pcmeiners
Well-known member
No I do not mean Halon alone, though I should have said halogen based gases.
Fire Extinguishers
- Thread starter T411
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WisJim
Well-known member
My last job was physical plant maintenance at a university, and in addition to HVAC maintenance, etc., I did monthly checks of all the fire extinguishers in the buildings that I was responsible for. We checked that the extinguishers were actually where they belonged and not blocked by something, and then checked the pressure on the dry chemical ones, and took them out and made sure we felt and heard the powder moving inside and gave them a couple of whallops on the bottom with a rubber mallet also. CO2 got weighed annually. All of them were taken in for servicing on the appropriate dates. I would typically find one or two dry chem units that lost pressure every year (out of maybe 100 to 120). I notice that often homeowners don't do anything with their extinguishers until they need it, and often they have lost pressure or the powder has hardened inside and nothing comes out when the extinguisher is use.
I have a couple ABC extinguishers around the house and garage, and a 5 pound CO2 by each door in the garage and shop.
I have a couple ABC extinguishers around the house and garage, and a 5 pound CO2 by each door in the garage and shop.
Rusted Nut
Well-known member
My two cents on fire extinguishers:
In the ‘80’s I drove long haul and stopped at quite a few vehicle fires. We were required to carry 10 lb extinguishers, I’ve seen several 10 lb extinguishers expended on vehicle fires that wind up fully burning anyway. Fortunately in one case we were able to get several occupants out of a burning vehicle, which is really the point of fire extinguishers.
If you’re trying to save your Classic car from complete destruction, you‘ll need at least a trio of 20 pounders, same for home/shop use. Fire blankets have their uses, but I’ve never figured out how your going to open the hood of a vehicle that has its engine on fire.
In the ‘80’s I drove long haul and stopped at quite a few vehicle fires. We were required to carry 10 lb extinguishers, I’ve seen several 10 lb extinguishers expended on vehicle fires that wind up fully burning anyway. Fortunately in one case we were able to get several occupants out of a burning vehicle, which is really the point of fire extinguishers.
If you’re trying to save your Classic car from complete destruction, you‘ll need at least a trio of 20 pounders, same for home/shop use. Fire blankets have their uses, but I’ve never figured out how your going to open the hood of a vehicle that has its engine on fire.
LopezBart
Well-known member
If you have a chance to take ERT or CERT team training, this often includes first aid and fire extinguisher use, among other things. The fire bit is fun, and you get to be familiar w/ a piece of equipment lots of people own and few people have ever used. Here's a photo of the instructor dowsing a gasoline (in a tray) fire out in the parking lot at my previous job in CA. There are a bunch of extinguishers ready for our class to use. The difference in results when aiming at the flames vs aiming at the base of the fire is very obvious (someone always aims at the flames).
I did someone like this with my family. We had several extinguishers expire so I set up an outdoor fire and had everyone take a turn using the extinguishers to put out the fire. Actually doing it is much different that thinking about it.If you have a chance to take ERT or CERT team training, this often includes first aid and fire extinguisher use, among other things. The fire bit is fun, and you get to be familiar w/ a piece of equipment lots of people own and few people have ever used. Here's a photo of the instructor dowsing a gasoline (in a tray) fire out in the parking lot at my previous job in CA. There are a bunch of extinguishers ready for our class to use. The difference in results when aiming at the flames vs aiming at the base of the fire is very obvious (someone always aims at the flames).
rlitman
Well-known member
Do not shake or hit your dry chemical extinguishers! This is an ancient and outdated practice that needs to die.
Back in the day (like 50+ years ago) when pressurized dry chemical extinguishers were a new idea, and were still charged with air, and filled with baking soda, the powder might cake. Nowadays, the siphon is going to be plastic, and the charge is going to be dry nitrogen. The powder does not cake up, and impact can separate the siphon from the valve. If the siphon breaks on the inside, no powder is going to come out!
What you do need to do in your monthly inspection of dry chem extinguishers is tap on the gauge. I've seen extinguishers with sticky gauges where the needle drops only after it's been flicked. So the gauge is showing green until you tap on it and realize that it's actually leaked. This is exactly why you need to inspect extinguishers monthly.
Outside of a grease fire in a kitchen, fire blankets are best for putting out a fire on a person. Stop, drop and roll works, but when you're covered in something that's burning, the blanket will make the roll part work a whole lot better. This thread reminded me that I could use a fire blanket around. Just bought two for $8.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
As to dry powder, once they start losing pressure I take them up to my unused attic and discharge them, nothing like an extra fire retardant up there.
