Hi did a quick search and didn't find the answer....
Are new vans supplied with a fire extinguisher by law? or is it the norm to buy one after purchasing the van?
We will at the very minimum have 1 in the van, 1 in the car and a fire blanket in the van.
Just curious...
Regards
Brijacq
The Belmont Bear said
01:41 PM Mar 6, 2017
Hi Brijacq, welcome to the forum I don't know if it's the law to fit them but our Retreat came with a fire extinguisher mounted in a cupboard.
Peter_n_Margaret said
03:22 PM Mar 6, 2017
I understand it is law to have one. Minimum 1kg dry powder.
Be careful what you buy. Some are not approved for vehicle use despite saying that is what they are for on the packaging.
They must have a hose and a mounting system good for 10g.
I suggest it is installed near the door (on the way out). There are regulations describing the mounting position/height.
Possibly more useful but not required by law is a large (1.8m x 1.8m) fire blanket for cooking fires and people protection.
Cheers,
Peter
Cupie said
04:37 PM Mar 6, 2017
Mine came with one under the seat of the lounge.
I installed another just by the entrance & one in the Patrol too.
Must get a fire blanket for the kitchen.
All so cheap too.
Dougwe said
06:23 PM Mar 6, 2017
Welcome to the gang Brijacq, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I think you will find it is law as it is with a smoke detector.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
macka17 said
07:15 PM Mar 6, 2017
If I bought another it would be foam. The Co2 are bulky. expensive and selective.
Powder seem to be the preferred choice for our job.
I have one in everything that rolls and floats
2 boats. 2 cars, and a caravan.
6x4 for garden rubbish can help itself.
KenK said
04:53 PM Mar 7, 2017
Specials at Aldis tomorrow (8/3) include an extinguisher ($15) and fire Blanket ($8). Possibly a good time to check these safety measures in our vans.
Lancelot Link said
01:27 AM Mar 8, 2017
I believe all new vans are to be equipped with a powder extinguisher and a smoke alarm. The reasoning is the smoke alarm wakes you up and you have to fight through the toxic fire fumes from all the plastic burning to where your fire extinguisher is by the front door at the other end of the caravan. Why don't caravans have two doors, just imagine the air flow from a sea breeze with two doors on a caravan! In Victoria, minimum is the smallest powder type extinguisher. Every two months, grab it out of your caravan, check the dial and give at least a dozen light taps with a hammer to get the powder moving and re-settle it. If the guage shows recharge, throw it in the bin and buy a new one.
Mike Harding said
08:30 AM Mar 8, 2017
Lancelot Link wrote:
In Victoria, minimum is the smallest powder type extinguisher. Every two months, grab it out of your caravan, check the dial and give at least a dozen light taps with a hammer to get the powder moving and re-settle it. If the guage shows recharge, throw it in the bin and buy a new one.
Excellent advice.
And even more important to do this with home based powder extinguishers as they don't get the bumps and knocks which a caravan one will and which help to prevent the powder solidifying.
Dougwe said
09:33 AM Mar 8, 2017
I use a small rubber mallet to the same thing. Works better and no damage to metal, only I do it at the start of each month, a few taps and all ok. IMO.
I have 2 extinguishers for the van and 1 for the tug and they all get bashed, no favourite's with me.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Tony Bev said
06:16 PM Mar 8, 2017
Back in the day, as a young man in a very small town, it was the task of the volunteer fire brigade, to replenish the fire extinguishers. After removing the powder we would put it through a fine sieve, before replacing it For whatever reason, there was sometimes hard caked powder which had to be thrown away
In an out of date fire extinguisher, there is always the chance that some of the dry powder has gone hard
(We can see what pressure we have, by looking at the gauge but we can not see the condition of the dry powder)
In a worst case scenario, if the caked dry powder blocks the tube or nozzle end while the extinguisher is being used, you will end with no more powder coming out I am not sure, so I could be wrong, that hitting the fire extinguisher with a rubber mallet, would actually break up any caked powder, as the powder became fairly hard when it went into a cake form
Cupie said
08:05 PM Mar 8, 2017
Tony Bev wrote:
Back in the day, as a young man in a very small town, it was the task of the volunteer fire brigade, to replenish the fire extinguishers. After removing the powder we would put it through a fine sieve, before replacing it For whatever reason, there was sometimes hard caked powder which had to be thrown away
In an out of date fire extinguisher, there is always the chance that some of the dry powder has gone hard
(We can see what pressure we have, by looking at the gauge but we can not see the condition of the dry powder)
In a worst case scenario, if the caked dry powder blocks the tube or nozzle end while the extinguisher is being used, you will end with no more powder coming out I am not sure, so I could be wrong, that hitting the fire extinguisher with a rubber mallet, would actually break up any caked powder, as the powder became fairly hard when it went into a cake form
Reminds me of my younger days in small country town. I had to check & refill all of my extinguishers on an annual basis.
