Episode Overview:

In this unique episode, the Industrial Strength Podcast team veers off the typical "bread and butter" hazmat call to explore non-water-based fire suppression methods, inspired by a curious phone call involving acetic acid. From historical oddities like carbon tet hand grenades to modern clean agent systems like Halon and Sapphire, the crew dives into chemical science, suppression theory, and practical use cases for industrial and domestic applications.

Segment Breakdown with Timestamps:

(0:32 - 2:09) – Intro & Inspiration

• Technical issues kick off the episode.
• A surprising call from Uncle Chris sparks the topic: “Can acetic acid fight fire?”

(2:10 - 8:06) – Acetic Acid Decomposition & Fire Suppression

• Chemistry of acetic acid at different temps.
• At low temps: CO₂ production = fire suppression.
• At high temps: Flammable byproducts = fire fuel.
• Debates whether it could be used in early-stage fires.

(8:06 - 12:18) – Carbon Tetrachloride Hand Grenades

• A flashback to historical firefighting tech.
• Glass grenades filled with carbon tet to smother flames.
• Why it was banned: Toxicity, phosgene production, and ozone depletion.

(13:46 - 17:50) – Modern Clean Agents: Halon Systems

• Halon 1301/1211 for Class A, B, and C fires.
• Fast-acting, residue-free, electronics-safe.
• Banned for ozone depletion (Montreal Protocol), but still used in aviation/military.

(17:50 - 22:30) – Sapphire Systems: Halon’s Eco-Friendly Cousin

• Uses Novec 1230 fluid: clean, people-safe, zero ozone impact.
• Works in under 10 seconds, suitable for data centers, hospitals, clean rooms.
• Not suitable for open/outdoor or high-ventilation areas.

(24:07 - 25:55) – Fire Suppression Balls

• Modern, throwable powder-based suppression devices.
• Explode on heat contact, releasing fire suppressant.
• Used in Europe, ideal for homes, warehouses, kitchens.

(25:56 - 35:26) – Practical Applications & Final Thoughts

• Comparisons drawn to fire extinguishers—but throwable and automatic.
• Potential for use in hard-to-access or high-risk zones.
• Wrapping up with a humorous struggle through technical glitches and comms failures.

Resources & References: