Never Play with Fire
Your aircraft is equipped with a halon fire extinguisher. Great decision.
How can you be sure that your fire extinguisher will work? Does it have a gauge?
Proper pressurization is essential to performance. Some extinguishers do NOT have a pressure gauge. Great that you have the extinguisher. Not great if it isn’t fully charged when you need it.
Regulations referenced on an extinguisher’s UL nameplate instruct annual weighing and monthly weighing or “hefting.” Is “hefting” adequate? We don’t believe so if there is no pressure gauge. In order for an extinguisher to be safe and in compliance, it must meet the weight requirement on the label. The difference between an extinguisher that is properly charged, and one that falls below the pressure needed to perform, is often too slight to detect by hefting. If you do not frequently weigh your non-gauged extinguisher, you may be carrying an extinguisher that won’t do its job.
If you choose not to weigh your extinguisher frequently it should be equipped with a gauge. A quick visual check will assure you that it is adequately pressurized – or indicate that it needs recharging.
H3R Aviation is a major supplier of aviation fire extinguishers. Non-gauged units have been popular for aviation use due to their small size, low weight, and low maintenance. There are a large number of fire extinguishers on aircraft that may have low pressure or even be empty. We believe it prudent to only carry extinguishers equipped with a gauge. If your extinguisher does not have a gauge, we urge you to weigh it now – and weigh it often.
