Something to think about is that you have approximately 1 second of fire exstingusher use for every lb it weighs. So a 2 lb-er is 2 second, 5 lb-er is 5 seconds. This general rule holds true up to the 20 lb extinguishers.
Also remember the PASS method.
Pull the pin. Aim at the base of the fire Squeeze the handle Sweep side to side of the fire
Fire Exstinguishers should be used only if the fire is in the very beginning stage and then, only after everyone is out of danger. With generally 2-5 seconds of extinguishing ability, if the fire is escalating and growing, your going to do little but put yourself in danger. Just save lifes and get away from it. Everything else can be replaced.
2011 Silverado Crewcab 4x4
2012 Passport 238ML
Hope your travels are safe and the friendships made camping are lasting.
This topic comes up periodically, and I try to respond with my own experience when it does. The following is a post I made on 10/25/2011 and I believe it is still true. That post addressed the extinguisher supplied with the RV that is found adjacent to an outside door.
This is that posting: "Sorry, but I don't think the extinguisher furnished is a joke, or that one should simply stand back and let-'er-burn. As a matter of fact, it saved my rig in January (2011). I had a T-shirt I used to check fluids tucked away in the rear engine compartment, and coming west out of San Antonio in January, the rag worked loose and fell down on the hot exhaust pipe just inside the rear cap. I saw the resultant fire in the rear view camera and pulled over immediately. By the time I got to the rear of the rig, there were flames 3' high from the exhaust area both inside and outside the rear cap. I ran forward and got the "joke", hit the flames with it and they immediately extinguished. Result: No wires burned, no major RV fire, and the paint WASN'T EVEN DISCOLORED. You can bet I got the extinguisher recharged at the next stop, even though I had 2 additional extinguishers in the rig. Did learn a valuable lesson though. DON'T KEEP LOOSE OILY RAGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. Even after you get one (or more extinguishers), make sure you check it regularly. Pressure should be in the green, pin in and safetied with the correct seal, and the powder inside agitated. Shaking or turning the extinguisher over and hitting it with a rubber hammer or piece of wood will keep the powder loose and flowing when you need it. Commercial establishments need to do and document this check monthly, so it's just a good thing to do. If you have any question on how to check it, take it to the nearest fire department and they'll show you how to do it. I keep two additional 5ABC's and one 10lb CO2. The choice is yours, but they work when taken care of and used."
As I said in that post, whatever extinguishers you have, THEY NEED MONTHLY ATTENTION. Do it and you have a good chance of taking care of a critical problem. Even the small ones in the rig work, and work well when they are taken care of.
John
Pigman & Piglady
2013 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43' QGP
2011 Chevy Silverado 1500
BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Street Atlas USA Plus
CincyGus wrote: Something to think about is that you have approximately 1 second of fire exstingusher use for every lb it weighs. So a 2 lb-er is 2 second, 5 lb-er is 5 seconds. This general rule holds true up to the 20 lb extinguishers.
Also remember the PASS method.
Pull the pin. Aim at the base of the fire Squeeze the handle Sweep side to side of the fire
Fire Exstinguishers should be used only if the fire is in the very beginning stage and then, only after everyone is out of danger. With generally 2-5 seconds of extinguishing ability, if the fire is escalating and growing, your going to do little but put yourself in danger. Just save lifes and get away from it. Everything else can be replaced.
Also important to remember is that in the hands of a untrained person, a fire extingusher can become a deadly weapon capable of moving the fire from a kitchen into the bedroom! Training is paramount!!!
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