Garage fire extinguishers

[Rsharp66]

I need to get some real ABC extinguishers in the shop.
I was looking at one of the 17 Lb refillable Kiddie Pro 460 near the cars and bikes and a couple more of the smaller 7.5 lb refillable Kiddie Pro 210s strategically located around the shop. I don't do any hot work yet so I figured this would cover most situations.

Anybody have either of these or similar? Are they any good or would you recommend something else?

 

[tez929rr]

Long thread here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245515

Just do a search by thread title and there are a fair number with good info.

In general, the biggest one you can handle is the best one. You don’t want to knock the Fire part way out and have to run to get another extinguisher. Call a local service place and ask them about the ones you want to buy and make sure that they will service them.

 

[Jon_E]

Would recommend Amerex or Badger, probably a 20# for the shop.

 

[2Busy]

+1 for Amerex or Badger. Also, you may also want to consider reconditioned units. Every sizable city has one or more commercial fire safety businesses. Here in Nashville, I go to Pye Barker. If you go to their front dock they’ll fix you up with reconditioned units for half the price, or less, of new. And they handle nothing but good quality extinguishers like Amerex and Badger. I’m sure Raleigh has a similar option.

 

[easyrider13]

A class "A" fire is in wood or paper and is less likely in most active garages.
They are also usually slower spreading and can be easily extinguished with water. Class "B" fires involve liquids and spread more quickly. Class "C" are electrical fires.
The agent used in ABC fire extinguishers is ammonium phosphate. It is difficult to clean and can cause issues with electrical contacts. It is also less effective pound-for-pound than the agent in BC fire extinguishers, and if I remember correctly, it melts to form a crust on hot surfaces.
In my garage I have an old Fyr-Fyter 20 lb CO2 fire extinguisher as a first line of defense. It is expensive and heavy, but it will knock down most liquid fires quickly with no residue. My second extinguisher is a 10 lb Amerex BC dry chemical extinguisher.
Here is an interesting article on fire extinguisher cleanup:
https://www.servicemasterrestore.com/blog/fire-damage/how-to-fire-extinguisher-clean-up/

 

[Bruce Amacker]

A I have an old Fyr-Fyter 20 lb CO2 fire extinguisher as a first line of defense. It is expensive and heavy, but it will knock down most liquid fires quickly with no residue.

+1 CO2 first, then Dry Chem. CO2 will take care of any small fire.

 

[Lucid Moments]

At the end of the day I have decided to go with inexpensive units. They are more expensive to replace if that is necessary, but honestly if you are smart you never need to use one, and if you do need to use one you don't care about the cost.

 

[bad_idea]

Consider a 2.5 gallon water fire extinguisher or two in addition to dry chemical or CO2. I picked mine up on CL for $30. You can recharge them yourself - fill with 2.5 gallons of water and pressurize with compressed air until gauge is in the green. Water extinguishers are cheap, cheap to fill, and the water does minimal property damage - you will not question using it if a need arises. Great to have in a garage that you do any hot work.

 

[Mattlt]

Consider a 2.5 gallon water fire extinguisher or two in addition to dry chemical or CO2. I picked mine up on CL for $30. You can recharge them yourself - fill with 2.5 gallons of water and pressurize with compressed air until gauge is in the green. Water extinguishers are cheap, cheap to fill, and the water does minimal property damage - you will not question using it if a need arises. Great to have in a garage that you do any hot work.

I keep one in the shop, and one in the back of my pickup during the non-freezing months. Take it along on trips to the lake mainly. You never know what you're going to run into.

Add a shot of some kind of soap to break the surface tension of the water better. I use Class-A foam but not everyone has easy access to it.

 

[fyrlt1]

At the end of the day I have decided to go with inexpensive units. They are more expensive to replace if that is necessary, but honestly if you are smart you never need to use one, and if you do need to use one you don't care about the cost.

There are some situations where you might be able to justify cutting costs. This simply is not one of those situations. Purchasing a fire extinguisher is a one time expense, not an ongoing financial drain on your wallet. Considering you may end up using it to protect life or property, it seems like the best thing to do is to buy the best thing you can afford. True, you will probably never have to use one, but if you do, you want one that you can count on to do the job you bought it for. Do a search for KIDDE RECALL and you will see that not all inexpensive extinguishers may be as reliable as hoped for.

Not all hazardous situations will require the same level of suppression, but it is better to have more than you need than not enough.

.

 

[rlitman]

There are some situations where you might be able to justify cutting costs. This simply is not one of those situations. Purchasing a fire extinguisher is a one time expense, not an ongoing financial drain on your wallet. Considering you may end up using it to protect life or property, it seems like the best thing to do is to buy the best thing you can afford. True, you will probably never have to use one, but if you do, you want one that you can count on to do the job you bought it for. Do a search for KIDDE RECALL and you will see that not all inexpensive extinguishers may be as reliable as hoped for.

Not all hazardous situations will require the same level of suppression, but it is better to have more than you need than not enough.

.

I am aware of several Kidde recalls. The most recent was for plastic valved units. I've gotten two replaced myself, with much nicer metal handled replacements. An older recall was for units that lost pressure over time (I had this issue too). Check your gauges regularly! Give your gauge a flick with your finger and a quick look as you walk past.

