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Molotov Fire Extinguisher

in case of fire, break glass
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Inspired by the Wine Bottle Fire Extinguisher, I propose a fire extinguisher based on the classic Molotov cocktail. Instead of gasoline, the Molotov Fire Extinguisher utilizes fire suppression foam stored in a sealed glass container. The container is simply thrown at the fire, whereupon the glass breaks and the foam is released. Molotov Fire Extinguishers need no periodic maintenance or instructions to use, and will in fact self detonate with the heat of a fire. With the Molotov Fire Extinguisher there is never a risk that the extinguisher won’t work because it hasn’t been properly maintained or has been previously used.
nuclear hobo, Apr 26 2007

Molotov cocktail http://en.wikipedia...ki/Molotov_cocktail
[nuclear hobo, Apr 26 2007]

Antigue Prior art http://www.antiqueb...es.com/firegrenade/
[jhomrighaus, Apr 27 2007]

[link]






       You'd be much more likely to miss, but it's still a good idea. [+]
apocalyps956, Apr 26 2007
  

       I grew up with petrol bombs, so I sort of like this idea +
xenzag, Apr 26 2007
  

       If unbroken in the throw, you say the heat of the fire will cause detonation? I guess having flying glass shards beats losing the whole building . . . maybe the glass should be very thin so that it is certain to burst on impact with any surface, although that might cause the molotov fire extinguisher installment guy a lot of grief.
Ketchupybread, Apr 27 2007
  

       Is this foam going to be compressed? Contained in breakable glass, you say?   

       Suggest two chambers: suppressant in uncompressed liquid form, and some sort of chemical foaming agent. They combine when the cocktail smashes.
Texticle, Apr 27 2007
  

       Kind of a petroleum Tarzan kind of life?
normzone, Apr 27 2007
  

       they used to sell things like this. Glass bulbs with a red liquid inside and a clear liquid that would either shatter in the heat or could be tossed at a fire. This was like 90 years ago.
jhomrighaus, Apr 27 2007
  

       [jrhomrighaus] We had those in a cabin owned by the extended family when I was growing up. Apparently a relative decided to test one and threw it in the fireplace. Not very effective.
Galbinus_Caeli, Apr 27 2007
  

       Have you ever seen those pictures of a nuclear shock wave putting out burning buildings? Of course, the buildings are destroyed, but the fire goes out. So how about a concussion bomb to put out the fire? The devastation would be much greater, but hey.
ldischler, Apr 27 2007
  

       I remember an old house in Kansas that had sealed glass bulbs of liquid in holders on the walls. They were not as fancy as the fire grenade bottles in the links. Given the little liquid they held, they couldn't have been of much use.
baconbrain, Apr 27 2007
  

       {idischler], would that be worth using on bush fires before they can spread too far?
theleopard, Apr 27 2007
  

       Concussion bombs to put out fires is nothing new. I believe that's how oilfield fires (such as in the first Desert Storm) are put out. My cousin and I caught the backyard on fire one 4th of July and put it out by throwing a handful of Black Cats into it. It works very well.   

       As far as this idea, I don't see why it wouldn't work. You could use a fairly high temp. polymer as a plug so it would hold the pressure at anything below 250 degrees or so and soften and shrink above that, eventually popping out at some higher temperature. Foam should definitely work better than those old chemical bomb bulbs.
Hunter79764, Apr 27 2007
  

       The poor little cats.
methinksnot, May 01 2007
  

       They deserved it.
Hunter79764, May 01 2007
  
      
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