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Home > Archive > Home Repair forum > April 2008 > Type of fire extinguisher for home use?
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Type of fire extinguisher for home use?
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| Daniel Prince 2008-04-01, 9:25 am |
| I have read or seen on TV that one should use fire extinguishers
that have a hose attached to the outlet because they are easier to
aim. My brother said that a safety expert at his workplace says
that one should not use a fire extinguisher larger than a 1A 10BC
for home use because larger ones would blow the fire (or burning
grease) around.
The only fire extinguishers that have hoses seem to be 3A 40BC or
larger. Which type should we get? Thank you in advance for all
replies.
--
Whenever I hear or think of the song "Great green gobs of greasy
grimey gopher guts" I imagine my cat saying; "That sounds REALLY,
REALLY good. I'll have some of that!"
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| salty@dog.com 2008-04-01, 9:25 am |
| On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:16:03 -0700, Daniel Prince
<neutrino1@ca.rr.com> wrote:
>I have read or seen on TV that one should use fire extinguishers
>that have a hose attached to the outlet because they are easier to
>aim. My brother said that a safety expert at his workplace says
>that one should not use a fire extinguisher larger than a 1A 10BC
>for home use because larger ones would blow the fire (or burning
>grease) around.
>
>The only fire extinguishers that have hoses seem to be 3A 40BC or
>larger. Which type should we get? Thank you in advance for all
>replies.
I think your brother's "expert" needs some training in how to properly
use a fire extiguisher. Those small extinguishers may be enough to
help you get out of a burning building if you are lucky. Usually, the
little extinguishers run out of juice before you might prefer. I would
go for the largest capacity you can easily handle. You could also opt
for a large one and a small one mounted side by side.
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| Jim Redelfs 2008-04-01, 9:25 am |
| In article <5oc4v39m9sv51q1t9dk8f6qjva7qp522ha@4ax.com>,
Daniel Prince <neutrino1@ca.rr.com> wrote:
> I have read or seen on TV that one should use fire extinguishers
> that have a hose attached to the outlet because they are easier to
> aim.
I agree.
> My brother said that a safety expert at his workplace says
> that one should not use a fire extinguisher larger than a 1A 10BC
> for home use because larger ones would blow the fire (or burning
> grease) around.
I hope your brother misunderstood the safety expert. It has been my
experience that the discharge RATE or "strength" is about the same for
the smaller units as it is for the larger ones.
> The only fire extinguishers that have hoses seem to be 3A 40BC or
> larger. Which type should we get?
Get the larger one. In fact, based on FIRST HAND experience, I highly
recommend that you get as large an extinguisher (ABC-type) as you can.
The larger models are of a higher quality, too.
The little ones are just that: Little. They are too little to be
effective on all but the smallest fire. You would be surprised to learn
how quickly they empty.
In the case of my aforementioned first hand experience, a "little" fire
extinguisher made a very nice, small "hole" in the fire. This
conflagration required the fire department but convinced me of the LACK
of effectiveness of the small extinguisher. They have their place (RV,
boat, kitchen wall, etc) but, if you are purchasing your first
extinguisher, you should get a large one and keep it in a central part
of the home, near an exit.
Good luck. I hope you never HAVE to use it.
--
JR
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| Blattus Slafaly 0/00 ? ? ? 2008-04-01, 1:25 pm |
| Daniel Prince wrote:
> I have read or seen on TV that one should use fire extinguishers
> that have a hose attached to the outlet because they are easier to
> aim. My brother said that a safety expert at his workplace says
> that one should not use a fire extinguisher larger than a 1A 10BC
> for home use because larger ones would blow the fire (or burning
> grease) around.
>
> The only fire extinguishers that have hoses seem to be 3A 40BC or
> larger. Which type should we get? Thank you in advance for all
> replies.
> --
> Whenever I hear or think of the song "Great green gobs of greasy
> grimey gopher guts" I imagine my cat saying; "That sounds REALLY,
> REALLY good. I'll have some of that!"
Don't start a fire and save a lot of trouble.
--
Blattus Slafaly ? 3 7/8
| |
| Norminn 2008-04-01, 1:25 pm |
| salty@dog.com wrote:
>On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:16:03 -0700, Daniel Prince
><neutrino1@ca.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>I think your brother's "expert" needs some training in how to properly
>use a fire extiguisher. Those small extinguishers may be enough to
>help you get out of a burning building if you are lucky. Usually, the
>little extinguishers run out of juice before you might prefer. I would
>go for the largest capacity you can easily handle. You could also opt
>for a large one and a small one mounted side by side.
>
>
>
>
I have no idea how size relates to use, but if one of the little ABC
extinguishers doesn't do the
trick, it seems, then I best get out and wait for the FD.
One of the small ones did the trick when a small child found a lighter,
lit a piece of paper, and
dropped it.......the burning paper caught the drape on fire, and that is
when adult discovered it.
A few seconds later and it would have been a situation of "get out now".