But aside from the recalled units, there are millions of not recalled disposable extinguishers out there. Last summer I used a pair of Kidde disposables (not on the recall list) on my neighbor's deck as their siding caught fire. They worked flawlessly. I keep a small First Alert disposable in each of my vehicles. Just because the valve isn't designed for refilling doesn't mean that it won't work the one time it is supposed to. Just because it was serviced last week doesn't mean it will work today.

Yes, if you have the money for an Amarex or Badger, by all means, they're excellent. But don't let your lack of funds keep you from having something that's better than nothing.

 

[fyrlt1]

Yes, if you have the money for an Amarex or Badger, by all means, they're excellent. But don't let your lack of funds keep you from having something that's better than nothing.

I was not responding to the posters financial ability to buy any unit he could afford as the best course of action. I was only trying to point out that being frugal 'by choice' was not the best option in this circumstance. He was basing this opinion on which one he would buy on the premise that he would never have to use it anyway, not his ability to afford a better unit. If finances are a consideration, then sure, buy what you can afford.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I was not responding to the posters financial ability to buy any unit he could afford as the best course of action. I was only trying to point out that being frugal 'by choice' was not the best option in this circumstance. He was basing this opinion on which one he would buy on the premise that he would never have to use it anyway, not his ability to afford a better unit. If finances are a consideration, then sure, buy what you can afford.

All I meant is that buying a rechargeable unit is probably a false economy. Sure it is more expensive to buy two single use units than it is to buy one rechargeable unit and have it recharged after you use it, but it is cheaper still to buy a single use unit and never use it.

I have had to use a fire extinguisher a grand sum total of once in over fifty years. And to be honest looking back on it I could have done that one with a sheet pan.

I will buy quality units (the shop isn't finished yet so I haven't bought them yet) and I will buy at least four of them most likely. I haven't done all the research yet but I am aware of the recalls on units by Kiddie.

 

[fyrlt1]

All I meant is that buying a rechargeable unit is probably a false economy. Sure it is more expensive to buy two single use units than it is to buy one rechargeable unit and have it recharged after you use it, but it is cheaper still to buy a single use unit and never use it.

I have had to use a fire extinguisher a grand sum total of once in over fifty years. And to be honest looking back on it I could have done that one with a sheet pan.

I will buy quality units (the shop isn't finished yet so I haven't bought them yet) and I will buy at least four of them most likely. I haven't done all the research yet but I am aware of the recalls on units by Kiddie.

I was speaking based on the concept of you buying a single extinguisher to do the job, not buying multiple units. Buying several units is a good way to address the situation. By doing so, you know that you will have one that will work, you can position them strategically, and the fire will not block you from getting to one or more of them.

 

[javyLSU]

I keep three Kidde fire extinguishers in my garage, one by each door. I recently discovered that Harbor Freight sells the Kidde fire extinguishers, and you can use the 20% coupons on them. $16/unit beats any other deal I was able to find in a store or online.

 

[rlitman]

I keep three Kidde fire extinguishers in my garage, one by each door. I recently discovered that Harbor Freight sells the Kidde fire extinguishers, and you can use the 20% coupons on them. $16/unit beats any other deal I was able to find in a store or online.

Just be careful. I've seen recalled units on the HF shelves.

https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/

 

[javyLSU]

Thanks for the heads up. Thankfully the ones I bought are not recalled. I’m also careful to open the box and check the unit before I leave the store. It’s not uncommon to find units that show “empty” on the dial, brand new in the box. I’ve found this when purchasing units from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Target.

 

[pvanderlugt]

Zorro has 20-25% off sales all the time, with free shipping.. that makes that good pricing on the quality brands... and serviceable/testable/refillable..
I have a combination of dry chemical, CO2, water and Halotron fire extinguishers in my shop/barn, depending on location..

Water for the wood side of the barn, mixed with some dry chemical ABC ones , Halotron and CO2 in the shop side, with a dry chemical one thrown in the mix as well... you really do NOT want to use a DC fire extinguisher on a small shop/car fire unless you have no choice, the powder is corrosive, and very hard to remove... I have seen a couple cars ruined by extinguishing a relatively small fire with dry powder....

The right extinguisher for the right kind of fire makes all the difference..

And it probably pays to listen to a guy with a username of FYRLT1 if you are talking about fire and fire extinguishers

 

[Lucky13driver]

I have 2 20# Badger abc extinguishers. On mounted to the wall in my welding and grinding area. The other one is on the workbench. Also I have a 2.5 gallon pressured water extinguisher at the door from the garage to the house. If that doesn't work I keep the insurance paid up.

 

[AMCguy]

Consider a 2.5 gallon water fire extinguisher or two in addition to dry chemical or CO2. I picked mine up on CL for $30. You can recharge them yourself - fill with 2.5 gallons of water and pressurize with compressed air until gauge is in the green. Water extinguishers are cheap, cheap to fill, and the water does minimal property damage - you will not question using it if a need arises. Great to have in a garage that you do any hot work.

This is advice I live by.

I have one in my truck during wildfire season. I have one in my (made of wood) shop and we keep one in the house near the woodstove.

Glenn