dpgllg wrote:
After a period of time these extinquishers need to be discharged and the tanks tested much like recertification of a propane tank. I have been gone from this so long I do not remember what the time period is.
Dave
From what I can tell off the internet, dry chemical extinguishers need to be hydrostatically tested every 12 years and internally inspected every 5 years, at least in a commercial setting. I once took an extinguisher into a local shop to get tested and it was quite expensive. They are supposed to be visually inspected monthly. I don't like that the Kidde extinguisher being replaced doesn't have a gauge on it so you can't tell if it is properly charged. So what should be done in an RV? Replace every 5 years, or 12 years or?
My dad once had one of these fire fighting "grenades" in our house. They were used up until about the 50s and were filled with carbon tetracholoride which is very toxic.
pigman1 wrote:I have an aversion to plastic parts and bits 'n pieces in general and would much rather have a fire extinguisher with metal parts. They have to meet NFPA requirements so they should work as intended - except for when they get recalled...
Don't know about cheap, but I can assure you they work very well.
pigman1 wrote:Excellent and important point on inverting and agitating dry powder extinguishers. Forgot all about that. I wonder how many RV-ers actually do that regularly? Under 1%? Same thing with regular testing of smoke detectors.
Just remember to check the extinguisher monthly and invert and agitate the powder at least monthly. These things work and work well as long as you take care of them. What they look like doesn't count.
I'm thinking maybe of getting a 2-1/2 lb ABC like the Amerex below which is rated 1-A 10-BC. Not much bigger than the Kidde BC. I found a local place that has a great price on them (new). A 5 lb one would be nice but they're physically too large to fit next to the door. We also have a 5 lb ABC at a 2nd exterior door in the garage and can see looking at it that just wouldn't fit in our TT.
It's NFPA 1192 that specifies requirements for fire extinguishers in RVs, not RVIA. They must be within 24" of a primary exit door in an RV and min. 5-BC. UL and ANSI also cover requirements for them.
A CO2 extinguisher is out of the question because using one in the small enclosed space in an RV could result in asphyxiation. Foam might be an option but is too expensive. Dry chemical will make a terrible mess and be hard to clean up but can't be worse than the damage from a fire.
Mac McCoy is def. THE go-to guy for info. on RV fire prevention. Highly knowledgeable.
