Question about fire extinguishers

[George Willer]

Thanks for bringing up this important subject.

We're blessed to have several professionals on the forum to give us guidance. I hope they'll do so.

I just had a shock to realize there's none at all in the house! Just a few steps away there are 3 in the shop in what I thought were good locations... Right at eye level along side the most used doors. Marilyn didn't know they were there! She does now. OH... There's also one near the wood stove.

I plan to get another one to mount conspiculously in the kitchen and one for the pickup.

There's one in the barn that is subject to freezing as is the one in the motorhome. I don't know if freezing is an issue?

Brian mentioned fluffing the extinguisher. Can someone please explain?

[Paul B]

They shouldn't freeze, but the powder will settle and pack a bit if they are left to sit/hang and never moved. I turn mine upside and gently shake them a bit when ever I think of it (which is probably not often enough) to help keep the powder from packing.

[Jeff Silvey]

When they recharge the extinuisher they use air from an air compressor or from another source of air. They put dry powder in the cylinders then put an air nipple on the hose end (the hose is removed) they press the handle down to put air until the gauge shows the proper reading. They release the handle to keep the air in the cylinder remove the air nipple then replaces the hose and you good to go.
Every once in a while you should turn the extinuisher end to end to keep the powder fluffed. If your extinuisher is in a vehicle it pounds the powder down in the end from the vibration. It souldn't freze. Now CO2's, Halons & water cans will freeze.
Hope this helps. Don't forget to keep them severed.
Jeff

[a-dougk1]

After my cub caught on fire last summer, I mounted a small fire extinguisher on the rear fender. The holes already in the fender are the perfect size for mounting the extinguisher behind and below the seat.

Now that I've replaced the old, damaged electrical wiring, the cub probably won't catch fire again, but better safe than sorry.

Doug

[1835wayne]

Hi guys, new here and this is my first post.

I am a 16 year vet of the fire service and work at Mittal Steel Burns Harbor, Indiana on the fire department. We use 20 and 30# cartridge type extinguishers.

Here is a link to Ansul's site.
https://www.ansul.com/en/Products/hand_ ... e_list.asp

We put them every where from hight heat areas to outside at the dock in the dead of winter. As others have stated, powder will pack after a number of years, so we always tell the mill workers to upend them and smack the cap on the floor prior to charging the extinguisher and using.

They hava a CO2 cartridge that will last for YEARS and only requires hydrostatic testing every 12 years. I have a 20# in the barn and a 10# in the garage. During the summer I also keep 2 2.5 gallon water can extinguishers in the barn in case of hay or any other small fire I would rather use water on.

Hope this helps.

Wayne

[1835wayne]

https://www.ansul.com/en/Products/hand_ ... rtable.asp

Better link, takes you right to the type I am talking about.

[Stretch]

Standard homeowner type extinguisher is dry powder with nitrogen as a propellent. Freezing is not a problem. You can get ABC or BC. BC will do a better job on fuel fires but not as good on regular combustibles-wood, paper, etc. I've got a 20 lb BC, a CO2 (best for electrical, won't leave a mess), and a water pressure extinguisher in the shop. Water pressure has a little antifreeze in it. Like has been stated, turn 'em over and shake 'em once a year. Powder settles. It's more of a problem on an extinguisher on a vehicle. Our crash trucks have 450 pounds of powder in them. They can be a real pain to keep loose. I would think a good marine extinguisher like you put on a boat would be a good bet to hang on a Cub or other small tractor if you want to mount one. They come with a mount and are designed to be out in the weather. Check the guage once in a while and make sure it's in the green. Standard is once a month. They will leak down. You never know if there's a bad seal if you don't check. Yes, they will go bad without ever being used, but just buy a new one. Real cheap insurance.

[Steve Butram]

My suggestion is buy some ABC powder extinguishers and put them near your exit doors . I have some 5 Gal water Extinguishers I keep out of the freezing weather that I will throw in the truck to take to small grass fires and car fires. Just my 2cents worth Steve