FIRE!!!

[MOPARHOUND!]

You are a fireman?

And if they don't work, why are they still selling them?  Need to pull them off the market?

If Wal-Mart's fire extinguishers don't work, they are open for a lawsuit.

[Shakey]

Here come the lawyers!   

[Charger_Fan]

Well, I'm glad it wasn't your Charger, even though I'm sure the other car was nice too.

Thats a good pointer. I'll get one for my Charger and Dakota. It would be a blessing if my Ford mini van burnt up

You jinxed yourself. Now it's never gonna burn up & you won't be fortunate enough to have someone total it for you either...it's just gonna keep running 'til the cows come home.

[Ghoste]

I've heard of the cheaper ones caking up or something like that if they sit too long in one position.  Apparently you should move them around once in awhile?  Urban myth?
Wouldn't they all have to meet some kind of UL or CSA standard?

[Charger1973]

I have one in my 79 Blazer, its been there under the drivers seat for at least 5 years.  It probably needs replaced...  I think i'll take a look next time I get in it. 


Yeah halon is what we had in our Bradleys when I was in the Army.  Learning how to use it and get out of the vehicle is one of the training tasks you have to do in basic training to become a Cavalry Scout. 

[TylerCharger69]

Well...since I removed my console  (what was left of it)  I have a great place to mount that extinguisher....right between the front seats!!!

[MOPARHOUND!]

I've heard of the cheaper ones caking up or something like that if they sit too long in one position.  Apparently you should move them around once in awhile?  Urban myth?
Wouldn't they all have to meet some kind of UL or CSA standard?

The one I grabbed says UL listed.  It is First Alert brand, Made in USA by BRK Brands, Inc., Aurora, IL.  Contents Manufacturer:  Ansul Fire Protection, Marinette, WI.

Do they have a life expectancy? 

[chargerboy69]

You are a fireman?

And if they don't work, why are they still selling them?  Need to pull them off the market?

If Wal-Mart's fire extinguishers don't work, they are open for a lawsuit.

I work for a Fire Marshalls Office in the state of Indiana. My job is to go around and make sure businesses are up to fire code, including extinguishers, alarms and systems. I have been doing this for 8 years. I teach classes on using fire extiguishers. And consult and advise companys on what they need as far as fire protection.

Manys of these have been pulled from the market. Why they all have not, I do not know. There have been many lawsuits against the one main company for crappy products. This past year Kidde extiguishers did a large recall. Extiguishers from over a span of 12 years were recalled.

[TylerCharger69]

Wouldn't an extinguisher that was suited for A,B, and C fires suffice in a vehicle?...I mean...yes...it does put powdery residue all over but...it does wash off!!!   Just asking since the Halon extinguishers seem to have many dangers.

[chargerboy69]

Do they have a life expectancy? 

The cheep ones usually are good for 6 months or so. I have seen many from Walmart that do not work right out of the box. Some of the better brands, Amerex and Ansul will last for years. I see many commercial grade extinguishers from the 1940's. Like anything, you get what you pay for.

[chargerboy69]

Wouldn't an extinguisher that was suited for A,B, and C fires suffice in a vehicle?...I mean...yes...it does put powdery residue all over but...it does wash off!!!   Just asking since the Halon extinguishers seem to have many dangers.

A dry chemical ABC extinguisher will work for any car.The problem is, why buy one when you have other options.

The Halon is also a ABC rated extinguisher, and is not dangerous. That is a myth that has been blown out of proportion. Some tree huggers got together back in the mid 90's and said it was bad for the environment. You can still buy Halon fire extinguishers off the shelf today. They are making them now, and for many years to come.

The problem with powder is, that if it gets down the carb, your screwed. You do not want that powder down in your heads and then into your cylinder walls. If it gets in the wiring your screwed. . . Another reason not to use a powder ABC for your Charger, they have been known to stain or remove the paint off of vehicles. .  Someone in a earlier post asked about them "caking up". That is true. After a while, the powder will turn to concrete. Federal law is that the are to be shot off every so many years to prevent that. Another option would be a CO2 extinguisher. However they can get a little large to take in a vehicle. Those are better for your shop.

For you Charger the best extinguisher is a Halon 2 1/2# or Halon 5# extinguisher.

[PocketThunder]

Here we go.  $90 for the 1-1/2 #  is pretty cheap insurance if you ask me.   

http://www.h3r.com/products/home_vehicle.htm

[TylerCharger69]

Well...all that makes sense to me.   So the "environmentally unsafe" myth is just a....myth then huh?   I wonder who came up with that one.

[mikepmcs]

Ok, i'm no trying to start an argument here or to challenge your knowledge concerning fire extinguishers, product hazards etc...., but I've been in the Navy for 20 years and flying as a Combat Aircrewman( yes the navy has those) for about 14 of them( I have stories I will not share).  One of the things you learn in bootcamp is fire fighting.  And then depending where you go, you have some or more of that training every year(think shipboard fire fighting in an enclosed space).  Bottom line is, THAT IS NO MYTH!.  Halon displaces oxygen, and can cause asphyxiation.  I'm not saying it's not a great product(because it definitely puts the fire out better than most and leaves no residue) but I'm just trying to make people aware of the possible repercussions of using this toxic product.  I would never displace a Halon bottle in the enclosed part of my car because I would be dead.  (Odorless, colorless, does that ring a bell with anyone)

Now that being said, not everyone on this site is trained in this sort of thing or is aware of the hazards of certain things, just like I don't pretend to know anything about motors and I learn from the experts on this site but......

