Fire Extinguisher Info
- Thread starter creep
- Start date
Bringing this back up because I still need to buy some.
Is the Amerex unit still acceptable for home use or is there a better option now?
Has anyone else bought this and had the seal issue?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CMUN4RM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Is the Amerex unit still acceptable for home use or is there a better option now?
Has anyone else bought this and had the seal issue?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CMUN4RM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
All I have in my home, garage and shed are Amerex and couldn't be happier. I purchased them after getting into this thread and have had 2 occasions to use them because my neighbors didn't have anything and called for help. Once was a 5lber like the one you linked to and the other a 20lber. I purchased mine from Zoro around this time of year and their discounted price was cheaper than anywhere else including Amazon.
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welder4956
Well-known member
Somehow I missed this awesome thread. Anyone know what happened to the OP? Looks like last activity was in 2016.
I have not used an extinguisher in years but recall some are really messy. I have a few, but recently bought a couple of Tundra spray cans as a less messy first resort to a small fire. The newer versions of halon are clean, but expensive. I have one in one of my cars, but I can’t buy $100 extinguishers for everywhere and that type does not work well for all all fires.
sz0k30
Well-known member
Well guys,
I was watching one of my cars shows recently and they had a segment about a fire extinguisher. Specifically the "Element" fire extinguisher. I've never seen one like it. Didn't look anything like a typical extinguishers that have been around forever. It looks like a flare?
So I looked online, elementfire.com and found some great info including a segment and demo on Jay Leno's Garage.
Great around cars cause it leaves no residue, is small, you can breath around it, longer use time. It fights all classes of fires including: A, B, C and K.
Got it a couple of days ago and it looks pretty slick.
Hope its as good as its made out to be and I'm surprised I really haven't seen it before. Even my retired fireman buddy has never heard of it.
I was watching one of my cars shows recently and they had a segment about a fire extinguisher. Specifically the "Element" fire extinguisher. I've never seen one like it. Didn't look anything like a typical extinguishers that have been around forever. It looks like a flare?
So I looked online, elementfire.com and found some great info including a segment and demo on Jay Leno's Garage.
Great around cars cause it leaves no residue, is small, you can breath around it, longer use time. It fights all classes of fires including: A, B, C and K.
Got it a couple of days ago and it looks pretty slick.
Hope its as good as its made out to be and I'm surprised I really haven't seen it before. Even my retired fireman buddy has never heard of it.
That's very cool! Thanks for the info.
I wonder if anyone here has any experience with these?
I can use them on the buggy in my avatar instead of the usual style.
olytdi
Well-known member
Really interesting that it relies on developing a "cloud" around the fire, almost like it's got some sort of gaseous viscosity.
What I wonder though, is how it would work in a windy situation. Think car fire outside in the wind.
Well...had I done a little more research before posting...
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rlitman
Well-known member
After watching two videos about the Element, the first thing that comes to mind is there’s no way I’d buy something that forces me to put my face that close into a fire. Had I faced the same fire at my neighbors with that toy, his deck and side of his house would have been fully involved before the FD could have shown up (and they’re only three blocks away), and I could have done nothing.
Having seen numerous real car fires, that mock up is BS. It’s looks like some spilled lighter fluid that they took a match to. Not an actual vehicle fire. Notice how the tires were safely slashed? Ever see a tire explode?
That being said, I wonder if it would work well on chimney fires? Maybe it has some uses, if you can set off several at the same time.
Having seen numerous real car fires, that mock up is BS. It’s looks like some spilled lighter fluid that they took a match to. Not an actual vehicle fire. Notice how the tires were safely slashed? Ever see a tire explode?
That being said, I wonder if it would work well on chimney fires? Maybe it has some uses, if you can set off several at the same time.
olytdi
Well-known member
I may pick up one of those Elements for the car. Couldn't hurt and is certainly better than nothing and I think they're probably effective in closed quarter.
In the mean time, I picked up two 5 pound Amerex 3A, 40B/C extinguishers for $95 delivered from Zoro. Will replace the two 3 pound First Alerts I've had hanging for 10 years now...
In the mean time, I picked up two 5 pound Amerex 3A, 40B/C extinguishers for $95 delivered from Zoro. Will replace the two 3 pound First Alerts I've had hanging for 10 years now...
Fix Until Broke
Well-known member
Kicking this excellent thread back up...Looking to get a few ABC units to keep in my vehicles and wondering about the range of temperatures that these are good for?
Inside the cabin of a car it can get really hot and really cold - are there certain models/designs/brands that handle this better than others? Any vehicle application specific things to watch out for?
