Small fire extinguishers?
- Thread starter Lankyman
- Start date
Maj
Well-known member
I was actually looking at fire extinguishers the other day myself.
Something I didn't realise was that the powder in dry powder extinguishers is very corrosive and could write a car off even if the fire didn't. Would probably do more harm and damage than a small fire quickly extinguished.
I also stumbled across one that specifically lists as suitable for Lithium battery fires
.
https://www.fireprotectionshop.co.u...-lith-safe-lithium-battery-fire-extinguisher?
One that I've seen a few videos for that looks pretty effective is the Firestick.
I was therefore thinking that probably a Co2 might be the better option.
Will follow and see what others with more experience and knowledge have to say.
Something I didn't realise was that the powder in dry powder extinguishers is very corrosive and could write a car off even if the fire didn't. Would probably do more harm and damage than a small fire quickly extinguished.
I also stumbled across one that specifically lists as suitable for Lithium battery fires
.https://www.fireprotectionshop.co.u...-lith-safe-lithium-battery-fire-extinguisher?
One that I've seen a few videos for that looks pretty effective is the Firestick.
I was therefore thinking that probably a Co2 might be the better option.
Will follow and see what others with more experience and knowledge have to say.
alanw
Well-known member
+1 (or -1 perhaps) on dry powder.
www.estatesgazette.co.uk
A legal case concerning an insurance claim for clean-up costs of £240,000 by a church in Spalding vs. Chubb who had supplied dry powder fire extinguishers.
In particular, dry powder can cause corrosion of electronic equipment https://www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/dry-powder-extinguishers/
The one by my front door is a Commander 1l foam extinguisher.
Chubb Fire Ltd v Vicar of Spalding and others
Insurance -- Breach of duty – Damages -- Appellant supplying fire extinguishers to respondent church — Vandals entering church and discharging extinguisher -- Dry powder from extinguisher damaging church interior – Court finding appellant in breach of duty to warn respondents of consequences of...
www.estatesgazette.co.uk
A legal case concerning an insurance claim for clean-up costs of £240,000 by a church in Spalding vs. Chubb who had supplied dry powder fire extinguishers.
In particular, dry powder can cause corrosion of electronic equipment https://www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/dry-powder-extinguishers/
The one by my front door is a Commander 1l foam extinguisher.
ZombieCake
Well-known member
I have a couple of foam extinguishers. Can get some in a smaller size from popular DIY establishments.
Slug
Active member
Some of the most effective extinguishers are the chemical ones, BUT they are a danger in a confined space, and some are downright nasty.
BromoChlorodiFluromethane (BCF) was once in common use, and some may still be around.
Some of the others like (CBM) ChloroBromoMethane, and (MB) MethylBromide are toxic and corrosive, but as they're for quite specialist applications so you're unlikely to encounter them.
asheshouse
Member
Used a small BCF extinguisher years ago to tackle a kitchen fire. Leaking oil from stove ignited from spill behind and under kitchen units. Brilliantly effective and no residual mess resulting. I understand that they are no longer in use but not sure what the current equivalent would be.
wellyjen
Well-known member
My understanding is that a small extinguisher will put out a very small fire. In that case, worrying about corrosive effects is worthwhile. Once it is well alight, the extinguisher is to help you and others create a temporary escape path to get out. The building, car, boat you are in is toast at that point until the brigade arrive with the proper stuff to deal with it. In that case, it has done it's job and any corrosive effects are a minor consideration, compared with saving lives.
No one has yet mentioned suitability of extinguisher types to particular fires. Water and foam is a no no on live electrical equipment. CO2 will get blown away in a breeze outdoors. Powder is a good all rounder, but with the loss of stuff around it from corrosion thst had been mentioned.
I've used extinguishers in action twice. CO2 on a smoking electrical gadget at work. Dry powder on a small bin fire in a neighbour's home. Never to escape a full on blaze thankfully.
A kitchen fire blanket is good to have. Used one once. My cooking skills in action!
No one has yet mentioned suitability of extinguisher types to particular fires. Water and foam is a no no on live electrical equipment. CO2 will get blown away in a breeze outdoors. Powder is a good all rounder, but with the loss of stuff around it from corrosion thst had been mentioned.
I've used extinguishers in action twice. CO2 on a smoking electrical gadget at work. Dry powder on a small bin fire in a neighbour's home. Never to escape a full on blaze thankfully.
A kitchen fire blanket is good to have. Used one once. My cooking skills in action!
