Fire preparedness and extinguishers

[ponytug]

Living in a rural area, we tend to take fire and fire risks very seriously. No fuel zones, gutter cleaning, keeping combustible materials away from buildings, etc.

We have a fire pump, numerous large dry powder extinguishers scattered around the ranch, and many garden hose type standpipes/hydrants with hoses and nozzles.

What we don't have are CO2 extinguishers for electrical fires; generators, etc. Anyone have tips on good sources for carbon dioxide extinguishers?

Thanks!

All the best,

Peter

 

[scootr]

Same situation here. I use ABC dry extinguishers. 1 in the garage, 1 in the shop, 2 on the tractor.

 

[ultrarunner]

I picked up some old CO2 years ago at West Oakland Salvage… they were bought as scrap metal.

Went to ACME Fire Extinguisher and all passed Hydro and had them put new nozzles and fill

Don’t know if I would do all that for one but for 5 it was worth it at the time.

I was told CO2 is a dirty gas?

Any similar high pressure cylinder for Oxygen, Nitrogen and similar can be converted.

I have a source on E tanks but not the right size for extinguishers duty being tall and narrow.

 

[ponytug]

I picked up some old CO2 years ago at West Oakland Salvage… they were bought as scrap metal.

Went to ACME Fire Extinguisher and all passed Hydro and had them put new nozzles and fill

Don’t know if I would do all that for one but for 5 it was worth it at the time.

I was told CO2 is a dirty gas?

Any similar high pressure cylinder for Oxygen, Nitrogen and similar can be converted.

I have a source on E tanks but not the right size for extinguishers duty being tall and narrow.

Thanks! I will check with them. Or maybe not as they don't exist anymore. Is that right?

(And poke around closer to home at the salvage shops, though most seem to have given up retail sales.)

I have lots of dry powder extinguishers, but for generators, and tractors, I would like CO2 to minimize the damage to the equipment.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

ACME has been around many decades based in the Fruitvale district of Oakland.

They should be able to give you cost information or maybe have used to sell?

I know it’s a drive from where you are and probably every city has similar.

AcmeFireUSA.com | Acme Fire Extinguisher Co. | Fire Safety Supplies Oakland

Call Now 510-532-4040. The most important aspect of fire safety and defense in a fire emergency is having working fire extinguishers present on site. We provide Products and Services in Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Walnut Creek, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin and Contra Costa County. Products &...

www.acmefireusa.com

 

[bigtiller]

Amazon sells them. 5lb. for $200.

Maybe your local fire department could direct you to a local distributer for a better deal?

 

[ultrarunner]

This vendor has pricing on 5, 10, 15 and 20lb CO2

Buckeye 5 lb. Carbon Dioxide BC Fire Extinguisher - Rechargeable - UL Rating 5-B:C

The Buckeye 45100 5 lb. carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is designed specifically for combating electronic equipment fires, making it ideal for businesses with sensitive electronics including manufacturing and research facilities, auto dealerships, aircraft and marine service centers and...

www.webstaurantstore.com

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

I just bought several new extinguishers primarily for marine use, sports car, and shop.

Dry chemical, being a mess to clean up after use, was a no-go, at least for the boat and car. CO2 extinguishers are roughly 2x the physical size of Halon of the same size rating was deemed less than ideal in the tight quarters of the boat and sports car. Halon is deemed bad for the environment and the gas is no longer manufactured, although new Halon extinguishers with reclaimed Halon gas are available, but not inexpensive. Some other "Halon-like" alternatives are also available. They are also pricey.

So, what to do?! I bought Halon for the boat and car, and first defense in the garage. Existing dry chemical extinguishers are also in the garage.

Oh, buy quality, refillable extinguishers. That likely rules out buying from a big box store. When needed, the cost of a quality extinguisher will quickly become a distant memory.

 

[ponytug]

I have used Halon, and "halon-lite" systems for work for many years. I still remember DuPont's original warehouse deluge ad. (So, yes, great marketing) I am tempted by the "noodle" type halon lite, e.g. the Blazecut T-300 types systems for some applications. It might work in the generator, but wouldn't work in the tractor.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ponytug]

This vendor has pricing on 5, 10, 15 and 20lb CO2

Buckeye 5 lb. Carbon Dioxide BC Fire Extinguisher - Rechargeable - UL Rating 5-B:C

The Buckeye 45100 5 lb. carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is designed specifically for combating electronic equipment fires, making it ideal for businesses with sensitive electronics including manufacturing and research facilities, auto dealerships, aircraft and marine service centers and...

www.webstaurantstore.com

Thanks, I priced them out, and the price is low, but the shipping adds up. They are my plan B at the moment.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

I checked Grainger National account with free freight on 99.5% of what they sell and the 5lb CO2 has a special $40 shipping charge... don't know if it drops combining but my cost there is $205 plus tax plus $40 and the kicker is back ordered to November :-(

 

[Thomas]

Also ABC Kidde yet to use any of 5 just knowing there ready good feeling.

 

[dstig1]

Find a local extinguisher company. It is a compressed gas cylinder so shipping will be ugly. I found a local guy here and asked for a couple CO2's for the same reason - less mess. He strongly pushed me away from them both due to cost and he said they can blow stuff around from the force of it and cause more problems like in a kitchen. I passed on CO2 at the time due to that but he sorted out my water and dry chem ones for me.

 

[newbury]

back ordered to November :-(

It's almost November.

 

[plowhog]

It's not at all applicable to the electric fires you mentioned, but I am a big fan of the Amerex 2.5 gallon water fire extinguishers around rural property.

I always carry them on outdoor equipment during fire season, and often use them to spray the perimeter of burn piles as I am burning to keep them in check. After using, just refill with water and pressurize to 100psi using your compressor. No visit needed to recharge .... you can recharge with your compressor ... but again ... not applicable for electrical.

Amazon.com

 

[ultrarunner]

It's almost November.

I would need to place order for up to date... the $40 shipping fee is a surprise as have not paid Grainger shipping in almost 20 years with the way the National Account is set up.

 

[groundcover]

Put a few ounces of this in your water extinguisher! Pretty impressive stuff !

F-500 Encapsulator Agent | Fire Suppression System

Explore our F-500 Encapsulator Agent, the only agent in the world that reduces exposure to toxins. Create a safer environment with fire safety services.

hct-world.com

 

[oosik]

Forty years ago I "made" my own firewood. Fell and split on site. Trailered the splits back to the wood shed. I always had a large ABC extinguisher there with my hydraulic splitter. My concern - hot exhaust from the splitter. Never had a problem but was prepared.