I would feel awfully bad if someone on here bought a Halon extinguisher without knowing the possibility of the danger associated with it and a youngster was in the car with them, who's immune system might not be as strong as an older person(you see where i'm going with this).  I was merely providing information so everyone can make an educated choice on what they intend to use.  I think we all agree that an extinguisher is a good thing in every part of the home, shop, garage, etc....  No argument there, but use the product with education and always adhere to the cautions and intended use.. 



v/r
Mike

[Chargen69]

I've heard of the cheaper ones caking up or something like that if they sit too long in one position.  Apparently you should move them around once in awhile?  Urban myth?
Wouldn't they all have to meet some kind of UL or CSA standard?

Mine rolls around on the floor, I wonder if thats enough to keep the cake away

[whitehatspecial]

I can understand the concern about Halon, but who in their right mind would disperse a fire extinguisher in a closed vehicle and be inside at the same time? Or with a child inside? The one knock on Halo is it probably won't work on a windy day because it will be dispersed too quickly.
The benefits definately outweigh the risks when it comes down to the vehicle(s) people on this site eat, sleep and breath on a daily basis.
I have had Halo bottles in my cars since the early 80's and even considered putting in an automatic Halon extinguisher in my garage. They are mounted on the ceiling and have a heat sensor that will go off automatically.
I decided against this because I always disconnect the negative terminal on the batteries and therefore there is no power in the cars.
I would also recommend having a hard wired interconnected smoke detector (will set off the hardwired ones in the house) should a fire break out in the garage. My garage is detached and we ran a wire back to the house in the power conduit, for the smoke detectors.

[mikepmcs]

You missed the point I was trying to make.   Vehicle on fire, kid inside, panic etc.......    kid still inside........

You are obviously a very astute individual and have a great sense of awareness in your surroundings......great setup in your home, garage, cars, etc......

But you lack amiability.  Please don't take offense, not everyone thinks the same way.

I like the disconnect the battery thing though and the hard wire deal. Good one on that!!!

It's all good, i'm done with this thread, I've said my peace.  I'll by my extinguishers at Walmart or the Home Depot every 6 months and clean up my residue(forbid)

v/r
Mike

[firefighter3931]

Well here's my  and i know a little bit about fire extinguishers 

A standard ABC will get the job done, no problemo. Dry chem is effective on all 3 classes of fires ; solids, fuel and electrical. Sure it makes a bit of a mess but the alternative is much worse....think crispy critter charger. 

CO2 also works well but is bulky, the reservoir tanks are much larger than a dry chem extinguisher. But, they are not recommended for class B fires (flammable liquids)

Halon as mentioned above is used primarily for electrical fires where high end equipment (electronics/computers etc) are involved. It is also very expensive to purchase.


The shelf life on a dry chem is usually 10 years. The better extinguishers are refillable and come with a guage on the handle....those are what i would use. It is also recommended to turn them upside down a couple of times every 6 months to keep the chemical from solidifying. I will keep an ABC dry chem in my car when it hits the streets this year. 



Ron

[TylerCharger69]

That's what I was thinking firefighter.....It's cheaper to go that way  and I already have two extinguishers with that gauge on it.

[derailed]

Ok, i'm no trying to start an argument here or to challenge your knowledge concerning fire extinguishers, product hazards etc...., but I've been in the Navy for 20 years and flying as a Combat Aircrewman( yes the navy has those) for about 14 of them( I have stories I will not share).  One of the things you learn in bootcamp is fire fighting.  And then depending where you go, you have some or more of that training every year(think shipboard fire fighting in an enclosed space).  Bottom line is, THAT IS NO MYTH!.  Halon displaces oxygen, and can cause asphyxiation.  I'm not saying it's not a great product(because it definitely puts the fire out better than most and leaves no residue) but I'm just trying to make people aware of the possible repercussions of using this toxic product.  I would never displace a Halon bottle in the enclosed part of my car because I would be dead.  (Odorless, colorless, does that ring a bell with anyone)

Now that being said, not everyone on this site is trained in this sort of thing or is aware of the hazards of certain things, just like I don't pretend to know anything about motors and I learn from the experts on this site but......

I would feel awfully bad if someone on here bought a Halon extinguisher without knowing the possibility of the danger associated with it and a youngster was in the car with them, who's immune system might not be as strong as an older person(you see where i'm going with this).  I was merely providing information so everyone can make an educated choice on what they intend to use.  I think we all agree that an extinguisher is a good thing in every part of the home, shop, garage, etc....  No argument there, but use the product with education and always adhere to the cautions and intended use.. 



v/r
Mike

I also agree that this can be a hazard if not handled properly. i saw this with my own eyes once when a friend of mine who I use to work with had one discharge in his truck. the extinguisher had broken loose and was rolling around freely under the bunk in his sleeper and somehow the pin came out. He was able to pull over and get out of the truck but unable to breath for a minute. What a mess the inside of the truck was.

[Paul G]

I fella at one of the cruise night last summer was talking about a fuel fire that started in his 67 Camaro inside his garage. He had considerable damage before he was able to put it out. He didn't have any extinguishers around. Scared me enough to go pick up three of these at Menard's the following weekend. This one is mounted in the trunk. The others are in my DD pickup and on the side of my workbench.

[myk]

My console died a long time ago.  In its place is a fat fire extinguisher.  People laugh when they see it, but I'd rather look like a ricer driving a muscle car than someone trying to put out a car fire...