e-tek
Well-known member
I think it's TOTAL BS that you (anyone) wouldn't go back in - that's just silly talk. You (anyone) are gonna do what you can to save the place - I know I would. If you hadn't gone back in you would have lost everything.
Almost burned down my Garage
- Thread starter Iseman
- Start date
I think it's TOTAL BS that you (anyone) wouldn't go back in - that's just silly talk. You (anyone) are gonna do what you can to save the place - I know I would. If you hadn't gone back in you would have lost everything.
GSSFC
Well-known member
Ehh, that boat will be fine, it just needs some new carpet and it will be good as new.
You did remember Stabil didn't you?
In all seriousness, sorry to hear that, that *****. Lucky for you, it could have been A LOT worse!
Tim
You did remember Stabil didn't you?
In all seriousness, sorry to hear that, that *****. Lucky for you, it could have been A LOT worse!
Tim
Serves as a good reminder...
Mount your fire extinguishers near the exit doors. That way, you're already heading toward the exit. If you decide to go back and fight it that's up to you.
Also, as Junkman mentioned, remember that extinguishers need to be maintained.
Mount your fire extinguishers near the exit doors. That way, you're already heading toward the exit. If you decide to go back and fight it that's up to you.
Also, as Junkman mentioned, remember that extinguishers need to be maintained.
e-tek
Well-known member
I eluded to these stories in my post: Both shop fires I know about where sparks/welding near a gas tank. The last one burned up the guy bad. He was a LONG TIME race car builder, so therefore should have known better, but you can't see fumes - as the OP found out. Even with good ventilation!
Fhunter1
Active member
Very Lucky for you and the Pup! It could have been much worse.
While we are discussing Fire extinguishers, I wouldn't really know what I should have, but after this I hope there is someone on the board who can tell us what type to have an how many to protect out selves and out toys.
While we are discussing Fire extinguishers, I wouldn't really know what I should have, but after this I hope there is someone on the board who can tell us what type to have an how many to protect out selves and out toys.
The post above about turning dry chem fire extinguishers upside down and whacking the bottom with a rubber mallet is a good one. Another good habit to get into (to the extent that discharging fire extinguishers is a habit for anyone) is to whack the bottom of the fire extinguisher on the ground before discharging it. Tap it right on the bottom, on a hard surface, a few times before you squeeze the handle. It'll really help the powder loosen and discharge better.
E-Tek has a good idea about having an extinguisher close by. Unfortunatly I wasn't thinking about the possibility setting anything on fire. Now I know, in fact I always knew, that the fumes were flammable.
I had a "Type ABC" fire extinguisher, and it put the fire out immediately. I would highly reccommend getting this type. In fact I'm now going to mount one at each exit of my shop. A smart man learns from others mistakes, don't make the one I just did. Think Safety!!!
I had a "Type ABC" fire extinguisher, and it put the fire out immediately. I would highly reccommend getting this type. In fact I'm now going to mount one at each exit of my shop. A smart man learns from others mistakes, don't make the one I just did. Think Safety!!!
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Sounds like you got lucky on this one, as bad as it sounds, you were lucky indeed. I've seen worse fires start from less.
I don't advocate smacking an extingisher on the ground before you use it. Turning it upside down and shaking it once a month should be plenty. If you purchase a cheap one, plastic nozzle, it can not be serviced and has to be discarded after use. You can buy a decent one at any hardware store or DIY center. An ABC extingisher generally works for any home or garage.
You can have as big an extingisher as you want, but size does not matter if you can't use it properly.
If you have any doubts about using it, DON'T, get out and STAY OUT. Call your local FD or 911
If you feel comfortable using it, be calm.
Grab the pin and pull it, take the hose in one hand (generally the left.....right handed people) and grab the handle with the other.
Before you approach the fire, give the handle a quick burst to make sure it works properly.
Approach the fire, till you feel the heat, aim at the base of the fire and squeeze the handle and sweep the hose across the fire.
Once the fire is out, or the extingisher is empty, back away from the fire, DO NOT turn your back on the fire.
Call your local fire dept or 911
These are the instructions we give when we put on a fire extingisher demostration.
If you have any questions about using an extingisher, contact your local FD. They may offer some classes on extingisher usage.
I don't advocate smacking an extingisher on the ground before you use it. Turning it upside down and shaking it once a month should be plenty. If you purchase a cheap one, plastic nozzle, it can not be serviced and has to be discarded after use. You can buy a decent one at any hardware store or DIY center. An ABC extingisher generally works for any home or garage.
