Do you have fire extinguishers handy?
 

My HMV is insured with Haggarty, which used to be Silverwheels (I think). This morning's customer e-mailing featured an ad for fire extinguishers in classic cars. Which leads me to ask the collective, do you have working extinguishers in your HMVs?

Typically, my HMVs roll with a period correct blue Ansul-brand ABC extinguisher. My car has two commercial extinguishers, and every few years I take stock and get any expired ones recertified. I'd rather have one and not need it than need one and not have it.

I recall there was a member of MLU whose clothes caught fire while he was cutting/welding/grinding. And it killed him.

(( Someone else's picture, poached off FB ))

Hi Terry,

You bring up an important subject. I do have at least one working fire extinguisher in my trucks when I drive them. These are the ones to extinguish a (starting) engine fire if one would occur.

"Salesman" Bob Moseley deceased due to a workshop accident in which indeed he got burnt - read more here http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=20502

Co2
 

I read somewhere that the ABC powder is corrosive to paint and metal. Has anyone had to clean up after one discharged?

If carbon dioxide extinguishers were smaller, I'd consider one of them instead of ABC.

Hi Terry.

I was looking into the CO2 Extinguishers a few months back for around the house. The first thing I had to wrap my head around was the price. A 5-lb Amerex 322 was easily bumping along the $400 mark Cdn at most places but Amazon carries them for just under $300 Cdn with free Prime shipping.

The second issue I ran across was the sizing on them as you noted. It is a bit confusing. For example, the above noted Amerex 322 has dimensions of 8" W x 5" D x 18" H

The Width and Depth numbers threw me for a while until I realized the Depth refers to the actual cylinder diameter. The Width takes into consideration the nozzle sticks out on one side a bit and the trigger handle on top also is taken into consideration. The Height takes into account the handle assembly on top.

I suppose a third consideration is the proper use of the CO2 Extinguisher. A full on release of a 5-PDr will run about 10 seconds. Not a good plan of attack.


David

Something you should be asking yourself is what type of fire are you most likely to come across? Are you worried about a spark lighting a garbage can of rubbish on fire? Or having a combustible liquid catch fire? Or something electrical where you are unable to de-energize it? If you are planning to use it on a vehicle, your best is probably to get an ABC dry chemical. This would best cover you off for each of those types of fires. Yes dry chem can make a huge mess with the powder all over the place. However is that mess more or less of a problem then the shop burning to the ground.

Lastly one needs to consider the size of the extinguisher. The smaller ones will only last a few seconds and need to hit exactly on the seat of the fire. Otherwise you are wasting your time. In my shop I have a 10lbs ABC on the wall by the man door. But I also have a fire stn across the street where I am a volunteer. If I didn't I would have a 20lbs extinguisher.

This is a great website for explaining all the types of extinguishers and their limitations.

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safe...nguishers.html

Terry. The blue military Ansul extinguishers can still be serviced and charged as long as they are inspected and certified by a reputable Fire Safety company.
I know the place in North Bay still does them for the Base.
I inquored about mine to see if they could do them
and that was what I was told, just haven’t got to taking them in.
Aside from period correct, I always have a modern 5lb ABC on hand

My first or second summer camp in the Militia we had cylindrical brass water pump extinguishers around our modular tent lines. We were sternly warned that abuse or misuse of fire fighting equipment was as serious an offence as there was. So, absolutely no one had water fights with the pump extinguishers. It would have been unsafe to do so, what with coming back to the lines after a couple of beers. No way did we dump those same extinguishers in our enemy's beds. And I'm told but never experienced that CO2 can cool beer very fast. But I clearly remember the camp RSM hauling us out on to the big parade square and yelling at everyone. My French wasn't very good at the time, so I just went by his body language that he was miffed about something.

I was looking at the M151A2 the other day (looking for a serial number on the paper registration form to renew the plates), and remembered I have a 5-lb ABC discretely wrapped in a green towel attached to a seat back.