17 replies to this topic

[craig333]

Halon is not a great idea in an enclosed space. Generates toxic fumes plus displaces oxygen. Used a lot in computer rooms because it doesn't harm the equipment, but in places where humans work you have a delay to allow you to get out before it discharges. Not to mention its getting harder to get due to environmental reasons.

If your extinguisher shows a charge and the powder is free it should last a long time. I know I"ve brought up the extinguisher shaking before, but even I don't always get around to doing it. I'll make it point to do it today.

They are messy but I wouldn't hesitate to use one if it was needed. I disagree with fisherman that they're useless, but you do need to keep in mind a few things. They're typically rated something like 1A10BC. The numbers refer to how much fire they're rated to put out. Which means they are much more effective on gas/oil, the BC part, than ordinary combustibles, the A part. So if you are going to use one you need to make sure the fire is small, and aim at the base of the flame.

Myself, I carry a couple dry chem extinguishers, a foam extinguisher and sometimes even a five gal afff extinguisher. Oh, almost forgot the five gal backpump that goes on the Jeep. But that harkens back to my days as a firefighter for CDF and I do tend to get a bit carried away.

P.S. Just checked the Jeep extinguisher and sure enough it was packed.

[brett13]

If your extinguisher shows a charge and the powder is free it should last a long time.

How can one tell if the powder is "free"? It's not like the extinguisher is see through. Or just give it a good shaking and leave it at that?

[pvstoy]

How can one tell if the powder is "free"? It's not like the extinguisher is see through. Or just give it a good shaking and leave it at that?

Think of a spray paint can. When you first shake it you don't feel the ball inside. Like the powder when you turn the unit sideways and shake you will not "feel" movement inside. So shake long and hard and you will "feel" the powder moving around.

[craig333]

Think of a spray paint can. When you first shake it you don't feel the ball inside. Like the powder when you turn the unit sideways and shake you will not "feel" movement inside. So shake long and hard and you will "feel" the powder moving around.

As good an explanation as I could give. Sometimes you'll have to turn it upside down and give it a good whack to break it loose if its really packed.

[Sam]

Turn upside down & tap with a rubber mallet, turn upright & shake, do this a few times. And Dry Chem. is extremely effective on flammable liquids.

[bsharp007]

Is the only way to go, if you have to use it. Both boats we operate, and the race car I drive are protected by Halon systems. I thought about one for the camper, but decided if the thing catches fire, I'm walking. For the most part dry chemical ext. are useless.

Dry Chem extinguishers are very effective for extinguishing most fires, they are rated as class ABC extinguishers. I have used dry chem extinguishers to put out many small car fires in my job as a firefighter. The downside is they do leave a mess but better then burning down our campers. Halon is pretty much extinct here in CA, the next choice is CO2 extinguishers and they are not effective on class A fires (wood, paper, and other common combustibles) probably the most common fires we see. I do like the idea of periodically turning your OEM dry chem extinguisher upside down and tapping with a rubber mallet in order to free up the powder and replacing with a new extinguisher every 5 years or so.

[Puffins]

OK here is the deal with Halons after the Montreal Protocol of 1987 there was a world wide mandate to stop all production by 2004, most production stopped by 1994. This was along with CFCs for environmental reasons, green house gases and remember that whole O-zone layer thing. There were some provisions left for high value computer, aircraft and military uses.

It is an asphyxiate but works on a chemical level to put out the fire more effectively than any other product. And yes it is highly toxic.

Today you pretty much can't get a new Halon extinguisher unless it is surplus and most of those a big systems, ie. tanks, airplanes clean rooms. There are new halon alternatives out there.

Get a good ABC dry chem and mount it where you can get to it. If the fire gets to big you aren't going to put it out with out some major GPM. (RVs and mobile homes have a tendency to go roman candle:)) CO2 is great but big and heavy. If you use any extinguisher in an enclosed space you will be hurting either from the powder or lack of O2.

Best bet.....Don't catch the darn thing on fire in the first place!

[masterplumber]

Just a reminder since camping season has arrived. I checked mine while putting the camper on for the season this weekend & sure enough it required the "shake, rattle, & roll" treatment.
Doug