Chemical vs water fire extinguishers

[ChiefBodie]

Caught the field on fire and had to extinguish a fire. Wound up using three (out of four) chemical extinguishers and was surprised by how limited they are. These are residential grade, and they barely put the fire out along with help from some water jugs. Then I learned it is a bit of a hassle to take them in for recharge at a dealer, along with a small cost. Close to throw away and buy new.

The responding fire personnel recommended a 2.5 gal stainless steel pressurized water fire extinguisher. Apparently you can put water in, then pump it up using an air compressor or bicycle pump. Then it sits there waiting to be used, if ever. At 2.5 gallons, they are higher capacity, but for Class A fire only (trash, debris, etc.) I presume this is perfectly fine for putting out a fire in a brush pile or pasture.

Does anyone have experience with these? Sounds better than the residential grade models.

2 1/2 Gallon Stored Pressure Water Fire Extinguisher - Amerex 240 - Fire Extinguishers - Home, Business Vehicle Fire Safety

 

[4570Man]

I had 2 and currently can’t find 1, but they’ll knock down a heck of a fire. And they put an end to the super soaker wars in the high school parking lot.

 

[LouNY]

I had 2 and currently can’t find 1, but they’ll knock down a heck of a fire. And they put an end to the super soaker wars in the high school parking lot.

:thumbsup::drink:

They do work good for your class A use but for mixed vehicle use not so good and not at all in freezing weather.

 

[RNeumann]

The dry chem extinguisher doesn’t do very good on vegetation. It does a great job in the house or engine compartment. It has to do with the way it puts fire out- smother vs cool.
If you are in a situation where you could catch vegetation on fire the water extinguisher is a great choice- and yes they are refillable. We add a cup or so of foam to the extinguisher AFTER adding water but adding liquid soap would do about as good.

Just be careful with a water extinguisher with electrical or chemical fires- you could easily make things worse by using water!

 

[GaryM]

As LouNY said, it will freeze solid if the temperature drops low enough. Is that a possible issue at your location? There's none listed in your profile.

 

[747driver]

You beat me to the posting ! I was wondering what everybody has on their tractors ? This 2.5 gal water extinguisher sounds good. So if you have one on your tractor where do most of you install it ? I did buy a portable aerosol extinguisher at RK thats the size of a big WD 40 aerosol can. Takes up little space but it would be used for engine or chemical fires. I also have a 250 gal IBC tote container that sits out in the open on our lower property close to the forest. I put a plastic tub on top with a drain so when it rains it fills the tote up. Valve on the bottom lets me fillup buckets...

 

[sdquick]

Sounds like different solutions for different problems. Chemical for a tractor (electrical or oil) fire possibility. Then an additional water extinguisher for a field fire. I understand that the water extinguisher would not work in freezing temps, but the need for fire suppression is not as high in freezing temps.

 

[Einthewoods]

I have a chemical one on the tractor, but a water one makes good sense while out in our woods. Will have to look into how to mount one as out of the way as my current one.

 

[RNeumann]

The water extinguisher with some foam or soap would do OK on an “engine” fire. A dry chem may be a bit better but both would be fine. I’ve used both and we tend to gravitate to the water so we’re not breathing the powder of a dry chem.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have one of those stainless water extinguishers. Put one in the hands of a five year old and it's a great toy.

They are very high quality and I always have it nearby when making a bon fire. I have also used it often when needing a good high pressure jet of water away from a hose.

I have two similar extinguishers that can't be opened that I can tell. I think they have something in them that can't freeze which is the issue with the ones talked about.

If you have a main battery cable fire or a fuel fed fire, you probably won't have enough suppression capability with any hand held extinguisher.

I see the op has a Ventrac. I have a totally burned out Steiner which was given to me. They had made a brush fire and realized it was under utility cables at which time they tried to push the pile away with the Steiner.

The fuel line goes under the machine at the articulation joint in a sock, probably just ready to catch fire. That fuel tank will empty when the line is burned open. By the time the Fire Dept got there, there was nothing left.




This WAS a Prestine 430 MAX Diesel with dual wheels!