You can have as big an extingisher as you want, but size does not matter if you can't use it properly.
If you have any doubts about using it, DON'T, get out and STAY OUT. Call your local FD or 911
If you feel comfortable using it, be calm.
Grab the pin and pull it, take the hose in one hand (generally the left.....right handed people) and grab the handle with the other.
Before you approach the fire, give the handle a quick burst to make sure it works properly.
Approach the fire, till you feel the heat, aim at the base of the fire and squeeze the handle and sweep the hose across the fire.
Once the fire is out, or the extingisher is empty, back away from the fire, DO NOT turn your back on the fire.
Call your local fire dept or 911
These are the instructions we give when we put on a fire extingisher demostration.
If you have any questions about using an extingisher, contact your local FD. They may offer some classes on extingisher usage.
Rich1028
Well-known member
wow
sorry to read that this happened.
but glad it was not any worse than it was.
just a quick question...how big of a fire extingisher where you using?
I have two in my garage,and there both at the exits,but one is bigger than the other.
sorry to read that this happened.
but glad it was not any worse than it was.
just a quick question...how big of a fire extingisher where you using?
I have two in my garage,and there both at the exits,but one is bigger than the other.
VC-Racing
Well-known member
Excellent advice.
I would recommend anything anything 10 abc rating and above for a garage, however the larger the better, with the only draw back is cost for large extinguishers and the cost to maintain them.
I have (2) 10 BC rated extinguishers and (2) 2.5 gal water extinguishers which would be rated as A . I have one of each at the entry points of my building. The water extinguishers can be filled with water and pressurized with shop air, so there is no maintenance other than o-rings and maybe a replacement hose every few years.
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Coach James
Well-known member
I recently added a second extinguisher to my garage. I may now add a third.
My commercial building had it's first inspection from the fire marshall in ten years two years ago. The town got a new fire marshall and he took his job seriously, which is a good thing. The previous marshall was signing off that the inspections were being done when they weren't. That went on for over ten years.
The new marshall found six problems in my building, thankfully none major. I had to add some smoke detectors, move stuff away from a window, empty a closet, add two more emergency lights, put the building address on the building not just on the sign in front and get the extinguishers serviced. He was real good about giving us time to get it done as well. Now we're up to code and I am mighty glad we are.
Sorry that your boat is dmaged but A+ on saving the pup. He's a nice one!
Coach
My commercial building had it's first inspection from the fire marshall in ten years two years ago. The town got a new fire marshall and he took his job seriously, which is a good thing. The previous marshall was signing off that the inspections were being done when they weren't. That went on for over ten years.
The new marshall found six problems in my building, thankfully none major. I had to add some smoke detectors, move stuff away from a window, empty a closet, add two more emergency lights, put the building address on the building not just on the sign in front and get the extinguishers serviced. He was real good about giving us time to get it done as well. Now we're up to code and I am mighty glad we are.
Sorry that your boat is dmaged but A+ on saving the pup. He's a nice one!
Coach
keflaman
Well-known member
Needless to say, I'm just as happy as everyone else that all ended well in this situation.
The suggestions that static electricity may have been the culprit made me wonder if there is a way to ground the boat to prevent something like this from happening?
The suggestions that static electricity may have been the culprit made me wonder if there is a way to ground the boat to prevent something like this from happening?
I had a 10 ABC rated fire extinguisher. I'm going out Tuesday and getting 2 more. I might get a 20lb. I used all of the 10 on the boat. If I would have had a large gas fire the 10 would not have been enough.
The boat was all fiberglass and no way I can think of to ground the boat. What we do with aircraft is embed a wire mesh into the composite structure and ground the wire mesh. Works good, but no real need to provide a static bonding to a boat other than carpet static.
The boat was all fiberglass and no way I can think of to ground the boat. What we do with aircraft is embed a wire mesh into the composite structure and ground the wire mesh. Works good, but no real need to provide a static bonding to a boat other than carpet static.
keflaman
Well-known member
Yeah, I was thinking similar along the lines of filling gas cans and the need to set them on the ground to discharge any static buildup. Same with dust collection systems, they have grounding points don't they? And just today I noticed a large static buildup on the 2 1/2" hose of my shop vac.
Your incident has definitely raised my awareness regarding potential ignition sources.