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View Full Version : General Fire Extinguishers - Act Quickly


mluder
10-24-2011, 01:03 PM
Not sure if this is the right spot for this but here we go...

http://www.woot.com/

If you need a fire exinguisher for your DeLorean (and we all know that it's a good idea to carry one) here is a relatively inexpensive option.

I also like the fact that its biodegradable and non-corrosive so when I'm saving my car from a fire, I'm not destroying it in the process.

By the way, you must act fast - if your not familiar with WOOT, it's one item a day until it's gone or the deadline rolls out - around 10:00 PM Pacific time.

Cheers,
Steven
thirdmanj
10-24-2011, 01:23 PM
Not sure if this is the right spot for this but here we go...

http://www.woot.com/

If you need a fire exinguisher for your DeLorean (and we all know that it's a good idea to carry one) here is a relatively inexpensive option.

I also like the fact that its biodegradable and non-corrosive so when I'm saving my car from a fire, I'm not destroying it in the process.

By the way, you must act fast - if your not familiar with WOOT, it's one item a day until it's gone or the deadline rolls out - around 10:00 PM Pacific time.

Cheers,
Steven

Great lead Steve, and it looks to be a great product too. I do car shows and many of them require fire extinguishers be in all vehicles. But above that, just for safety sake its good to have one. Thanks again!
Notifier
10-24-2011, 03:18 PM
As someone who works in the fire protection industry, I have to laugh at a product such as this. Basically, you are talking about an aerosol can fire extinguisher. The size is way to small, there doesn't appear to be any way to check the pressure on these, and I seriously question the UL listing. They quote NFPA 18, but the standard for portable extinguishers is NFPA 10. 18 could apply (wetting agents) but really falls under 10 also.

The best fire extinguisher for a vehicle is an ABC type, minimum 2 1/2 lbs. And checked at least one a month, serviced every 6 years (or replaced after 12). Yes, they are messy but they work.

I seriously wouldn't have a problem spending the extra money on a $40 extinguisher than trusting a $5 extinguisher to protect a $30K piece of machinery!
stevedmc
10-24-2011, 05:08 PM
I have to laugh at a product such as this. Basically, you are talking about an aerosol can fire extinguisher.

I was thinking the same thing. This product looks like a can of compressed air duster that is used for cleaning computers. I would much rather have something larger with an actual gauge you can check.

I keep a $20 house/kitchen style fire extinguisher in my car. I believe I picked it up at Home Depot.
Notifier
10-24-2011, 05:32 PM
Looking at the second video online, the "firefighter" trying to put out the stove fire with the dry chemical extinguisher is using it wrong. First, you can't just quickly squirt it and walk away, you have to keep expelling the agent. And they do flare up on initial contact, that's why you keep it going. Second, you have to aim at the base of the fire and sweep, not around the fire like the man is doing in the video. Very deceptive marketing!

I also like how the woman has her bbq grill on a covered porch, big no-no!!! Keep the grill away from the house. If it catches on fire it will run up the side of the house and into your nice woodframe attic.
mluder
10-24-2011, 07:46 PM
It looks like some on the WOOT blog did some research. It is rated AB so it's good for everything except electrical fires as it contains water in the mix.

So... not so great for a car with "known" electrical problems.

Steve
thirdmanj
10-24-2011, 08:56 PM
Yeah, looks like I'm too late on this one. Just figured this out myself. Oh well, looks like I'll have a new toy to play with.....shit. Well, it was a cheap mistake.

Fire fighting being part of my job, I did a little extra looking also. My gut was right, when it comes to fires of electrical nature CO2 is the way to go.
Ron
10-24-2011, 09:07 PM
Fire fighting being part of my job, I did a little extra looking also. My gut was right, when it comes to fires of electrical nature CO2 is the way to go.Look some more rookie (J/K)....ABC is the only way to go for a vehicle!
Notifier
10-24-2011, 09:57 PM
I always thought a fixed extinguishing system would be ideal for these types of cars. A couple of nozzles in the engine compartment, maybe one around the battery. Basically you have an engine or electrical fire, you pull a pin and run away!

http://www.amerex-fire.com/products/product/16

Of course the bottle in this type of system is way too big - I've seen smaller bottles which would fit better in the vehicle.

Personally I have two. One is a Halon, 3 lbs, with a hose - primary means. No mess and the hose will help for tight spaces. Backup is a small 2 1/2lbs ABC type dry chemical. Also good if I happen to come across that poor guy on the side of the road who doesn't have one and I don't feel compelled to use the expensive one!

6301
Ron
10-24-2011, 10:17 PM
Also good if I happen to come across that poor guy on the side of the road who doesn't have one and I don't feel compelled to use the expensive one!LOL!

FWIW- Halon extinguishers are illegal in many places. The US is on voluntary phase out while environmentalists are still pushing hard.
stevedmc
10-24-2011, 10:20 PM
LOL!

FWIW- Halon extinguishers are illegal in many places. The US is on voluntary phase out while environmentalists are still pushing hard.

I think we have a halon system in the server room at work.
Ron
10-24-2011, 10:49 PM
I think we have a halon system in the server room at work.Yeah, electronic equipment is going to be a challenge for them (sensitivity, corrosion, shorts...). Last I knew the 'best' alternative there was Carbon Dioxide, obviously a problem for humans.
TTait
10-25-2011, 02:00 AM
Yeah, electronic equipment is going to be a challenge for them (sensitivity, corrosion, shorts...). Last I knew the 'best' alternative there was Carbon Dioxide, obviously a problem for humans.

Inergen is better

http://www.ansul.com/en/products/clean_agent_systems/inergen.asp

We used it when we built the primary exhibit gallery at the Lincoln Presidential Museum. It is what protects the Emancipation Proclamation and one of Lincoln's hats etc. Both sensitive artifacts present, along with people. Rather expensive though.

Not good for you, but it will put out a fire without killing most people. Not appropriate for cars AFAIK.
Notifier
10-25-2011, 05:32 AM
Almost all types of portable fire extinguishers will have their cons. Whether it's cleanup of the agent, environmental concerns, limitations on what it can be used on, etc. There is no "perfect" agent. That's why for the layperson I would always recommend the ABC type. Don't have to think about what you're putting it on. Just pull the pin and go!

At home I have both a 2 1/2 gal water and 10lb CO2. I know if my TV catches on fire I'm grabbing the CO2 and getting the heck out of there. But if the trash can catches fire, I'm grabbing the water. In the meantime my wife is on her phone to 911. One big mistake people make, trying to fight the fire BEFORE calling the fire department.

On a side note, I know of one location where they still have a CO2 system for their commercial kitchen hood suppression. But that's an old system, I would not want to be around if that thing ever went off! I don't know if I could hold my breath that long!
DMC5180
10-25-2011, 06:51 AM
LOL!

FWIW- Halon extinguishers are illegal in many places. The US is on voluntary phase out while environmentalists are still pushing hard.

Still legal in specific applications, Aviation being one of them. More specific Aircraft Cockpits and Cabins. The bottles may say for aircraft use only. Seriously though! I'll take my chances, especially when the likelihood of ever having too use it is extremely remote.

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/pilot-shop/aircraft-safety-security/fire-extinguishers.html

I keep the first one listed on the above page next to my seat. It is the size of an aerosol can.