Quench oil fire on steel parts after batch ht/quenching

[Steve898]

What type of Fire Extinguishers do Heat Treaters typically have on hand? I have seen ABC dry chem, halon, and CO2 at various places I have worked. I note that ABC dry chem puts the fire out, but that the fire relights, like a joke birthday candle, the stream of extinguishing dust is stopped, esp. when there are trap pockets of quench oil that are still very hot. It seems that CO2 and halon work well, due in part to the cooling nature of the extinguishing stream. Thanks for any and all responses. Note: Do not be alarmed, this doesn't happen very often, and the washer puts out the fire promptly. I just want to be prepared, like a good Scout.

 

[swall]

We use a central CO2 system with nozzles at each quench pit. I have also seen nitrogen used with integral quench type furnaces.