Smart Shop tips!

[the old grind]

I have one in my shop also, I filled it with distilled water and a squirt of dish soap. To avoid having to bring it in out of the cold, is it advisable to fill them with winterized windshield washer fluid?

If WWF contains alky to prevent freezing IMO it'd be risky to throw that on a fire. Seems the heat would evaporate it quickly and the vapor could ignite if the flames or embers aren't snuffed cold at the first squirt.

Suppose a guy builds an insulated box for a FE and wraps a thermostatic 'no-freeze' heat tape around the canister to use plain water? Built of metal or of 1/4" plywood that's been sprayed with a strong solution of borax & water vs paint. Lined with 1/2" or so poly-iso and with a refrigerator thermometer in there to monitor temps at a glance. When it gets too cold out, a second tape may make a difference. They should cycle off above freezing vs need timers.

 

[Doofy]

These are what I am using in my detached garage. They communicate wirelessly with the detectors in the house so if one goes off, they all go off. Peace of mind is worth a lot.
Kidde 2144 Wireless Interconnect Battery Operated Smoke Detector Alarm | - - Amazon.com

 

[Ken45101]

I have one in my shop also, I filled it with distilled water and a squirt of dish soap. To avoid having to bring it in out of the cold, is it advisable to fill them with winterized windshield washer fluid?

I think windshield washer solution has alcohol to prevent freezing. That might not be the best fire fighting approach. Besides it might be bad on the seals in the extinguisher.

I was told to add some baking soda to the water to keep it fresh. That might also generate a little CO2 which is good for firefighting.

I was given my one pressurized water extinguisher 40 years ago. It's held up fine. I bought another one a few years ago on Amazon. Not cheap, but inexpensive and easy to recharge unlike the dry chem extinguishers. BTW, if you ever partially discharge a dry chem extinguisher, even just a little, it needs to be professionally recharged. The dry chemicals will prevent a good resealing of the valve.

 

[bigtiller]

Okay, I'm glad I asked. No WWF in the fire extinguisher.

These things are expensive but they sure are nice to have setting at the ready.....and fun to play with on a hot summer day.

 

[Doofy]

I had several old pump-up type garden sprayers that I converted over to tire valves. I siliconed the bottom flapper check valve on the old pump where it couldn't leak pressure. Works great for hosing things down. Would also work as a first line fire extinguisher.

 

[Big Barn]

Fire extinguisher is very important. I have mine where I can get it on the way OUT of the building. .

Same.






Plus a few others in areas I deemed strategic.

 

[Citydude]

Same.

View attachment 680814


View attachment 680815

Plus a few others in areas I deemed strategic.

Providing your 6.5 foot tall I probably wouldn’t be able to reach those.

 

[Fuddy1952]

This is a real simple tip.
Years ago my Grandad cut two pieces of 1/8th" copper width of vice then folded over. About 6"x2"×2". We used them all the time if you wanted to clamp but not mar or scratch something.

 

[Big Barn]

Providing your 6.5 foot tall I probably wouldn’t be able to reach those.

Nope. Easy reach and I'm a short azz

 

[fried1765]

If WWF contains alky to prevent freezing IMO it'd be risky to throw that on a fire. Seems the heat would evaporate it quickly and the vapor could ignite if the flames or embers aren't snuffed cold at the first squirt.

Suppose a guy builds an insulated box for a FE and wraps a thermostatic 'no-freeze' heat tape around the canister to use plain water? Built of metal or of 1/4" plywood that's been sprayed with a strong solution of borax & water vs paint. Lined with 1/2" or so poly-iso and with a refrigerator thermometer in there to monitor temps at a glance. When it gets too cold out, a second tape may make a difference. They should cycle off above freezing vs need timers.

WOW....that sure seems like a handy setup.