30LB Ansul Redline Cartridge (MET-L-X)

The Ansul Red Line MX-I-30-G is a 30 lb cartridge-operated hand-portable fire extinguisher charged with MET-L-X dry powder — a sodium chloride-based agent specifically formulated for Class D combustible metal fires. It is designed for industrial environments where magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, potassium, and sodium-potassium alloys are processed, machined, or stored, and where a standard dry chemical, water, CO2, or foam extinguisher would either be ineffective or cause a violent secondary reaction when applied to burning metal.

The MX-I-30-G is the 30 lb version of the Red Line Class D cartridge-operated family — the largest hand-portable Class D unit in the Red Line line. At 30 lbs of agent with an effective range of up to 25 feet and a discharge time of approximately 24.5 seconds, it provides substantially more suppression capacity than the 20 lb model, making it the right choice for operations where larger quantities of combustible metals are present and a fire event could involve significant metal mass before it is reached. The unit is approved by UL, ULC, FM, and USCG and carries a 12-year limited warranty.

MET-L-X Agent and Class D Suppression

MET-L-X is a sodium chloride-based dry powder. When applied to a burning combustible metal, the agent melts from the heat of the fire and forms a crust over the surface of the burning material. This crust excludes air and moisture, smothers the combustion reaction, and provides a heat-absorbing barrier that cools the metal. The sodium chloride-based formulation is chemically compatible with the metals it is designed for — it does not cause the violent steam generation or explosive reactions that water produces on burning magnesium, sodium, or potassium.

MET-L-X is effective on fires involving magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, potassium, and sodium-potassium alloys. For lithium fires, the LITH-X agent (graphite-based) is the specified choice. For pyrophoric metal alkyl fires such as trialkyl aluminums, MET-L-KYL is the correct agent. Verify the specific metal hazard in your facility against the correct Ansul agent selection before purchasing.

Red Line Cartridge-Operated Design

• Cartridge-Operated Reliability: Unlike stored-pressure units, the agent and propellant nitrogen are stored separately. The agent tank is at atmospheric pressure until activation, which means agent condition is not dependent on maintaining a pressure seal over years of storage — a key reliability advantage for Class D units that may sit in standby for extended periods.
• Field Recharge Capability: After any discharge, the MX-I-30-G can be recharged on-site by a certified technician. Replace the nitrogen cartridge, refill with fresh MET-L-X agent, and the unit is back in service without shop equipment.
• Metal Cartridge Guard Option: A field-installable metal cartridge guard is available as a distributor option on the 30 lb model, protecting the nitrogen cartridge from physical damage in harsh industrial environments.
• 12-Year Limited Warranty: The Red Line series carries Ansul's 12-year limited warranty from the date of delivery to the original end-user purchaser.

The MX-I-30-G is specified for facilities where Class D combustible metal fires involving magnesium, titanium, zirconium, or alkali metals are a credible hazard:

• Magnesium Machining and Die Casting: Metalworking operations producing fine magnesium chips, shavings, or dust — the most common Class D fire hazard in manufacturing. Fine magnesium particles ignite easily and burn intensely.
• Titanium Fabrication: Aerospace and medical device manufacturing where titanium machining produces fine swarf with Class D ignition potential.
• Zirconium Processing: Nuclear fuel fabrication, specialty chemical production, and other operations handling zirconium in finely divided form.
• Alkali Metal Laboratories and Processing: Facilities storing or processing sodium, potassium, or sodium-potassium alloys where contact with air or moisture creates fire and explosion risk.
• Underground Mining: Salt mines and other mineral operations where the Red Line's rugged construction and field recharge capability are valued.

The MX-I-30-G follows standard NFPA 10 cartridge-operated extinguisher maintenance requirements with additional considerations for the specialized Class D agent:

• Monthly Visual Inspection: Verify the nitrogen cartridge safety seal is intact, the pull pin is in place, and the unit shows no signs of physical damage or corrosion. Confirm the extinguisher is in its designated location and the inspection tag is current.
• Annual Maintenance: A certified technician must inspect the nitrogen cartridge, verify MET-L-X agent condition (check for caking or moisture contamination), inspect the hose and nozzle, and confirm all seals and components are serviceable. Document on the inspection tag.
• 6-Year Internal Examination: Full internal inspection per NFPA 10 including agent removal, cylinder interior inspection, and component replacement as needed. Recharge only with Ansul-approved MET-L-X dry powder agent — do not substitute any other dry chemical or dry powder agent.
• 12-Year Hydrostatic Test: The carbon steel agent tank must undergo hydrostatic pressure testing per NFPA 10 and DOT requirements.

Why can't I use a standard ABC extinguisher on a magnesium fire?

Standard monoammonium phosphate (ABC) dry chemical agents contain moisture and react unpredictably with burning combustible metals. More critically, water-based agents and CO2 can cause violent reactions with burning magnesium, sodium, and potassium — including explosive steam generation and splattering of burning material. MET-L-X is specifically formulated to suppress these fires without triggering secondary reactions.

What is the difference between MET-L-X and LITH-X?

MET-L-X is a sodium chloride-based dry powder effective on magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, potassium, and sodium-potassium alloy fires. LITH-X is a graphite-based dry powder formulated specifically for lithium and lithium alloy fires, and is also effective on zirconium, titanium, and sodium-potassium. If your primary hazard is lithium metal, specify the LX-I-30-G (LITH-X) model. If your primary hazard is magnesium, titanium, or alkali metals other than lithium, MET-L-X is the correct agent.

Does the 30 lb model offer a significant advantage over the 20 lb model?

Yes, for environments where larger quantities of combustible metal are processed. A larger metal fire involving substantial metal mass requires more agent to achieve full suppression and prevent re-ignition. The 30 lb model's additional agent volume and 25-foot effective range provide the operator with more capacity to address a larger fire before it is reached, and more time to ensure full coverage of the burning material with sufficient agent depth.