Fire extinguisher for the garage
- Thread starter bmwpower
- Start date
I'm not sure Halon is available anymore because of the CFC'S (damage to the ozone layer) I'm pretty sure there is a substitue but it might be costly. I have 2-15# dry chem extinguishers plus I'm plumbed for water in my garage. You can buy them about anywhere, Walmart, K-mart, probably most of your home improvment stores, and boat shops. I'd look in the yellow pages and find a fire extinquisher dealer and buy a couple that can be serviced. You should be able to find them for about $30-$40. The ones you'll find at Walmart, etc will most likely be a throw a way. It will be up to you to make sure they are inspected as long as they are on private property. Fire Departments usually do the inspections at commericial sites. Also they need to be inspected by the place you buy them (if you go with the fire extingusher dealer) every few years and then hydro tested like every 10 years. Call one of them up, I'm sure they can give you all the info you need.
MXtras
Well-known member
Co2 is a good choice. The dry chems can destroy the stuff that's not charred by the flames or ruined by the water - the agent is very corrosive.
Halon is out.
Most FD will inspect extinguishers for free. If you are doing lots of work in your garage, they will come out and give you a free inspection of your site, too and can make recommendations and provide lots of good info. THey aren't like the city or county - they can't force you to do anything - they are just there to help avoid an incident. They might just see something that you have just gotten used to looking at - it a good idea, in my opinion.
A Co2 extinguisher is easily identified by the large diameter discharge nozzle and is ABC rated (multi-purpose for the most part) It will handle most fires except for flammable metals like Ti and Magnesium - these are type K and require a special dry chemical extinguisher.
Scott
Halon is out.
Most FD will inspect extinguishers for free. If you are doing lots of work in your garage, they will come out and give you a free inspection of your site, too and can make recommendations and provide lots of good info. THey aren't like the city or county - they can't force you to do anything - they are just there to help avoid an incident. They might just see something that you have just gotten used to looking at - it a good idea, in my opinion.
A Co2 extinguisher is easily identified by the large diameter discharge nozzle and is ABC rated (multi-purpose for the most part) It will handle most fires except for flammable metals like Ti and Magnesium - these are type K and require a special dry chemical extinguisher.
Scott
I won't try to argue any facts about fire extinguishers but in my opinion a dry chem would be my choice. A CO2 would work but it's a cooling agent not a extinguishing agent. A CO2 is better on flamable liquids and electrical but not as good on paper, wood, or any other combustables. Yes dry chems do leave a residue when used but in my experience of 19 years in the fire service a dry chem is a all around better choice. Yes you will have a mess if something happens, water, smoke damage,etc. Hopefully you have a good insurance adjuster. So I'd suggest you go to a dealer and stay away from the throw a ways. Talk to them and get their recommendation.
Der Bugmeister
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2005
- Messages
- 445
Dry Chem is a corrosive agent and will damage surfaces where it alights, even if the fire was nowhere near it. Not great if you have a lot of electronics. Cleanup afterwards is messy, so it's not really something you want to be using for a small trashcan fire.
Neither CO2 nor Dry Chem have the penetrating power on wood that a water extinguisher has. Halon was definitely the thing to have, as it worked by displacing the oxygen effectively killing the fire. A pity that it turned out to be bad for the Ozone Layer and also produced toxic fumes at extreme temperatures.
You might want to consider having two extinguishers:
1. A water extinguisher for use on Class A fires (wood, paper, ordinary combustibles). Minimal mess, easy cleanup for the small fires. Just be aware that it must not be used on any fires involving liquids, like pools of oil or gas, as it will just splash the liquid and the fire into a larger area.
2. A CO2 (my preference) or Dry Chem extinguisher for Class B (Flammable Liquids, etc) fires.
Neither CO2 nor Dry Chem have the penetrating power on wood that a water extinguisher has. Halon was definitely the thing to have, as it worked by displacing the oxygen effectively killing the fire. A pity that it turned out to be bad for the Ozone Layer and also produced toxic fumes at extreme temperatures.
You might want to consider having two extinguishers:
1. A water extinguisher for use on Class A fires (wood, paper, ordinary combustibles). Minimal mess, easy cleanup for the small fires. Just be aware that it must not be used on any fires involving liquids, like pools of oil or gas, as it will just splash the liquid and the fire into a larger area.
2. A CO2 (my preference) or Dry Chem extinguisher for Class B (Flammable Liquids, etc) fires.
Never too much fire-fighting power
I have a total of Twelve 10-pound ABC fire extinguisher hung around my garages. One at each man door and garage door. I have an addition one in the higher-risk area of my TIG welder and EDM Machine along with a 5-pound extinguisher mounted to my rolling tool cabinet and welding tank card. I also never leave home without them. As a 10-pound ABC extinguisher mounted in my motor home and enclosed car hauler. Along with a 2 1/2-pound ABC extinguisher mounted each of my antique cars.
High quality refillable ABC dry powder fire extinguishers are the way to go and the larger the better. The smaller ones are only effective for a few seconds and recommend purchasing at least 5-pound or even 10-pound extinguishers. And don't rely on just one unit. Instead, buy several, and make sure they've got enough capacity to offer real protection. Remember that the ABC extinguisher may leave a mess when used; but it leaves far less damage than an out of control fire could do.
