Should wet chemical and water mist agents be reused?

Wet chemical and water mist agents are specifically designed for particular types of fires, such as those involving cooking oils and fats as well as general combustible materials. After an extinguisher is deployed, the extinguishing agents in these systems can lose effectiveness and may become contaminated by the fire's byproducts or the environment.

Once discharged, wet chemical and water mist agents cannot maintain their effectiveness to suppress flames, and any potential for contamination means that they should always be replaced rather than reused. This ensures that the extinguishers function maximally in an emergency. Reusing these agents could lead to inadequate fire response and can endanger lives and property.

Furthermore, the integrity of the extinguishing system—from its pressurization to its internal components—can be compromised upon discharge. Proper maintenance practices dictate that following any use, a wet chemical or water mist extinguisher must be thoroughly inspected, serviced, and recharged to ensure that it will perform adequately if needed again.