Inside the cabin of a car it can get really hot and really cold - are there certain models/designs/brands that handle this better than others? Any vehicle application specific things to watch out for?
ken275
Active member
Most standard ABC extinguishers are rated for -40 to 120 degrees. Even here in the Florida heat we don't have any problems with vehicle mounted extinguishers. I would suggest to get a vehicle or strap type bracket to mount it. I see more damaged extinguishers from being kicked under a seat or rolling around. If your buying a new extinguisher you can order it with the bracket for a couple extra dollars.
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Fix Until Broke
Well-known member
Good to hear - The Amerex B417T seems to be the one I'm narrowing in on for vehicle use. Will probably get some 5lb ones for the house/garage.
ken275
Active member
Anything amerex is top quality. The 417t 2.5# extinguishers come standard with a vehicle bracket.
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ken275
Active member
For the 5# amerex look for a 402. Its the same size as a 500 but has a higher rating.
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XJlimitedx99
New member
Poppin' in to give this thread a bump because it has gotten me reading about extinguishers for a couple days. I will be purchasing some new ones here shortly.
I've had a 2.5 lb First Alert in my Jeep for years. Have never touched it. I checked it out yesterday; still charged and powder still moves inside of it. The 2.5 lb in the kitchen of my apartment, however, appears to be caked solid. Lord knows how long its been hanging there.
I'm looking at picking up some Amerex's. Likely a 5 lb and 10 lb ABC. I really want to go Halotron or C02 in the Jeep (would also keep the ABC), but the price/rating steers me away. Here is a summary of the rating/prices I've been looking at:
B456 -- 10 lb ABC, --- 4A:80B:C, ~$65
B402 --- 5 lb ABC, --- 3A:40B:C, ~$60
B500 --- 5 lb ABC, --- 2A:10B:C, ~$50
B417 - 2.5 lb ABC, --- 1A:10B:C, ~$40
322 ---- 5 lb C02, --------- 5B:C, ~$170
B386 --- 5 lb Halotron, ---- 5B:C, ~$205
B355 --- 5 lb Halon 1211, 10B:C, ~$500
For the price/fire suppression capability, I'm having a hard time justifying C02 or a clean chemical. If this was a restored collectible vehicle I would be more inclined to go with something less corrosive than dry chemical, but for a Jeep I think ABC is the correct choice.
Other topic: I also am interested in picking up a water can for the garage. I do a fair amount of welding/grinding, and I do not have running water out there. I would like something that I can easily deploy that is less aggressive than a dry chemical extinguisher. The only common size I see for water extinguishers is 2.5 gal. Amerex does have a 1.75 gal "mist" option, as well as 6 L (~1.58 gal) options that are class K.
Here is what I'm seeing for water can options:
240 ---- 2.5 gal water, ----- 2A, -- ~$110 - 55 second spray, ~50 ft stream
B270 - 1.75 gal water mist, 2A:C, ~$155
B272 -- 2.5 gal water mist, 2A:C, ~$250
I'm inclined to go with the B270 for its lower price, smaller size, and less aggressive spray than the 240. I'm picturing a situation where my trash barrel or roll of shop towels goes up from grinding sparks or weld spatter. I don't want a powerful stream that could blast a burning object across my small garage. I need something to control small nuisance fires. If I am in a situation where the nuisance fire has escalated to more than a nuisance, I will be reaching for the 10 lb ABC next to the exit.
Are there any other options I am seeing for water cans that are less substantial than these units? Something more than the spritz bottle of water that I currently use and less than the B270.
I've had a 2.5 lb First Alert in my Jeep for years. Have never touched it. I checked it out yesterday; still charged and powder still moves inside of it. The 2.5 lb in the kitchen of my apartment, however, appears to be caked solid. Lord knows how long its been hanging there.
I'm looking at picking up some Amerex's. Likely a 5 lb and 10 lb ABC. I really want to go Halotron or C02 in the Jeep (would also keep the ABC), but the price/rating steers me away. Here is a summary of the rating/prices I've been looking at:
B456 -- 10 lb ABC, --- 4A:80B:C, ~$65
B402 --- 5 lb ABC, --- 3A:40B:C, ~$60
B500 --- 5 lb ABC, --- 2A:10B:C, ~$50
B417 - 2.5 lb ABC, --- 1A:10B:C, ~$40
322 ---- 5 lb C02, --------- 5B:C, ~$170
B386 --- 5 lb Halotron, ---- 5B:C, ~$205
B355 --- 5 lb Halon 1211, 10B:C, ~$500
For the price/fire suppression capability, I'm having a hard time justifying C02 or a clean chemical. If this was a restored collectible vehicle I would be more inclined to go with something less corrosive than dry chemical, but for a Jeep I think ABC is the correct choice.