Be careful with that thing in a "confined space". Discharge too much of it and you may find yourself on the floor taking a long nap. CO2 displaces the oxygen to extinguish the fire. You know what else besides the fire needs Oxygen ?I have a old 110 lb CO2 extinguisher on wheels someone gave me; it's charged and going into the shop. Dates from the 1970s. A bit more practical are the 10 lb ABC extinguishers (Kidee/First Alert/...) often available at Costco; remember to rotate them and feel the powder moving once a year to prevent powder from packing solid
That same goes for anybody else in a "confined space" using a CO2 extinguisher. When I say confined space, I'm not talking OSHA terms, I mean a half bath or shop bathroom, compressor room, closet, utility room and so on.
Good info I did not know this!
gtae07
Well-known member
I have one of those Element stick extinguishers at the hangar as the primary for on the ground. Dry chem extinguishers are murder on light airplanes and not just because of the electronics; there are so many crevices and corners and joints for the powder to go into that you'll never get it out and you'll total the airframe. I need a little Halon-style one for in the cockpit.
jrsavoie
Well-known member
Given recent events, I'm looking to buy about 10 ea. 10 lb. Fire extinguishers
Does anybody have a good source?
Any recommendations for mounting one in the cab of the 2016 Super Duty F250 Crew Cab short bed?
Does anybody have a good source?
Any recommendations for mounting one in the cab of the 2016 Super Duty F250 Crew Cab short bed?
Good source ? Like I mentioned above, look local for ones that can be serviced...used to be a Yellow Pages search, now Google.
As far as mounting in the cab, are you talking a 10lber in there or a small like required for DOT ?
As far as mounting in the cab, are you talking a 10lber in there or a small like required for DOT ?
jrsavoie
Well-known member
10 lb in the cab.
Hell, I don't even know what a 10 lb looks like. It might be way too big for a cab.
The only other option would be at the back of the bed, right inside a tailgate.
We've had several fire extinguishers over the years. But never kept up on them.
In the shops or houses.
My daughter's older home burnt Sunday. A total loss
I don't know that a working fire extinguisher would have helped much
The fire started between the floor joists, between the first floor ceiling and the 2nd story floor
She saw fire coming out if an outlet on the first floor and thought that was where the fire started.
They were very lucky to get out alive.
I have to shop online as I'm not able to go anywhere right now. Maybe I'll have a day or 2 before Christmas. After that it will be February sometime before I might be out and about again.
Fire between floor joists is generally an indication of electrical fire as there is nothing else in the area. This time of year with cold snaps, people use electric heaters along with everything else lon the circuit normally plugged in. The heater is enough to overload the circuit...melt 14 ga wire, especially older cloth NM or knob/tube.
10lber probably too big for a cab
10lber probably too big for a cab
LeeG
Well-known member
I carry a 10lbABC in the bed. Here’s the thread on when I built the holder.
Thread 'Horizontal Fire Extinguisher mount'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/horizontal-fire-extinguisher-mount.380500/
For commercial places, I believe they have to get their extinguishers serviced annually. I get mine done every 2 years.
Time to get them re-tested. I keep 2 ABC, a CO2 and a water only in my garage.
Lee
Thread 'Horizontal Fire Extinguisher mount'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/horizontal-fire-extinguisher-mount.380500/
For commercial places, I believe they have to get their extinguishers serviced annually. I get mine done every 2 years.
Time to get them re-tested. I keep 2 ABC, a CO2 and a water only in my garage.
Lee
jrsavoie
Well-known member
Yep. I'm guessing there was probably some old tube/knob in that area.
I know a lot of the wiring had been replaced and I had replaced some.
But anything the previous owner did That I ever came across needed to be replaced again. I found open boxes with a bunch of wires twisted together and soldered with a large wire nut on them and stuff like that
I only used 12/2 wg. I never even buy 14. Except for automotive.
The local fire department warned of USB phone chargers and posted a picture of a charred charger
She had been there about 23 years
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esben57
Well-known member
Always had one and I should get another, larger.
Used in anger once. A Toyota was just catching alight , electrical?, and the owner was phoning the Fire Bobbies. Dashed home and managed to put the now visible flames out just before the Cavalry turned up.
I cannot believe still, how many daft people wanted have a look, form a traffic jam, go ballistic because they were inconvenienced!
I have seen someone perish in a house fire despite the actions of very brave men.
Get yourselves some basic firefighting stuff. Have a plan to get everybody out. Tackle the fire only if you know you can win.
Used in anger once. A Toyota was just catching alight , electrical?, and the owner was phoning the Fire Bobbies. Dashed home and managed to put the now visible flames out just before the Cavalry turned up.
I cannot believe still, how many daft people wanted have a look, form a traffic jam, go ballistic because they were inconvenienced!
I have seen someone perish in a house fire despite the actions of very brave men.
Get yourselves some basic firefighting stuff. Have a plan to get everybody out. Tackle the fire only if you know you can win.
