Fire extinguisher questions

[chessie4905]

How many have had their current ones serviced at least every three years?

[richard5933]

You may want to rethink an abc for your electronics bay.

I'm aware of the potential for having to replace the equipment. Still better than replacing the bus.

I know that in reality the only time the extinguisher in the bay will do any good is I happen to be there when it happens. It's more for something that's user-induced while I'm in there working than anything else. Halon extinguisher would have been my first choice but wasn't in the budget yet. Planning to upgrade to those soon.

In my woodworking business I just sold we had our extinguishers checked/tagged annually. They don't do any good if they don't work. For the 2-1/2 lb ABC extinguisher at about $50/ea, it's just about as cheap to replace them every two years.

[Jim Eh.]

You had a run in with Lucas - Lord of fire and darkness? 

I have a 20 lb CO2 mid-ship pass side; away from traffic and fire.  I also have a 2.5 lb Freon hanging on a kitchen cabinet.

Freon??? I seem to remember using a propane torch with an element in the flame that changed colour (yes with a U) when a draft tube was run across a leak in an Automotive A/C system (great safety back in the day). Never knew they were also used as extinguishers.

[Lee Bradley]

Yes Freon. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromochlorodifluoromethane

http://amerex-fire.com/products/halon-1211-extinguishers/

[TheHollands!]

I'd agree with checking your existing fire extinguishers. We carry one up front and also in the rear bedroom. We recently had a small fire in our stove and neither extinguisher worked. We were able to put the fire out but what really scared me was how quickly the smoke took over and there was very little air to actually be in there to put out the fire. Was a big wake up for us. Thankfully it all worked out ok, we'll be better prepared next time. Craig

[Brassman]

I think it's halon extinguishers, not freon -- though they'e chemically close. I've had those dry chem extinguishers upside down and shaking the chemicals to put out a fire before, and that's with a gauge that read full charge. 

[chessie4905]

On dry chemical, they say to lightly thump them in several places once a year with a rubber mallet to keep powder from packing inside unit.

[buswarrior]

Rubber mallet makes a great dry chemical extinguisher thumper.

Mounting the extinguisher on its side and being to roll it over periodically doesn't cake as hard as the traditional vertical mounting.

If there is a nice place for it to fit...

happy coaching!
buswarrior