This really isn’t a good idea. In Common Myth #2 we discussed briefly UL ratings and different flow rates. Just as different extinguishers made today have different flow rates and discharge times, extinguishers made 20 to 40 years ago had different flow rates and nozzle discharge patterns. It has not been unusual for us to find old extinguishers with low ratings and strange discharge patterns being used for training.

The problem with doing this is - your customers learn a technique based on extinguishers that they’ll never use. They are then surprised by the different “feel” of the extinguisher when a real fire incident happens. Different discharge patterns and flow rates make it harder for them to extinguish the fire. A general rule to follow for training is - always use what the customer has in their facility. You are customizing the training to the equipment they will be using and eliminating the possibilities of surprises. Whatever you do, please don’t use cartridge operated extinguishers for training if the customers use stored pressure extinguishers. The difference in the operation of these two extinguisher designs is so great that the customer will end up being totally confused.

Also, remember that if you have to use the customers extinguishers that must be “pulled off line” for the training session, you must provide extinguishers in the place of the ones you are using while the session is being conducted. The replacement extinguishers must be of equal or greater rating.