Fire extinguisher help

[33 IMP]

My local big box store has first alert extinguishers on sale, both 5lb for $25, and 1lb for$13. I'm going to buy two of the 5lbers, one for garage, one for house. The question is : which for the car?
1lb is u.l.
rated 1-A:10-B:C, 5lb rated 3-A:40-B;C.
Are the different ratings just a function of more "stuff" inside? Would this be the right stuff for a typical auto fire or would some other mix be better? Would a one pound be enough? This is intended for a very small tube chassis big block car and weight and size is a factor.

 

[flypaper]

none would be good for your car if you ever had to use it.
most regular extinguishers will destroy stuff under the hood besides extinguishing the fire.
they are highly corrosive
you need to research a halon fire extinguisher for your car.
to save you some sticker shock... they are not cheap..

 

[Dennis H]

I have the Halon. Not cheap. No residue if you have to use it.

 

[ChargerST]

Halon 1211 extinguishers work great but unfortunately they are really bad for the environment (depleting the ozone layer). There is a good reason production and usage is prohibited in almost all countries around the world (fines for usage in Europe are up to 50,000 Euro). There are a few exceptions for the military and airplanes.
There are several Halon replacement agents such as HFC-236fa - look into those as well.

 

[GetX'd]

Check out Cold Fire extinguishers. They have a range of products and use a biodegradable water soluble substance that won’t ruin your motor.

 

[Ron H]

Thinking maybe co2...

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Go at least 5 lb and yes keep away from the dry powder probably caused more damage then the engine fire I had. A one pound almost ran out before my fire was out. Have CO 2 now.

 

[moparsaver]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PLYMOUTH-F...RK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649This eBay seller has Plymouth and Dodge versions of fire extinguisher stickers that are nice. This is the Plymouth version.

 

[69L48Z27]

ABC is covered with anything on your car. Power is really bad if you need to use it like others said.

Halotron or Cold Fire are the way to go. You should be able to score a small Halotron for the car for under $100. Spend a little more now, if you use it you'll save 10x that fixing the car vs powder.

 

[rlem1977]

My local big box store has first alert extinguishers on sale, both 5lb for $25, and 1lb for$13. I'm going to buy two of the 5lbers, one for garage, one for house. The question is : which for the car?
1lb is u.l.
rated 1-A:10-B:C, 5lb rated 3-A:40-B;C.
Are the different ratings just a function of more "stuff" inside? Would this be the right stuff for a typical auto fire or would some other mix be better? Would a one pound be enough? This is intended for a very small tube chassis big block car and weight and size is a factor.

Extinguisher Classes:
Class A fire extinguishers are used for ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, some plastics, and textiles.
Class B fire extinguishers are used for flammable liquid and gas fires such as oil, gasoline, etc.
Class C fire extinguishers are used on fires that involve live electrical equipment, which require the use of electrically nonconductive extinguishing agents. (Once the electrical equipment is de-energized, extinguishers for Class A or B fires may be used.)
Class D fire extinguishers are used on combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, etc., which require an extinguishing medium that does not react with the burning metal.
Class K fire extinguishers are used on fires involving cooking media (fats, grease, and oils) in commercial cooking sites such as restaurants.

Extinguisher Rating:
For example, an extinguisher that is rated 4A:20B:C indicates the following:
A: rating is a water equivalency rating. Each A is equivalent to 1 1/4 gallons of water. 4A = 5 gallons of water.
B:C rating is equivalent to the amount of square footage that the extinguisher can cover, handled by a professional. 20 B:C = 20 square feet of coverage.
C indicates it is suitable for use on electrically energized equipment.

 

[rlem1977]

Sounds like you want/need a fire suppression device for a race car? If so, understand that there is a difference in intent. Race car fire suppression is supposed to be for YOU to get out of the car, not protect the car. If not, and you just want a fire extinguisher in the car, then a two (2) pounder of clean agent ABC is a good choice.

 

[MarPar]

https://coldfirecanada.com/cold-fire-fire-suppressant

 

[Ron H]

A CO2 comes in handy if you're at a show or picnic and you need to fast cool your beer..

 

[coloradodave]

I've had to use my Halotron 1.4 lb extinguisher twice. Once on someone else's car (oil leaked from a valve cover onto the header collector) and once on my car when I pulled a plug to check spark, not realizing that cylinder had an over abundance of fuel and sprayed it right at the plug, which was grounded on the header. Yeah, at 72 I'm still learning how not to be stupid... And, yes, there was spark....and then fire...!!! I used my small extinguisher that I keep in the car and it put out the fire. I was so glad that I didn't have to use the 10 lb. dry powder one that I keep on the wall of the garage.