Fire Extinguishers

[FishPOET]

from NAGCA

Well, I lost the ZJ tonight. Long story short, I got high centered on a little hill that was pretty covered in brush, the cat must've lit it up, by the time I got everyone out and hooked the strap up, it was too late. It's a total loss, completely burnt out.

This seems like a good time to talk about fire extinguishers.

I carry a small Kidde fire extinguisher. I will probably be upgrading soon. What does everyone carry on board and how big? Is Halon legal in California?

[Jason]

Back in 2000, I was wheeling John Bull and a brake line came loose. While we were fixing it, someone asked where my fire extinguisher was. You know, just in case. While I wasn't chastised for not having an extinguisher I was informed about the importance of carrying one.
The next day, I went to Cosco and bought a 3 pack. 1 for the kitchen, 1 for the garage, and 1 for the Jeep. I regularly check the one in the Jeep before heading out.

[swbooking]

Are those extinguishers from costco rated for chemical fires?

[Jason]

Are those extinguishers from costco rated for chemical fires?

Nah. Couldn't tell you for sure. ABC rated which if I remember correctly takes care of most fires.

[FRMNJJ]

Are those extinguishers from costco rated for chemical fires?

not really, ABC is for ordinary combustibles like paper, wood etc. for chemicals you need something with more aquaquis foam that smothers fumes more..........ABC sometimes will splatter chemical fires making it worse............

[RAT]

not really, ABC is for ordinary combustibles like paper, wood etc. for chemicals you need something with more aquaquis foam that smothers fumes more..........ABC sometimes will splatter chemical fires making it worse............

Listen to JJ, he knows of what he speaks. So what do you recommend JJ?
I can speak from experience and the chastisment of Nailer and and a few others: If you buy a fire extiguisher, make sure you put it in the Jeep!! I don't do no good sittin in the motorhome...

By the way, that had to be the worst freaking feeling in the world to watch your Jeep car-b-que. Dammmmmm. Glad everyonecame out unscathed.

Kurt

[Kodiak Spirit]

Man that pic of the fire turns my stomach. Halon is illegal everywhere, the tree huggers got rid of it because it eats the ozone stuff that we jeepers create when we weld on our junk. The ABC extinguisher is the one you need for the jeep, it covers everything burning: solids, liquids and electrical fires are the A, B & C of which we speak. Part of wheeling with a couple of other jeeps is so that everyone can help, fire extinguisers don't really last very long, you may need more than one to do the job. The only fire that isnt covered is the "D" class fire, that is self sufficiant, will burn underwater. You dont put class "D" fires out they burn out by themselves. Ever lit a magnesium VW block? thats a class "D" the "D" stands for "don't even try" When the Stark caught on fire, they just pushed the Helos overboard into the sea.

[D4x4Fish]

When you buy one and ever plan on having it serviced. Make sure you get a metal head and not the cheaper plastic ones.

[medicmahem]

You dont put class "D" fires out they burn out by themselves. Ever lit a magnesium VW block? thats a class "D" the "D" stands for "don't even try" When the Stark caught on fire, they just pushed the Helos overboard into the sea.

But when you do put water on a magnesium fire it makes one great fireworks show.

[Kodiak Spirit]

no doubt!

[peteyg]

Another tip for the dry chemical extinguishers:

Every few months, take it out of the Jeep and whack the bottom with a rubber mallet a few times to break up the packed powder. There is no worse feeling than pulling the trigger on an extinguisher that says "Full" only to find that nothing comes out...This is a good idea for the home extinguishers, too.

[tjchad]

Another tip for the dry chemical extinguishers:

Every few months, take it out of the Jeep and whack the bottom with a rubber mallet a few times to break up the packed powder. There is no worse feeling than pulling the trigger on an extinguisher that says "Full" only to find that nothing comes out...This is a good idea for the home extinguishers, too.

In the Navy they taught us to thump it on the deck right before pulling the trigger as well. We did regular checks on all the extinguishers aboard the ship. Gotta keep them in good order or they won't do you a bit of good.

[steelman]

Listen to JJ, he knows of what he speaks. So what do you recommend JJ?
I can speak from experience and the chastisment of Nailer and and a few others: If you buy a fire extiguisher, make sure you put it in the Jeep!! I don't do no good sittin in the motorhome...

By the way, that had to be the worst freaking feeling in the world to watch your Jeep car-b-que. Dammmmmm. Glad everyonecame out unscathed.

Kurt

Not chastisment...encouragment!

[FishPOET]

I picked this up off another thread

My wife owns M&D Fire Equipment in Apple Valley. She's been in the fire extinguisher business for 20 years.

Halon is legal to use but not to manufacture in CA. They use recycled Halon. However a 2.5 lb. ABC dry chemical extinguisher is twice as effective as a 2.5 lb. halon at putting out fires. Halon also doesn’t work that well in the outdoors because comes out as a gas and would dissipate in the wind. It needs an enclosed space to be effective. It’s also expensive.

She says a sodium bicarb extinguisher (BC)(flammable liquids, fuels, etc.) would be best for engine fires because it will wash out of the engine compartment whereas the ABC chemical (mono-ammonium something or another) will melt and adhere to the engine components. That’s how it's designed and is a part of its fire suppression properties. It will be very hard (if not impossible) to clean off if there’s anything left of your vehicle after the fire’s out.

ABC is a good all-around fire extinguisher to carry but if you gotta put out an engine fire, sodium bicarb is the way to go. Maybe carry two, one of each?

As for those less expensive, plastic topped, fire extinguishers some folks carry…I can’t post what she said about them here.

[RAT]

I know those plastic top FE's aren't the best, but they've saved two vehicles that I have seen burning. I used mine on a Ford Truck that was burning at an intersection one morning on my way to work. The owner of that truck was appreciative, to say the least.
Rat