There were several types including the brass CTC??? ones that were filled with a fluid that was very good as a dry cleaning fluid. I think that they worked by twisting the handle & pumping out the fluid. Of course they were always empty. Then there were the ones that you tipped upside down & gave them a good bump & directed the foam? to the fire until they ran out. Couldn't turn them off. But best of all were the CO2? ones that went WOOSH & sent out great clouds of CO2 when you pulled the trigger. Great for chilling beer long necks & scaring the unwary.
.......................................
This thread reminded me to check my extinguishers in the van. The original 19YO one was indicating 'refill' so I replaced it with one of those on sale at Aldi.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 8th of March 2017 08:07:11 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 9th of March 2017 12:00:08 AM
Craig1 said
09:18 PM Mar 8, 2017
how long do they last?, got an Aldi from 2012 and the gauge still is in the green, not the money issue , but would be nice to know, thanks Craig
Bruce and Bev said
09:42 PM Mar 9, 2017
most have powder units and located just inside the door on the side of the cupboards above the stove.
Great for use if you get an unexpected visitor at night. Take the unit down, pull the plastic pin lock out and let them have a face full - better then trying to swing a base ball bat or whatever
Cupie said
10:51 PM Mar 9, 2017
Craig1 wrote:
how long do they last?, got an Aldi from 2012 and the gauge still is in the green, not the money issue , but would be nice to know, thanks Craig
The 19YO one that I replaced today was just in the red ... meaning replace or refill.
I tried it out & it worked OK. Moved slightly more into the red ... perhaps another 5 degrees.
Mike Harding said
08:43 AM Mar 10, 2017
I keep my old, replaced, extinguisher tucked away in the corner near the new wall mounted one on the basis that if I have failed to put the fire out with the new one I may as well give the old one a try.
Cupie said
09:34 AM Mar 10, 2017
Mike Harding wrote:
I keep my old, replaced, extinguisher tucked away in the corner near the new wall mounted one on the basis that if I have failed to put the fire out with the new one I may as well give the old one a try.
Good idea. I'll find a spot for mine in the Patrol.
Tony Bev said
10:34 PM Mar 10, 2017
Just got my hands on an Aldi 1 Kg (on special) fire extinguisher
It has a 5 year warranty, a tag you can punch a hole in the month year (just like the old time car batteries)
The bookwork Service Instructions say
Quote Maintain it in accordance Australian Standard AS1851
Every Six Months
Check that the extinguisher has not been discharged
Check the extinguisher for damage and corrosion
Check operating pressure. Gauge pointer should be in the green zone
Check that nozzle is not blocked
Invert extinguisher to ensure that powder remains free flowing
Check cylinder date stamp. If over 5 years old the cylinder requires a pressure test and refilling
NOTE: Where fire extinguisher is subject to constant vibration or extreme heat (eg in vehicles) more frequent checks are recommended Unquote
Tony Bev said
10:46 PM Mar 10, 2017
Bruce and Bev wrote:
most have powder units and located just inside the door on the side of the cupboards above the stove.
Great for use if you get an unexpected visitor at night. Take the unit down, pull the plastic pin lock out and let them have a face full - better then trying to swing a base ball bat or whatever
I would be just a little bit careful about doing this
The expanding gas, can freeze the eyeball, plus the inert gas and powder are supposed to be able to stop the oxygen getting to the fire, which I assume would be the same for that persons airway
I suppose you can always say that you thought that you heard someone shout fire, pulled the pin, slipped on the step, and grabbed the fire extinguisher handle foe support
Craig1 said
01:47 PM Mar 11, 2017
So, after 5 years just buy a new one to comply with Standards, as they range between $15 and $30. Cost of test/refill would be more than that. Thanks all.
Lancelot Link said
01:13 AM Mar 12, 2017
Craig1 wrote:
So, after 5 years just buy a new one to comply with Standards, as they range between $15 and $30. Cost of test/refill would be more than that. Thanks all.
