Forum Discussion
ut_pupcamper
Sep 14, 2013Explorer
Best reply I've ever read to any post yet on here. Lots of sage sound advice from an expert and very pertinent to the topic at hand. I've quoted it just to reiterate it. Thanks bombero
ol Bombero-JC wrote:Old-Biscuit wrote:
The image over my shoulder as I run away.......
First of all Biscuit, to answer your previous post on this thread,
"Ever fought a fire?"
Yeah. Actually "lots" over a 30 year career - all the 'stuff' you listed, add brush & haz-mat. Electrical was inside an Edison generating station (not a sub-station).
Ain't "Gee Whiz" and/or "What If?" - - great!.:W
Lots of interesting comments from the posters as well as yourself!
Big extinguishers, little extinguishers, ABC, AFFF, CO2, Dry Chem, 5lb, 10lb, smoke detectors, CO detectors, etc.
First things first.
Start with common sense - and listen to what Kenny Rogers has to say in "The Gambler":
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run......:@..:h
1. A smoke and CO detector is the best -*LIFE INSURANCE*- policy you can buy! - Two of each (or more) are even better!
Note: Inexpensive battery operated *inter-connected* (wireless) detectors are available. (Check Amazon)
One alarms - they *ALL* alarm!
Why the best Life Insurance policy? - *YOU* - will be the beneficiary!
Smoke and/or CO from an incipient or smoldering fire will kill you long before there's "visible" fire for you to "fight".
2. Know how to get out of your RV by the emergency exit?
Ever tried it? - Maybe even just a mental "dry run" - without actually going out through the designated emergency exit?
Just like your sticks and bricks - everybody out, call the Fire Department (campground = alert your neighbors also) then *maybe* - depending on the circumstances, location, your ability, the "tools" at hand.... you can go back to Kenny Rogers and "do your thing".
:C - ?? - Common sense and - "maybe"!
Every big fire - like Biscuit's pic- was (usually) at one time, a little fire..:W
Extinguishers.
I used to teach nurses and staff at a couple of hospitals how to use the dry chem (ABC) extinguishers in their buildings.
Wait until the annual extinguisher service was due. Service guy on site to refill extinguishers - which he had to do anyway.
Required "in service" training for the staff.
Yes - I would have a small flammable liquid fire (in the pk lot) for them to extinguish.
Why mention that?
Most of the staff needed a bit of practice to be "on target".
(And if a 100 lb nurse can be effective - so can you!)
You - your spouse and/or kids - can do the same (w/o the fire) by simply using your extinguisher when it's due to be replaced -or- with a refillable type (see below).
What's A-B-C
A = ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, etc.
B = flammable liquids.
C = Electrical
You will find that a ten pound dry-chem ABC extinguisher usually will have a 2A 10BC rating.
That's the *minimum* rating any/all of your dry chem extinguishers should have.
A smaller dry-chem (ex: 5BC) will still work on ordinary combustibles.
Dry chem extinguishers are cheap - but *very* messy.
CO2 = more expensive, not messy - no residue.
Smaller ones usually will *not* have an "A" rating. As above, the CO2 will still work on ordinary combustibles. (they simply don't have the capacity for the UL "A" rating)
Recommendation: Several types, as some posters stated.
Google "Mac The Fire Guy".
See his info - it's all *excellent*.
He's a good source for an easily refillable one gallon AFFF pressurized water extinguisher. (2 1/2 gal may be too heavy for most users - and take up a lot of space)
Before you add the AFFF - you can try it with "plain" water (and refill) as often as you wish.
Then enjoy Kenny!.:C
~
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