Question for those with fire extinguishers

Mine is mounted behind rear passenger seat on driver side, in the plastic cubby. I figure bed is the best location but I'm paranoid of thievery being in Atlanta. I drive 99% of time with the rear seat down so it made sense to have it there. and If passengers are in the truck and for whatever ungodly reason it discharges, its trapped behind the seat to do so.

I am mostly happy with the location though if I have passengers, its definitely not the quickest possible access spot.

 

With the ABC extinguishers - everything I've read says if you use those on an engine fire, you're pretty much screwed and have to replace everything because of all the damage the powder causes. CO2 and Halon are safe for engines and electronics but the former is huge and the latter is ridiculously expensive. I'm still keeping an eye out for a good deal on a 10lb CO2 one for mine.

 

I'll be picking up a 2.5# halotron in the next month or two. Sub'd for mounting options.

 

Got mine behind the seat in my DC. It wedges down there in the middle nice and snug.

I too use old ones for training. Most people have no idea how to effectively use an extinguisher on real flame. If you've never done it yourself, there are some excellent videos on YouTube. after watching, THEN go out and try yourself. You do not want an actual fire to be your training exercise.

 

This thread reminded me of an interesting fact I learned a work. Did you know that while good Samaritan legislation in my states/provinces protects first aiders it does not necessarily always protect "amateur" firemen? If you accidently start a fire, or are heavily suspected of starting a fire, and you have a fire extinguisher but don't use it you could be liable for any damages the fire causes?

At work we have a big safety push roughly every year where the company I work for really encourages everyone to think of efficient ways to make our workplace safer. Last year one of the guys on staff who is a volunteer firefighter suggested that we stick a 10 pounder in all the light duty trucks. The manager approved the idea and sent it up to corporate. Before we had heard anything back our very efficient shop guys had 10 pounders in the back of every single 1/2 and 3/4 ton truck we own. Then about a week later they all vanished.

The corporate legal department had found a case in Alberta where a vehicle, that was not required to carry a fire extinguisher, had one in the box. The driver stopped at an accident on the side of the road where a fire broke out, that was later suspected to have actually started from his trucks hot exhaust, and was found liable for the wildfire that ensued. If he had not been carrying a fire extingusher, he would not of been liable for damages as long as he called the fire department... Good food for thought.

All trucks here over 6500 kg's need to carry fire extingushers and those vehicles are involved in emergency response plans for some hazardous chemical handling companies are required to carry them. No one else here does apparently, other than the odd hardcore offroader, because of this little detail.

 

Holy Shit! Good thing I read this thread. I took a peek at the extinguisher in the glove box and sure as shit it is discharged. Going to pick one up at the base exchange tomorrow.
I guess Betty White was wrong, the internet ISN'T a waste of time.

 

I put my 10lb extinguisher in the bed using a 5lb co2 tank bracket from power tank.

 

Stopped by Home Depot and picked up a 2.5lb Kiddie powder extinguisher. They didn't have any CO2 in stock and I don't really have the cash to pay for a $50+ fire extinguisher right now so this'll do for the time being. I'm going to mount it on the front of my tool box this evening.. I'm still a little Leary about drilling into the bed since the truck is only a year old.

 

I have a 10-lb. one in the rear of my truck. Found it at Costo for a very reasonable price.

 

I didn't drill any holes for mine, just used the existing bolts.

 

I know this is slightly invasive but it is easy access in the event of an emergency. The other thing is that I screed the bracket into the dash. Perhaps a better method would be 3M removable tape or something.

 

^OUCH!^ That's going to hurt in the event of a wreck.

 

Been offroading with it and it hasn't fallen out and no one has banged their knees. So far so good!