I checked my vehicle fire extinguisher the other day and although weight wise it appeared full the gauge showed it needed attention (in the red).
I gave it a good shake up but still remained the same. Looks like I have to buy a new one.
Not sure how old it is as it was in the vehicle when I bought it 2nd hand.
Anyone suggest a good retailer (not online) to buy one from or a particular type? Bunnings? Supercheap? I only want about a one kg one and prefer the squeeze the handle type, not the one with a hose.
Dougwe said
08:36 PM Aug 30, 2013
First Vic try giving it a hit all around it with a rubber mallet or similar as it should be a 'Dry Chemical' One and that will loosen the powder inside, might do the trick.
I remember when I was setting up a bus operators accreditation's here in Victoria, I had to show how the extinguishers in each vehicle would be tested each month and that was accepted as a monthly test. Of course there was a daily visual check done by the driver.
The fire authorities thought that it was a good way of making sure the powder was loose at all times.
As to where to get one, I would go to Supercheap first but you can get at Autobarn and get a senior discount.
Duh said
10:21 PM Aug 30, 2013
Thanks Doug, I will try that, it is not here at the moment (in storage, the van that is).
countryroad said
11:35 PM Aug 30, 2013
Glory be............the things you can learn on here...
2weis said
12:07 AM Aug 31, 2013
duh
any of the places you mentioned plus repco sell the extinguishers you want
repco also give racq membership discount
brian
Duh said
12:13 AM Aug 31, 2013
Thanks Brian, will see how the rubber mallet suggested by Doug works first then might have to get a new one if it is no good.
Thanks for another store with discount, I would imagine the one in WA would be the same for RACWA.
03_troopy said
02:44 AM Aug 31, 2013
The rubber mallet will only loosen the powder if it has caked up at the bottom, it won't increase the pressure of the propellant gas unfortunately.
Duh said
06:24 AM Aug 31, 2013
03_troopy wrote:
The rubber mallet will only loosen the powder if it has caked up at the bottom, it won't increase the pressure of the propellant gas unfortunately.
It might be more prudent to just buy a new one than risk it.
Which brings me to another point, how do you get rid of an old fire extinguisher? If it has propellant, can this be released legally (I suppose in a fire situation it could be).
Are the contents ok to be sprayed onto the ground around your home, garden bed, verge etc, to release the contents and pressure?
Mark said
07:55 AM Aug 31, 2013
Duh wrote:
03_troopy wrote:
The rubber mallet will only loosen the powder if it has caked up at the bottom, it won't increase the pressure of the propellant gas unfortunately.
It might be more prudent to just buy a new one than risk it.
Which brings me to another point, how do you get rid of an old fire extinguisher? If it has propellant, can this be released legally (I suppose in a fire situation it could be).
Are the contents ok to be sprayed onto the ground around your home, garden bed, verge etc, to release the contents and pressure?
Take an old extinguisher to the fire station, they have great fun letting them off!! Or, just do it yourself and dispose of the cylinder at a local shire waste refuse point.
Duh said
08:21 AM Aug 31, 2013
Thanks Mark !
briche said
04:08 AM Sep 1, 2013
We brought our fire extinguisher from Bunnings and have had no problems with it. I get mine checked every two years, worth it for peace of mind.
briche
Duh said
04:31 AM Sep 1, 2013
Thanks Briche, will have a look next time I'm over that way...
herbie said
05:23 AM Sep 3, 2013
To stop the powder inside from clumping,is to give it a good shake every month.
I so have a fire blanket for added protection in the van.
Duh said
07:04 AM Sep 3, 2013
Thanks Herbie, gave my a good thumping every which way with a rubber mallet today but it didn't make any difference, a possibility the gauge may be stuffed but from the weight of it I am sure the powder is still in it. Have decided to replace it now, also have a fire blanket.
woolman said
08:37 PM Sep 3, 2013
Fire extinguishers are a bit like matches. You need to try them before you leave.
oops, I think there is a problem with that theory.
too wet and windy outside so I have too much time.
sorry
Neil
03_troopy said
01:51 AM Sep 4, 2013
Duh wrote:
Thanks Herbie, gave my a good thumping every which way with a rubber mallet today but it didn't make any difference, a possibility the gauge may be stuffed but from the weight of it I am sure the powder is still in it. Have decided to replace it now, also have a fire blanket.
Unless you have discharged it, the powder will still be there. However, the nitrogen gas propellant has leaked out.
beiffe said
04:35 PM Sep 4, 2013
I rotate mine 45 degrees every Monday. Mine is laying down in the frame and just a twist gives the powder a shake up as you travel.
Regards
Brian
Duh said
07:14 AM Sep 10, 2013
Thanks for the feedback all, mine is standing straight up (was fixed like that when I bought the van), but I have had them laying horizontal as well before, might be better that way......