Other topic: I also am interested in picking up a water can for the garage. I do a fair amount of welding/grinding, and I do not have running water out there. I would like something that I can easily deploy that is less aggressive than a dry chemical extinguisher. The only common size I see for water extinguishers is 2.5 gal. Amerex does have a 1.75 gal "mist" option, as well as 6 L (~1.58 gal) options that are class K.
Here is what I'm seeing for water can options:
240 ---- 2.5 gal water, ----- 2A, -- ~$110 - 55 second spray, ~50 ft stream
B270 - 1.75 gal water mist, 2A:C, ~$155
B272 -- 2.5 gal water mist, 2A:C, ~$250
I'm inclined to go with the B270 for its lower price, smaller size, and less aggressive spray than the 240. I'm picturing a situation where my trash barrel or roll of shop towels goes up from grinding sparks or weld spatter. I don't want a powerful stream that could blast a burning object across my small garage. I need something to control small nuisance fires. If I am in a situation where the nuisance fire has escalated to more than a nuisance, I will be reaching for the 10 lb ABC next to the exit.
Are there any other options I am seeing for water cans that are less substantial than these units? Something more than the spritz bottle of water that I currently use and less than the B270.
LeeG
Well-known member
I have the 240. Since I can refill it myself, I am not shy about using it, nor do I have to worry about it being empty if I need it. It is also nice to be able to practice.
I keep a 10lb ABC next to the door between the house and the garage, and a 2.5lb ABC on my welding cart. I have the 240 on one side of the garage door and 15lb Type B (331) on the other side of the garage door. I also have a fire blanket.
Even though it isn't required, I get all my extinguishers professionally serviced about every 2 years. I want them to work when I need them.
I keep a 10lb ABC next to the door between the house and the garage, and a 2.5lb ABC on my welding cart. I have the 240 on one side of the garage door and 15lb Type B (331) on the other side of the garage door. I also have a fire blanket.
Even though it isn't required, I get all my extinguishers professionally serviced about every 2 years. I want them to work when I need them.
Great thread!
I was at a vehicle fire where we went thru 7 fire Extinguisher only to have the fire start again. I've also be around several smaller fires, when they just need to be knocked down.
I've several 5lbs at the house, 2 in the horsepower trailer, and 2 in the shop.
In my Vehicles I've a an ABC 2.5
However, I am posting because I've become a Huge Fan of also having a FireAde in the vehicle, house and trailer. Much safer to deploy.
I was at a vehicle fire where we went thru 7 fire Extinguisher only to have the fire start again. I've also be around several smaller fires, when they just need to be knocked down.
I've several 5lbs at the house, 2 in the horsepower trailer, and 2 in the shop.
In my Vehicles I've a an ABC 2.5
However, I am posting because I've become a Huge Fan of also having a FireAde in the vehicle, house and trailer. Much safer to deploy.
.
lml999
Well-known member
Hope you never need to find out how awesome it is!
Glad I ran across this thread. Last week while in my shop making plates for leveling feet to go on a couple HF tool chests, a spark from the welder ignited a 20gal plastic tub with about 3” of used motor oil in it. (I’d sprayed them with brake cleaner over the tub about 30min before) 
Thankfully, I’d bought a couple of Amerex B456 extinguishers in 2014 thanks to the Zoro thread on this forum. Thanks to the Good Lord I was able to get the welding gloves off quickly and go grab the extinguisher, and a quick pulse of the handle, “****”, put it right out.
I was shaking so bad I couldn’t weld the nut on the next plate for about 10min later.
I’ll be buying 3 more of those extinguishers very soon for the new house build we recently moved into.
As a teenager, a stupid mistake caught myself on fire with gasoline. Spent 6 weeks in burn unit and brought home skin grafts on my inner thighs. Ever since then I’ve been VERY conscious of potential fire hazards, and in the 30 years since then I’ve never had something flame up that a couple stomps wouldn’t put out. Still, accidents CAN happen, and I am so thankful to the Lord that I had an extinguisher handy that night.
Thankfully, I’d bought a couple of Amerex B456 extinguishers in 2014 thanks to the Zoro thread on this forum. Thanks to the Good Lord I was able to get the welding gloves off quickly and go grab the extinguisher, and a quick pulse of the handle, “****”, put it right out.
I was shaking so bad I couldn’t weld the nut on the next plate for about 10min later.I’ll be buying 3 more of those extinguishers very soon for the new house build we recently moved into.
