Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall Do you have one in your RV?

Checked my extinguisher in my 2014 Keystone Bullet 285RLS today, called the 800 # and sure enough, it was a recall one. Took about 25 minutes on the phone for the operator to get everything registered... she was a little slow but very nice. Now I have another one on the way.

rockhillmanor wrote:
Also ALL those tiny fire extinguishers that come with the RV settle and when it comes time to use them they don't work.

I was at a rally where the Fire Department put on an educational seminar and said that numerous RV fires that were a total loss could have been prevented "IF" those fire extinguishers worked or a residential size extinguisher had been on board.

They said almost all the fire extinguishers in new RV's have already settled before being bought by the consumer.

Their recommendation was to routinely shake these fire extinguishers regularly to keep them from settling.

OR

Better yet buy an adult size extinguisher to replace the small ones that come from the RV factory which in actuality are not big enough to put even a small fire.

I tried mine at that Fire Department seminar and sure enough it didn't work. :(

Went out the next day and bought 2 big residential size extinguishers. One sits up front by the kitchen and the other in the back bedroom.

That Fire Department RV seminar was a REAL eye opener for me.

I shake mine at home at the daylight saving time change along with replacing smoke detector batteries. I think for the RV that I'll shake them whenever I take it out (just add it to the pre-trip checklist).

Oh, and my backup to the fire extinguisher in the trailer is a fire blanket, by far the most likely fire causes that I'm going to be able to fight are a cooking fire or the inverter, either is something I should be able to smother with the blanket and it serves double duty as a cold weather top blanket =)

FYI for those checking on their fire extinguishers:

I checked the list and I have 1 push button and 3 handle ones listed.

I went online and filed a claim for the push button unit.

The 3 handle units were listed but online it said the were NOT affected. I tried twice!

I called and after 30 minutes found out all were affected and needed to be replaced.

Beware and double check, something is wrong with their system.

pigman1 wrote:
Two out of 3 of my Kidde's needed replacement. On the way!

The only thing necessary to keep those extinguishers by the door is a monthly check. Invert and shake or hit with a rubber hammer a few times, check the gauge for proper pressure, make sure the pin is in and can easy be pulled. (A zip tie should NOT be used) Make sure the nozzle is clear, not blocked by mud daubers or such.

My extinguisher saved me after an oil check rag fell down on the exhaust pipe. 3' flames inside and outside the rear cap and I hit it with the "USELESS EXTINGUISHER". Fire out and it didn't even scorch the paint. Got the extinguisher filled that evening. Got smarter IMMEDIATELY!! No more rags back there.

Just for info....

The above post was made 11/2 right after I ordered the 2 new extinguishers. I ordered one on line and that arrived TODAY, Wow, with a recall that size I expected to wait a month or more. FIVE DAYS, including FEDEX shipping. GOOD ON KIDDE!!! Still waiting for the other extinguisher. Had to order that one by phone.

Good God! Obviously they were power type or I would not have even mentioned it! :R :R :R

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I've "tested" many out of date FE's. Some as old a 15 years.

Not one has failed to go off.

Depends on the TYPE of extinguisher and if the pressure is still in the green area.

CO2 types should be fine as long as they have pressure.

Dry Chemical units, however can be an issue since the powder can settle out, drop to the bottom and over time compact into a solid lump..

When that happens the powder that is supposed to snuff out the fire never comes out of the unit.

The powder types you should periodically invert the unit, then gently tap the bottom (deadblow soft hammer or rubber mallet) to break up the powder as part of your annual "maintenance" check.

rockhillmanor wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
RV's weigh enough without the addition of an 'adult sized' fire extinguisher....

lol. If adding a safety feature such as a fire extinguisher adds too much weight to your RV....you must already be overweight! :B

If he had an Andersen hitch he could add the extra weight. :B

SidecarFlip wrote:
RV's weigh enough without the addition of an 'adult sized' fire extinguisher....

lol. If adding a safety feature such as a fire extinguisher adds too much weight to your RV....you must already be overweight! :B

I've "tested" many out of date FE's. Some as old a 15 years.

Not one has failed to go off.

Gdetrailer wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
When extinguishers tag is outdated guess what they do to the extinguisher "IF" the gauge is in the green? They turn it upside down tap it with a rubber mallet and add a new tag. Bingo!

Umm.. NO. Not "always" the case.

Good quality vendors have a complete MOBILE BOX TRUCK in which they will discharge, remove valve assembly, rebuild the valve assembly then refill.

They will also check the dates and if the date is too old they will send the unit out to a outside shop which can hydro test the unit and re-certify for use.

My DW works in a refinery so she does know a few things about this since she also pays the bills for the vendor along with the fact that she has to participate in safety drills and such ..

Even got a great deal on a 10 lb new reload-able extinguisher :B we should have bought a few more at the price she got since her Company has never made that offer again :M

We can even take our unit back to her Company to have it recertified and reloaded when needed and when the vendor comes in to check the plants units.

My company, I can tell you this, all extinguishers that are found out of date ARE REMOVED from the plant and LOANER UNITS are used as temporary replacements until the vendor returns a couple of weeks later. I highly doubt they are simply tapping the units with a rubber hammer and retagging..

I would suspect any good quality extinguisher service company would NEVER be willing to RISK their business on shady practices as you have implied they do.

I should not have said outdated. When a company annually services the extinguishers at a commercial business that is what they do.