Best auto fire extinguisher?

From my research, HalGuard seems to make the best car fire extinguisher:

https://www.h3rperformance.com/halguard_products.htm

i am wondering what size extinguisher I need to get for the Taco?

$225 H3R Performance MaxOut Dry Chemical Car Fire Extinguisher - 1.0 lb. Chrome(MX100C)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TPMP7Y

$400 H3R Performance HalGuard Clean Agent Car Fire Extinguisher - 2.5 lb. Chrome(HG250C)

https://www.amazon.com/H3R-Performa...240203&sr=8-1&keywords=H3R+Performance+Hg250c

or

$300 H3R Performance HalGuard Clean Agent Car Fire Extinguisher - 1.4 lb. Chrome (HG100C)

https://www.amazon.com/H3R-Performa...128091&sr=8-1&keywords=H3R+Performance+HG100C

 

FAA recommendation for small airplanes is a 2bc minimum if I recall. 1bc discharge time/amount is just soooooo small.

http://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli...cfm/go/document.information/documentID/888491


Never had to use a halotron myself , but have seen them discharged. I would go to a 5b:c if you want to actually do some good.

I would go personally with halotron from amerex badger ansul buckey, always found them to be reliable, not overly expensive... (just my 2 cents) , should be able to get one for 200 ish.

Always thought h3r looked like expensive for no good reason. (does the chrome plated cylinders work better...)

 

Thanks, which is the one you recommend?

 

Get yourself a good ABC 5 pound extinguisher and you will be good to go. Amerex. Badger. Kiddie. Just make sure once a month you flip it over a few times to make sure the agent inside doesn’t pack solid at the bottom.

 

I would go amerex b386t... I believe it comes with a bracket, not just a wall hook.

I actually like the Buckeye 75550 better, as the hose let's you get it into confined areas better, but wall hook normally I think.

But you ok with red?

 

Just go to lowes and buy the biggest ABC you have room to carry. Make sure its ABC, bc is only rated for flammable liquids and electrical fires. There is no need to spend 100+ dollars on a fire extinguisher.

 

So would this one be good?

$56 Kidde Pro 210 2A:10-B:C Fire Extinguisher, Rechargeable, Multi-Purpose for Home & Office, 4 lbs., Mounting Bracket Included , Red

https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-210057...D=41o38mgwTFL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

Or this one?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0KG20B

Which would be better?

 

Also, most of the "automobile" fire extinguishers I see are BC rated, not ABC. Why is that?

 

Most auto extinguishers are only BC rated, as that is the typical, fire you'll encounter in a auto. B-Petroleum based(fuels, oils, plastics, etc), or C-, electrical.

These are what we use in our Van's. In fact every service vehicle I've had used these. I HAVE used them before.

 

If I recall, the UL doesn't rate the extinguishers below 5B:C for A, even if they use the same propellant, extinguishing material, etc.

 

I’m no expert on this, but from what I understand, I agree with the above. Especially because for our uses we may also be in a situation where we need the A rating. After all, we’re often in wooded areas where the fire may spread and start a range or forest fire.

Interested to hear what I may be missing...

 

ABC dry chem fire extinguishers are based on mono ammonium phosphate which is extremely corrosive to metals and electronics. Shoot it into your engine or under the dash and you’ve totalled your truck even if you stop the fire.

BC dry chem extinguishers use much less corrosive chemicals that can usually be cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner or lots of washing. You still probably wouldn’t want to shoot one under the dash. Unfortunately they are not very effective against A fires (they are slightly effective but not enough to get an A rating). They are extremely effective against fuel fires.

Halotron does not corrode anything and can be used nearly anywhere. For a given rating they are larger than a dry chem. They are also expensive.

Vehicle fires typically get big very fast. If there is a fire in the engine compartment or under the vehicle usually you will just need to evacuate and watch it burn even if you have an extinguisher. Only something you catch very quickly and early can be extinguished (e.g. smoldering electrical fire).

So there really isn’t a single “best” choice. Probably a small A rated extinguisher that is non corrosive for small electrical fires combined with a BC dry chem for fuel or engine fires is the best.

 

Good info thanks!

 

Just got back from stopping by Home Depot where I picked up a Kiddie BC auto/marine... NOW someone tells me! An A rating makes sense!

 

See DVexile’s post above. I’ve been carrying an ABC, but will add a BC rated one in case of a vehicle fire. Will use the A rated one in case I need to put out a brush fire etc...

 

Six months later and I decided to go with Element. Compact, doesn't expire, no maintenace, and much more powerful. $80 can't complain.

 

Link?

I picked up a 2.5 lb halotron for $105

 

If you have used halon you might think differently.

 

My thoughts

Don't buy pretty extinguishers that are compact. In my experience these clean agents that people buy with shiny cylinders in weird weights are nothing more than wall hangers.

I can't recommend Kidde products. They've had some high profile recalls stemming from their love of plastic. A number of their models even with metal heads still use plastic siphon tubes. If it has a white gauge face IMO it has no business being in a vehicle. I'm not a fan of plastic siphon tubes unless they're in a water mist or water extinguisher.

Beware of any fire extinguisher that claims "no maintenance" That the sure fire way that you know it's a wall hanger

 

This. Because of the size, it's easier to keep close and reach which may give you a better chance to use it. Fire spreads fast and every second counts. Bit pricey, but considering the cost of potential fire damage, worth it.