Lankyman
Well-known member
A lot of interesting information so far. It almost seems like you'd want a selection of extinguishers to hand although in the pressure of a fire I'm not sure I'd be thinking analytically? CO2 seems to be the least mess to knock out a small fire but with the risk of potential suffocation. Foam not good for an electrical fire. I do switch things off at the socket every night (except for the fridge and a clock radio).
wellyjen
Well-known member
In a factory, or other work settings you would indeed have a selection. You get to pick from CO2, foam, or powder and in the past, Halon and much bigger bottles than the typical home extinguisher. You are also likely to receive suitable training in what to use on a specific fire type. See my experience above with using CO2 on an electrical fire while we disabled the power to it.
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
You mention the fridge... A fridge freezer is one of the high fire risk items in a home https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33124925.amp
14% washing machines (1,723)
12% tumble dryers (1,456)
11% dishwashers (1,324)
9% cookers (1,080)
7% fridges / freezers (861)
5% central heating (606)
4% toasters / grills (495)
4% microwaves (427)
3% TVs (372)
2% washer dryers (225)
1% irons (92)
Virtually a certainty that they're plugged in and switched if they're on fire!
Unless you are a very careless chain smoker, which is a real rarity these days, or it's caused by a gas cooker/hob that doesn't plug in (no fan or electric ignition) then house fires are very to be electrical fires. I'd assume any home fire involves something plugged in, so water extinguishers are bottom of my list
shotlighter
Well-known member
On using the wrong extinguisher in panic, I once attacked a burning waste paper basket with a CO2 extinguisher.
It blew burning paper all round the room.
It blew burning paper all round the room.
Bob Mehew
Well-known member
From the internet, a 2kg CO2 fire extinguisher is about 18cm diameter by 60 cm high thus holding around 15 litre of CO2 at around 870psi. That is equivalent to 870 litre at normal atmospheric pressure (15psi), or 0.87 m^3. CO2 becomes a problem above 1%, so using it in a room of less than say 90m^3 might be a problem, or in more simple terms a room of say 6m by 4m. CO2 is potentially lethal above 4%, so that's a room around 3m by 2m. The discharge time is under 20 seconds. So the simple answer is use it on your small fire, then get out closing the door behind you and then phone 999.
With difficulty. Try you local fire station as apparently they use them in training. Else it is via a specialist waste disposal company.
Lankyman
Well-known member
I'm sure Laurel and Hardy would have made a film with this in!
alanw
Well-known member
Plastic backs are a fire risk.
Fridge freezer safety - Which?
Tips and advice from our experts on how to use your fridge freezer safely and protect your home from fires.
Jim MacPherson
Active member
Some local authorities have disposal facilities at household waste sites (definitely Durham CC), their websites should have the info.
Jim
alanw
Well-known member
Foam extinguishers safe to use on live electricity are available, look for terminology similar to "dielectric test approved"
e.g.
Firechief PureSafe™ Fluorine‑Free Foam Extinguishers – 2 L, 6 L, 9 L
Eco‑friendly, PFAS‑free foam extinguishers approved to BS EN3, featuring 35 kV dielectric safety, corrosion‑resistant finish, and wall bracket included. Available in 2 L, 6 L, or 9 L capacities.
alanw
Well-known member
P.S. Just found this. Not cheap, but given the number of Li-ion cells we all have, possibly worth it. Also safe on electrical fires.
The compact and lightweight 1 litre Lith-Ex fire extinguisher is extremely effective against fires fuelled by lithium-ion batteries and from electrical origins. It is also highly effective on fires using paper and wood. The Lith-Ex extinguisher is able to rapidly cool excessive heat and prevent re-ignition; a feat that standard ABC Dry Powder and other aqueous-based extinguishers will not be able to achieve on a Lithium-Ion battery fire.
The compact and lightweight 1 litre Lith-Ex fire extinguisher is extremely effective against fires fuelled by lithium-ion batteries and from electrical origins. It is also highly effective on fires using paper and wood. The Lith-Ex extinguisher is able to rapidly cool excessive heat and prevent re-ignition; a feat that standard ABC Dry Powder and other aqueous-based extinguishers will not be able to achieve on a Lithium-Ion battery fire.
Lankyman
Well-known member
That Screwfix one looks interesting, a reasonably priced foam extinguisher that can be used on electrical fires. I need a couple to comply with my home insurance even before I consider tackling a fire.Foam extinguishers safe to use on live electricity are available, look for terminology similar to "dielectric test approved"
e.g.
Firechief PureSafe™ Fluorine‑Free Foam Extinguishers – 2 L, 6 L, 9 L
Eco‑friendly, PFAS‑free foam extinguishers approved to BS EN3, featuring 35 kV dielectric safety, corrosion‑resistant finish, and wall bracket included. Available in 2 L, 6 L, or 9 L capacities.www.premier-storage.co.uk
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