types of fires, carbon tetrachloride is highly toxic and is no longer considered safe for ordinary fire-extinguishing use.
This is an important distinction for collectors: an antique extinguisher should be regarded as a historical artifact, not modern fire-safety equipment.
The engineering behind these early devices is nevertheless fascinating. Designers had to find ways to store an extinguishing agent, release it quickly, and make the equipment practical enough to use during an emergency. The resulting inventions helped contribute to the evolution of modern fire-protection technology.
