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Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 29 Sep 2016, 19:26
by dave friday
Well me really!! I was replacing the 12 volt switch on the fridge and had to move the extinguisher 2007!!
What type to buy?
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 29 Sep 2016, 19:36
by itchyfeet
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 29 Sep 2016, 20:04
by dave friday
Thanks Itchy,probably have to do mail order.
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 16 Oct 2016, 10:44
by mgbman
Those extinguishers may be ok for inside the van, but imho not suitable or wise to use on an engine bay fire.
You don't want to risk serious burns or worse attempting to put out an engine fire with one of those.
Engine fire, get out to safe distance and call the emergency services. Claim on the insurance. Stay alive.
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 16 Oct 2016, 16:53
by dave friday
At the mo I have "third party only!!"
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 16 Oct 2016, 17:25
by tforturton
mgbman wrote:Those extinguishers may be ok for inside the van, but imho not suitable or wise to use on an engine bay fire.
You don't want to risk serious burns or worse attempting to put out an engine fire with one of those.
Engine fire, get out to safe distance and call the emergency services. Claim on the insurance. Stay alive.
You can buy plumbed in fire suppresser kits for the engine bay. Costs a bit, but cheaper than a new van.
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 16 Oct 2016, 19:03
by gary1998
there is extinguisher with a sprinkler head can be got and put in your engine bay
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 17 Oct 2016, 16:41
by mgbman
why only third party insurance. no point spending a lot of money on a fancy automatic engine bay system, better spend on getting comprehensive insurance. Premiums are low for agreed valuation and agreed miles policy. Shop around.
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 19 Oct 2016, 17:21
by dave friday
MGb this is for a Spanish registered van !! I can't get fire and theft until next year!
That's why I'm so interested in fire prevention .
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 20 Mar 2017, 14:22
by ToolkiT73
I like that passanger seat mount, might get another one and mount it there too.
I mounted min in the corner of the sliding door near battery compartment.. that way all 4 people are relatively close to it..
BTW I used my ikea family card and got one there with a discount..
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 23 Mar 2017, 22:27
by pirate-pete
dave friday wrote:Well me really!! I was replacing the 12 volt switch on the fridge and had to move the extinguisher 2007!!
What type to buy?
Thats quite new. Mine was the original German one from 1983! Replaced with a 1litre AFFF (foam) one rather than powder when my insurance said I needed an approved one.
Reason I went for foam was from reading up (possibly this forum) on the mess the powder can do. I am thinking biggest fire risk for me is something catching light while cooking . If a petrol engine I might think differently.
Once the new one installed I thought I would test the old one. Still had plenty of pressure but don't try this indoors. I aimed mine into the bath and even with a quick burst it went all over the place!
Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 24 Mar 2017, 10:06
by ToolkiT73
pirate-pete wrote:dave friday wrote:
Once the new one installed I thought I would test the old one. Still had plenty of pressure but don't try this indoors. I aimed mine into the bath and even with a quick burst it went all over the place!
Haha I can just imagine the scene!

Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 24 Mar 2017, 11:26
by lodgey62
. I aimed mine into the bath and even with a quick burst it went all over the place![/quote][/quote
Brilliant

Re: Check your fire extinguisher
Posted: 24 Mar 2017, 12:38
by itchyfeet
Somebody on here suggested extinguishers should be given a short burst to test they work periodically.
I tried it and once triggered the main seal never shut off again properly so while no powder came out the pressure was lost over a short time.
I though it may be a one off so I tried another and the same happened.
So my advice don't test them just replace periodically and pracice with the old ones....outside
Better still light a small fire and practice....outside