Fire Extinguishers

[HotandCold]

I have been looking at water mist extinguishers, they contain very pure distilled water and produce micro droplets, the only residue is water.
Is there anyone on here with experience of this type of extibguisher?

 

[Dieseldonkey]

I'd give careful thought to where you locate your extinguisher. Not just for cooking fire, but if your involved in an accident, if as the driver, I was incapacitated in as the result if a collision, I'd like to know my family could get hold of the extinguisher just incase they were trapped in the vehicle. It may just buy them a the few seconds it could take for someone to get them out.

I don't want to put the fear if God up folk, but by far the vast majority of collisions I've been too, there's never been any fire. But frequently there is fluid spill (Diesel, oil petrol, coolant) where they're is potential for disaster. Where there has been fire, it's mostly started under the bonnet. However remember, quite a few of us sit on 12v batteries incased in a metal seat base. Capable of releasing many many amps in one go if they're shorted in a prang.

This makes me tend towards foam as choice of extinguisher and a fire blanket. 12v won't cause an issue with foam, it doesn't displace breathable oxygen if the occupants are trapped, it smothers fuel spill and less mess if you've used it on a small fire.

Please also consider carrying a glass hammer (or automatic centre punch) and a seatbelt cutter. Show your kids how to use it correctly. Your windscreens laminated and bonded in so it's unlikely you'd egress that route. Side glass on the other hand is toughened as opposed to laminated and can be made to shatter if it's hit the right way. But you'd be surprised at how tough it can be if it's not done right and without the proper tool.

 

[Salty Spuds]

I don't fancy the entire van being instantly filled with powder and the oxygen gone so will be using a fire blanket for cooking fires if I have one. Just trying to chose a suitable extinguisher in case I get a non cooking fire in the van

If you've got a fire in the van, a lack of oxygen is the least of your worries.

 

[xpfloyd]

If you've got a fire in the van, a lack of oxygen is the least of your worries.

I was talking about a cooking fire where a blanket would be better than filling the full van with powder. I keep a powder extinguisher and a blanket easily accessible in the camper

 

[Sjacko20]

Just resurrecting an old thread as have been very impressed by these:Fire Safety Stick - Fire Extinguishing for the 21st Century bought from Rainbow screens with our pop top cover. Apparently originates from technology developed for use in space applications as it isn't pressurised etc.
Should fit discreetly in the van and cope with all types of fire.

 

[DXX]

If you have an electrical fire in the van any extinguisher is of little use unless the power trips automatically or you have easy access to switch it manually.
I’ve used powder extinguishers on fires in the past and every time the extinguisher has been ‘caked’; ie when activated it did not discharge. This is a very common problem with powder extinguishers, always shake the powder up before activating and don’t panic if it doesnt discharge......it might take a few shakes.
The other issue is that you will need to be 100% sure where the ‘seat’ of the fire is located as once that extinguisher discharges you won’t be seeing anything much inside the van for a while!

I carry powder and AFFF, the powder will always be last resort in my opinion.
What does bother me is the leisure battery power isolator on my van is buried in an inaccessible locker.

 

[Samro]

I know that this is an old thread, but I though I'd just contribute and enquire where people are mounting their fire fighting kit?

As a marine engineer who has seen my share of engines that require full rebuild (following dry powder damage on top of the fire damage), I have decided to do a little research to locate the best emergency fire fighting solution for my needs.

Following @Sjacko20 's old post on this thread detailing the Fire Stick products, I thought I'd have a look at these Fire Safety Sticks. These are truly impressive for their size albeit somewhat pricey.

They can tackle the same types of fire as dry powder but also category F. (Cooking Oils and Fats)

These nifty looking extinguishers look easy to set off in an emergency, but difficult to set off accidentally. When set off they look to extinguish without the damaging residue that smothers the fire with dry powder or foam.

