. Finish by drying and sanitizing as needed. It is recommended to wear a mask, goggles, and gloves to prevent an allergic reaction to the chemicals.
• Air Pressure
  • Water or CO2- Typically does not leave behind a residue. If moisture is left behind dry the area thoroughly.

If ever in doubt, SERVPRO of Vero Beach provides professional clean up services for fires of any size. Just give us a call at (772) 770-0501 anytime, day or night!