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The thermodynamics of oxides, carbonates, halides and related metal compounds involved in extinguishment by dry chemicals and metal agents has been analyzed. It is shown that lattice energies play an important role in determining the extinguishment activities and properties of metallo fire extinguishants. In particular, lattice energies can explain why some metallic compounds are inactive as fire extinguishing compounds and others reach a saturation point where additional agent give little improvement in performance.
Mather, J.
and Tapscott, R.
(2002),
Thermodynamics of Metal Agent Fire Extinguishment, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=909041
(Accessed October 14, 2025)