30LB Ansul Redline Cartridge (Plus Fifty Dry Chemical)

The Ansul Red Line RL-BC-30-G is a 30 lb cartridge-operated hand-portable fire extinguisher charged with PLUS-FIFTY C (sodium bicarbonate) dry chemical agent. Rated 80-B:C, it is built for high-hazard industrial environments where Class B flammable liquid and Class C electrical fires are the primary risk — fuel loading racks, chemical plants, mining operations, oil pumping stations, heavy construction sites, and paint lockers where a reliable, high-capacity BC unit needs to be on hand.

The RL-BC-30-G is part of the Red Line cartridge-operated family — the premium portable firefighting line trusted by safety directors worldwide in chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, mining, aviation, and power generation industries. Unlike stored-pressure units where agent and propellant share the same cylinder, the Red Line's cartridge-operated design stores the nitrogen propellant separately. This means the agent tank is at atmospheric pressure until activation, which provides superior long-term reliability in demanding environments and makes on-site recharge straightforward without shop pressurization equipment.

PLUS-FIFTY C Agent and BC Suppression

PLUS-FIFTY C is sodium bicarbonate dry chemical — a proven BC agent that suppresses Class B flammable liquid and Class C electrical fires by disrupting the chemical chain reaction in the flame zone. When discharged, the agent rapidly knocks down flame on gasoline, fuel oil, solvents, and other flammable liquid fires, and its non-conductive properties make it safe for use on energized electrical equipment.

Compared to Purple K (potassium bicarbonate), PLUS-FIFTY C is less effective per pound on Class B fires but is a cost-effective, widely available agent for BC applications where Purple K's higher suppression density is not required. Both agents are BC-only — neither suppresses Class A ordinary combustible fires. For mixed-hazard environments where Class A coverage is also needed, the FORAY (ABC) version of the RL-30-G is the correct specification.

Red Line Platform Features

• Carbon Steel Shell: The tough carbon steel cylinder resists impact, vibration, and corrosion. Special polyester powder paint provides superior protection against cracking and chipping — a meaningful advantage in the harsh environments where the Red Line is deployed.
• Cartridge-Operated Reliability: Every moving part on the Red Line is accessible for maintenance inspection. Simple and safe to operate. The separated propellant design prevents the slow pressure loss over time that can affect stored-pressure units in long standby deployments.
• Field Recharge: After any discharge, the unit can be recharged on-site by a certified technician. Replace the nitrogen cartridge, refill with PLUS-FIFTY C 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 tough industrial environments.
• 12-Year Limited Warranty: Ansul's 12-year limited warranty from date of delivery to the original end-user purchaser.

The RL-BC-30-G is specified for high-hazard environments where Class B and C fires are the dominant credible hazard:

• Fuel Loading Racks and Storage Areas: Petroleum terminals, fuel depots, and transfer stations where flammable liquid spills are the primary fire risk.
• Oil Pumping Stations and Production Lines: Oil and gas facilities where high-volume BC suppression needs to be immediately accessible.
• Chemical and Petrochemical Plants: Process areas with flammable solvent and chemical hazards requiring high-capacity portable BC protection.
• Mining Equipment: Underground and surface mining operations where Red Line's rugged construction and field recharge capability are essential — the unit can be recharged at remote mine sites without returning to a service shop.
• Heavy Construction Sites: Equipment fueling areas and generator rooms on large construction projects where flammable fuel fires are the primary hazard.
• Paint Lockers and Coating Operations: Facilities storing flammable paints and solvents where an 80-B:C rated unit provides meaningful Class B coverage.
• Trucks, Buses, and Fleet Vehicles: USCG approved with the proper bracket for marine vessels. Also suitable for fleet vehicle mounting in high-hazard transport applications.

To maintain NFPA 10 compliance, the RL-BC-30-G must follow a documented maintenance schedule:

• Monthly Visual Inspection: Verify the nitrogen cartridge safety seal is intact, the pull pin is in place and the tamper seal is unbroken, and the unit is in its designated location. Confirm inspection tags are current and the hose and nozzle are free of damage or obstruction.
• Annual Maintenance: A certified technician must inspect all components — every moving part on the Red Line is designed to be accessible for this purpose. Verify nitrogen cartridge condition, check hose assembly, and confirm PLUS-FIFTY C agent has not packed. 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 PLUS-FIFTY C dry chemical.
• 12-Year Hydrostatic Test: The carbon steel agent tank must undergo hydrostatic pressure testing per NFPA 10 and DOT requirements to verify structural integrity.

What is the difference between PLUS-FIFTY C and Purple K?

Both are BC dry chemical agents that suppress Class B and C fires. Purple K (potassium bicarbonate) is approximately twice as effective per pound as PLUS-FIFTY C (sodium bicarbonate) on flammable liquid fires — a 30 lb Purple K unit carries a higher B:C rating than a 30 lb PLUS-FIFTY C unit for the same agent volume. If your facility's primary hazard is large-scale flammable liquid fires where maximum suppression density matters, Purple K is the higher-performance choice. PLUS-FIFTY C is a proven, cost-effective alternative for BC applications where maximum per-pound efficiency is not the driving specification.

Can this unit cover Class A fires?

No. PLUS-FIFTY C is a BC-only agent and does not suppress Class A fires involving wood, paper, or ordinary combustibles. For environments where Class A, B, and C fires are all credible hazards, specify the FORAY (ABC) version — the Ansul Red Line RL-A-30-G — which uses monoammonium phosphate dry chemical and carries an A:B:C rating.

Why choose the Red Line over a standard stored-pressure BC extinguisher?

The Red Line's cartridge-operated design separates the agent from the propellant, eliminating the slow pressure loss that can affect stored-pressure units over years of standby in demanding environments. Every moving part is accessible for inspection at annual service. The unit can be recharged on-site in the field — at a remote mine site, offshore platform, or construction staging area — without requiring a service shop visit. For high-stakes industrial applications, these reliability and serviceability advantages justify the premium over stored-pressure alternatives.