Better fire extinguisher than the Kidde replacement?

I ran across these while surfing last week.

Element Fire Extinguishers

I'm pretty interested in getting a couple for vehicles, though they are not cheap my any means.

Small light, never need maintenance, 50 or 100 second run time depending on the size, A,B,C,K rated.

They work by using a KNO3 reaction to flood the area with Potassium (K) to bind oxygen.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/3001/3080/files/ElementOperationDescription.pdf

Seems Promising.

CC

I thought Mac the Fire Guy passed. I know that he had some heart problems several years ago.

SaltiDawg wrote:
...

"Classy" - and predictable reply

You must regret, ever so slightly, posting your credo to live by. Or, maybe not!

Two useful posts in the same thread.

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.

If you reread my post you'll see I wasn't talking about standing outside using the Halon. I said I had purchased a larger dry chemical extinguisher. But if it looked like I could still save the trailer that I would tie the handle, toss it in and close the door. I keep stainless zip ties taped to the fire extinguishers.

Here is the link to Mac The Fire Guy's article on RV Fire Prevention. He does a very good job explaining all types of fire extinguishers.

Mac The Fire Guy

For the person who posted using Halon devices you should read the article on why Halon is not a good choice for outside use. I knew that Halon replaces the oxygen in the area and there fore the fire dies. That means the Halon would be working against all the oxygen outside instead of oxygen in a confined area. What I didn't know was all the poisonous gases Halon produces in a fire! Wow!

My family was in the business of fire extinquishers and I know that the extinquishers in RV's today are really only good for a small fire or to get you out of an RV. The ones with a plastic head we would not ever refill.

I have the small one in my new RV but I also carry two 10 pound ABC ones as well that are strategically placed in the RV. The other thing is I get them checked yearly by an expert. 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.

I advise reading the article as he covers all extinuisher types including the new ones and has advice on which to use.

When your ready to purchase Google a fire extinuisher service company that not only sells but also services them as well and get them checked yearly.

Dave

For your home, I would recommend looking around while you are in commercial areas. Spot the folks refilling those company's extinguishers. Here, it is Ferguson. They usually have good deals on larger extinguishers, which are better suited for home use. As for the RV, hopefully a small one is enough to help you get everyone out. Fire spreads so quickly in RVs, and creates so many toxic fumes, that if it has spread at all, your best bet is to just get everyone out and away.

pigman1 wrote:
Don't know about cheap, but I can assure you they work very well.

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...

pigman1 wrote:
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.

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.

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.

SoundGuy wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
... I guess I never gave it much thought as I've needed to use one but I'd assume Kidde knows more about these things than I do and therefore the one I received is suitable for the task intended.

SaltiDawg wrote:
Ah, finally a credo to live by. :S

Yeah sorry, I forgot there are "experts" such as yourself who know everything about everything, including more than those who design and manufacture these products ... or so you think. :p

"Classy" - and predictable reply

You must regret, ever so slightly, posting your credo to live by. Or, maybe not!

Google MAC THE FIRE GUY

or if you are an FMCA member attend a rally, he is usually there

He has some seriously good stuff and based on everytihg I know he KNOWS his stuff.. He demonstrates at Rallys. And that's what I carry.