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06-04-2011, 02:38 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
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Fire Extinguisher Tip
Doing some maintenance/cleaning on the van today and was reminded of a tip I got from a person who services fire extinguishers. Thought I'd pass it along.
With a dry chemical fire extinguisher the powder inside settles to the bottom. As the extinguisher ages and sits in the same position there's a possibility of the powder caking together and reducing it's effectiveness when needed. Every six months you should turn it upside down. While in this position hold the vertical cylinder part of the extinguisher against your ear. You should be able to hear the powder as it changes position inside the extinguisher. It's not a very loud but you can hear it.
If there is no movement you can try tapping it to break up the powder inside. If that doesn't help it might be time to replace the extinguisher.
Yes I really do this and no I don't think the guy was pulling my leg.
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06-04-2011, 02:51 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 533
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
Sounds reasonable to me.
Another tip is when shopping, buy one with a metal valve. they can be re-filled pretty cheaply every couple of years at any fire/safety store. Plastic valved extinguishers cannot be re-filled.
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06-05-2011, 07:56 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,644
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
Plastic valved extinguishers are like, what $15? I try to have them everywhere, including the tractor roll bar. Never heard of flipping, the SMB one is stock so I might just replace or service (not sure what type)... been sitting for 6 years I guess. I'm also planning an extinguisher test and training next week- I've never actually used one and I realized it is a good idea to try it before being faced with having to use it, so everybody is going to get some trigger time.
__________________
it was good to be back
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06-05-2011, 10:02 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,186
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
Quote:
Originally Posted by jage
Plastic valved extinguishers are like, what $15? I try to have them everywhere, including the tractor roll bar. Never heard of flipping, the SMB one is stock so I might just replace or service (not sure what type)... been sitting for 6 years I guess. I'm also planning an extinguisher test and training next week- I've never actually used one and I realized it is a good idea to try it before being faced with having to use it, so everybody is going to get some trigger time.
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Come on, you just want an excuse to set a fire!
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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06-05-2011, 10:32 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
For practice I can recommend a small pit filled with water and diesel fuel. It's easy to relight so everyone can get a chance. Since it's a gas fire it will only go out if you aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire. Good training.
The pit we used was dug with a D-9 so the fire was pretty impressive once it got going.
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06-09-2011, 08:05 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,410
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
Yes that's correct and one reason it's best to mount it sideways in a 4x4 or boat. For the most part the vehicle movement will cause the chemical to “slosh” rather than pound it into the bottom like cement. You're still supposed to change them out yearly though even though I don't.
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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06-09-2011, 10:12 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 475
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
Quote:
Originally Posted by jage
I've never actually used one
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Just remember: PASS
Pull
Aim ( at the base of the fire...)
Squeeze
Sweep
I pulled out an old one a few months ago and decided to see how dead it was. The answer was 'completely'. It's good to check those things once in a while.
__________________
2002 E350 EB - Voyager top - 7.3 - Quigley 4WD
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06-24-2011, 10:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,644
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
My SMB extinguisher is a rock inside. I can hear it slide and couldn't break it up as far as I can tell. Practice and refurb still on the to-do list...
Quote:
I pulled out an old one a few months ago and decided to see how dead it was. The answer was 'completely'. It's good to check those things once in a while.
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As in gauge read "OK" but it didn't work?
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it was good to be back
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06-24-2011, 11:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 475
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
So old there was no gauge. Pulled the pin, squeezed the handle, and nothing, not even a puff.
__________________
2002 E350 EB - Voyager top - 7.3 - Quigley 4WD
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07-08-2013, 10:13 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,186
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Re: Fire Extinguisher Tip
So, aside from a Halon extinguisher, what's the best bet for a vehicle fire extinguisher? My extinguisher in my Bronco is a brick, though that's not a surprise given that it's at least 12 years old
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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