I Used A Fire Extinguisher In My House How Do I Clean Up The Residue?

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

I Used A Fire Extinguisher In My House How Do I Clean Up The Residue? 

Being prepared for a fire can make the difference between dealing with a huge disaster or a mess. Having a portable fire extinguisher within reach is a fast and effective response for when a minor fire breaks out in your home. If a fire does begin in your home and you put it out with a portable fire extinguisher, unfortunately, you will be left with a slight mess to clean up. The chemicals used in various fire extinguishers are hazardous to humans and pets so, all of the fire extinguishers' dust and residue must be removed and cleaned. ABC multi-purpose fire extinguishers contain either ammonium phosphate or ammonium sulfate powder that is irritating to the eyes, skin, and lungs. Before you begin cleaning up, you need to identify the dousing agent. An air pressurized water fire extinguisher or CO2 fire extinguishers won't leave behind any harmful chemicals. All fire extinguishers will have a label or tag that tells you what type of fire extinguishers it is and what it contains.

Before you begin cleaning any fire extinguisher residue, you must remember to wear protective gear. Wear an n95 dust mask, goggles, and nitrile gloves to avoid a potential allergic reaction. A dry chemical fire extinguisher with non-toxic bicarbonate will leave behind a powdery residue. You can easily clean the left-behind powdery residue with a vacuum and a few simple steps. First, remove any large debris left behind after the fire. Once you have removed all the big debris, you can begin going over the area with a vacuum. It may take several passes with the vacuum to thoroughly remove all the powdery residue. If the space you are cleaning is for food prep or cooking space, it's crucial you thoroughly clean and sanitize the area after removing the residue.

A multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher containing mono ammonium phosphate requires a different method of cleaning. You will not be able to vacuum up the left behind residue. You must quickly remove this residue by hand. Wear nitrile gloves and wipe the leftover residue with a clean cloth. If you can wet-wash the surface, use a 1:1 solution of warm water and baking soda. Thoroughly dry and sanitize the area once you have cleaned up all the residue.

If you have fire extinguisher residue and can't clean it up, give SERVPRO of Pickens County a call (864) 855 - 3993. Our top-of-the-line technology and cleaning products paired with our highly trained technicians will make it "Like it never even happened."