Fire extinguisher

[SpeedyDux]

We had one provided on our new HymerCar along with a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. I suspect most manufacturers do these days

Our Rapido came with a small dry powder type fire extinguisher but that's all. The dealer offered a small discount on its accessory shop where you could buy the smoke and CO alarms. They also "forgot" to include the promised 25m EHU cable until reminded by me at handover. Scrooges.

I think in Germany you won't get a fire extinguisher included. Mind you everything is an optional extra over there.

 

[NoName]

I wonder how many on here have actually had to use a fire extinguisher in their motorhome?

No never had to but I feel happier having two, one in the cab and another just inside the rear storage by the door.

 

[Machbuster]

My previous 'camper van' came with a fire extinguisher, even the dealer tried to charge me for it. My latest motorhome came without one. Believe it is up to the dealer what extras they advertise it with.

 

[Pausim]

And of corse you need to replace the fire extinguisher each year. Commercial sites subscribe to annual inspections. Weight, pressure, damp etc.. Especially important for dry powder extinguishers. But the small mobile units it's just replace annually.

My extinguisher came with a 5 year warranty and has a pressure gauge. As long as the pressure remains in the green area no need to replace.

 

[rnb100]

And of corse you need to replace the fire extinguisher each year. Commercial sites subscribe to annual inspections. Weight, pressure, damp etc.. Especially important for dry powder extinguishers. But the small mobile units it's just replace annually.

My dry powder 600g unit in the camper van expires at the end of 2025. I'll be doing regular visual inspections on it and won't be replacing it yearly unless i spot anything the doesn't look right. After reading this thread, I think I'll buy a second one for the garage area.

Arron.

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[HugoBNB]

If you go for a dry power one (messy but safe on all fires) make sure you remove it from its clip and give it a really good shake occasionally, the powder gets compacted with vibration from travelling and when you need it it may not work.

Dont just buy one, get 3 or 4....the small 1ltr ones don't go very far plus a single one may be in a position you can't reach because of the fire

Sound advice there. Get a fire blanket too.

 

[robert groves]

Are new motorhomes supplied as standard with fire extinguishers or do you have to purchase these yourself.

The latest generation of 'Water-Mist' are classified as 'All-Fires' !...Have 2,...one near the cooking area, and one by the exit door...Remember, rule 1: Raise the Alarm. Rule 2: Evacuate... Rule 3: ONLY Tacke the fire if it is safe to do so, and you feel confident in doing so,...Many People have been burnt to death simply by ignoring rules 1+2 and trying to tackle a fire, and there are still people sleeping nearby !....Your MH can be replaced,...lives cannot !

 

[Kannon Fodda]

The principle of fire extinguishers, blankets, whatever is use only when it is safe to do so, and don't put yourself or others at risk. Fundamentally, unless the fire is in the very earliest of stages, your only option, however galling, is to get everyone out, quick. With so much in our motorhomes highly combustible, gas systems, other fuels, foams and plastics (even fire retardant) that will give off noxious fumes, you shouldn't hang around.

Two on every landing in our apartment block.... sufficient to contain a small fire, which most fires are initially...only then would I await the arrival of a local Fire Crew, which by the way I was for 30 years.

Fire extinguishers in common parts of blocks of flats are now usually discouraged by most fire risk assessors. The principle being that the stairs don't have a fire risk and should be a "protected area" (if all other fire resistance measures actually work). If you have left your flat due to fire, you shouldn't be turning around to go back in. Once out, stay out.

 

[SpeedyDux]

A relevant side topic is means of escape in case of a fire. Think about it. If the smoke alarm sounds during the night what will you do? Will your added security such as deadlocks impede your escape from the MH? How far is it to the habitation door? Have you got a torch handy? Can you get out through a window? Will you try to rescue your pets? Fighting the fire yourself seems a bit far fetched and could be low down the priority list.

Our PVC has a transverse double bed at the back. FIAT's internal door handle is below the level of the bed (some converters do relocate the door handle higher above the bed, a point I wasn't aware of when I bought this PVC). On our next outing I must give opening the locked back doors a try with all the bedding in place. Hmmm.

 

[robert groves]

I wonder how many on here have actually had to use a fire extinguisher in their motorhome?

I used to complete a yearly firefighting course when i was working offshore, and on my first attempt found that i was inacurate, and emptied the extinguisher without accomplishing very much....DONT Throw your out-of-date extinguishers away,...use them on a 'practice' fire in the garden, or other safe area (and have another person standing by with a hose pipe !)

