Pyrene fire extinguishers where the defacto fire extinguisher aboard boats

up until the 1950's.

Two problems:

1. They used carbon tetrachloride as the agent which affects the human brain

("mad hatter").

2. When used on burning magnesium, phosgene (nerve gas) was generated.

Today, a powder substance also called "Pyrene" is used for class D

extinguishers which include magnesium fires. However, I don't believe it is

carbon tet. I would recommend mariners carrying a Class D extinguisher as

well as filling the mast with concrete for fire protection.

On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:17:11 -0600, "Roger Helio" <RB32@jfmajor.com>

wrote this crap:

It's been a while since I took organic chemistry, but I still remember

that carbon tet, (CCL4 ) is highly flammable. Not to mention,

poisonous.

Horvath@Horvath.net­

I'm Horvath and I approve of this post.

It's been a while since I took organic chemistry, but I still remember

On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:34:46 -0400, "Lee" <lee@thebar.com> wrote:

It's not at all flammible. Its already burned with chlorine as the

oxidizer,and the carbon will hang on to the chlorine even if oxygen

wants the spot. I am old enough to remember when it was used as the

filler in fire extinguishers. Carbon disulfide is the flammible one.

Casady

On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:34:46 -0400, "Lee" <lee@thebar.com> wrote:

It's not at all flammible. Its already burned with chlorine as the

oxidizer,and the carbon will hang on to the chlorine even if oxygen

wants the spot. I am old enough to remember when it was used as the

filler in fire extinguishers. Carbon disulfide is the flammible one.

Casady

Didja miss the part where he suggested filling the mast with concrete?