Saw another car on fire today, and it lit a fire under me so to speak. Stopped at an autozone and picked up three and need to get three more soon. I have found that they fit right down next to the seat between the console on the broncos, and I still need to figure out good spots for the trucks.



Ok, rant off.

Adrianspeeder

 

Good point Adrian.

One thing though, have you ever tackled a fire, automotive or otherwise with an extinguisher?
I am fortunate enough to have received basic firefighter training as part of my job and I'll just say that it's not always as easy as it looks. Very easy to get in a situation where you might get hurt.
I don't know how easy it is for members of the public to get training.
Tuff or anyone care to chime in?

 

I am always available do my part in case of fire.
I keep an extra case of fluids in the truck to drink in case it's a big fire.

The only training I know about is I'm good from about five to five and half feet and if I smell burning hair I'm too close.

 

Actually Raoul, for once I was being serious

I wouldn't want Adrian (or anyone) to get all gung ho and get hurt. Fighting fires is not like the movies.
Have you ever seen anyone run up to a fire and then stand there to read the instructions on the extinguisher? I have and fortunately the guy was wearing protective clothing.
Good for a laugh on the training ground but not in real life.

While I'm being everyone's Dad, I'll just say that have a practice first so you know what you are getting into.

 

spray at the BASE of the flame..and never use a water extinguisher on a gasoline or oil fire...know your saftey drill...i put a few fires out when i was towing cars..ALL my cars and truck have one in them

...zap!

 

can I borrow your truck tonight.

and $20

 

Yes but be home by 11pm and no burnouts

 

Did an out of control propane grill once. My uncle is a fire chief and has shown me some tips. Keep in mind I would only go after something rinky dink. If it is too big I wouldn't want the truck anyway. Also, I would feel bad if someone was trapped and I couldn't do all I could.

Adrianspeeder

 

I've had one car catch on fire and the local VFD jumped on it and put out. The car only had 1500 miles on it and it was never the same. I decided that if another one catches fire, it will burn to the ground!

 

You know, that's a smart idea really. Do they expire? What kind of fire extinguisher do you recommend?

 

I ran on car fires back in Florida when I was on the fire department, and they aren't something to be taken very lightly. There are a whole number of things which can cause harm when they are heated too much. Some older model vehicles have spring loaded bumpers which, when on fire, can shoot out several feet unexpectedly. Airbags can also be of concern, and some cars have magnesium engine blocks/parts/frames which make for a rather interesting fire. You can also never know what could be inside the car, I remember one fire where the driver told us there was a full LP tank in the trunk... and had we not known, it could have ended badly.

I wouldn't mess around with a car fire with little training and a small extinguisher if there weren't any lives immediately in danger...

They're good for stopping small fires before they get "out of control", but most of those small extinguishers are simply powder and will only put a fire out, but not cool whatever materials are on fire/going on fire... which can be half the battle.

... just be careful guys!

 

Fire extinguishers are supposed to be inpseccted annually, and the charge checked monthly (at least in commercial settings)

 

I have stood by many times at car fires and only fought two of them. The two I fought I had a reason to do something. One was in a crowded residential area and had the gas tank partially inside the cab of the truck. In this area the fire dep't had a very long response time so to prevent injuries to residents the hose was in my hand, so to speak. The other time, it was a small fire and to try and keep it under control for the fire dep't I used a fire extinguisher. Niether of these fires were put out by me. The hose and the fire extinguisher did not have enough coming out to put out the fire only keep it in check.

 

I would agree with most those who responded. Any fire in a vehicle will leave a smell and you will never get rid of that smell. Now having an extinguisher is not a bad idea if you come upon a car fire and someone is trapped inside but it would most likely be best to try and get them out unless it was an extremely small fire. Ever second you use trying to put a fire out, with someone trapped inside, could cost that person their life if the fire gets out of control.

Another thing to remember about fire extinguishers, as was mentioned, is most are powder and that crap can get everywhere and can cause corrosion to electronics and electrical devices. The powder does nothing to remove the source of the fire nor does it remove the heat so reflash is a very high concern when using a chemical extinguisher (powder). If it is the type with water you have the same problem with electronics and electrical devices except the water will remove the heat and reflash is not nearly the concern as with a chemical extinguisher.

I use to have a Halon fire extinguisher. Those where an excellent chemical extinguisher as they did not cause any damage or leave any residue. Since it was so great it was or is an environmental hazard because when its heated it puts off a hazardous vapor that’s not good for the environment, damn tree huggers…

I love my Lightning but if it ever caught fire I would be on the phone to State Farm:



Me – Hello, I need to replace my truck due to a fire.

State Farm – Ok, no problem, do you have an estimate on damage?

Me – Nope, it’s not done burning yet.

State Farm – Oh, I see.

Me – Let’s just say when it’s done it will be a total lose, care for a hamburger or hotdog when I come to pick up the check?