Fire extinguisher

[Stephen W.]

'66 L79 'Vert #1241-- Want to have an EFFECTIVE fire extinguisher on board for safety reasons (and, bonus points!!). Does NCRS expect a certain type, or, period-appearing extinguisher? What types are effective for this application? Can I get one small enough to fit in the rear compartment jack space (doubt I want the extinguisher loose in the pass. compartment= potential projectile in a panic stop). Good source for one?




thanks

[Terry M.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

The extinguisher needs to be of a size that would be eflective in an automotive fire. A size that would fit in your storage compartment will NOT meet those standards. As to the type, there have been threads on that subject right here.

There are numerous sources for the effective size.

[Stephen W.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

Thanks,Terry, but your post didn't include a reference-- could you please repost that?


cheers

[Steven B.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

'66 L79 'Vert #1241-- Want to have an EFFECTIVE fire extinguisher on board for safety reasons (and, bonus points!!). Does NCRS expect a certain type, or, period-appearing extinguisher? What types are effective for this application? Can I get one small enough to fit in the rear compartment jack space (doubt I want the extinguisher loose in the pass. compartment= potential projectile in a panic stop). Good source for one?



thanks

Stephen, welcome to NCRS. For judging NCRS does not document or require specifics for a fire extinguisher, or the battery cut-off, just that they be included for extra points. Researching previous posts you will find an ABC is recommended. As Terry stated one small enough to fit in the compartment will likely do little good if needed. I use 3 and 5 lb. in my vehicles for convenience. You can get them anywhere from Lowes to auto parts stores, WalMart, etc.

In addition to referring to the "Similar Threads" at the bottom of the page you can search topics using the search tool at the upper right of the page.

Steve

[Michael J.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

I might add, that after many years in the "safety" business and fire extinguishers, if you want a really practical one that if used does not cause almost as much damage as a fire, I would go with the clean solution, a halon unit. I am not sure this meets all requirements for all NCRS venues, but it is what the pros use, as the others look OK and have specs that meet requirements, but are more for show than go. If you use them get ready for a big mess.

[Paul J.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

This subject hasn't come up in a while. Stephen, there's been a lot of discussion this, and some shocking video, which is in the archives. I think that Halon extinguishers might be banned, but I'm not sure. Here are some good threads below.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...e+Extinguisher

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...e+Extinguisher

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...halon&uid=5497

Paul

[Michael J.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

The death of Halon 1211 fire extinguishers has been exaggerated, at least in the US. There are many available everywhere in most all sizes:

http://www.h3rcleanagents.com/h3r-halon-portable-fire-extinguishers.htm#!/~/category/id=6230650&inview=product25331143&offset=0&sort=normal

[Gary B.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

... Good source for one?...

Stephen,

Summit Racing (www.summitracing.com) has excellent prices on fire extinguishers and free shipping on most units. A 2.5 lb unit is a popular size for carrying in a car, although some people do prefer a 5 lb unit for an extra margin of safety. A "2.5 lb" H3R unit will weigh about 5 lbs. A '5 lb" H3R unit will weight close to 9 or 10 lbs.

Gary

[Rob M.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

what about a CO2 fire extinguishers, that should leave no additional damage to a car when used and can be for car fires (if I remembered from my training correctly)?

[Michael J.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

what about a CO2 fire extinguishers, that should leave no additional damage to a car when used and can be for car fires (if I remembered from my training correctly)?

Rob, most of those are really big. I have one for my garage, but not in the car. And besides, I think in EU countries they are outlawed for inducing "global warming", no?

[Gary B.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

what about a CO2 fire extinguishers, that should leave no additional damage to a car when used and can be for car fires (if I remembered from my training correctly)?

Rob,

Good question. Back in 2001 I bought a CO2 extinguisher because of the no cleanup issue, but a few years ago I bought a 2.5 lb H3R unit. So now I have the CO2 extinguisher sitting next to the H3R extinguisher in my garage. Now I'm faced with the question of which one should I grab and use first in case of a fire in my garage. I don't know the answer.

