Firefighters: simple but important question

[vavet]

I decided to buy a twin pack of fire extinguishers for the garages this morning while I was in big orange. Where do I put them?
Im thinking one in each place. The attached garage houses our DDs, lawn mowers, and gas cans. No one really hangs out in here. We park our cars, close the OH door, and go in the house.
the detached garage has a car lift, but only park in there when I’m working on something. I do some basic woodworking, but it’s primary use is for aluminum airplane building. I have some chemicals: motor oil, brake clean, MEK, wallpaper stripper, xylene, and bug spray. I’m usually in this space alone. My 9 year old son sometimes helps.

I’ve tried to show the relevent features of each space in the attached drawing. Primary use of each will be to get people out alive, not to put out the fire.
Do I put the fire extinguishers near the place where the fires are most likely? Where the humans will most likely be? Near the exit?

 

[RPH]

I have a few around my building and house. Not a fire fighter but my thought process was either you’re attacking into for reasons or fighting for escape. So, one at the door in on the wall, far end another. One by the auto lift, also another close to welding zone. Any one can become mobile for use. Only thing I’m sure of with fire, I want more extinguisher than fire. If I have a half used extinguisher and the fire is out, win!
Be safe and look at your travel paths around the building. How quickly can you access one in event of?

 

[DGersic]

I have a small garage. Basically a one car, with some extra width on the driver side, so it’s about a 1 1/2 car. I have a small extinguisher at the far end, by the workbench. If something starts, and I can put it out quickly, thats good. I have a large one by the exit door. If the small one wasn’t enough, I’m retreating to the door anyway, so grab the bigger one and try it, but with fresh air at my back to escape. If that’s not enough, I’m calling my insurance company.

 

[Sumboodie]

I'd return them and buy quality extinguishers.

 

[wssix99]

Do I put the fire extinguishers near the place where the fires are most likely? Where the humans will most likely be? Near the exit?

Don't put them by the things that burn. If you do, there will be no chance you'll get to them in the event those things are on fire.

I put mine in the house between where I live/sleep and the doors I would want to egress during a fire. (So I can grab them and potentially fight my way out.) In the garage, they are by every single door. (man door and car door) If there is a fire, the most important place to go first is the door so we can get out. If you are going to decide to fight the fire, then decide at the door, where you have safe options, and grab the fire extinguisher that is right there. (Working your way back in, so you can always run back to the door and get out.)

Putting a fire extinguisher in a corner or dead end could get one trapped in the process to go get the extinguisher.

I'd return them and buy quality extinguishers.

Disposable, name brand extinguishers will work and are durable enough to last the 12 years they need to but I would worry more about the capacity. I would guess that the extinguishers that come in the Orange Satan's 2 pack have a 5B capacity. These are only going to last for 10-15 seconds. IMO - not satisfactory for a garage.

In my garage, I have a collection of 20B extinguishers. If one is really going to fight a shop fire, this is the power that is needed. Save the 5B's for little things.

 

[yyc_ranger_4x4]

I've been able to pickup a ton of expired extinguishers from work. I've got a couple 20lb and 10lb in the garage, 10lb in the garden shed and compressor shack, 5lb and 10lb in a few places in the house.

I also use some of them to teach the neighbourhood kids about how to use them safely....once a year or so we light some gasoline and let them take turns putting it out. Gets them hands on with them so they know how they work and what the dry powder tastes like LOL!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Twin pack, probably Kidde, I'd guess. While some may not like them, something is better than nothing. Just remember, they are disposable and can't be serviced if they have a plastic top. Flip them over occasionally and shake them.

Placement, we generally recommend by the doors. If you have a fire, you either grab it and attack the fire or GTFO. When in doubt, get out. Call 911.

 

[metlmunchr]

First thing I'd do is move the gas cans from the attached to the detached garage.

 

[Bucko]

The old saying that 2 is one and one is none comes to mind. Like DGersic had said about having multiples is key. The worst thing is having to run halfway across the house or shop and then try to fight your way back. It also helps to support the fact that you did your due diligence in the event of a house fire.
I also keep one in the vehicles because when I was a kid I had a VW Bug and the engine caught fire due to a bad fuel line. Luckily a guy passing by pulled over and had an extinguisher. Step-father was close by and we towed it home. I drove it to work 3 hours later. If that guy had not been there it would of burnt down. I figured maybe one day I will return the favor to someone else.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Put them where:
They will be easy to get to (not get stuff piled or parked in front of).
You are likely to be when discovering a fire.
Where you will have a good clear exit path behind you when going towards the fire.

 

[seagravedriver]

As NUTTSGT said, by the doors. That being said, I have been in the fire service in one form or another since mid 82. Prevention is the most important thing, in my mind. I have a flammable liquids cabinet, and my large quantities of fuel are kept outside, in a small cattle shed. I love fire extinguishers. I can not have enough. But, once fuel, like gasoline starts, it goes fast. VERY fast. Like get out with your life fast. I have multiple pics and stories of fires taking off and destroying a lifetime of items, and friends cars the guy was working on. So, I would keep the extiguishers you bought. Keep them near a door, as you should be LEAVING, not fighting the fire. If you have a chance to knock out the fire, have enough of the correct product to do it. I have a big shop, I have ten + extinguishers of various types to get me out and give me chance of putting it out. Fuel usually continues to pour out, usually onto the hot surface that caused it to ignite.

Prevention. Keep the extinguisher you have, and get some good ones with metal heads. Shake them a few times a year as NUTTSGT said to keep the powder from congealing.