I asked at the local fire station about checking and it was suggested I need a stiff drink and pointed me to the pub across the road, I am not one to argue, met a mate and stayed for an hour or so, purchased a new fire extinguisher on the way home!
Hi did a quick search and didn't find the answer....
Are new vans supplied with a fire extinguisher by law? or is it the norm to buy one after purchasing the van?
We will at the very minimum have 1 in the van, 1 in the car and a fire blanket in the van.
Just curious...
Regards
Brijacq
Be careful what you buy. Some are not approved for vehicle use despite saying that is what they are for on the packaging.
They must have a hose and a mounting system good for 10g.
I suggest it is installed near the door (on the way out). There are regulations describing the mounting position/height.
Possibly more useful but not required by law is a large (1.8m x 1.8m) fire blanket for cooking fires and people protection.
Cheers,
Peter
Mine came with one under the seat of the lounge.
I installed another just by the entrance & one in the Patrol too.
Must get a fire blanket for the kitchen.
All so cheap too.
I think you will find it is law as it is with a smoke detector.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Powder seem to be the preferred choice for our job.
I have one in everything that rolls and floats
2 boats. 2 cars, and a caravan.
6x4 for garden rubbish can help itself.
Excellent advice.
And even more important to do this with home based powder extinguishers as they don't get the bumps and knocks which a caravan one will and which help to prevent the powder solidifying.
I have 2 extinguishers for the van and 1 for the tug and they all get bashed, no favourite's with me.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Back in the day, as a young man in a very small town, it was the task of the volunteer fire brigade, to replenish the fire extinguishers.
After removing the powder we would put it through a fine sieve, before replacing it
For whatever reason, there was sometimes hard caked powder which had to be thrown away
In an out of date fire extinguisher, there is always the chance that some of the dry powder has gone hard
(We can see what pressure we have, by looking at the gauge but we can not see the condition of the dry powder)
In a worst case scenario, if the caked dry powder blocks the tube or nozzle end while the extinguisher is being used, you will end with no more powder coming out
I am not sure, so I could be wrong, that hitting the fire extinguisher with a rubber mallet, would actually break up any caked powder, as the powder became fairly hard when it went into a cake form
Reminds me of my younger days in small country town. I had to check & refill all of my extinguishers on an annual basis.
There were several types including the brass CTC??? ones that were filled with a fluid that was very good as a dry cleaning fluid. I think that they worked by twisting the handle & pumping out the fluid. Of course they were always empty. Then there were the ones that you tipped upside down & gave them a good bump & directed the foam? to the fire until they ran out. Couldn't turn them off. But best of all were the CO2? ones that went WOOSH & sent out great clouds of CO2 when you pulled the trigger. Great for chilling beer long necks & scaring the unwary.
.......................................
This thread reminded me to check my extinguishers in the van. The original 19YO one was indicating 'refill' so I replaced it with one of those on sale at Aldi.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 8th of March 2017 08:07:11 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 9th of March 2017 12:00:08 AM
Great for use if you get an unexpected visitor at night. Take the unit down, pull the plastic pin lock out and let them have a face full - better then trying to swing a base ball bat or whatever
The 19YO one that I replaced today was just in the red ... meaning replace or refill.
I tried it out & it worked OK. Moved slightly more into the red ... perhaps another 5 degrees.
I keep my old, replaced, extinguisher tucked away in the corner near the new wall mounted one on the basis that if I have failed to put the fire out with the new one I may as well give the old one a try.
Good idea. I'll find a spot for mine in the Patrol.
Just got my hands on an Aldi 1 Kg (on special) fire extinguisher
It has a 5 year warranty, a tag you can punch a hole in the month year (just like the old time car batteries)
The bookwork Service Instructions say
Quote
Maintain it in accordance Australian Standard AS1851
Every Six Months
NOTE: Where fire extinguisher is subject to constant vibration or extreme heat (eg in vehicles) more frequent checks are recommended
Unquote
I would be just a little bit careful about doing this
The expanding gas, can freeze the eyeball, plus the inert gas and powder are supposed to be able to stop the oxygen getting to the fire, which I assume would be the same for that persons airway
I asked at the local fire station about checking and it was suggested I need a stiff drink and pointed me to the pub across the road, I am not one to argue, met a mate and stayed for an hour or so, purchased a new fire extinguisher on the way home!