🔍 Key Concepts

• Dry chemical extinguishers and how their powder behaves in storage • Manufacturer’s instructions for inspection and maintenance of portable extinguishers • The method of extinguishing used by dry chemical agents (smothering/chemical interruption vs cooling)

💭 Think About

• If a dry chemical extinguisher sits for a long time without being moved, what might happen inside the cylinder? Think about how powders behave over time. • How do dry chemical agents actually stop a fire? Do they cool it down like water, or do they work in another way? • Which option sounds like an absolute statement that’s unlikely to be true for safety equipment that requires periodic inspection?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check which option reflects that equipment needs periodic inspection/maintenance, not “no attention.” • Consider how often extinguishers are required to be inspected and serviced on vessels under 46 CFR; would a 3‑year automatic deterioration make sense? • Remember that dry chemical agents mainly smother or interrupt the combustion process, not cool like water or foam.