Community Forums

Pepper2 · 04-01-2016, 09:18 AM

The last piece of safety equipment I need to replace for the coming year's camping season are the fire extinguisher's. I'm curious what others are using. It's a given they should be rated A B C (I think). Should they be 1A, 2A etc and 5B, 10B etc.. I'm leaning toward a 2.5 lb'er in the bedroom and either a 4 or 5 lb'er for the kitchen area. Thanks!

MSHappyCampers · 04-01-2016, 02:25 PM

Neal, I bought a Kidde rechargeable extinguisher for the bedroom rated 3A, 40BC. I wanted to put the largest one back there that I had room for! My thinking is that with that much extinguishing power and three smoke detectors to give me plenty of early warning, I should be able to knock down the fire enough to safely get out, if not totally extinguish it!

I still have one of the smaller units inside the front door behind the passenger seat, the size that came with the MH from the factory. I plan to replace it with another like the one in the BR.

Pepper2 · 04-01-2016, 03:24 PM

"I still have one of the smaller units inside the front door behind the passenger seat, the size that came with the MH from the factory. I plan to replace it with another like the one in the BR.

"

Thanks Joe,the small ABC units can be purchased for under $20 @ HD,Lowes and WalMart.

MSHappyCampers · 04-01-2016, 05:23 PM

Those small units won't put out much of a fire! A grease fire is about all they're good for! I would spend another $20 and get a large one that is rechargeable!

dnystrom · 04-01-2016, 06:01 PM

10 bc should be the minimum. Don't pay too much attention to the A rating. A is for wood fire. B is for petroleum based fire. C is the same but with electrical involved. Also you have to know how to apply it. Most folks don't. A 2 a 10 bc rated extinguisher will do. I carry 2. One in front and one in the back of the coach. The extinguisher is not only for you but can be used on other peoples fires.

Loggenrock · 04-01-2016, 08:07 PM

Speaking from almost 40 years in fire service... I carry a 3A, 40BC, plus a 1A, 10BC. "A" is not just for wood, but "ordinary combustibles", which our rigs are full of! Wood, upholstery, wall coverings, etc. The number in front of the letter refers to the amount of square footage of fire that size of extinguisher could put out. Hence, 1A means 1 square foot, not very much! I also keep an extinguisher near the bed - to buy time for my escape. Do make sure you remove them from their brackets at least annually and give them a good whack to loosen up the powder extinguishing agent in them - all that road vibration tends to compact the powder into the base, rendering it practically useless. You should be able to feel the weight shift when you tip it if the powder is loose. Hope this helps! ST

Ray,IN · 04-01-2016, 08:28 PM

Hand fire extinguishers are not designed to put out a large fire, they are designed to knock it down enough to escape.
I buy a package of 3 from Mac The Fire Guy. These are water-based foam units designed to smother a small fire and suppress a larger fire long enough to escape.
A 10x50 mobile home can go from a small smoldering fire to fully-engulfed in 4-8 minutes, an RV is much smaller. Don't try to stay and put out a fire, GET OUT immediately. Anything purchased with money can be replaced with money, human lives cannot be replaced-period.

Bruce C · 04-02-2016, 03:17 AM

Real good advice here, often overlooked.

WDW · 04-02-2016, 06:09 AM

I like the small foam units as backups, but I've yet to find a mounting bracket.

Also here in NE you must be mindful of freezing level storage and remove them.

doublehooked · 04-02-2016, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDW

I like the small foam units as backups, but I've yet to find a mounting bracket.

Also here in NE you must be mindful of freezing level storage and remove them.

I used a bicycle water bottle holder screwed into the wall.

Pepper2 · 04-02-2016, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Those small units won't put out much of a fire! A grease fire is about all they're good for! I would spend another $20 and get a large one that is rechargeable!

I think I'll return the small one for a slightly larger rechargeable one. I may also rethink location and keep the larger of the two in the bedroom. Also thinking of adding a second smoke detector.

beamisl · 04-02-2016, 08:03 AM

Google the "Elide Fire Call" and see if this is a better alternative for you. I plan on buying a couple of these. One for home and one for the rig.

Pepper2 · 04-02-2016, 08:29 AM

I went with the Amerex B402. $38.88 delivered. I believe it was 3A, 40BC and came with the holding bracket.

Thanks all for your input, greatly appreciated!

OLYLEN · 04-02-2016, 08:38 AM

I went with Mac, 5# for the entry, and two of the small units bedroom, and kitchen. Plus two fire alarms and Co2 detector. All I want is to get out, if I can kill the fire OK but I'm out.

LEN