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Re: Should We Carry (and Use) a Fire Extinguisher? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Mon, 5 Feb 2001 12:42:42
In Reply to: Should We Carry (and Use) a Fire Extinguisher?, Domenquez, Mon, 5 Feb 2001 12:16:58 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
A fireman friend of mine *always* carries a fire extinguisher. It can make the difference between a minor electrical fire and a few hundred dollars of damage, and losing the car. When cars burn, they do so quickly, so chances are good the fire department won't get there in time to save anything.
I've seen (OK, it was the good old days) where a carb backfire caught some insulation on fire, and it smoldered a bit. If the guy had a fire extinguisher, he could have saved his car.
If you're worried about a fire flashing, just pop the hood but don't open it, then fire the extinguisher into the gap. As to lighting off the gas tank, I guess it happens, but mostly on TV. A few years back Car and Driver magazine tried to get a gas tank to explode. They were uniformly unsuccessful, and I think they were using a Pinto. Gas doesn't explode - fuel vapor does. The risk is in fire. Those impressive car explosions you see on TV are the work of pyrotechnic engineers. Most of the car fires I've seen result in a very hot fire, but no explosion. Now, if you'd been able to put that fire out before it spread, you'd still have a car, versus a melted spot on the ground.
Now, if you've been in an accident and there is fuel flowing on the ground, I'd run like hell. No car is worth that. But if you've got a bit of smoke coming from under the hood, I'd nail it with an extinguisher.
My neighbor's shed caught fire once (yes, it isn't a car, but his mower was in it). All I remember was the look of frustration on his face because he had no way to put it out. I saw this as I was running up with one of the extingushers I keep in my house. Because of that extinguisher, he had a few scorched boards, not a total loss.
Another buddy of mine was doing some welding on his car and a spark caught something flammable. He didn't have an extinguisher or even a bucket of water handy. He lost the car, garage, and half the house. I never light a torch without an extinguisher handy.
For a car, get one of those small Halon extinguishers. Never use a water extinguisher. Those cheapie ABC units you can buy for $10 in the discount store are OK, but I wouldn't use them in a car engine - the chemicals can do as much damage to electronics and an engine as a fire. Spend the extra $$ and buy a nice refillable Halon unit. You've got car insurance, and a spare tire and a jack, why not an extinguisher?
, Mon, 5 Feb 2001 12:42:42 <-- Viewing This Message
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