Throughout school and employment, I've attended safety sessions which
have included how to
use an extinguisher. Awfully valuable info, IMO. You don't aim INTO
burning liquid because
you want to avoid splashing it. You aim across the top so's to kill the
O2 supply at the surface.
| |
| salty@dog.com 2008-04-01, 1:25 pm |
| On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:08:13 -0500, Norminn <norminn@earthlink.net>
wrote:
>salty@dog.com wrote:
>
>I have no idea how size relates to use, but if one of the little ABC
>extinguishers doesn't do the
>trick, it seems, then I best get out and wait for the FD.
>
Just hope that you aren't in a situation where that little bitty
1A10BC fire extinguisher isn't up to the job of getting you out of
there and saving your life. I'm only required to have 2 small fire
extinguishers on my sailboat. I have 3 bigger ones. One at each end of
the boat and one near the center, 4A60BC.
>One of the small ones did the trick when a small child found a lighter,
>lit a piece of paper, and
>dropped it.......the burning paper caught the drape on fire, and that is
>when adult discovered it.
>A few seconds later and it would have been a situation of "get out now".
It was already time to "get out now". Everyone should have gotten out
FIRST before making any judgement about whether to fight it yourself.
You are correct that it is often a matter of seconds between oops, and
death.
>
>Throughout school and employment, I've attended safety sessions which
>have included how to
>use an extinguisher. Awfully valuable info, IMO. You don't aim INTO
>burning liquid because
>you want to avoid splashing it. You aim across the top so's to kill the
>O2 supply at the surface.
| |
| Norminn 2008-04-01, 5:25 pm |
| salty@dog.com wrote:
>On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:08:13 -0500, Norminn <norminn@earthlink.net>
>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>Just hope that you aren't in a situation where that little bitty
>1A10BC fire extinguisher isn't up to the job of getting you out of
>there and saving your life. I'm only required to have 2 small fire
>extinguishers on my sailboat. I have 3 bigger ones. One at each end of
>the boat and one near the center, 4A60BC.
>
>
Yes, being in the bow of a sailboat when the center goes would be
unpleasant.
>
>
>
>
>It was already time to "get out now". Everyone should have gotten out
>FIRST before making any judgement about whether to fight it yourself.
>You are correct that it is often a matter of seconds between oops, and
>death.
>
>
>
I don't recall, but I think it was "dial 911, grab extinguisher, wake
the rest of the family". This was
a four year-old who had wakened to get a snack. He tried to put out the
paper, but got scared
and crawled in bed with mom and dad.
Fire department followed up and gave him some more instruction.
>
>
>
As to the mention of a pan of grease burning, it is better to put a lid
on it if possible. It would be shooting
gobs of smoke and grease into the air, which can flash over.
| |
|
| On Apr 1, 9:30=A0am, Jim Redelfs <jim.rede...@NOSPAMredelfs.com> wrote:
> In article <5oc4v39m9sv51q1t9dk8f6qjva7qp52...@4ax.com>,
> =A0Daniel Prince <neutri...@ca.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
> I agree.
>
>
> I hope your brother misunderstood the safety expert. =A0It has been my
> experience that the discharge RATE or "strength" is about the same for
> the smaller units as it is for the larger ones.
>
>
> Get the larger one. =A0In fact, based on FIRST HAND experience, I highly
> recommend that you get as large an extinguisher (ABC-type) as you can. =A0=
> The larger models are of a higher quality, too.
>
> The little ones are just that: =A0Little. =A0They are too little to be
> effective on all but the smallest fire. =A0You would be surprised to learn=
> how quickly they empty.
>
> In the case of my aforementioned first hand experience, a "little" fire
> extinguisher made a very nice, small "hole" in the fire. =A0This
> conflagration required the fire department but convinced me of the LACK
> of effectiveness of the small extinguisher. =A0They have their place (RV,
> boat, kitchen wall, etc) but, if you are purchasing your first
> extinguisher, you should get a large one and keep it in a central part
> of the home, near an exit.
>
> Good luck. =A0I hope you never HAVE to use it.
> --
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0
> JR
we used to have periodic drills in our office where everybody got to
use the extinguisher to put out a practice fire, under the watchful
gaze of the fire department. i managed to completely empty a middle
sized extinguisher without putting the fire out. so i bought bigger
ones for my house.
| |
| Phisherman 2008-04-01, 5:25 pm |
| I have several small ABC Kiddie fire extinguishers. Most are mounted
near an exterior door. I have one in the kitchen, basement shop,
garage, and truck. The pressure dial shows the extinguisher has
pressure and should be periodically inspected. An open box of
baking soda near the stove is very effective for grease fires. The
thing to keep in mind is to have the extinguishers ready and easily
accessible. Hopefully, you won't ever have to use one.
| |
|
| On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:08:13 -0500, Norminn <norminn@earthlink.net>
wrote:
>Throughout school and employment, I've attended safety sessions which
>have included how to
>use an extinguisher. Awfully valuable info, IMO. You don't aim INTO
>burning liquid because
>you want to avoid splashing it. You aim across the top so's to kill the
>O2 supply at the surface.
Take a peek at your fire extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fire;
using sweeping motions.
