Under what condition can a dry chemical agent be reused?

Reusing a dry chemical agent is acceptable only when it has been collected and stored in a sealed container. This ensures that the agent remains uncontaminated and retains its effectiveness, which are crucial for combating fires effectively. When stored properly, the agent can be preserved until it is needed again.

Collecting dry chemical agents from an extinguisher that has been used in an incident and placing them in a sealed container prevents exposure to moisture, dirt, or other contaminants that could compromise the agent's performance. Any of the other options do not provide the necessary conditions for the safe and effective reuse of dry chemical agents. For example, using dry chemical from a different extinguisher or if it remains in its original container does not ensure that the agent is uncontaminated or effective, while recycling would typically involve processing the agent in a way that might not guarantee its integrity for reuse. Therefore, storing in a sealed container is the only method that guarantees the continued efficacy of the dry chemical agent.