Replacing Old Fire Extinguisher: Necessary Precaution?

[Colin McCourt]

Do I need to replace my fire extinguisher? It’s been in this position for a very long time.

 

[Langtoftlad]

They usually have an expiry date on them.

 

[Gromett]

My opinion?

Not worth the risk of not getting it serviced/checked/replaced.

Also if it is a powder one, replace it with a non powder one. In the powder ones the powder settles and compresses into a solid over time and becomes useless.
Not sure how long it takes but it is shorter than the date on the extinguisher.

 

[Spriddler]

If it's the dry powder type I'm told that they compact due to vibration and time. They should be shaken up from time to time and listen and probably be able to hear the powder flowing from one end to the other.
I had a couple which had just gone overage on my yacht which had been unused for 7 or 8 years and showed 'Good' on the dial but when removed to test them (out of interest) they failed completely.

 

[ianp]

I served my time as an apprentice on a very large chemical plant which had its own fire station and two fire engines.
As part of our induction process we were taught fire fighting in its many guises.
One of them was the use of extinguishers of the various types ....
The major thing from all of that that I remember was the large percentage of extinguishers that failed to activate. I don't recall specific numbers but it was at least 25% of the extinguishers. These having been fully maintained by a dedicated fire department. A salutary lesson, never be complacent about them as there is nothing quite as un fulfilling as being given money in exchange for something you valued by an insurance company......

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[meanders]

I concur from my experience of firefighting training with Berkshire Fire and Rescue.
In order:
1. Sound the Alarm.
2. Get everyone out.
3. Call the fire service.
4. If safe to do attempt to put out the fire with correct type of extinguisher.
5. Try again with one that works. If that fails wait for the professionals.

 

[meanders]

For what they cost, replace it and make sure you also have a fire blanket. No extinguisher is much use on burning oil/fuel. A blanket deprives it of oxygen.

 

[NicandJay]

My last boss was a firefighter in the NW for over 30 years and he said if a fire is the size of a waste paper basket get out & stay out. That was an office environment with much larger extinguishers than are present in a van and no gas to worry about.

 

[Garfields]

Anything bigger than a paper bin on fire and you will be hard pushed to have any effect even with the full sized ones.

What NicandJay just said

 

[Janine]

Those replies have just about answered my question.

Having replaced my old extinguisher last year, it no longer fits in the cradle by the hab door so has been put in a cupboard. Not nearly as accessible and means remaining inside the van to get to it.

I have a fire blanket next to the cooker and was wondering if that would be adequate for my next-to-none fire fighting capabilities.

The fire extinguisher, in my case, is pretty much redundant and taking up a chunk of storage space.

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[Colin McCourt]

The extinguisher in question is a 2 litre foam. I also have a powder one in the garage if there is a small engine fire and a firestick in our bedroom. Think I may get a new foam one. Thanks for the help team.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Probably most likely to use it on someone else's fire.

 

[hja]

We swaped our red extinguisher which was fixed next to the drivers seat in our ducato for a fire stick one which fits on the side of the cupboard by the door. Advantage of firestick is you can set it off, leave it in the van and close the door on it. No need to hold it.

 

[meanders]

The fire blanket would not put out an electrical or engine fire that a powder might. If it's not immediately accessible in smoke, they I agree it's unlikely to be much use. I also carry a smaller one on the under-seat tray as with the drivers door open, I could get to it quickly and relatively easily from outside. To be fair, apart from when I did that training I have only ever twice had to use an extinguisher and both those were engine fires in other peoples cars. One, a Volvo estate on the A14 we put I think three different extinguishers, all from vehicles where people had stopped to help and the car still went up but we managed to get the dog out of the tailgate, The second, was a Vauxhall Frontera i(they were prone to it) n a supermarket car park. The store staff rushed out with some CO2 ones as well. Those cooled the engine bay enough that someone was able to disconnect the battery just as at the brigade arrived.

The most important message with any vehicle fire is to get everyone out before thinking about anything else. Actually that true of any fire in any situation.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Those replies have just about answered my question.

Having replaced my old extinguisher last year, it no longer fits in the cradle by the hab door so has been put in a cupboard. Not nearly as accessible and means remaining inside the van to get to it.

I have a fire blanket next to the cooker and was wondering if that would be adequate for my next-to-none fire fighting capabilities.

The fire extinguisher, in my case, is pretty much redundant and taking up a chunk of storage space.

I replaced my extinguisher with a fire safety stick. Very small and a 15 year shelf life, not cheap for something I hope never to use, but it may just give us a few extra seconds to get out. I also have a fire blanket which I expect would be more use in a fire.

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[Brains]

I have two.
One in the driver door
One by the hab door.

Next year I'll buy two more and consign the current two to the inside of the garage door where they are still easily gettable in an emergency.
Remember it may not be your van that is on fire.
And I'll bet the majority of motorhomes do not have any method of putting out a fire.

 

[Thornebt]

If it's the dry powder type I'm told that they compact due to vibration and time. They should be shaken up from time to time and listen and probably be able to hear the powder flowing from one end to the other.
I had a couple which had just gone overage on my yacht which had been unused for 7 or 8 years and showed 'Good' on the dial but when removed to test them (out of interest) they failed completely.

The fire extinguishers in your yacht! Is it the extinguishers up by the helipad or the ones in the ballroom?

 

[Spriddler]

The fire extinguishers in your yacht! Is it the extinguishers up by the helipad or the ones in the ballroom?

Not sure. I'll need to have a word with my people.

(Ectually, although it was only 32' I use 'yacht' as it's a shorter term for indicating a proper sailing boat as opposed to a stinky motor boat).