NC Fabricator25
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 28, 2010
- Messages
- 193
I’ve never seen this done with gasoline, only diesel fuel.If you have a chance to take ERT or CERT team training, this often includes first aid and fire extinguisher use, among other things. The fire bit is fun, and you get to be familiar w/ a piece of equipment lots of people own and few people have ever used. Here's a photo of the instructor dowsing a gasoline (in a tray) fire out in the parking lot at my previous job in CA. There are a bunch of extinguishers ready for our class to use. The difference in results when aiming at the flames vs aiming at the base of the fire is very obvious (someone always aims at the flames).
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
If you do wood working, you should have a second "water" extinguisher ! (Typically silver).
Dry chemical extinguisher work well, but are a mess to clean up. CO2 extinguisher are more expensive, but no clean up !
Dry chemical extinguisher work well, but are a mess to clean up. CO2 extinguisher are more expensive, but no clean up !
rlitman
Well-known member
Monoammonium phosphate is one component of a pH down buffering fertilizer I use in my hydroponic setups (in combination with monopotassium phosphate), but I think you'd be better off spreading boric acid powder than MAP.
PhantomEB
Well-known member
Bronco has one 5# on each side off the cage, truck getting a 5# back by the tailgate with same quick release mount. Usually throw one in the back seat for road trips.
car has a 5# in the milk crate.
cargo trailer has a 5# one under the bench. Will be moved to beside the man door.
kitchen has a 5# under the sink as well on the lowest level where the laundry room is.
Shop has two kitty corner from each other. I plan one in each corner.
yep every time I go shopping I am looking to see if Kidde’s are on sale.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
Perhaps due the possible 4 legged creatures living in the fiberglass.
"Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) is a far more effective fire extinguishing agent
than boric acid. MAP is the industry standard active ingredient in most multi-purpose (ABC) dry chemical fire extinguishers, whereas boric acid is primarily used as a fire retardant additive in materials like wood and textiles. "
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LopezBart
Well-known member
Since there were perhaps twelve of us who needed to take the training, I'm sure they used gasoline for speed of relighting the fire each time.... here's an photo of the fire prior to extinguishing it. It was actually quite fun. The benefit of aiming at the base of the fire is marked, which I guess is one of the main points of the training.
joe_pinehill1
Well-known member
I keep a CO2 in the Garage, a small CO2 in the kitchen, and an ABC on each floor. Shop around, look for a local service company.
ALinCarolina
Well-known member
I am open to critique. I have a 15 lb. CO2 and a 5 lb. Halotron. My shop has a woodworking shop and an autoshop (not in the same room). Do I need anything different?
rlitman
Well-known member
Neither of those will do anything to a smoldering pile of sawdust. CO2 (in any size) carries a zero "A" rating, and halotron only carries an A rating in larger sizes. I can't keep a can of water in my unheated shop, so I have ABC dry chem extinguishers.I am open to critique. I have a 15 lb. CO2 and a 5 lb. Halotron. My shop has a woodworking shop and an autoshop (not in the same room). Do I need anything different?
NitroGarage
Well-known member
I've read but not tested that some RV antifreeze (propylene glycol) helps out. High concentrations it is flammable. If you have an outlet near it, get a cheap stickyback heating pad for it that draws a few watts.
rlitman
Well-known member
Amerex 506b is a non-glycol based antifreeze for water based fire extinguishers that's a much better idea, and is good down to -40F. Also, lots of RV antifreeze has alcohol in it.I've read but not tested that some RV antifreeze (propylene glycol) helps out. High concentrations it is flammable. If you have an outlet near it, get a cheap stickyback heating pad for it that draws a few watts.
I have Amerex and have purchased a few from Zoro with a coupon. A lot of the cheaper ones, including at least some Kidde, aren't rechargeable.
KentheMailman
Well-known member
I have purchased ten Costco five pound Fire extinguishers in the past for gifts. They are guaranteed for 10 years, I believe. When/if they lose their charge, I have been successful on returning them for credit and using the credit for new ones.
Whatever you do, have more than you think you will need because you are the only one who can actually save your space. The fire department will not come to “save” your shop, they are only there to stop it from spreading. Fire extinguishers are a small investment to save a huge investment.
Seems like the last time I had official extinguisher training (maybe 6 years ago), if you can't extinguish the fire in about 8 seconds you ain't putting it out and you need to GTFO or away from the fire.
You don't want trapped or near an explosion.
You don't want trapped or near an explosion.
Milton Shaw
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- Joined
- Feb 11, 2011
- Messages
- 4,835
Check with the place that refills them. They may have a good stock of them removed from business that have been emptied and refilled and re-certified at less than half the price of new. Commercial users have to replace them every 10 years and that's less than half the life of those commercial grade units. Sometimes 15-20 dollars for a hundred dollar unit. Look at garage sales for them I bought a 10 lb CO2 unit for $10's at one still had 9lbs of CO2 in it, didn't have to be refilled.
