Fire Extinguishers, What’s Good Nowadays

[LooneyTech]

I have a buncha extinguishers all over my property in the various outbuildings so I thought I was good

… however, several stories of friends who had Kidde brand units fail to operate has me rethinking my approach

What’s good in an ABC unit, and why ?

Thanks !

 

[Chevy_man]

Doesn't matter the brand. They need to be serviced.

At a minimum float the powder in them every few months. That's generally the problem, powder gets so condensed it won't come out of the straw.

Flip it upside down and whack with rubber mallet. When you can turn it over and hear the powder flowing it's good.

 

[SomeGuy]

I've got a mix of brands, won't know if they're any good until I hopefully never have to use them. As said, give a wack every now and then.

Also have a CO2 extinguisher in any mechanic/fab shop...screw dumping that caustic powder on everything when a squirt of co2 will put out the gas/electrical fire under the hood.

 

[Slander]

Amerex, made in the USA in AL.

 

[LooneyTech]

Amerex, made in the USA in AL.

What makes them special ?

Doesn't matter the brand. They need to be serviced.

At a minimum float the powder in them every few months. That's generally the problem, powder gets so condensed it won't come out of the straw.

Flip it upside down and whack with rubber mallet. When you can turn it over and hear the powder flowing it's good.

Thanks for this post !

I actually do something like this, but a little more gentle as I’ve heard it can break the fragile internal plastic pick up tube ?

Is that a wives tale ?

 

[Sceep]

CO2.

 

[Chevy_man]

What makes them special ?



Thanks for this post !

I actually do something like this, but a little more gentle as I’ve heard it can break the fragile internal plastic pick up tube ?

Is that a wives tale ?

1 year service is generally just float the powder and look at the gauge.

5 year is discharge, dismantle, replace o-rings and gauge, recharge.

10 year is hydro-test. Discharge, dismantle, fill with 5000psi water. Replace gauge and o-rings, recharge.

I didn't ever see a broken pickup tube, but I only did it for a few years.


I'd definitely keep a CO2 around if you're paranoid. Provided the gauge works you'll never have to worry about it unless it loses pressure.

 

[ANGRYBLACK]

CO2 next to ABC. Because they Cover most fires.

Ionized Water for super sensitive electronics seems to be the new thing.

 

[Slander]

What makes them special ?

It's a commercial/industrial grade fire extinguisher. Any extinguisher shop can service and refill them, obviously made in America which is good. Then, buckeye, and ansul are the industry standard.