Fuel or rags with combustable product on them DO NOT stay in the shop. They go outside, and are destroyed.

 

[CraigStu]

Thanks guys. I will move my extinguishers today. I have them near the welding bench thinking that would be the most likely fire location. BTW 5-6 years ago I happened on a free plastic tool/storage box like this

BUYERS PRODUCTS 13.5 in. x 15 in. x 32 in. Matte Black Plastic All-Purpose Truck Tool Box Chest 1712230 - The Home Depot

The Buyers Products Company 32 in. Black Polymer All Purpose Chest is rust resistant. This features built-in carrying handles for convenient lifting. It is an appropriate choice to use at garage and includes

www.homedepot.com

It is a perfect size for two 5 gal gas cans. There is a 3'x4' deck out side of the man door at the back of the garage so my mower gas is in that. Works great.

 

[jonshonda]

I read a good analogy once regarding cheap fire extinguishers from big box stores. Look at what they have on the shelf for sale, and look what they are using to protect the store. A tool...that when needed could mean life or death. I don't think that is a good spot to save money.

With that being said, I have a 10lb in the garage, and a 5lb on each floor of the house. All commercial grade stuff.

 

[Bretny]

I read a good analogy once regarding cheap fire extinguishers from big box stores. Look at what they have on the shelf for sale, and look what they are using to protect the store. A tool...that when needed could mean life or death. I don't think that is a good spot to save money.

With that being said, I have a 10lb in the garage, and a 5lb on each floor of the house. All commercial grade stuff.

Its prob more likely about what's rated for being in a commercial setting and what the insurance company wants.

I have a few fire extinguishers its prob time to renew all of them to be totally honest. How ever I do keep a thawed garden hose hooked directly to my well pressure tank.

 

[txvwnut]

I have two in my shop, one on the support post for the stairs which puts in the middle of one long wall. The other is by the door incase I forget to grab my beer.

 

[niget2002]

This reminds me... I need to check the expiration on the one in the kitchen.

 

[tarmy]

Mine are by the exits…so a decision can be made. Stay and fight or get the hell out and stay safe. I bought high quality extinguishers and have 2 of them in the shop, near bedrooms and two in the kitchen.

 

[vrinner]

.....

Prevention. Keep the extinguisher you have, and get some good ones with metal heads. Shake them a few times a year as NUTTSGT said to keep the powder from congealing.
....

I have a bunch of commercial grade extinguishers (Amerex ABC in various sizes) I got from my work placed around my shop as suggested. When I got them (about 2 years ago) they were recently certified/serviced. So at this point I'm guessing they are past their inspection date by about a year.

Should these be shaken as well and how long before I should have these serviced?

 

[Lumpy102]

Some good advice here, get your flammables outa the house (ATTACHED GARAGE "IS" PART OF THE HOUSE) Been to too many fires where a fire started in the garage and spread to the house (think fuel load). Don't save money on an extinguisher, buy bigger than you think you need because you're just not that good with an extinguisher and a fire is NEVER as simple to extinguish as it is in the training fire pan at fire prevention week.

 

[Hank11]

Hard to say for sure but I'd have an extinguisher near any area where I might make sparks or fire. So if there is a welder in the corner, I would locate one nearby on the way away from the trouble - like 8-10 feet away and readily grabbable. Not where it will be in any fire that starts but close to grab and turn. This of course in addition to the usual spots near an exit. Prevention is by far the best policy, do a survey of your garages again and try to imagine what might catch fire, then try to mitigate it happening or even its presence in the building.

 

[seagravedriver]

Also, make sure the extinguisher(s) are rated for what you are may be dealing with. Among my extinguishers are two good size pressurized water ones. I remember in the fire academy, CO2 could not deal with wood and paper fires.

 

[Metal-Marc]

This reminds me... I need to check the expiration on the one in the kitchen.

Yeah this.

I have two in the house and two in the garage.

 

[tthornto]

Not a Firefighter but 23 years ago I used an extinguisher that I had to run next door to get in order to save my parents house from a large kitchen/grease fire. When I got to the fire it had spread outside the vent hood to the cabinets, and the whole house was full of smoke from the ceiling down to about 4 feet. In the 30 seconds or so that I went back into the house, emptied the extinguisher (2-3 second bursts sweeping across the base of the flames) as soon as it emptied I turned around and got out without waiting to see if the flames were out. By the time I got back out the door, the smoke built to within 2 feet of the floor, so I had to crawl out. I don't ever want to be in that situation again!

Ever since that day I have made sure I have multiple extinguishers around the house, at exits and chokepoints and whenever practical 8-10 feet away from sources of ignition.
Match the type to the location. I have 1 at the top of the stairs outside the bedrooms where there are no gas appliances nearby that is a type A. In the kitchen I have a type BC (don't want type A on grease fires). And in the garage I have 2 ABC plus a few expired ones that still have pressure as backups. Don't forget to check on them (expiration and pressure) regularly, I do it at the same time I change smoke detector batteries.

When checking your extinguishers make sure they are not the ones Kidde recalled. If it has a plastic lever or button on top it most likely has been recalled. Check here, they will send you free replacements for as many recalled ones as you have. https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/

 

[67CarGuy]

If two is one, and one is none, seems like I might as well just bite the bullet and buy a retired fire engine! "Honey, I've priced it out, and this old pumper is still cheaper than our insurance deductible if it all goes up in flames!"

I kid, of course, but only sort of. Of course, it's also important to note that even fire engines carry extinguishers...

I think I know what I'm getting my folks for their two garages (one of which holds my avatar)!