Fire Extinguishers

Soda-Acid Extinguishers

During the late 1800’s, soda-acid extinguishers were being developed. Basically, this form of extinguisher was comprised of a cylinder containing a soda solution and a glass bottle of acid. When the extinguisher was inverted, the acid was released from a bottle suspended at the top of the extinguisher. This acid would then mix with the soda and chemical reaction would occur. A build-up of pressure would expel the solution and could be used to extinguish a fire.

Inverting type soda-acid extinguishers were made with copper shells held together with rivets until about 1942. At that time, drawn brass shells replaced the copper riveted ones.

In 1969, the manufacturing of all soda-acid extinguishers was discontinued in the US. Many of these extinguishers, when improperly tested or maintained, would explode when used.

Cardboard Tube Extinguishers

In the 1920’s, the first dry-chemical, cartridge type extinguisher was invented. It wasn’t until the early 1950’s that the first stored pressure multi-purpose dry-chemical extinguisher was introduced.

Tin Tube Extinguishers

Around the turn of the century, tin tube extinguishers filled with a dry chemical such as sodium bicarbonate were popular. Tin tubes came in a variety of sizes, and were meant to be hung from a hook in the ceiling. When the user pulled the tin tube, the top would come off. The contents of the tube could then be shaken out onto the fire.

Fire Grenades

In the mid 1800’s, the glass fire grenade came into popular use in the US. Fire grenades were bottles filled with a salt-water solution, and were intended to be thrown into a fire. Theoretically, when the grenade hit the fire, it would break and release its contents and put out the fire. The salt-water solution had an added benefit of not freezing on cold winter nights since homes of that era had no central heat.

It is highly unlikely that these fire grenades had any merit and if they really worked! In an era where portable fire extinguishers were unheard of, the fire grenade did provide a minimum amount of extinguishing capability. However, many buyers were lulled into a false sense of security. Millions were sold in a complete range of colors to match any décor.

Typically, fire grenades were spherical in shape and had a short neck. Many grenades were sealed with a cork and cement. The cement would prevent liquid from escaping in the event the cork shrank. As an added protection, some grenades had a foil seal over the cork. On the neck of many grenades, a wire loop can be found. This loop was used to hang a grenade from a nail or hook on the wall. Some manufacturers sold two or three fire grenades together in a wire basket.

Picture Credit: Alaskan Type I Incident Management Team.
Photographer: John McColgan, Bureau of Land Management,
Alaska Fire Service

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Glass Fire Grenades (Prices do not include shipping, handling, or insurance.)

Hayward's Round Panel in Cobalt Blue $ 415.00	Chattanooga Dry Gas $ 195.00	Hazelton High Pressure Chemical Fire Keg $375.00
Some of my fire grenades (presently not for sale)......