I have a total of Twelve 10-pound ABC fire extinguisher hung around my garages. One at each man door and garage door. I have an addition one in the higher-risk area of my TIG welder and EDM Machine along with a 5-pound extinguisher mounted to my rolling tool cabinet and welding tank card. I also never leave home without them. As a 10-pound ABC extinguisher mounted in my motor home and enclosed car hauler. Along with a 2 1/2-pound ABC extinguisher mounted each of my antique cars.
High quality refillable ABC dry powder fire extinguishers are the way to go and the larger the better. The smaller ones are only effective for a few seconds and recommend purchasing at least 5-pound or even 10-pound extinguishers. And don't rely on just one unit. Instead, buy several, and make sure they've got enough capacity to offer real protection. Remember that the ABC extinguisher may leave a mess when used; but it leaves far less damage than an out of control fire could do.
dink
Well-known member
Man and I thought just opening up the garage door was good enough of a fire extinguisher sheesh....guess I was wrong
stimpy
Well-known member
we have a 10 pound ABC every 25 foot in the shop , I have 2 10 pounders at home in the garage ,a 2 1/2 in the kitchen , I got mine at the fire extingusher place and have them refilled /inspected ( the powder compacts down in the bottle ) every 3 years (20 bucks per extingusher ) the kitchen one I replace every five ( I use the old one for practice, and tell your insurance agent for the discount too . ) IMO they are cheap insurance after having a freind who lost his whole garage to a fire because of a light fixture its worth using the ABC . you might ruin somethings but having to go thru an adjustment is a pain plus he lost 2 cars and his atvs (total loss was 50+ grand ) in the process .and don't forget to practice using one.(fire depts do have training )
ultgar
Well-known member
Post deleted - too much off topic
wienerwater
Active member
2-10 pound ABC'2 for me. Count out any water one, as they are not the best for gas/oil etc. I remember a kid throwing water on a kerosene fire....it floats on top and spreads the fire around. Halon was best in it's day for electrical rooms, removes the oxygen and kills the fire....and anyone in the room as well who wants to breathe while escaping.
It's all a personal choice, if it's a showroom or a workshop, since CO2 is nice and neat to clean up, but can't lay down a smothering layer on top of a fuel/solvent fire, if it gets too big.It removes the air and cools the source, but if the fire is hot enough (source) it will re-ignite.
Powder type is general in most garages, and as far as clean-up, that's why I have a shop vac and good insurance!
It's all a personal choice, if it's a showroom or a workshop, since CO2 is nice and neat to clean up, but can't lay down a smothering layer on top of a fuel/solvent fire, if it gets too big.It removes the air and cools the source, but if the fire is hot enough (source) it will re-ignite.
Powder type is general in most garages, and as far as clean-up, that's why I have a shop vac and good insurance!
What Ultgar posted sounded interesting.. I wish he didn't remove it.
The company he mentioned (Ansul, I believe) makes a clean alternative to the normal powder type:
https://www.ansul.com/Products/hand_portable/cleanguard.asp
Sounds like it might be something to have.
The company he mentioned (Ansul, I believe) makes a clean alternative to the normal powder type:
https://www.ansul.com/Products/hand_portable/cleanguard.asp
Sounds like it might be something to have.
MXtras
Well-known member
He said he removed it because he felt it was too far off-topic? I didn't think it was off-topic at all. The thread is about fire extinguishers - he had posted something very relevant and I agree that he should have left it. He showed another extinguishing option, right?
Scott
Scott
ultgar
Well-known member
I removed it because the topic of this thread is "fire extinguishers" . The Ansul Inergen "system" I referred to in the cancelled post was a bit on the costly side and the last thing I want to do is scare people away from extinguishers, detectors and other low cost (and effective) solutions for their home garages.
For some of the larger garages that I work on, the municipal building offices won't accept the building plans without a pre-approved fire protection system. I engaged the sales manager from Ansul to design and spec a clean agent system for a subterranean garage project. SD
For some of the larger garages that I work on, the municipal building offices won't accept the building plans without a pre-approved fire protection system. I engaged the sales manager from Ansul to design and spec a clean agent system for a subterranean garage project. SD
Johns57
Active member
Trucks, on Spike TV, recently spoke about a product called Cold Fire. Mix it yourself, put in a fire extinguisher and use compressed air to charge. If charge decreases over time, just add more compressed air. He demonstrated the product by lighting a rag with gas or kerosene and then spraying it. Fire would not re-ignite when flame was again added and the burnt rag was not hot. Said the product was use by fire depts. and the US Forestry Service. Also comes in an aerosol can for small fires...carberators or kitchens. Just another thought.
the intimidator
Well-known member
Johns57 said:
i saw that too do you happen to have a link it looked like it would work good on smaller grease and gas fires i wanted to try it out but i cant find a link now lol
i have 2 5lb abc extinguashers in my garage and a smaller 1 or 2lb unit rite beside my welding cart i think i am pretty well coverd for most small stuff i doo have a lot of flamables in my garage though do you guys think i should get a 10lb unit to go along with my other ones? thanks
