What is a good fire extinguisher to use?
- Thread starter gnx547
- Start date
metal1313
Well-known member
find a local place that provides/fills them. the ones at homedepot are ok, but loose their charge after a few years and then you have to buy a new one, the local places service them and recharge them and it will be cheaper in the long run. also you prop want a few depending on how large your shop it
Indy_500
Well-known member
my dad gets a free one every year from his work, so i buy them at my daddy's work and they work good lol when u get a lot of em, sometimes they're fun to play with 
cowboy73
Well-known member
I would definitely buy an ABC type extenguisher. I think your local fire department could recommend the best size to purchase for the size of garage you have. It might be a good idea to purchase more than one and have them near the doors for easy access. Small ones can be had for around $20 a piece. Kidde is a popular brand.
kidde is not a good brand, we will not even recharge that brand. They loose pressure, which you normally do not find until you need to use it. Do a search for "fire extinguisher" or "fireguy"
redsky49
Well-known member
I would suggest that the brand would be secondary to type and size of the extinguisher, unless you are considering "Fred's Famous Fire Extinguishers" or some such off brand. Must be UL labeled though, meet NFPA 10, and be ANSI certified.
An ABC labeled extinguisher provides service in combustible materials such as wood, paper etc. (the A in the label); flammable liquids such as paint or oil (the B rating); as well as electrical items (the C).
For a 'first grab' extinguisher I would select an ABC labeled extinguisher. Capacities are the second item on the extinguisher label, and here I would go for at least a 40 rating (length of discharge time). This makes for a reasonably sized device that even women and children (who have been instructed in its use) can operate. Bigger is always better, to a point though.
The downside is that ABC, as well as BC extinguishers typically use a powder that, upon exposure to heat/flames, leave a mess on the fire fuel that is difficult to remove and varies from slightly to moderately corrosive.
There are several substitutes for the sodium bicarbonate extinguishers (Purple K, Foray, etc.) but they generally have the same drawbacks as soda extinguishers, though this is offset somewhat by their better performance.
If you have time to go for a specific extinguisher, and are qualified to use it properly, a CO2 extinguisher will work well on small BC fires, and will not leave any residue. The danger here is that the use of CO2 in an enclosed space may be dangerous due to displaced oxygen. Typically this is not a problem. They also produce severe cold that could damage skin if used improperly.
A step up in the world of extinguishers brings you into the halon substitutes. FM-200, Inergen, etc. are the some of the current names, though this is a still-evolving market due to to continuing regulation. This though, is what I would select for an in-car extinguisher, and would also select for a garage use for a small BC type fire - providing it was the appropriate choice! - liquids or electrical. These are expensive and generally provide less extinguishing power than standard extinguishers of the same size. They leave no mess however, and in the appropriate circumstances are the best choice.
The NFPA provides the direction in this area, along with the EPA and OSHA. Manufacturer's websites also offer plenty of additional information.
Another approach to consider is a residential "limited" sprinkler system. These are sprinklers installed as part of the residential domestic water system. It is possible (if approved locally) to sprinkle rather large garages, including those that might not even be heated (pre-action type systems). These function unattended so that any fire in your absence will be addressed. They can be installed for as low as $2.00 per square foot, and often result in an insurance cost reduction. Again, check the local AHJ for acceptance.
Bear in mind the old adage: "Sprinklers save buildings. Smoke detectors save lives". Be sure to cover all your bases.
Also be aware that water is great for extinguishing type A fires, but is usually the wrong choice for B and C fires.
Powder extinguishers can cake up and become non-functioning over time. Invert and shake on a regular basis to keep the material free in the extinguisher. Check the pressure gauge regularly. Annual inspections are generally required on commercial projects, and that surely wouldn't hurt for residential applications as well.
As always, offered only as opinion
An ABC labeled extinguisher provides service in combustible materials such as wood, paper etc. (the A in the label); flammable liquids such as paint or oil (the B rating); as well as electrical items (the C).
For a 'first grab' extinguisher I would select an ABC labeled extinguisher. Capacities are the second item on the extinguisher label, and here I would go for at least a 40 rating (length of discharge time). This makes for a reasonably sized device that even women and children (who have been instructed in its use) can operate. Bigger is always better, to a point though.
The downside is that ABC, as well as BC extinguishers typically use a powder that, upon exposure to heat/flames, leave a mess on the fire fuel that is difficult to remove and varies from slightly to moderately corrosive.
There are several substitutes for the sodium bicarbonate extinguishers (Purple K, Foray, etc.) but they generally have the same drawbacks as soda extinguishers, though this is offset somewhat by their better performance.
If you have time to go for a specific extinguisher, and are qualified to use it properly, a CO2 extinguisher will work well on small BC fires, and will not leave any residue. The danger here is that the use of CO2 in an enclosed space may be dangerous due to displaced oxygen. Typically this is not a problem. They also produce severe cold that could damage skin if used improperly.
A step up in the world of extinguishers brings you into the halon substitutes. FM-200, Inergen, etc. are the some of the current names, though this is a still-evolving market due to to continuing regulation. This though, is what I would select for an in-car extinguisher, and would also select for a garage use for a small BC type fire - providing it was the appropriate choice! - liquids or electrical. These are expensive and generally provide less extinguishing power than standard extinguishers of the same size. They leave no mess however, and in the appropriate circumstances are the best choice.
The NFPA provides the direction in this area, along with the EPA and OSHA. Manufacturer's websites also offer plenty of additional information.
Another approach to consider is a residential "limited" sprinkler system. These are sprinklers installed as part of the residential domestic water system. It is possible (if approved locally) to sprinkle rather large garages, including those that might not even be heated (pre-action type systems). These function unattended so that any fire in your absence will be addressed. They can be installed for as low as $2.00 per square foot, and often result in an insurance cost reduction. Again, check the local AHJ for acceptance.
Bear in mind the old adage: "Sprinklers save buildings. Smoke detectors save lives". Be sure to cover all your bases.
Also be aware that water is great for extinguishing type A fires, but is usually the wrong choice for B and C fires.
Powder extinguishers can cake up and become non-functioning over time. Invert and shake on a regular basis to keep the material free in the extinguisher. Check the pressure gauge regularly. Annual inspections are generally required on commercial projects, and that surely wouldn't hurt for residential applications as well.
As always, offered only as opinion
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
redsky49
Well-known member
Cowboy73 makes an important point. Place your extinguishers near the exit points of your space.
redsky49
Well-known member
Maybe these threads should be merged?
mrholeshot
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I have 2 Amerex ABC in my garage along with a CO2 for engine fires. I keep a ABC and a Class D in my shop where I mill heads and use my lathe. I have Halon in the race car.
Griff93
Well-known member
Korsen has some good extinguishers. I have gotten the "pleasure" of getting to see one used to put out an engine fire that was rather exciting with about a 5 ft diameter pool of fire underneath it.
e-tek
Well-known member
What is a good fire extinguisher to use?
One that works......
One that works......
Smartass. j/k
I can't think of much that I would want to keep after hitting it with dry chemical, but if it keeps the house from burning down, great. All we have right now are a couple very old, but still in the green small Halon extinguishers, and a long hose on the water faucet at the front of the house.
I'd like to get a couple CO2, but hasn't risen to the top of the list yet.
Any practical alternatives to an extinguisher in the garage, bucket of sand etc?
I'd like to get a couple CO2, but hasn't risen to the top of the list yet.
Any practical alternatives to an extinguisher in the garage, bucket of sand etc?