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[robert groves]

And of corse you need to replace the fire extinguisher each year. Commercial sites subscribe to annual inspections. Weight, pressure, damp etc.. Especially important for dry powder extinguishers. But the small mobile units it's just replace annually.

Use the old extinguisher as a 'practice' extinguisher,....especialy if you have never used one before !

 

[orridge]

Dealer fitted Fire extinguisher, co2 & Smoke detector.

 

[Nanniemate]

Mine came supplied, as did the smoke and carbon monoxide detector. But it's so buried away that I'd never get to it quick enough if there were a problem.

Well move it then fire extinguishers are there to aide escape and not fight fires, get out standback and watch it go. ,People are more important than vans.

 

[Odd-no-more]

With any new van I locate escape routes before sleeping in it. I've never had to get out quick and I've been at it since the 80's but it doesn't pay to be complacent

 

[Kannon Fodda]

A relevant side topic is means of escape in case of a fire. Think about it. If the smoke alarm sounds during the night what will you do? Will your added security such as deadlocks impede your escape from the MH? How far is it to the habitation door? Have you got a torch handy? Can you get out through a window? Will you try to rescue your pets? Fighting the fire yourself seems a bit far fetched and could be low down the priority list.

Our PVC has a transverse double bed at the back. FIAT's internal door handle is below the level of the bed (some converters do relocate the door handle higher above the bed, a point I wasn't aware of when I bought this PVC). On our next outing I must give opening the locked back doors a try with all the bedding in place. Hmmm.

A valid point. My van is small and I would expect the sliding door is the quick way out from anywhere. Even with the central locking and alarm system on whilst I am inside at night I know that side door can be opened from inside without a key (although an electrical issue might disable the locking?) At a push the side windows open enough that I'd fling myself out. But I usually have a towbar bike carrier mounted. The rear barn doors won't open sufficiently with that on, even though the inside handle is easily accessed.

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[Kannon Fodda]

Well move it then fire extinguishers are there to aide escape and not fight fires, get out standback and watch it go. ,People are more important than vans.

Yes the reality is that unless I saw the problem so early on that actually there wasn't a fire, I wouldn't be trying to do anything about it. I'd be out of there, because a) I'm a coward but b) I'm more important than my van and what is in it.

But Autotrail may have ticked the box by putting in the fire extinguisher but mounting it in the cupboard under the sink, where all sorts of pots pans and stuff will get thrown around it, isn't that practical. On the other hand I struggle to think where it would go which wouldn't actually be, day to day, causing an obstruction.

 

[Nanniemate]

Yes the reality is that unless I saw the problem so early on that actually there wasn't a fire, I wouldn't be trying to do anything about it. I'd be out of there, because a) I'm a coward but b) I'm more important than my van and what is in it.

But Autotrail may have ticked the box by putting in the fire extinguisher but mounting it in the cupboard under the sink, where all sorts of pots pans and stuff will get thrown around it, isn't that practical. On the other hand I struggle to think where it would go which wouldn't actually be, day to day, causing an obstruction.

mines behind the drivers seat attached to the cupboard , idea with the way I cook

 

[jumar]

The principle of fire extinguishers, blankets, whatever is use only when it is safe to do so, and don't put yourself or others at risk. Fundamentally, unless the fire is in the very earliest of stages, your only option, however galling, is to get everyone out, quick. With so much in our motorhomes highly combustible, gas systems, other fuels, foams and plastics (even fire retardant) that will give off noxious fumes, you shouldn't hang around.

Fire extinguishers in common parts of blocks of flats are now usually discouraged by most fire risk assessors. The principle being that the stairs don't have a fire risk and should be a "protected area" (if all other fire resistance measures actually work). If you have left your flat due to fire, you shouldn't be turning around to go back in. Once out, stay out.

Sound like offering professional views to a fellow professional...may I add that when Risk Assessors attend a building to carry out their work they apply Fire Regs. H&S regs or what ever regs are in place...However here in Spain where we live such regs differ or even are none existant....our apartment has open walkways unprotected stairways and extinguishers on all of the three floors...This for me provides some form of security, something at hand, something I would be happy to use if life was threatened until the first Crew of Three Firefighters arrived in the 25 minutes response time....if they are not available the next crew is 35 minutes...might get four Firefighters....Three fighters for 65,000 residents in two towns...with a fairly high industrial risk too...bit political here.... I'll keep my landing extinguishers in place for now...agree?

 

[pappajohn]

Isn't the advice to get out of the m/home, rather than risking life and limb? If that's true, then needing more than 1 extinguisher is a sure way of getting the family together to give you a good send off! Take the point about the extinguisher possibly being out of safe reach.

Steve

And if the fire is just on the point of being extinguished and the extinguisher runs out?

