Hey, I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on what is appropriate when storing a fire extinguisher in your car. I live in Ontario and we have swinging extreams in weather, heat waves in the summmer (not this one though) and a deep winter that can go -30 (in out funny metric talk). Before storing one in my car I was wondering if anyone had an experiance on tempature extreams with extinguishers or any probmlems you know of when keeping an extinguisher in your car. Thanks for any help.

Hi,

There's nothing wrong with the temperature extremes. They are fire extinguishers anyway, which means the hottest weather available. They are very over engineered. The sub zero part is also irrelevant, because most of the materials used (plastic, metal) will not be brittle till ~50 (I love to answer metric questions... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ). Maybe the seal would suffer.

You should be aware to keep the -generally- yearly inspection dates.

The other thing to consider is the place and fixation of the unit. Many cars have factory built in points under the front seats, and these can acccept the optional cradle. (It will cost you a fortune, but only the genuine set will provide proper collision protection.) If you dont't have the possibility to place the extinguisher here, then it should be in the trunk. In case of minivans, SUVs, wagons, etc. where the passanger compartment is not physically divided from the trunk, the unit must be secured with very strong quick release latches, or the like. (Never forget, that a fire extinguisher is technically the biggest full metal jacket bullet, if it rides through the cabin.)

Best,

Zerge

Nic:
Hello, I would like to expand on what Zerge replied with. The most common type of Fire Extinguisher people place in their cars (pickups and SUV?s) is a 2 ? pound (about 1.14 Kg) Multipurpose ABC Dry Chemical extinguisher. You can purchase these style extinguisher in most hardware stores and auto-parts stores, then you can ?mount? one in your car. As pointed out a loose extinguisher can become a projectile in an auto accident. You should carefully evaluate what type of need you have in the house and in the car. Once you have that done you may purchase an extinguisher.

Most extinguishers are rated according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines and also the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rating system. These are the suggested ?minimum? standard for each extinguisher. These companies place a rating for temperatures between ?65?F to +120?F (- 54?C to +50?C) provided you have an aluminum canister. I am not aware of temp ratings for the plastic containers. Therefore, I do not recommend the plastic ones.

Some extinguisher basics

Learn how to use one, use the PASS method, that is Pull the pin, aim the extinguisher, squeeze the trigger and sweep from side to side at the base. Never try to blanket the fire with the extinguisher. You may find you only ?blow? the fire vs. fighting it.
Teach your family how to use one. General peace of mind. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Extinguishers will vary in discharge rates from as little as 10 seconds to about 2 minutes. Beyond this and you will need to call the fire department.
Before you attempt to fight the fire (home, or auto) make sure everyone inside is safe.
Check them monthly, make sure the nozzle is clean and free of dirt, grime and oils.
Check the gauge, make sure it is still showing the extinguisher is charged and the gauge is not broken.
If ABC dry chemical, shake the canister you should feel a ?fluid? slide motion. A more solid thump and the extinguishing agent has solidified (remember it is a powder) and you will need it serviced.
Have yearly inspections by a professional. This can be costly, but well worth it. The professional will check seals, powder, clean and hydrotest to make sure the extinguisher is going to function when discharged.
Make sure you purchase a metal vs. plastic canister. Plastics cannot be hydrotested and will need full replacement every 12 years.

I keep one in my pickup at all times and have never had any temperature related problems.

Take care,

Stargazer The one over there wearing a soaking wet overcoat (poncho), carrying a bulging briefcase (BOB) very tired and battered looking, trying very hard to make sense out of the whole ordeal. Attempting to make the only real connection that matters...The quickest route out of the mess <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared

Why would you want to store a fire extinguisher in your car? Your house I understand, but wouldn't nearly any fire be in a a location inaccessible to a passenger? Also, wouldn't that distract you from your main goal-- escaping the vehicle?

i suppose you'd want it to help protect a trapped friend or family member. What do the EMT's think? And what kind of extinguisher has a realistic chance of working?

I have had to use fire extinguishers on two seperate occasions. Both fires were in automobiles (one was an auto in a closed garage, saw the flames through the window). Used my house fire extinguisher on one. Used my car extinguisher on the other.

Keep it in an accessible, yet secure location. Once everyone is clear of the auto, use it as effectively as possible. Car fires are generally not super fast at spreading (from my limited experience) which buys you some time. The other obvious answer is to support other people who don't carry extinguishers in their car

Good point. After the fact, I also realized that there may be fires near your car (ie cooking out, roadside, etc) that an extinguisher would be very useful in putting out.

I'm always learning. I've never met acceptable consumer grade plastic container units. Only the hairspray-like junk (without any legal tests), and some high-tech ones, but nothing between.

I'd like to add some more on the use of the extinguisher. Fire usually starts in the engine compartment for various reasons (leave alone some misdesigned rear fuel tanks). After you have secured everyone in a safe distance, do NOT open wide the bonnet, because you will feed the flames with fresh air (like in a chimney). Try to keep a small opening and use short bursts. It goes of course only for small, starting fires. In case you see lively, armlength flames around, just flee. Nothing is more precious, than your life.

We keep fire extingishers in all our vehicles. they are designed to withstand the temperature swings you'd expect in a vehicle.
the main problem i've seen is where the extinguisher is old and not charged when needed.

also...if your engine catches fire, DON'T open the hood, spray the extinguisher in through the front grill of possible. Most car fires are electrical in origin and in the cabin though.

Hmm... <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I don't know the fire origins over there...

OK, I don't know how many other active firemen are on this list, please chime in. Here's what I know about vehicle fires:

Here's some facts about car fires:
From FEMA: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v2i4-508.pdf

FINDINGS
- One in every four fire department responses is to a vehicle
fire. This does not include the tens of thousands of
responses to vehicle accident sites.
- Mechanical or design problems are the leading cause of
vehicle fires.
- Electrical wiring and fuel are the leading forms of material
ignited in vehicle fires.
- Fires following a collision are the leading cause of vehicle
deaths.
- Mechanical and design failures are the leading cause of
vehicle injuries, many of which were due to the victim’s
attempt to control the fire.

This last item is interesting, as it would seem that having an extinguisher would increase your propensity to be injured due to a lack of understanding of when to back off. Like everythign else on this list, always remember that equipped is NOT the same as prepared.