As a teenager, a stupid mistake caught myself on fire with gasoline. Spent 6 weeks in burn unit and brought home skin grafts on my inner thighs. Ever since then I’ve been VERY conscious of potential fire hazards, and in the 30 years since then I’ve never had something flame up that a couple stomps wouldn’t put out. Still, accidents CAN happen, and I am so thankful to the Lord that I had an extinguisher handy that night.
Local buy and sell has "Badger 11lb. Clean Agent Halotron" for $200 each
A mix of "original mfg. 2015" and "original mfg. 2012 6year done in 2020"
Is this appealing for residential 2car?
Halon because of its composition is unlikely to plug up or otherwise fail. My thought would be to use one of these in as-recieved (this is to say, expired) condition as I'm not sure anyone locally works with the stuff.
Grinding is probably my biggest risk. There is some N/g heating.
I'm very conscious of fire as the walls are lined with painted 1950's low density 5/8" fibre board. (!!)
Plan long term (I moved in 3rd week in September, only to get laid off) is to replace the upper half with drywall, and cover the lower half with metal roofing, but budget concerns mean that may not happen for ~10 mo.
So I set out tonight to shop for a fire extinguisher. Where I was renting we had some exprired's I left behind. And I probably needed them less.
Out of curiosity, can water have some form of antifreeze added to it? Eg, Evan's coolant? (I'm in Canada, and do let the garage drop down to outdoor temps when I am not in it.
A mix of "original mfg. 2015" and "original mfg. 2012 6year done in 2020"
Is this appealing for residential 2car?
Halon because of its composition is unlikely to plug up or otherwise fail. My thought would be to use one of these in as-recieved (this is to say, expired) condition as I'm not sure anyone locally works with the stuff.
Grinding is probably my biggest risk. There is some N/g heating.
I'm very conscious of fire as the walls are lined with painted 1950's low density 5/8" fibre board. (!!)
Plan long term (I moved in 3rd week in September, only to get laid off) is to replace the upper half with drywall, and cover the lower half with metal roofing, but budget concerns mean that may not happen for ~10 mo.
So I set out tonight to shop for a fire extinguisher. Where I was renting we had some exprired's I left behind. And I probably needed them less.
Out of curiosity, can water have some form of antifreeze added to it? Eg, Evan's coolant? (I'm in Canada, and do let the garage drop down to outdoor temps when I am not in it.
rlitman
Well-known member
That 11lb halotron (halotron is NOT halon, but I guess it's close enough for our purposes here) carries a 1A:2BC rating. The same as a 2.5lb tiny extinguisher. That's not going to do a whole lot on fiber board. You might want to look at a 5lb drychem instead.
At 100%, perhaps, but diluted 50/50, probably not. I'd suggest using PG (not alcohol based) RV antifreeze diluted with water.
At the strength recommended to prevent freezing in a car, Evans will burn above 240F if a flame source is present. Apparently all glycol based coolants including those containing water will self ignite at about 725F. Probably diluting further reduces this problem but also reduces the freeze protection. I have fire protection sprinkler systems at a couple of properties that aI believe have some kind of antifreeze in the pipes to protect against furnace-failure related freezing but a lot of water would be followingif that mix sprayed out.
Attachments
OK, based on deciding a 4A:80B:C was a comparision standard I would use, I thought I'd share my shopping, for the Canadian readers here. I found Ansul Sentry for CDN$155 or 163, Amerex b456 aluminum valve for CDN$126 with shipping risk (Amazon, reviews appear to show a lot get damaged). Brass valve Amerex b441 basically not available locally that I've found, and shipping is just too much.
FYI Kidde "Pro" (still 20 dry chem lbs but rated 4A:60B:C) at HomeDepot is CDN$99, and StrikeFirst (?) is $105 at a local industrial safety store with a good rep.
FYI Kidde "Pro" (still 20 dry chem lbs but rated 4A:60B:C) at HomeDepot is CDN$99, and StrikeFirst (?) is $105 at a local industrial safety store with a good rep.
Bumping this thread again for all the good info. I’m looking at adding a water mist extinguisher to my home shop. If you look at anything for the UK they recommend water mist for ABC and small K fires. I like the idea of limited mess in an enclosed shop. Unfortunately the best deal on a 2.5 gallon is from Buckeye, which is identified as **** in the first post. For $160 plus tax and it appears to ship full with the deionized water I may give it a shot anyway. The Amerex is $263 and ships empty, the deionized water is $50 per shot.
www.zoro.com
Buckeye Fire Equipment Fire Extinguisher, 2A:C, Water Mist, 2.5 lb 51000 | Zoro
Order Buckeye Fire Equipment Fire Extinguisher, 2A:C, Water Mist, 2.5 lb, 51000 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.
www.zoro.com
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