allseason Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I found two of these yesterday in a house built in 1957. Does anyone know what's inside? I'm concerned about toxic chemicals being emmited and proper disposal. Otherwise it's pretty cool. Click to Enlarge 16.52 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Carbon tet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Maybe, not on the label though, that's the concern-carbon tet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Something from the halon family of fire suppressants? Some are liquids under pressure. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Something from the halon family of fire suppressants? Some are liquids under pressure. Marc Halon in 1957? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 It was used throughout the 20th century. Recently banned. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Same stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I think it's an air horn. The label says it's a fire detector, so maybe not an extinguisher. XXX Alarm Co. If it is an extinguisher, it would need to be mounted directly over the fire to do much good. No doubt, it was a cool addition to the house in 1957. I wonder if it was sold by a door-to-door salesman driving a business coupe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 The hood like diffuser over the top next to the horn gives the impression of an extinguisher, may be only an alarm. I would still like to know what's inside. Must be a chemical reaction causing vapor at pressure to push through and blow the horn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I can't tell from the picture, but it looks like the type made by Falcon Alarm Co. If it is, it's an alarm that sounds when detecting high temps. There is no fire suppressant. The cylinder is filled with Freon. When heated it expands and the valve releases. I think the one's for living areas release at 135 degrees and the units for attics and boiler rooms release at 175 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 The hood like diffuser over the top next to the horn gives the impression of an extinguisher, may be only an alarm. I would still like to know what's inside. Must be a chemical reaction causing vapor at pressure to push through and blow the horn. The tetrachlorides work differently. They're like propane, liquid in the tank but vaporize into a gas when you relieve the pressure. No chemical reactions. Some formulations snuff a fire out with just an 8% concentration. Banned in the late 90's though some offshore oil production platforms were grandfathered and still have them. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Either way it needs to be treated as hazardous if disposed of so I can let the client know to use caution. The buyer is a mechanic and machinist and he thought that they were unique and I'm sure he'll keep them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I can read "...... Alarm Co., Inc. Summit, NJ". I'm quite sure it is Falcon Alarm Co., 'cuz they were located in Summit, NJ. It contains Freon, if it hasn't leaked out. That's what the sight glass on the side is for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I just saw one on craigslist for $400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 The house I grew up in had a half dozen of these: Click to Enlarge 8.14 KB The detector discs were a bit smaller than this one. After a couple of decades they would give up and the damn things would go off. Loud as hell and the winding would last several minutes. You had to wait it out or replace the disc with a nickel to make it stop. Anyone know the melting point of a nickel? I have 4 younger brothers, you can imagine how many times we set them off intentionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 Boy, did I look smart yesterday... Click to Enlarge 45.23 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 This place does make you a lot smarter. Great isn't it. Did you tell em it needed to go back to the manufacturer because the colored liquid was gone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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