Author Topic: Fire extinguisher. (Read 3438 times)

Hutch · « **on:** February 11, 2012, 12:38:47 PM »

What type/sort/brand of extinguisher should I mount on the transmission hump in the cab of my F250? I'm not an off roader sort, but I want it to be capable of dealing with most emergencies, and not come loose in a mid-level wreck.

wmenorr67 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2012, 12:52:55 PM »

Any auto parts store will have ones to get. I would look at an ABC all purpose one.

seeker_two · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2012, 03:08:17 PM »

+1 on the ABC fire extinguisher....that way you're prepared to fight anything from a grass fire to an electrical fire....esp. if you have both at the same time.....

41magsnub · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2012, 03:53:04 PM »

The only reason not to go with an ABC dry chemical type is if you end up using it on an engine fire. The dry chemical will be corrosive and you would need to get it cleaned out ASAP. Some folks go with a CO2 type for that reason, the problem with CO2 is it is going to be less useful for other fires such as a structure or a budding grass fire.

I have an ABC style in my rigs.

See http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/

seeker_two · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2012, 04:02:29 PM »

If his engine catches on fire, corrosion will be the least of his concerns.....

41magsnub · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2012, 04:06:27 PM »

It could be a little fire, something where the damage is very localized. I had an alternator catch fire once, other than some scorching it didn't damage anything else.

41magsnub · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2012, 04:11:05 PM »

Here is how I mounted mine in the land cruiser (transmission hump doesn't have room).

This is on the drivers side seat hump. I was skeptical that the Kidde automotive mount was going to hold a 10lb unit, but with it latched I did everything I could do to get it to come loose and it wouldn't budge. It is also under my legs so in a wreck even if it went projectile it ought to stay down there.

French G. · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2012, 06:16:09 PM »

I've had some of those Kidde foam ABC ones, ok for consumer grade. That and a regular ABC dry chem will put out a lot if you need too. I've used ABC and CO2 more than a few times. Neither do spit for re-ignition if fuel and an ignition source are there. I stopped for a car-b-que once, normally would not combat a potentially large fire with a little 10BC ext. once I saw that everyone was out, but it was clear that every worldly possession of these folks was in that car. I had a little space since the hood was popped, wasn't about to open it. As my fire extinguisher petered out I could clearly hear the fuel pump still running.

Down the block it went, found a little flame, pooling and burning around one of the wheels. I just walked away, the tire blew when I was 50ft away and the whole thing was well done by the time the VFD showed.

Keep in mind also that ABC dry chem is going to be 2A10BC for the little bottles, as in slightly better than peeing on a class A fire, but not much. That's why I keep the foam, if I had space I'd have 5 gallons of water. If you were going to put out an A fire not in your vehicle you'd be far better served by a shovel in the back.

cassandra and sara's daddy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2012, 06:21:57 PM »

had a power steering line leak and build a cute lil fire under the hood of the jeep took 5 pepsis to put it out

Hutch · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2012, 07:49:26 PM »

41magsnub, what make/model/specification is that extinguisher? How did you arrive at your decision to choose it?

41magsnub · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:44:05 PM »

It is not my ideal. It is a Kidde commercial grade (metal cylinder vs plastic) 10lb ABC dry chemical, what Lowe's had in stock at the time. I can get the model tomorrow if you want it.

geronimotwo · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2012, 12:11:03 AM »

vehicle extinguishers normally need a metal bracket as well.

K Frame · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2012, 12:18:23 AM »

If you're worried about corrosion, go with a purple K or regular dry chemical. Both use components that are generally non corrosive, but both are B C extinguishers only.

You'd need to carry a separate one for an A fire, or supplement one of the above extinguishers with water of some source.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2012, 12:53:41 AM »

Purple K would be ideal IMHO for strictly a vehicle use. CO2 would also work. We use Halon ones in the airplane (and Dad used it to good effect on two engine fires involving a rather...unique fuel problem). Most of your car fire issues are going to be B and C related...you could mount a BC class extinguisher on your transmission hump and put a larger ABC class extinguisher elsewhere on the truck.

I have used your standard consumer grade ABC to put out a very small fire. Let me tell you, that little 5lber didn't last long at all...

Attended a Carbecue last Labor Day weekend that could probably been stopped by an extinguisher if they had had one with them. By the time I got there (first responder) my little extinguisher couldn't do them any good. Once a car catches on fire, if you don't get it put out right away it's not going to matter.

wmenorr67 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2012, 02:05:23 AM »

The part that French G stated about keeping the hood down is great advice also. Limit air flow to keep the fire as small as possible.

French G. · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2012, 09:18:44 AM »

I'd think that now, at the time i wasn't that smart, I wanted to limit the fire flow to my face. If I had plenty of agent I'd want the hood up so i could attack it. really the priority is get out and grab the cooler so you can sit on the bank and watch your car burn. bonus if you don't call your insurance guy until you're lit.

Hutch · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2012, 09:33:34 PM »

Zombifying my own thread.

Went to the local fire service equipment company this AM, and was gratified to find that their prices were in line with Internet vendor pricing. Bought Amerex, made here in AL, come to find out. These are commercial grade, refillable units. Got 2 of the 2.5lb dry chems, one for each car, a 5lb to go in Truggly (my "CRV", crisis response vehicle

), and a 10lb to keep near the kitchen. All this for <$200, and they offered to have me out one Saturday to practice on with one of their extinguishers.

A friend gave me a ginormous CO² unit, gotta weigh 30lb, I keep in the garage.

Confidence. That feeling you have before you realize the enormity of the problem.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2012, 11:57:10 AM »

Quote

A friend gave me a ginormous CO2 unit, gotta weigh 30lb, I keep in the garage.

You can use those to cool down a cooler full of beer real quick.

KD5NRH · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2012, 03:07:59 PM »

Quote from: French G. on February 11, 2012, 06:16:09 PM

Keep in mind also that ABC dry chem is going to be 2A10BC for the little bottles, as in slightly better than peeing on a class A fire, but not much. That's why I keep the foam, if I had space I'd have 5 gallons of water. If you were going to put out an A fire not in your vehicle you'd be far better served by a shovel in the back.

I've thought about trying to track down a 5gal backpack sprayer, since it would double as stored water for other purposes, and on a small grass fire, it's hard to beat a mist nozzle right near the base of the flames.

zxcvbob · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2012, 04:06:00 PM »

Carbon Tet.

(don't breathe the fumes)

K Frame · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2012, 04:37:08 PM »

"Carbon Tet..."

You want the VC to attack him?

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Author Topic: Fire extinguisher. (Read 3438 times)