Question:
Can anyone assist with answering some questions on a device used at a recent crime in Melbourne Australia. The item in question was sprayed into a person's eyes during a robbery/shooting. The item is a green plastic hand held device about 5 inches in length, 1 and a half inches in diameter, and would appear to be a "personal defence style spray." However the label (which is hardly visible)reads as follows: "MINI FIRE EXTINGUISHER" contains 1.1.2 ipichlorc 1.2.2 ipifluorophane Caution strong irritant, affects eyes and respiratory areas and skin. Increase of exposure wash skin with soap and water, and expose to fresh air. Do not apply creams or oils to affected areas. Irritation will abate after 20 minutes leaving no after affects. Appliances Grapevine Tx USA Serial Number 553023 or 8 Contents remaining test depth 10% 30% 50% If anyone can advise: 1. Who the manufacturer is?? 2. Whether it is exported to Australia? 3. Point/s of sale or distribution in Australia? It is my belief that it is not an extinguisher but labelled as such to be able to sell without provisions placed on the personal protection devices.

Answer: It is always good to hear from our colleagues in Melbourne. While I don't have a definitive answer for you at the moment, please allow me to offer these leads... Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association: http://www.taol.com/fema/ National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors http://www.nafed.org/ Fire Suppression Systems Association http://www.podi.com/fssa/ Underwriters Laboratories http://www.ul.com/ The National Fire Protection Association http://www.nfpa.org/ The Official Homepage for the City of Grapevine, TX http://www.ci.grapevine.tx.us/ ...or contact their Police Department. They might be aware of such a product/manufacturer as their City is a tiny hamlet of just 30,000 people. I don't have a Fire Service contact there handy at the moment.