Who has a Fire Extinguisher?

[S6 ROR]

Thought for sometime about carrying a fire extinguisher, but have never done anything about it.
How mmany people on here carry one, and what size is recommended. Presummably places like Halfords stock them?
Any comments appreciated.

[Don]

I have one. The smallest one available. Its a legal requirement to carry one in Spain and I went touring there...

...I carried it in the boot under the luggage so it would have been of feck all use had there been a fire...

[seymourski]

My first Tuscan caught fire whilst a dealer had it in their care. It was written off in under 3 minutes - the time it took the fire brigade to arrive. I now have an extinguisher inside the cabin in easy reach - it's no good in the boot if the electrics don't work! I don't know if it will be of any use but it is comforting to have it to hand.

[TT Tim]

Forget the 'toy' ones they sell in Halfwits, get a decent sized pro' version. Something like a 2.25ltr one. They needn't cost a fortune.

Have a look here: http://www.lifeline-fire.co.uk/

If you have a fire in a TVR you better be able to put it out quick as fibreglass melts very quickly!

Tim

[Munter]

Dont forget that these things have a useby date on them! On checking on the way to Le-Mans this year my buddy realised his "went off" in 2001.... I think it's because the dry powder under pressure eventually forms into big lumps...

[Moulder]

I have two largish extinguishers, one behind each seat in the Tamora. Most definitely a worthwhile investment, and the Halfords one that I had did the job. I agree you should have a decent size one as they seem to run out quickly, also powder doesn't bring the temp down just kills the flames.

Also agree about keeping it in the boot, even if the electrics work there is no guarantee the fire will be at the front.

[MackemPete]

Here Here. I got mine at halfords too. Largest one they had. Got myself an escape hammer as well just incase the doors decide to play silly buggers

Edited by MackemPete on Monday 3rd September 12:59

[TVRleigh(BBWR)]

Maybe I should get one after the scare I had sunday.

Fuel hose came off, and had a engine full of boiling fuel.

[petclub]

Do get one, my Cerb has been in hospital for 4 months after a fire. There's the saftey aspecy and also if you throw water on it, you can get water damage problems!

[GreenV8S]

I'd suggest AFFF (water/foam) rather than powder. You really don't want to be in the car with a powder extinguisher going off - or ever afterwards (this stuff gets into every nook and cranny and will be blowing about inside the car for the rest of time).

[jeffsy]

Nige

Yep I have one - a small one from Halfwits (less than a tenner from memory) would do. I keep it tucked under the passenger floor mat pushed right back to the front of the passenger seat. The mat keeps it in place and the passengesr never have their feet that far back anyway. Easy reach there as well (dont keep it in the boot )

Graham

[Timmy2TARs]

Anyone have one of them Firetrace thingies under the bonnet? Always liked the idea of them, but never met anyone who has one fitted.

[icraigmy]

Me

[S6 ROR]

Thanks for the replies, yes, am most definately going to get one.
Are they colour coded relating to which type they are?
The standard red one (as in Halfwits) are these powder, or are they the water/foam type. Is there a standard colour coding laid down relating to the particular types?

[rev-erend]

Yep - 2 here.

I would recommend them.

[TT Tim]

S6 ROR said:

Thanks for the replies, yes, am most definately going to get one.
Are they colour coded relating to which type they are?
The standard red one (as in Halfwits) are these powder, or are they the water/foam type. Is there a standard colour coding laid down relating to the particular types?

The colour coding was stopped a few years ago, all extinguishers are RED, you need to check the lable for contents.

Tim

[tvrgit]

GreenV8S said:

I'd suggest AFFF (water/foam) rather than powder. You really don't want to be in the car with a powder extinguisher going off - or ever afterwards (this stuff gets into every nook and cranny and will be blowing about inside the car for the rest of time).

I have a powder on under the front of the seat.

I thought about AFF for the reasons you describe, but I was a bit worried about it freezing and being no use when I need it. Eternal optimist, me...

[lord summerisle]

TT Tim said:

S6 ROR said:

Thanks for the replies, yes, am most definately going to get one.
Are they colour coded relating to which type they are?
The standard red one (as in Halfwits) are these powder, or are they the water/foam type. Is there a standard colour coding laid down relating to the particular types?

The colour coding was stopped a few years ago, all extinguishers are RED, you need to check the lable for contents.

Tim

yip - thank hte EU for that one.

in the UK extinguishers should have a certain percentage of the old colour coding on them
which is:
black for CO2
cream for Foam
blue for Powder
green for Halon (wont find these anymore - Halon is banned in the EU)
red for Water

your looking for something that covers class A, B & C for automotive use - typically this will be AFFF Foam or Powder.

and i can vouch for the 'dont want to be in car when you set off the powder'... i got a facefull off another marshal at a training day.... oooo did my arse know about that one!

[lazyitus]

I've got one in a securely bolted cradle just below the front of my drivers seat. Within easy reach.

You never know if it will be handy and they're not expensive.

Just do it.

Also useful as a weapon if needs be.

Edited by lazyitus on Monday 3rd September 15:20

[Moulder]

Lazyitus, wondered if someone would mention about using it as a weapon. It was only when I used one for the first time a few months ago that I thought it would make an excellent long range and close range anti-roadrage device.

On another note I saw a car get knocked on its roof the other day so could have saved someone else if that had caught fire.