Counterfeit versions of US Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers manufactured by Amerex Corporation have been identified by the US Coast Guard.
Amerex is a major producers of genuine approved fire extinguishing equipment and serves a worldwide market. These counterfeit extinguishers present a significant safety hazard. Their capability to extinguish a fire is unproven; they may be charged with a powdery substance that is not a fire extinguishing agent, the pressure cylinder is not DOT approved, and the pressure gauge may not function or give false readings.
The dry-chemical counterfeit extinguishers are size B-II and may be identified by several distinguishing features: Counterfeit units may have duplicate serial numbers. Genuine approved extinguishers will have a unique serial number for each extinguisher. The Serial No. V-654690 has been reported on Amerex extinguishers. There may be other serial numbers used on the counterfeits.
Authentic Amerex Extinguishers have smooth cylinders with no welds on the body, clear anodized or stainless steel levers, and gauges that read in both "psi" and KPA (or "bar"). The authentic valve bodies are machined aluminum or brass, not cast or forged as found on the counterfeits. Both the authentic hose and cylinder have the "UL" Mark.
Authentic Amerex Fire Extinguisher have silver metal handles (although there may be some with plastic handles).
Authentic Amerex Fire Extinguisher have a red dial.
Counterfeit extinguishers have been reported to have black or red plastic handles. Genuine approved dry-chemical B-II extinguishers typically have handles that are constructed of silver-colored aluminum (although there are some with plastic handles)
Labels on genuine approved Amerex extinguishers will include a security imprint / texture of a pattern of scored "circles," behind the UL LISTED logo, classification, testing and approval data.
Genuine approved Amerex extinguishers will have a unique serial number for each extinguisher.
Counterfeit Amerex extinguishers have been reported with Serial No. V-654690. There may be other serial numbers used on the counterfeits.
Labeling on the counterfeit Amerex extinguisher is very similar to the authentic model.
However, counterfeit extinguishers present a significant safety hazard. Their capability to extinguish a fire and contents are unproven.
Compare the bottom of the authentic and counterfeit Amerex extinguisher.
The counterfeit Amerex extinguisher has a rounded curved lip.
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