anyone recommend a fire extinguisher for D2?

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derwendolly

derwendolly

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I am considering adding a fire ex. to my 'car safety essentials' ready for my 3 week holiday around France as a 'just in case', but there seems to be different types and sizes. I know NOTHING about the suitability of type/size so can anyone offer any advice, please?
I have done a search on here and looked on Amazon but am none the wiser now.
 
most vehicle fire extinguishers are powder based, a 2kg ABC powder would suffice, a fire that requires more than that needs leaving well alone.

However, powder is an absolute nightmare post discharge, and not necessarily the best solution for a vehicle fire, I would be looking towards a foam extinguisher (AFFF). You will need a physically bigger foam extinguisher than powder for the same rating, if space is an issue.

I won't bore you with the technical details of why, unless you really want to know the difference.
 
Don't get dry powder as it fecks everything!

Slight fire when engine is running and you will need a new engine!
 
Optimus Prime said:
most vehicle fire extinguishers are powder based, a 2kg ABC powder would suffice, a fire that requires more than that needs leaving well alone.

However, powder is an absolute nightmare post discharge, and not necessarily the best solution for a vehicle fire, I would be looking towards a foam extinguisher (AFFF). You will need a physically bigger foam extinguisher than powder for the same rating, if space is an issue.

I won't bore you with the technical details of why, unless you really want to know the difference.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That is a great reply for me to understand and just what I had hoped for. Thanks for it.
 
I've got a 2kg powder in my fender, I'm well aware they do make a mess, but less of a mess than no extinguisher at all IMO.

Ive thought about a foam as well, but not got one yet, my powder sits nicely in front of my cubby.
 
CO2s ok, but you cant use it on liquid (fuel/oil) fires, its just blows about burning liquid.

I was also under the impession it wouldnt be of much use in an engine fire as it wouldnt cool the area sufficiently, it would only temporarily smother the flames, but the heat involved, it would reignite due to the heat. (might be wrong, but ive never seen a CO2 for anything other than electrical)
 
interesting, I was told in training not to use CO2 on liquid...
everythng seems to be contrary to that...

Training, pah, useless... Ill stick to reading the side of the damn things :)
 
We had a similar thread about fire extinguishers not so long ago.
From that thread I gathered that the only type of extinguisher suitable and available for use in a vehicle was a 2 kgm dry powder one.

  • Carbon tetrachloride; those lovely brass pump types have long since been outlawed. If you have one of those, hang on to it but only for show.
  • Halon or BCF are OK if you still have one, but you'll not be able to get it refilled or replaced because they're now illegal except for some very special purposes.
  • CO2, carbon dioxide will work on most fires, especially in an enclosed space such as a garage but not so good in the open air like at the side of the motorway, the CO2 gas is likely to get blown away before the fire is out.
  • Foam is OK on liquid fires but are generally too big to go in your car.
  • Water is no good on oil/liquid fires.
The major downside with powder is the mess it leaves, but a fire in the car is going to get a bit messy too.
 
Last edited:
brian47 said:
We had a similar thread about fire extinguishers not so long ago.
From that thread I gathered that the only type of extinguisher suitable for use in a vehicle was a 2 kgm dry powder one.

  • Carbon tetrachloride; those lovely brass pump types have long since been outlawed. If you have one of those, hang on to it but only for show.
  • Halon or BCF are OK if you still have one, but you'll not be able to get it refilled or replaced because they're now illegal except for some very special purposes.
  • CO2, carbon dioxide will work on most fires, especially in an enclosed space such as a garage but not so good in the open air like at the side of the motorway, the CO2 gas is likely to get blown away before the fire is out.
  • Foam is OK on liquid fires but are generally too big to go in your car.
  • Water is no good on oil/liquid fires.
The major downside with powder is the mess it leaves, but a fire in the car is going to get a bit messy too.
Click to expand...

Also dry powder are corrosive, so bad on electrics and if a carburetor motor can plug up the carb. CO2 all the way
 
brian47 said:
We had a similar thread about fire extinguishers not so long ago.
From that thread I gathered that the only type of extinguisher suitable and available for use in a vehicle was a 2 kgm dry powder one.

  • Carbon tetrachloride; those lovely brass pump types have long since been outlawed. If you have one of those, hang on to it but only for show.
  • Halon or BCF are OK if you still have one, but you'll not be able to get it refilled or replaced because they're now illegal except for some very special purposes.
  • CO2, carbon dioxide will work on most fires, especially in an enclosed space such as a garage but not so good in the open air like at the side of the motorway, the CO2 gas is likely to get blown away before the fire is out.
  • Foam is OK on liquid fires but are generally too big to go in your car.
  • Water is no good on oil/liquid fires.
The major downside with powder is the mess it leaves, but a fire in the car is going to get a bit messy too.
Click to expand...

This is a thread that I THOUGHT I had seen but just couldn't find it, in spite of searching! Must try harder!
 
Co2 aint no good outside. Powder. Guess why all the car caravan boat lorry places etc sell powder? Cos thats what ya need. Anything else would be wrong.
 
the best bang for the buck ie for your use is Dry powder . the downsides as mentioned is contamination , also a major one for vehicle use is compaction due to vibration , that is why buses etc now have to carry AFFF (foam) .
The most effective is/was halon , but only certain allowances now eg aviation. Best answer is have two , a foam of a usable size eg 2ltr , and then if that doesnt control the fire have a 2Kg ABC powder , as by then a bit of contamination will be the least of your worries . Also if you grab the powder and it has compacted you still have a usable extinguisher as backup HTSH

If you are really keen then you can get a FE36 eextinguisher , (halon replacement) about £100 for 1.5KG
 
Last edited:
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