I bought Halon extinguishers for Computer Labs and Server Rooms before they took them off the market (suffocation hazard). I carried one in my work truck and finally got to use it. Snuffed a fully engulfed mobile home fire instantly. Most amazing.
Do fires extinguishers need to be shaken to prevent settling?
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kcflhrc
Veteran Member
Halon yes, will suffocate you but the reason it was taken off the market was Ozone depletion. CO2 will suffocate you too, any gas extinguisher is designed to remove oxygen from the air.
Halon was taken off the market due to ozone depletion.
There are more environmentally friendly versions available.
I have used halon in test conditions, several times. You only have to drop the oxygen level like 2% to put a fire out. You don't notice any difference in the air when you do that.
You have to be in a confined space, and discharge a substantial amount of halon, to have a risk of suffocation. Far more than it takes to put out a fire.
OP
sixdogs
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What is a good brand of extinguisher to get? We have mostly jumbo sized Badger and First Alert commercial versions and rated for all three fires but I forget that part.
I use an assortment of brands and sizes. Small ones for all vehicles, large ones for garage and several sizes for home and kitchen. I check the gauges frequently and make sure the powder is loose a couple times a year.
buickanddeere
Super Member
Dry Chem extinguishers need to be agitated .
The only real critical point, is to make sure it does not have a plastic valve. No one will refill a plastic valve extinguisher. And, it is more likely for the pressure to leak out over time.
The other thing to remember is, it's only too big, if you can't run with it.
Less than a 10lb extinguisher, (dry chem), is only good if you are right there, at the time and point of ignition.
A 10lb used properly, will give you one real good chance to put out an isolated fire that you have discovered. However, if it flares back up, (that's the part they don't tell you about), you will probably not have the power left to put it out again.
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buickanddeere
Super Member
I’ll grab a 2-1/2 gallon pressurized water extinguisher treated with a cupful of dish soap over any 10lb class B extinguisher.
4570Man
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A 2.5 gallon water fire extinguisher will put out a heck of a fire. If that won’t do the job you need a fire truck not a fire extinguisher.