I have today purchased two of the 100 second Fire Safety Sticks from Vital Equipment who provided the best price which included free shipping. I also bought a 50 second version for my work van. Quite an expensive purchase, but at least the shelf life is long at 10 years plus. See links below:

100 Second version - Fire Safety Stick Pro - 100 Seconds
50 second version - Fire Safety Stick - 50 Seconds

Video for more info here (Note sound quality is poor, but you get the idea!)

 

[Dellmassive]

We was talking about that recently.....

Camping Ideas and Tips

Handy little Carabiner . . . . . These little things are great, weve been using them for years. i have my keys on them, we clipped the dog on one, we clipped shopping bags together, we hung stuff on the gazebo, clipped up lights in the tent, we clipped stuff to pegs, andd the list goes on . ...

www.t6forum.com

...

 

[drinfinity]

Thanks for the links. Hopefully Firestick are better at putting the Potassium into a tube than they are at explaining the chemistry. The explanation on their website is drivel. Having said that product does look like a good packaging of the potassium salt technology, and I think a good solution for a van extinguisher.

 

[Howzat]

I'm a bit sceptical. Looks like you need to get quite close to the fire.

 

[Samro]

Thanks for the links. Hopefully Firestick are better at putting the Potassium into a tube than they are at explaining the chemistry. The explanation on their website is drivel. Having said that product does look like a good packaging of the potassium salt technology, and I think a good solution for a van extinguisher.

There are dumb people like me that are not ever going to attempt to understand the chemistry, even if it was explained properly.

They have a product that clearly works (I saw one used at a safety demo at a marina last month). I don't understand the chemistry at all. I think that they work by using all of the oxygen which kills the fire. (Halon used to do this, but unfortunately you would suffocate if an auto Halon extinguisher went off in an engine space which was being worked in so that got banned ages ago!)

As I say, I have no understanding of the chemistry, but the fact that thee things seem to put out a good size fire, which doesn't seem to result in death through asphyxiation is nice.

I'm a bit sceptical. Looks like you need to get quite close to the fire.

I agree, but the 50 second one I saw put out a test fire pretty quickly. This was in an outside environment with a breeze, where suffocation of the fire would prove more difficult than in an enclosed space.

I do like the fact that you can chuck one into a burning space and let the magical chemistry knock out the fire. That was the main reason i went for the 100 second version for the my camper and also my caravan.
I wouldn't put myself at too much risk of smoke inhalation in the event of a fire anyway. The fact that in a worst case you could activate, lob, shut doors and hope for best is good enough for me!

 

[Newadventurer]

Recommendations for compact fire fighting equipment to use in cabin - what do you have or consider essential , and where did you get yours from , where do you store yours or have you had yours mounted somewhere in your camper cabin ? Thank you for any help / advice

 

[drinfinity]

Firestick for me. Small capacity, long shelf life, clean in use. Fortunately not had to actually user test it yet.

Fire Safety Stick - 50 Seconds | Class A, B, C, D, E, F Fire Protection

Fire Protection Shop: 0800 316 1469 - FSS 50 Introducing the Fire Safety Stick – a fire extinguishing device that is a simple and easy way to ensure that you are prepared in the event of a fire in your home, vehicle, caravan or boat.

www.fireprotectionshop.co.uk

 

[drinfinity]

And I just keep it in the side door pocket

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Another vote for a Firestick. I’ve been recommending Rob at Clubman Motorsport

 

[Newadventurer]

the firestick sounds good guys

 

[Howzat]

Doesn't look too convincing to me!

 

[Grim Reaper]

I bought one of these seeing as I have a Lithium battery under the passenger seat..

Firexo All Fires Fire Extinguisher 2Ltr - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Lightweight, convenient and powerful liquid extinguisher. Non-toxic, biodegradable and more environmentally friendly than powder extinguishers. For all fire classes. Made from naturally occurring ingredients. Supplied with bracket. FREE next day delivery available...

www.screwfix.com

 

[drinfinity]

Doesn't look too convincing to me!

It’s intended for confined spaces like a vehicle- it’s not a good choice to put out a bonfire in a field.

 

[Lee8210]

Any thoughts on something like this Here?