That was the was I was trained in office safety classes.
The other was to use the correct type for the fire - ya don't put
liquid type on and electrical fire....
| |
| salty@dog.com 2008-04-01, 8:26 pm |
| On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:10:58 -0400, Phisherman <noone@nobody.com> wrote:
>I have several small ABC Kiddie fire extinguishers. Most are mounted
>near an exterior door. I have one in the kitchen, basement shop,
>garage, and truck. The pressure dial shows the extinguisher has
>pressure and should be periodically inspected. An open box of
>baking soda near the stove is very effective for grease fires. The
>thing to keep in mind is to have the extinguishers ready and easily
>accessible. Hopefully, you won't ever have to use one.
Here's another good tip: Every month or so, take each extinguisher off its
bracket and shake it vigorously until you can hear the powder moving inside. If
they hand for long periods, the gauge will still say they are good, but the
powder will haved settled itself into a solid lump and the extinguisher will not
work.
| |
|
| On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:32:25 GMT, salty@dog.com wrote:
>On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:10:58 -0400, Phisherman <noone@nobody.com> wrote:
>
>
>Here's another good tip: Every month or so, take each extinguisher off its
>bracket and shake it vigorously until you can hear the powder moving inside. If
>they hand for long periods, the gauge will still say they are good, but the
>powder will haved settled itself into a solid lump and the extinguisher will not
>work.
>
Do you have a link? One that suggest; this, shaking vigorously?!
TRUMP Tower in Las Vegas opened Monday. Can you imagine the money to
be made shaking fire extinguishers monthly...!
| |
| salty@dog.com 2008-04-01, 8:27 pm |
| On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:18:10 -0800, Oren <Oren@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:32:25 GMT, salty@dog.com wrote:
>
>
>Do you have a link? One that suggest; this, shaking vigorously?!
>
>TRUMP Tower in Las Vegas opened Monday. Can you imagine the money to
>be made shaking fire extinguishers monthly...!
Trump Tower is stocked with dry powder extinguishers?
I don't have a link. This is something that I've known for many years, and I've
heard repeated many times. Maybe the website for Kidde or some other major
manufacturer mentions it.
| |
| salty@dog.com 2008-04-01, 9:26 pm |
| On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:18:10 -0800, Oren <Oren@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:32:25 GMT, salty@dog.com wrote:
>
>
>Do you have a link? One that suggest; this, shaking vigorously?!
>
>TRUMP Tower in Las Vegas opened Monday. Can you imagine the money to
>be made shaking fire extinguishers monthly...!
Just for yuks, I just googled:
"shake" "extinguisher"
See what you think!
| |
| Douglas Johnson 2008-04-02, 1:25 pm |
| salty@dog.com wrote:
>
>It was already time to "get out now". Everyone should have gotten out
>FIRST before making any judgement about whether to fight it yourself.
>You are correct that it is often a matter of seconds between oops, and
>death.
Which brings up a point that has been missed so far. If you are going to fight
a fire with an extinguisher, do it with your back to the door and monitor your
escape route. Things can go sour in seconds.
Keep your fire extinguishers near an exit, so you won't have to go deeper into
the building to get one. You might also keep some sticks and a bag of
marshmallows there, so you'll have something to do while waiting for the fire
department.
-- Doug
| |
|
| On Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:24:39 GMT, salty@dog.com wrote:
>On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:18:10 -0800, Oren <Oren@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>
>
>Trump Tower is stocked with dry powder extinguishers?
Not stocked full, but they must have some. Why pull a hose pipe fire
hose for a trash can fire :-)) I suppose a roaring trash can fire will
set the sprinkler off.
>I don't have a link. This is something that I've known for many years, and I've
>heard repeated many times. Maybe the website for Kidde or some other major
>manufacturer mentions it.
>
I did find mention of shaking on San Bernardino FD, CA site. The
first I read about it, except your mention of it.
This shaking, as part of the maintenance is not mentioned on my units.
It gives other things to check for, but not mention of shaking the
fire extinguisher. They ought to fix that!
| |
| Tom Horne 2008-04-02, 9:25 pm |
| salty@dog.com wrote:
> On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:10:58 -0400, Phisherman <noone@nobody.com> wrote:
>
>
> Here's another good tip: Every month or so, take each extinguisher off its
> bracket and shake it vigorously until you can hear the powder moving inside. If
> they hand for long periods, the gauge will still say they are good, but the
> powder will haved settled itself into a solid lump and the extinguisher will not
> work.
>
>
It takes a lot longer then a month for the chemical to compact to a non
flowing state. Follow the instructions on the label that contains the
listing mark. You only need to take it off of the hook once every six
months. You then simply invert it and wait for the powder to fall
loosely to the top of the cylinder. You can feel the powder drop. Do
not pound or shake! If the powder doesn't fall loose on it's own the
extinguisher should be serviced or replaced. Turn the extinguisher
right side up and put it back on the bracket.
--
Tom Horne, Firefighter
Well we aren't no thin blue heroes but we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and women most remarkable like you.
With apologies to the Kipling trust for the paraphrasing.
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