# Fire extinguishers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-extinguishers/777458>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 18, 2017, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-extinguishers/777458 "2017-01-18T09:47:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-extinguishers/777458/1 "2017-01-18T09:47:53Z")

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Do they explode on prolong contact with flame? would they if someone shot a bullet at them a la video games/movies? these are the things I think about when I can’t sleep.

Thanks  
-J

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**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-extinguishers/777458/2 "2017-01-18T11:14:57Z")

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Based on this and your other posts, I think you have a general problem with anxiety that you should probably get addressed.

Anyway, if you shoot a fire extinguisher, all that happens is the extinguisher stuff inside comes spraying out through the hole, just like it would come out through the nozzle if you used it normally. The extinguisher does not explode like it will in a video game.

Here’s a video of someone shooting one:

  
As for an extinguisher in a fire, there are different types of fire extinguishers. Some of the chemical ones can explode if left in fire, but the typical fire extinguisher that you are likely to have in your home will just pop the valve at the top and that’s it. No explosion.

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**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-extinguishers/777458/3 "2017-01-18T13:22:50Z")

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> [@anomalous1](#):
>
> Do they explode on prolong contact with flame?

If the pressure rises too high (as due to overheating), a [pressure relief valve](http://cpftecnogeca.com/en/product/industrial-and-fire-fittings/category/Safety%20valve%20device%20for%20stored%20pressure%20fire%20extinguishers.html) will open and release the contents in a controlled manner; the extinguisher will not explode and release its energy all at once.

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**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-extinguishers/777458/4 "2017-01-19T00:23:20Z")

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[quote=“engineer\_comp\_geek, post:2, topic:777458”]

Based on this and your other posts, I think you have a general problem with anxiety that you should probably get addressed.  
Yes I do. Hahah. Been treating it for 15 years, tried it all, self-medication, prescribed medication, therapy, counseling, meditation. The only thing that relieves it is asking questions and getting answers, and gaming which I love about this site. By the way, this question was out of pure curiosity, been playing FPS games a lot at night lately and of course shooting at the ubiquitous fire extinguishers in them. Thanks!

P.S. Can’t wait for the barrage of questions that come by the time I start playing Fallout 4.