OB Approved Overland Safety: Fire Extinguishers
- Thread starter Lifestyle Overland
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Member III
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- JPD
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- Davis
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3411
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- Infantry vet. 88-03
When I used our 3/4 ton as a courier truck, I had to get a 20 lb extinguisher. Usually because we'd deliver on sites in the oil sands. It's in a bracket near the tailgate for quick access.
Now that I'm in a different line of work, when the time comes, we'll sport a couple smaller units.
Now that I'm in a different line of work, when the time comes, we'll sport a couple smaller units.
Influencer II
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- Lyon
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- McKeil
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- AI6F WQZP709 M0GVK (UK Ham Licesne)
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- CAL FIRE
Nice write up. I was always taught the P.A.S.S. method,
P: Pull the pin.
A: Aim at the base of the fire.
S: Squeeze the trigger.
S: Sweep side to side.
P: Pull the pin.
A: Aim at the base of the fire.
S: Squeeze the trigger.
S: Sweep side to side.
Pathfinder I
I fully agree and would like to push the idea of having a Fire Extinguisher with a hose/nozzle.
In Australian we have a grass call Spinifex.
If you drive through Spinifex when it is dry it pack itself up between the under-body armour, exhaust and vehicle body. When it catches on fire it is hard to put out with a fire extinguisher with NO hose. Some fire extinguishers will not work on their side or upside down. This makes it hard to put an under-vehicle fire out, unless you have very high clearance. If the fire extinguisher HAS a hose/nozzle it makes it a bit easier to feed the hose under the vehicle.
The suggestion if driving in Spinifex country every time you stop for a break, pull out any build-up of Spinifex from under the vehicle. A piece of fencing wire with a hook is handy for this. Stops you burning your hands on exhaust.
Colin
So is there anything wrong with a $17 Walmart extinguisher? https://www.walmart.com/ip/42732928...online&wl12=42732928&wl13=&veh=sem#about-item
Other than the no hose thing.
Other than the no hose thing.
Pathfinder III
Here is a fire extinguisher bracket for the 4runners I like Wits End
Hi, I'm a fire alarm/extinguisher tech, and there is a lot of good info in this post. An A.B.C. extinguisher is the best all around for vehicles. And I would say if you have the space to mount one outside the vehicle to do it. Go up to a 10# if you have the room. A 10# outside and a 2 1/2# under a seat would be a really good combo.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using OB Talk mobile app
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using OB Talk mobile app
I have mine mounted where I can access it immediately.
Only downside is if a short person needs to drive my Jeep they will have to remove the extinguisher from its mount in order to move the seat forward. That is not a problem within my own household, but it would be a deal killer for others.
Only downside is if a short person needs to drive my Jeep they will have to remove the extinguisher from its mount in order to move the seat forward. That is not a problem within my own household, but it would be a deal killer for others.
One thing you want to do is take it off its mount and shake it real hard, the powder in the extinguisher will settle and compress from vibration, this will loosen the powder inside so it will work properly, I usually do this routine maintenance once a year.
As a sailor, who's planning to get more into Overlanding, Im surprised that battery shut offs are so uncommon on vehicles (at least stock ones). Battery shut offs are standard equipment on cruising boats. In case of an electrical fire this immediately stops feeding power to the fire and turns a class C fire into a simple, and fading, class A fire.
First thing to do in a class C fire is kill the power...otherwise the heat from the short just continues to build until something burns thru and breaks the short circuit. Discharging an exinguisher on a class C fire does nothing but extinguish burning material...the source of the fire is still alive and well.
My Jeep XJ does not yet have one either. A few years ago on a road trip from Guatemala to Panama I had a major short on a remote back road in Nicaragua. Thought the Jeep was gonna go up in flames, or at least totally fry the electrical system, before I could get battery terminal disconnected.
I plan a major refit of the Jeep next year. A "Battery Brain" is already in my stock of goodies to install. This is not only a low voltage protection device, but a manual (or remote) shut off too.
How many of you have installed battery shut offs?
First thing to do in a class C fire is kill the power...otherwise the heat from the short just continues to build until something burns thru and breaks the short circuit. Discharging an exinguisher on a class C fire does nothing but extinguish burning material...the source of the fire is still alive and well.
My Jeep XJ does not yet have one either. A few years ago on a road trip from Guatemala to Panama I had a major short on a remote back road in Nicaragua. Thought the Jeep was gonna go up in flames, or at least totally fry the electrical system, before I could get battery terminal disconnected.
I plan a major refit of the Jeep next year. A "Battery Brain" is already in my stock of goodies to install. This is not only a low voltage protection device, but a manual (or remote) shut off too.
How many of you have installed battery shut offs?
Influencer I
I have mine mounted where I can access it immediately.
Only downside is if a short person needs to drive my Jeep they will have to remove the extinguisher from its mount in order to move the seat forward. That is not a problem within my own household, but it would be a deal killer for others.
I like the idea of keeping it close to the driver as that is where it will be needed during an emergency. I always thought mounting it to a roll bar or in the back may prevent the driver from reaching the extinguisher.
Mine is mounted between the driver's seat and the door and has a plastic holder that allows it to be ripped out pretty quickly for emergencies.
I agree. Closer is better. I'm planning to place another one in the front that can be grabbed quickly.
Pathfinder III
Good place for sure, I say that one of your fire extinguishers should be at arms reach when you are strapped in. That be wheels down or if you find yourself wheels up
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Many good inputs here on the needs for a way to extinguish a fire in your vehicle.
Instead of a powdered messy media or the wet solutions that are no good with electrical fire, I went for another solution:
Fire-Stryker. extinguishes fire in: A-B-C plus some more like E (some gasses) and K (cooking oil etc.) Leaves no trace to clean up.
It is the size of a signal flare and is started the same way (striking a big match). After igniting is spews out a potassium jet for 25 to 100 sec. (depending on size)...
That is quite a bit longer than your typical foam or powder extinguisher. Weighs about a pound, but apparently as effective as a 2.5 pound or more powder extinguisher.
Extremely compact and no problem with shelf life at all. Sold mainly through marine or racing shops.
I keep one in my vehicle and one in my kitchen. I like it so much that I bought a handful and gave them to siblings and family.
Have not used one in anger yet (very expensive).
I am sure there may be other somewhat similar options out there.
Instead of a powdered messy media or the wet solutions that are no good with electrical fire, I went for another solution:
Fire-Stryker. extinguishes fire in: A-B-C plus some more like E (some gasses) and K (cooking oil etc.) Leaves no trace to clean up.
It is the size of a signal flare and is started the same way (striking a big match). After igniting is spews out a potassium jet for 25 to 100 sec. (depending on size)...
That is quite a bit longer than your typical foam or powder extinguisher. Weighs about a pound, but apparently as effective as a 2.5 pound or more powder extinguisher.
Extremely compact and no problem with shelf life at all. Sold mainly through marine or racing shops.
I keep one in my vehicle and one in my kitchen. I like it so much that I bought a handful and gave them to siblings and family.
Have not used one in anger yet (very expensive).
I am sure there may be other somewhat similar options out there.
Influencer II
As someone who watched his childhood home burn, I now have 2 fire extinguishers at home and one small one in my car.
