In my opinion, an ABC extinguisher is a lot better than a BC unit. It covers all fires beside combustible metals which would be an D extinguisher. So ABC unit is best for all round use. Also, time changes soon, better get those 9 volt, AA batteries for those smoke alarms. Bye the way, my CO detector in my camper uses 9 volt battery as well. I replaced mine with a 10 year lithium battery from Lowes for around $10. No battery chirp for 10 years with my 12 volt camper battery off when not being used.
Jimmy, great thread! Thanks! I know what I'm going to do tonight! ...check both our camper's and our kitchen's fire extinguishers.
I'm sure our kitchen extinguisher is about 10 years old. We should probably get a new one, right? Is it worth keeping the old one? ...maybe as a backup? ...maybe move it out to the garage? ...or should we just toss it?
ABC. Got it! Thanks!
Jason, If it was me, I would shake or lightly beat the old fire extinguisher until it fills like the powder is shifting around inside. I would get a new one for the kitchen, maybe a 5lb. ABC unit, I would take the old one outside away from house and cars and let the darlin wife and you practice squeezing and sweeping like you are putting a fire out. The powder is like a yellow- ABC unit or White- BC unit baking soda. It Is corrosive on metal, so keep away from metal while practicing.
Thanks, Jimmy. Good suggestion for the old extinguisher. Sounds like fun. What do you do with the empty unit? Can you just throw it in the trash? ...or would it be better to process it through a recycling facility?
One last question, what type of extinguisher would you get to keep in the TV? Same thing? ABC? How big of a fire can the small extinguishers handle? Can they handle an engine fire?
Ok, maybe that was more than one question. 😉
I would recycle it if you have the facilities.
ABC is always good for any most types of fire (engine or other). ABC is good for (A) ordinary combustible materials, (B) liquid fuels or (C) electrical type fires.
Size 5lbs min. --- IF you need more than that - you already called 911 - right? Then the fire is too big and you should get yourself and others to safety. That's why we insure our TV and trailers.
What the number means depends upon the type. The following information is specific to the USA.
For Type A, used mainly for wood type of fires, the number 1 indicates that the extinguisher has the fire-fighting ability of 1.25 gallons (4.7 liters) of water; a number 2 extinguisher has the fire-fighting ability of twice that much of water, number 3 has the fire-fighting ability of three times as much, etc.
For Type B or B:C, the number indicates the number of square feet of burning material that the typical user should be able to put out with the extinguisher.
Hope that helps
Yes, that helps. Thanks! So, it is an indication of the size or capability of a specific extinguisher model.
Now, how do I determine what size is appropriate for my different applications (kitchen, garage, PUP, TV, etc)? Would all of those likely be adequately served by the 1-A:10-B:C size extinguishers that seem pretty common? Are there sizing rules of thumb when selecting an extinguisher?
...sorry, it's the engineer in me coming out. :reader:
Last year I dug out my mother's old kitchen fire extinguisher. This was the first style that was less obtrusive. White instead of red. Probably 30 years old. The pressure pin still popped up but I figured it could not be any good.
I put it in an empty garbage bag, squeezed out all the air, tied it shut and hit the trigger.
I never expected it to fill the bag. Amazingly I think that ancient extinguisher would have met all its specs.
I had another small traditional extinguisher with a gauge that read low. I did the same thing and it was dead. The gauge was only slightly below the green so it being totally dead was a surprise.
[quote author=thingette 1s sister link=topic=1934.msg16587#msg16587 date=1348869303]
Did you know that in PA, in the tow vehicle you must carry road flares or other marker devices and a fire extinguisher? http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm to get the low down on your state.
One would think that, in a state that requires a fire extinguisher in the tow vehicle, that the dealer would pass that tidbit on when you pick up the popup. I've purchased two new popups, from two separate dealers, and neither one mentioned it. <sigh> I've really got to stop expecting professionalism from...professionals.
You know good points Capt. Jim. I've seen a couple of big boats burn , houses and a few cars too but never a camper thankfully. I carry 2 in my jeep all the time , two in my house and one in my pop up plus one on my 17 ft. boat which is state law. Reason is home owners states one up stairs and one down stairs in the kitchen. Reason for 2 in the jeep is one I always carried and the second just ended up there for one reason or another. Point is is it's up to you and you only to be the first line of defense when it comes to a fire with your personal belongings. With Ins. laws today they state in their own words you must have fire extinguishers, smoke and sometimes carbon monoxide detectors installed in trailers , homes and boats. If not when Ins. inspections are done after the fire , guess what, your S.O.L. for sure. Again , cheap Ins. if you think about ............
I agree with you Snobear! You can never have enough protection that is cheap, but keep in mind, if it gets to big, let the professionals do it. Also keep in mind, after any fire, call the fire department and let them come and remove the smoke and check for embers. They will also make a report so your insurance company can get a report later. It doesn't look good to insurance co. if you had a fire and didn't report to the fire department. When you call 911, you can advise that you had a fire and you think you had it out, but wanted the fire department to came and check for you. They won't come with lights or siren that way and a bunch of trucks. Maybe one truck.
[quote author=Fire Captain Jim link=topic=1934.msg16652#msg16652 date=1348968993]
Bye the way, my CO detector in my camper uses 9 volt battery as well. I replaced mine with a 10 year lithium battery from Lowes for around $10. No battery chirp for 10 years with my 12 volt camper battery off when not being used.
Many years ago I bought the "new" Rayovac lithium for a smoke detector...it lasted 2 weeks! >:( Probably a fluke but I have never had any luck with Rayovac batteries of any kind! Ouch...and they're made in WI!
When our fire extinguisher guy comes by in the spring for the yearly service check on our shop extinguishers, I'll have to have him check the one in the pup for me. It probably needs to be replaced. It is most likely the original with the pup. I am kind of spoiled that we live at our shop and have a service tech that comes by once a year to check and replace extinguishers as they need it. He makes sure we are covered and know how to use them.
Thanks for the reminder!
https://mail.google.com/mail/?.....da7ccc1928
Try this link; it's The Art of Manliness's "How to Use a Fire Extinguisher".
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