 

[Lenny HB]

We had one provided on our new HymerCar along with a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. I suspect most manufacturers do these days

Had 3 new Hymers nothing fitted in ours, maybe a dealer fit or done for the UK market we have always brought in Belgium.

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[TheBig1]

I have extinguishers fitted just inside both access doors and a fire blanket mounted to the side of the gas hob as the most likely source of a fire. In addition I have a third extinguisher accessible in the garage area. Other than suppressing a minor fire, they are there to ensure our relatively safer exit from the vehicle

I have used a fire extinguisher when away camping to extinguish (with the aid of water being fetched) a fire started by another camper using a barbeque and involving grass and a windbreak. Without prompt action the fire was going to rapidly spread to their caravan and I was first alerted by his wife screaming. The whole incident was dealt with in under 5 minutes and damage was minimal, but could have easily escalated to life threatening. The best advice is don't panic and be prepared to act swiftly, knowing how to tackle the seat source of the fire first

 

[jumar]

And if the fire is just on the point of being extinguished and the extinguisher runs out?

Good reason why more than one could be carried....and the same type of medium might be beneficial...re- ignition is also a problem..
Small extinguishers are perfectly capable of dealing with small fires if used in the early stages of firefighting...beyond that it becomes a totalling different requirement.....
A overheated pan, a BBQ fat fire (blanket preferred) the inverter or other small appliance overheating resulting ignition....

 

[Tiny]

If you have CO2 extinguisher do not hold the directional funnel when setting it off, they get extremely cold, you could end up with frost bite?

 

[jumar]

If you have CO2 extinguisher do not hold the directional funnel when setting it off, they get extremely cold, you could end up with frost bite?

We are talking weight now...Co2 extinguishers are very effective in the right hands...with gloves as you rightly pointed out...the downsides are they can splatter burning fat all over the place causing fire spread...great for electrical fires in confined spaces...however Co2 will not support life...so best left for the professionals....

 

[deleted79651]

And if the fire is just on the point of being extinguished and the extinguisher runs out?

The whole point is that a fire in such a confined space with gas bottles etc in close proximity means that unless it's a quick spray on the chip pan or similar before the fire gets hold, exit the van and leave it for the Fire Brigade. It was a Fire Officer who gave this advice. IIRC, he summed things up by saying that if you exit and leave matters to the Fire Brigade, you will at least be in a position to complete an insurance claim. Playing the hero with the extinguisher may not leave you with that option.

I doubt we'll agree. I'll be the one running away from the m/h as quick as my legs will carry me.

Steve

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[TheBig1]

unless it's a quick spray on the chip pan

never spray anything on a chip pan fire, use a fire blanket

 

[jumar]

The whole point is that a fire in such a confined space with gas bottles etc in close proximity means that unless it's a quick spray on the chip pan or similar before the fire gets hold, exit the van and leave it for the Fire Brigade. It was a Fire Officer who gave this advice. IIRC, he summed things up by saying that if you exit and leave matters to the Fire Brigade, you will at least be in a position to complete an insurance claim. Playing the hero with the extinguisher may not leave you with that option.

I doubt we'll agree. I'll be the one running away from the m/h as quick as my legs will carry me.

Steve

Don't know if it has become obvious but there are posts on here being made by Experienced Fire Officers....

 

[deleted79651]

Don't know if it has become obvious but there are posts on here being made by Experienced Fire Officers....

I'm not an experienced Fire Officer. If the van catches light, I'll be exiting Stage Left and completing an insurance claim. Everyone makes their individual choice.

Steve

 

[gus-lopez]

If you have 3 in such a small area, how many do you have in your house?

I have 2 in the van ,one by drivers door & other by sliding door.

Stick a couple of these by the door and just lob them on your way out...

ElideFire® - The Product

www.elidefire.fr

It doesn't say what the effect is if someone is inside when they go off?

you will at least be in a position to complete an insurance claim.

Not here you won't if you didn't save all your paperwork from the van. If the documents go up with the vehicle you will need to make a police report first for everything lost ,then apply for a new registration document, new ficha tecnica, new copy of the ITV(MOT) , new copies of the insurance. hopefully you've saved your driving licence otherwise it is same for that. Then when you have the paperwork you can claim.

In my pvc the rear doors are locked top & bottom inside & also outside.Normally the only way out easily is the side door. If you are stuck at the back & it catches fire you need to hope someone uses the extinguishers & doesn't run off.

 

[Blaydon]

I wonder how many on here have actually had to use a fire extinguisher in their motorhome?

I know I have thrown a few away over the years when I realise they are well out of date.
D

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