Halon is good but don't breath it. ABC dry chem is the most popular and economical but is corrosive. Remember to use use the P*** system if you have to use an extinguisher. Pull the pin Aim at the base of the fire Squeese the trigger or handle Sweep the agent at the base of the flames. Turn upside down and give a pat every month and check the discharge nozzle for obstruction and the gauge for proper pressure. And always leave yourself an out and never turn your back on the fire. Port able fire extinguisher can extinguish incipent (early) stage fires. Know when to say this is too much fire for my 2 1/2 lb portable. Cheers, Jim ***t Fire Chief - Retired.
So i've noticed in the fire extinguisher law book it says that all Extinguishers must have there cl***ification number such as ANSI/UL 711 and 299 and that operating instructions with the visual must be on the extinguishers made after 1986. What i have been trying to figure out is if that means that all extinguishers made prior to 1986 are illegal even if they've been properly maintained and serviced? In the book it says all extinguishers must be marked as i stated before but it says exception is for ones made prior to 1986.
This was posted before but it should be reposted periodically. The Sherman Oaks fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8or**2a0Hcs The p***erby that suppressed the fire and enabled the rescue used what appears to be 3 lb ABC extinguisher. After watching the video, I purchased one for each employee of my department.
This is all excellent information. I just had a fire about a month ago. I used up a 5 pound dry chem and a 10 lb Co2. Also had to get the garden hose out. Couldn't have been more than a minute of fire fighting. Pretty scary deal. We could have lost the whole building in another minute. I have more fire extingushers now. You can't turn with out seeing one. Don
In addition to some modern units, I have an antique br*** unit with a screw top and a schrader valve for filling with compressed air. Should I put straight water in it, or would a baking soda solution be a better idea? Any other ideas for filling it?
mike51merc, it depends on the unit, if it was a dry chemical BC unit I would use that, not but ABC powder could corrode the solder from the inside out, ABC powder is different from BC powder if it was a water based unit it would be ok to put water in it, some companies won't touch them, if you find the right person, like me, I would fill it for you. If you post a pic of the name plate and the gauge/nozzle area I may be able to tell you a little more about it. Another problem is the valve ***embly, they don't make them anymore, if it rotted it won't seal I had a few different types but they when they stole my truck last year.
Is there anyone here that carries a CO2 type extinguisher? I think they are rated "less" than the dry powder type (only B or BC, not ABC) but they have no powder to go bad from years of sitting, and they don't damage your equipment, and can inexpensively be refilled. I think they are a good choice but maybe relatively heavy.
something like this http://www.webstaurantstore.com/buc...campaign=PLA&gclid=CIWtg92m5rYCFUJN4AodEVwA-A
Thanks for all the information, in the car or at home, this was important. I'd never heard about any of this agitation and corrosion issues. It's good to have information like this when choosing what to carry and how to maintain it. $190 is an investment grade purchase for an extinguisher, but the decision's worth rolling that around in your skull. How long are the halon units considered usable once purchased?
Halon for the car, with my "HOT WORKS" permit, i have 4 in a 1200 sq.ft. shop, keeps the fire dept. happy. RD
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