Gary

[Rob M.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

Rob,

Good question. Back in 2001 I bought a CO2 extinguisher because of the no cleanup issue, but a few years ago I bought a 2.5 lb H3R unit. So now I have the CO2 extinguisher sitting next to the H3R extinguisher in my garage. Now I'm faced with the question of which one should I grab and use first in case of a fire in my garage. I don't know the answer.

Gary

Grab the:

1) nearest

2) easiest to operate

3) newest

(pick your choice)

[Gary B.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

Grab the:

1) nearest

2) easiest to operate

3) newest

(pick your choice)

Rob,

My CO2 and H3R extinguishers are sitting right next to one another and they both work the same way in terms of ease of use. So, for me it boils down to which is likely to put out a fire best. A 5 lb C02 or a 2.5 lb H3R. At some point I worry about the CO2 unit getting to be too old. I'm not sure how long one is supposed to keep a CO2 unit before having it refurbished, but I know it came with a dated card when I bought it and I think there is an accepted expiration date relative to the fill date, but I don't know what that is.

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

Thanks,Terry, but your post didn't include a reference-- could you please repost that?


cheers

I did not include a link because I am not going to risk the liability of recommending a specific fire extinguisher; even on this forum.

At one time NCRS sold a Halon (or similar gaseous product) extinguisher. I bought the one I have in the old Corvette from NCRS. It is about a foot or a little more long. If you get one that fits in your pocket, it is too small.

Fire extinguishers are rated for the type of fire they are designed to work on. Automotive fires are likely to be electrical or gasoline fed. I believe those type of fires are rated B and C. Type A fires are burning paper and wood, and you are not likely to encounter that in an automotive situation, none the less the hand held extinguishers we carry are likely to be rated ABC.

As I posted you can find them in any big box home store. It is not rocket science.

I am glad you posted the question though because it reminds me to get one for the new Corvette.

[Terry M.]

Re: Fire extinguisher

Rob,

My CO2 and H3R extinguishers are sitting right next to one another and they both work the same way in terms of ease of use. So, for me it boils down to which is likely to put out a fire best. A 5 lb C02 or a 2.5 lb H3R. At some point I worry about the CO2 unit getting to be too old. I'm not sure how long one is supposed to keep a CO2 unit before having it refurbished, but I know it came with a dated card when I bought it and I think there is an accepted expiration date relative to the fill date, but I don't know what that is.

Gary

Back when I worked "in the field" (for a large company that has many facilities and a total of thousands of fire extinguishers) we inspected fire extinguishers (both dry powder and CO2) every year, but that was an external visual inspection to be sure everything was serviceable and intact. That tag records that annual inspection. Every 5 years a contract service company replaced the CO2 extinguishers. I believe they serviced them at their shop and returned them to us. The dry powder units only received the annual inspections until the pressure gauge showed the charge was too low. We reported that low reading and then they were served by the contractor. The smaller powder units we shook them with the annual inspection to be sure the powder had not compacted into a solid mass. The wheeled powder units were tilted on their axles annually for the same reason, but all too often they failed when needed.

If you have never had training in the use of a fire extinguisher, check out U tube for some videos. Although no substitute for hands on training, it may prove to be worth your time.

I believe the manufacture of Halon has been stopped, at least in the USA, but the replacement product was called Haltron. There is a lot more to this story as some of those products have numbers following them; and some are environmentally OK and some not so much. I no longer keep up with all that. I work in a room that is chuck full of computers, with a false floor for the wires to them. There is a Halon (followed by four numbers that I do not remember even though I pass a sign with them on it every time I enter the room) system in that room and the wire space under it. The tanks for that Halon are about five feet tall and three feet in diameter, and there are five of them. Every time I see the doors open to them I want to take a picture for you guys, but no photos are allowed at work, so I have to do it on the sly and that is not so easy.