COMBUSTIBLE METALS

List of Combustible Metals or Metal Compounds:

If your laboratory contains combustible metals or combustible metal compounds, you will need to have a type D fire extinguisher.

In the event of a fire, types A, B, and C fire extinguishing agents will react with combustible metals. Therefore, unique agents such as potassium and sodium are used in type D fire extinguishers to put out fires with combustible metals.

The following is a list of combustible metals that require a type D fire extinguisher:

aluminum phosphide aluminum (powder) beryllium (powder) calcium calcium carbide cerium cesium gallium arsenide gallium phosphide lithium lithium aluminum deuteride lithium aluminum hydride lithium aluminum hydride bis(tetrahydrofuran) lithium amide

lithium borohydride lithium-6 deuteride lithium hydride lithium tetraphenylborate tris(1,2-dimethoxyethane) lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminohydride lutetium magnesium hydride magnesium and magnesium alloys neodymium nickel catalyst (Raney) phosphorus phosphorus pentasulfide potassium potassium hydride

potassium-sodium alloys Red-Al rubidium sodium sodium aluminum hydride sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride in toluene sodium borohydride sodium borohydride cobalt-doped sodium borohydride on alumina sodium hydride strontium titanium (powder) zinc phosphide zinc (powder) zirconium (powder)

Bulk pieces of these metals are typically difficult to ignite; their finely divided forms readily burn. Finely divided forms are regarded as pyrophoric and water-reactive substances to varying degrees. They include dusts, powders, chips, turnings, flakes, punching, borings, ribbons and shaving.

Pyrophoric is substance that will ignite spontaneously in air.

SOURCE : CHEMISTRY OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, 4th EDITION, 2005

Prepared by:

Safety and Health Division, Department of Development and Asset Management, UPSI

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