Why Couldn't A Traditional Dry Chemical Extinguisher Go To Space?

Because it couldn't pass the psi-chological exam! 🤭

There are plenty of things you want on a spacecraft. Guidance computers. Oxygen. A very strong Wi-Fi signal, ideally. But a heavy metal cylinder filled with corrosive powder that can blast into every piece of electronics and your lungs? Not exactly top of the packing list.

That was the problem with relying on a traditional dry chemical extinguisher in space. A fire is already bad news. Fighting it with something bulky, corrosive and difficult to clean up can turn one emergency into a full-blown space nightmare.

Element’s technology was originally developed for use in space, where fire protection had to be lighter, cleaner and far more thoughtful than the old-school ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher hanging on a wall back on Earth.

Fighting Fire Without Turning the Space Shuttle Cabin Into a Snow Globe

The traditional dry chemical fire extinguisher has a fairly aggressive personality. Pull the handle and it attacks the fire with a cloud of corrosive powder. Add zero gravity to the mix and now you've got that corrosive powder floating around and entering every nook and cranny of the spacecraft. Don't forget to stop breathing, cuz you're gonna be covered head to toe in that same corrosive powder as well! That is why something revolutionary had to be engineered. Something that's as advanced as the space programs it's for.  

Element Fire Extinguishers use the same technology that was designed for astronauts to fight fires in space. Its extinguishing agent begins as a stable solid-state compound. When Element is activated, it produces a clean, aerosol-like extinguishing jet that interrupts the chemical chain reaction to extinguish the fire. The result is fire protection without the mess or cleanup associated with a traditional ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher. Element is non-toxic, non-corrosive and leaves no residue behind. That means you can not only protect the tech that's supposed to guide you home, but you can do so without destroying the breathable oxygen around you!

Turning a Bulky Dry Chemical Extinguisher Into a Half-Pound Tool 

For a long time, portable fire extinguishers followed the same logic: more fire protection means a bigger cylinder filled with more material. That is how you get the standard portable fire extinguishers.

On Earth, that extra size and weight may not seem like a major issue. In space (and on the track), every pound matters. Spacecraft are designed around strict weight limits, and every item onboard must justify the mass and storage space it occupies. Space technology has no patience for unnecessary bulk.

With the solid state extinguishant tech that Element uses, It eliminates the need for having a large and heavy steel tank! It compresses at least 50 or 100 seconds of discharge, depending on the model, into a super lightweight tube that is no bigger than a flashlight. Seriously! Element E50 is only 10.75 inches tall and weighs 0.5lbs. While the Element E100 is only 13 inches tall and weighs 0.79lbs. That is up to ten times the discharge and eighty times smaller than a traditional 5lb dry chemical extinguisher.

That is not a minor reduction. That is a complete reinvention of the fire extinguisher!

Instead of storing a bulky dry chemical extinguisher canister, you get a compact tool that is easy to mount, easy to grab and easy to store. It fits naturally inside a vehicle, powersports setup, RV, trailer or garage without demanding valuable storage space.

For spacecraft engineers, reducing weight and volume was essential. For us on earth, we just get to reap the benefits of the most intelligent minds on this planet and their brilliant solution to advanced fire protection that does not get in the way.

Zero Maintenance in Harsh Environments

Astronauts have enough equipment to fix without worrying about safety gear failing. They do not want more! Traditional rechargeable fire extinguishers rely on pressure. They may have a gauge, valve, cylinder and other parts that must remain ready over time. Heat, vibration, age and storage conditions all impact its readiness. Not to mention implode in the vacuum of space!

The space tech that Element employs removes all the drama and demands of the old, bulky and messy extinguishers. It is not pressurized. It has no moving parts. It does not require recharging. It requires no maintenance and has no expiry. In simpler words, Element Fire Extinguishers always stay ready!

For spacecraft and space stations that need to be away from earth for months at a time, that simplicity makes perfect sense. And we get to spoil ourselves with the same fire safety tech! 

Because Element uses technology built for harsh environments, it does away with valves, pressure gauges, and aluminum cylinders. It is a rugged little device that needs less attention than a pet rock. The material blocks corrosion and never expires. You get reliable performance every time without paying a manufacturer for annual inspections.

The Future of Fire Protection Started During The Space Age

The traditional dry chemical extinguisher had a good run. But if even space engineers looked at it and thought, “There HAS to be a better way,” that says a lot.

Element Fire Extinguishers fight all major fire classes with less weight, zero mess and zero maintenance hassle. Whether you are fighting Class A fires, Class B fires, Class C fires, or Class K fires, you are always ready!

Ask yourself: if those canister extinguishers are too bulky for the smartest minds of our time, does it really deserve a seat in your storage compartment?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Element handle the same types of fire as an ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher?

Yes, and more! Element fights Class A, B, and C fires. Just like a standard ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher. In addition to this, Element also protects you against Class K fires! Which also makes this the perfect extinguisher for your home and kitchen. Element Fire Extinguishers are highly effective against solid combustibles, flammable gasses & flammable liquids, Electrical fires of up to 100,000 V, and grease and cooking oil fires. 

Do all fire extinguishers expire?

Element Fire Extinguishers never expire. Standard portable fire extinguishers absolutely expire. They are also prone to losing pressure and clumping up if not properly maintained. Element completely flips the game because of its solid-state design. This allows it to have no moving parts or compressed gas, meaning it never expires and is the perfect fire extinguisher for any fire emergency.