Big Gorilla said
03:44 PM Sep 10, 2013
I took mine to the Fire Brigade in Tasmania. They check them free. I was told mine was unsuitable for a MH, a $20.00 cheapie from a Chickenfeed Store so I purchased one from the Fire Dept. Whether you can do this in all States I'm not aware, but it's worth a try.
Duh said
09:03 PM Sep 10, 2013
Thanks Ken, sounds like good advice!
leevin said
03:56 AM Sep 11, 2013
Dougwe wrote:
First Vic try giving it a hit all around it with a rubber mallet or similar as it should be a 'Dry Chemical' One and that will loosen the powder inside, might do the trick.
I remember when I was setting up a bus operators accreditation's here in Victoria, I had to show how the extinguishers in each vehicle would be tested each month and that was accepted as a monthly test. Of course there was a daily visual check done by the driver.
The fire authorities thought that it was a good way of making sure the powder was loose at all times.
As to where to get one, I would go to Supercheap first but you can get at Autobarn and get a senior discount.
It is a good idea to invert & shake a DCP extinguisher periodically (anually).
If it is in a small boat, ie., a tinnie, then every 3-6 trips, as the constant pounding of the boat will compact the powder.
If the pressure is down (gauge in the red) then there is a propellant leak. It will be cheaper to replace the unit.
As long as the extinguisher meets (and is stamped) with ASA approval, brand or distributor is of no consequence.
I have a 1kg inside the caravanvan entrance, one 1kg in the ensuite (scary getting trapped in there!), and a 4.5kg in the back of the truck.
I checked my vehicle fire extinguisher the other day and although weight wise it appeared full the gauge showed it needed attention (in the red).
I gave it a good shake up but still remained the same. Looks like I have to buy a new one.
Not sure how old it is as it was in the vehicle when I bought it 2nd hand.
Anyone suggest a good retailer (not online) to buy one from or a particular type? Bunnings? Supercheap? I only want about a one kg one and prefer the squeeze the handle type, not the one with a hose.
I remember when I was setting up a bus operators accreditation's here in Victoria, I had to show how the extinguishers in each vehicle would be tested each month and that was accepted as a monthly test. Of course there was a daily visual check done by the driver.
The fire authorities thought that it was a good way of making sure the powder was loose at all times.
As to where to get one, I would go to Supercheap first but you can get at Autobarn and get a senior discount.
Thanks Doug, I will try that, it is not here at the moment (in storage, the van that is).
any of the places you mentioned plus repco sell the extinguishers you want
repco also give racq membership discount
brian
Thanks Brian, will see how the rubber mallet suggested by Doug works first then might have to get a new one if it is no good.
Thanks for another store with discount, I would imagine the one in WA would be the same for RACWA.
It might be more prudent to just buy a new one than risk it.
Which brings me to another point, how do you get rid of an old fire extinguisher? If it has propellant, can this be released legally (I suppose in a fire situation it could be).
Are the contents ok to be sprayed onto the ground around your home, garden bed, verge etc, to release the contents and pressure?
Take an old extinguisher to the fire station, they have great fun letting them off!! Or, just do it yourself and dispose of the cylinder at a local shire waste refuse point.
Thanks Mark !
We brought our fire extinguisher from Bunnings and have had no problems with it. I get mine checked every two years, worth it for peace of mind.
briche
Thanks Briche, will have a look next time I'm over that way...
To stop the powder inside from clumping,is to give it a good shake every month.
I so have a fire blanket for added protection in the van.
Thanks Herbie, gave my a good thumping every which way with a rubber mallet today but it didn't make any difference, a possibility the gauge may be stuffed but from the weight of it I am sure the powder is still in it. Have decided to replace it now, also have a fire blanket.
oops, I think there is a problem with that theory.
too wet and windy outside so I have too much time.
sorry
Neil
Unless you have discharged it, the powder will still be there. However, the nitrogen gas propellant has leaked out.
Regards
Brian
Thanks for the feedback all, mine is standing straight up (was fixed like that when I bought the van), but I have had them laying horizontal as well before, might be better that way......
I took mine to the Fire Brigade in Tasmania. They check them free. I was told mine was unsuitable for a MH, a $20.00 cheapie from a Chickenfeed Store so I purchased one from the Fire Dept. Whether you can do this in all States I'm not aware, but it's worth a try.
Thanks Ken, sounds like good advice!
It is a good idea to invert & shake a DCP extinguisher periodically (anually).
If it is in a small boat, ie., a tinnie, then every 3-6 trips, as the constant pounding of the boat will compact the powder.
If the pressure is down (gauge in the red) then there is a propellant leak. It will be cheaper to replace the unit.
As long as the extinguisher meets (and is stamped) with ASA approval, brand or distributor is of no consequence.
I have a 1kg inside the caravanvan entrance, one 1kg in the ensuite (scary getting trapped in there!), and a 4.5kg in the back of the truck.
But that's me!
Thanks Leevin, mine has the propellant leaked by the looks of it......gauge in the red.....time for a newby!