JCat
Big Apple, SoCal, Big D, everywhere USA
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Joined: 09/17/2004
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Was looking at a Video on youtube posted by Andrew Steele, where his new to him used Newell burned up really fast.
Very unfortunate for him and his girlfriend, since she had all her belongings in the RV.
It got me to thinking that I should replace my 15 year old extinguisher (really dummy), yes really.
So what do you guys have and how many ?
Thanks
JCat & PCat
2004 Mandalay 40D
CAT C7 350 HP
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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Expensive but Halon fire extinguishers are about the best leaving no residue behind. And yes, they are still available and being manufactured today.
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Bob/Olallawa
Mason Co, WA/Bullhead City AZ
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Joined: 11/12/2008
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Please be careful, unless you catch the fire very early you won't have a large enough extinguisher to put out a fire.
Welcome to my home, that door you just broke down was there for your protection not mine.
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RetiredRealtorRick
St. Augustine Beach, FL
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Joined: 04/17/2020
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Bob/Olallawa wrote:Please be careful, unless you catch the fire very early you won't have a large enough extinguisher to put out a fire.
I fully agree. Once a fire gets to be any size at all, there's not a fire extinguisher that's going to do you any good.
Once an RV catches fire, just step back and watch it become consumed (it won't take long). It's unfortunate, but due to the materials used for construction, most of them are tinderboxes.
. . . never confuse education with intelligence
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dedmiston
Coast to Coast
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I think you're on the right track. See about getting some training too. I took the basic fire extinguisher training at work a few years ago and then used one for a fire at our house last Christmas and put it out.
I'm a big fan of our firefighters (dad was a fireman), but it takes time for them to get to you and it can spread quickly.
The extinguisher worked and I put out the fire and didn't have to call 911.
Your exits are more important than the extinguishers, but put a few extinguishers in strategic spots. I keep one in our bedroom in case I need it to get out (faster & easier than jumping out the window). I also have one in the kitchen, one by the door, and one in a cargo hold next to the emergency triangle.
People are more important than "stuff", but every bit of protection helps.
In our off-road riding group, the assumption that your extinguisher probably won't help with YOUR fire because the available locations are so limited and they need to be near the engine where the fire will probably start. So YOUR extinguisher is really for your buddy's fire. And hopefully he has one for your fire. Keep that in mind if you see a fire in your neighbor's camp. It's very possible the neighbor won't be able to get to theirs.
The other thing to keep in mind is what a horrible mess they make. If you jump the gun, the damage from the mess can be worse than the fire. If you can aim for the base of the fire and give it a few quick PUFF-PUFF-PUFFs to see if that puts it out, then you can keep the damage to a minimum. If that doesn't work, then you can hit it again and hit it full blast.
Just take care of yourselves and your family (and pets) before you try to save your property.
Take a look from time to time and make sure nobody in your family got "helpful" and moved the extinguishers from their locations. And make sure to remind yourself and your family where they're located and how to operate them.
2014 RAM 3500 Diesel 4x4 Dually long bed. AISIN trans & 4.10 rear. B&W RVK3600 hitch • 2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead Toy Hauler ("The Taj Mahauler") • Hooligan #3
Toys:
- 18 Can Am Maverick x3
- 05 Yamaha WR450
- 07 Honda CRF250X
- 05 Honda CRF230
- 06 Honda CRF230
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jeromep
Eastern Washington State
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JCat wrote:Was looking at a Video on youtube posted by Andrew Steele, where his new to him used Newell burned up really fast.
Very unfortunate for him and his girlfriend, since she had all her belongings in the RV.
It got me to thinking that I should replace my 15 year old extinguisher (really dummy), yes really.
So what do you guys have and how many ?
Thanks
Be sure to look at refilling or servicing your fire extinguisher at a local fire sprinkler and fire equipment dealer. Most quality extinguishers are built to be inspected, serviced, and refilled. The really small "kitchen" extinguishers are throw away, but most others are serviceable. The ones in my RV are all serviceable. Waste not want not.
In reality, the issue Andrew Steele had couldn't be fixed with a fire extinguisher. He would have had to have been direct witness to the fire starting and had the extinguisher in hand to even have a chance. I suspect the fire was related to the generator. I believe he had his generator on while going down the road (yes, very normal activity, I do this myself), and something got hot and started combustion of something under the chassis. I'm speculating.
In reality a Fire Ball mounted in engine compartments or other hazardous areas would be much more effective than hand carried fire extinguishers. https://www.elidefireus.com/
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Be carefully what you buy ! Class A is dangerous on kitchen/grease fires and electrical fires.
* This post was
edited 03/12/22 08:30am by theoldwizard1 *
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Tyler0215
Iowa
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A fire extinguisher is a feel good item. Unless you have one at hand when the fire starts it is worthless. The fumes from a fire will get you before the flames will. Modern materiels used in RV construction burn amaingly fast and put out fumes that will kill you faster.
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JCat
Big Apple, SoCal, Big D, everywhere USA
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OK, here is my takeaway:
Don't bother with the extinguisher, get the hell out of the RV !
Did I miss anything ? ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
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johnhicks
Wandering below the Gnat Line
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If he'd had an automatic AFF extinguisher mounted in the generator compartment it may have smothered the fire or at least made it real obvious there was a problem. Any extinguisher is far better than no extinguisher.
-jbh-
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