What size fire Extinguisher???

SPIKER · Dec 31, 2003

Hi All;
I had a car fire about 2 monts ago, it was totaled but was junk anyways. it too fire dept about 15 min to respond by that time the car was nearly out. burnt everything that could for the most part. they managed to save the front licence plate was about it...

I had a 3 lb dry extinguisher which barely knocked down the fire and I've had lots of training (ex airforce mechanic on the crash team too) Halon was great at putting out the fires. didn't know they out lawed it.

anyhow I would keep at least 4 of the big units on hand like others said also if you're welding then keep water handy, (not for gas/oil fires though) also if you are working UNDER a car with heat then keep extra person with you as a fire spotter. (very easy to set off un seen fumes or rubber undercoating which you can not extinguish with out dirrect acess to the flames! (that is what kept burning on my car. the fuel fire went out. the rubber under coating didn't/wouldn't go out with the dry chem. as once it was/is burning it will flame back up faster than you can knock it down.) when it is UNDER SIDE burning then the heat spreads across the under surface VERY FAST.

Anyhow you can never be too safe!

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

zuiko · Jan 1, 2004

I would also be interested in knowing how temp affects the performance of them. Seems like when they are very cold (say 0 degrees) they wouldn't have as much pressure in them.

Where do you all get your fire extinguishers? I have a couple 10# ABC ones I got at Costco a few years ago but I'm not a member any more.

It would be also be good to have a couple water (type A only) ones around but I haven't seen those.

Also where do you get them recharged? I haven't had to do it yet since mine are still in the green zone and these are the first rechargable ones I've had.

Soundguy · Jan 1, 2004

I like that idea about the 10# minimum.. and an abc fire extinguisher. The idea of two of them is even better... perhaps one at each door, i'e, from the house, and outside.. that way someone running into the garage from outside, or inside the house has immediate access to an extinguisher.

I carry a fire extinguisher in my truck and on my tractor.... just never can tell when you will need one.

Soundguy

Bob_Skurka · Jan 1, 2004

In Indiana (or maybe just Lake County, IN?), for commercial buildings, we have to have a fire extinguisher at every door and no more than 75' apart around the perimeter of the building. If you have 2 doors side by side you only need one extinguisher adjacent to them. I know we are talking about a private structure in this thread, but if you apply the commercial code to a 25 by 36 pole barn and you measure the perimeter walls, you'd need a minimum of 2 extinguishes just to go around the perimeter assuming you had no doors. So, I guess I would error on the safe side and say for a detatched pole barn that is of moderate size 3 to 4 extinguishers are not unreasonable.

As for where to get them, you should be able to check the Home Depots and Lowes and find them there. You can also look in your phone book and find a fire equipment servicing company, they sell them and they recharge them too. Prices are lower at the home centers, just make sure you get one that can be recharged.

By the way, a 3# fire extinguisher will only shoot a blast of chemicals that lasts a few SECONDS before it runs out. You can probably put out a small kitchen fire in a few seconds if your wife burns the pot roast, but I would think you'd need considerably more time to put out a bunch of oily rags or any other type of workshop fire I can think of.

Dave___in___CT · Jan 1, 2004

( Hi all...

Hey... what's the coldest temperature a fire extinguisher can be stored at and still be functional ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Like in an unheated building or vehicle in winter...

What's a good type and size of extinguisher to have onboard a tractor ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks...

Dave... )

Any info. on this ?

Thanks...

Dave...

JDgreen227 · Jan 1, 2004

I carry a 1A10BC in all our vehicles and on my tractor, while I would prefer something larger space does not permit that. Your question of how cold an extinguisher is still functional at is a good one. One of my Kidde dry chemical models says on the tag: "Do not store at temperatures less than -40 degrees or greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit".

JDgreen227 · Jan 1, 2004

Bob,

My understanding is that the only fire extinguishers that should be recharged (cost effectively) are the type with metal handles and valves.

I could be wrong, but I was told by a building manager one time that the cheaper type that uses black plastic for the handle and valve need to have those parts replaced if recharged and it is less expensive to just buy a new one.

Can anyone confirm this?

Bob_Skurka · Jan 1, 2004

I can't speak for all manufactures of extinguishers, but when we buy them we make sure they can be refilled and every one of them has the metal top end. I just checked the one in my bedroom, it is a 20# First Alert brand and is rechargable. (I keep 3 extinguishers in the house)

By the way, the UL listing on the side says it is suitable for use at temperatures from -40 to +120 degrees and it is filled with compressed nitrogren (UN 1066)

frank_f15 · Jan 1, 2004

( I believe that there is an exception to the law for Halon use in computer rooms......

)

junkman i beleive that is a grandfather type thing. if it is an exsisting system it is ok, but new systems must use something else. halon along with refigerants such as R12 are now outlawed.

frank_f15 · Jan 1, 2004

all my extingushers are 20 lbs. dry chem, 2 in the house 2 in the garage. (course i got them for free) dry chem is a pup to clean up, but so is a burnt down house or garage. i recently had cause to use one of them(last saturday) my neighbor had a fire start in his drive way right next to garage. called FD and went over with extinguser, amazing how fast they run out, and this was a 20 pounder.another important thing is where the extinguser is! place it where u can get at it , mine for the basement is right at the bottom of stairs, the one for the main floor is actually in the bathroom closet., least likly rm in the house to have a fire , thus always accessible. REMEBER RULE #1 if u need an extinguser, if at all possible call FD first.