The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) is urging pool owners to be fire safe by storing their pool chemicals responsibly.
Community Engagement Officer at MFS, Angelo Mastripolito said chemicals used for chlorinating swimming pools were highly reactive and could start a fire, cause chemical burns or release toxic gases if they came into contact with other chemicals.
Mr Mastripolito said pool chemicals should be stored away from each other and other chemicals or combustibles in the shed, and pool owners should take particular care as the weather warmed up.
“It’s not only when treating your pool that extra caution has to be taken, but also when deciding where to store these chemicals in your shed,” he said.
“Always store chemicals in their original containers with clearly visible use-by-dates.
“Most chemicals have common symbols labelled on containers, however, you should not rely on the presence of these symbols to determine if a product is hazardous.”
Community Engagement Officer Mastripolito said granular pool ‘chlorine’ (calcium hypochlorite) could start a fire if it came into contact with fuels (e.g. petrol), oils, brake fluid or detergents.
“It also reacts with acids to release the toxic gas chlorine, so must be stored separately from acids such as pool acid (hydrochloric acid),” he said.
Community Engagement Officer Mastripolito said different types of pool chemicals –granular pool ‘chlorine’, liquid pool ‘chlorine’ and pool chlorine tablets – should not be mixed or used together.
“Some combinations are incompatible and may cause fires or explosions,” he said.
Community Engagement Officer Mastripolito said all chemicals should be kept out of reach of children, stored away from windows and doors and used in well-ventilated areas.
The 5-page Hazardous Materials factsheet can be accessed at this PS News link.
