Technical anyone ever think of a fire extinguisher for garage ?

have 2 dry chemical ones. Most issues I have ever had were cured with the good ole squirt bottle or a rag to smother out the flame. But if something happened I know I have my choice of size, mid or large.... Both within 10 seconds of anywhere in the garage! I have seen some folks with larger garages/shops, have one every 20 feet, its honestly a good practice for sure. A few bucks vs all your hard work and maybe house too is a no brainer...

 

Have one in my garage and one in my old car.

 

I have one but I figured I'd never get it checked (and i was right!) so I got a fire blanket too, hanging on the wall by the side exit.

Chris

 

I have a maintained 10 pounder in garage although my fires are usually extinguished quick with my hand.

My employer with over 1000 big trucks had a safety meeting attended by local fire dept to demonstrate how to extinguish a fire. Fire extinguisher is required equipment in big trucks. A driver grabbed one of our company fire extinguishers at the demo to extinguish fire, it failed, as did 2 more. Extinguishers have to be checked annually.

 

Yep, I have two 20 pounders in the garage. One by the man door, one by the garage door. I mount them on the wall at face height. They'll never get moved or put behind something, and they're easily visible from anywhere in the shop.

 

You can never have too many , and where you put them is everything. I have 6 , my shop is divided in two sections [ clean side, work side] i have one at the main door ,one at the door to the second side, one mid room [booth] at one at the back of each room. Can't understand having just one . what if your in the back of a 60' shop and the fire is between you and the extinguisher?.

 

I have one in the back by the toolbox, and one by the walk in/overhead door. Cant be too safe

 

Yeah mine is a double duty fire extinguisher. I used it as an anvil to bend the strap around for my driveshaft gaurd.

 

Yep me too. I've had a 20# CO2 for years and the only time I ever used it was to try to get the curve in my 27 roadster trunk lid right.

 

Have a couple hanging in the shop. Never have had to use one thank goodness. Hope never have to.

 

I have 3 in my garage...They came in handy last fall when my riding lawnmower caught fire while I was mowing the leaves..thought I was going to have to call FD..

 

Consensus says we're for the most part covered....BUT- even though they need to be hydro tested every 5 yrs,
ONCE a year you should shake them up. This is just regular maintenance like everything else.....
Just because one is handy, does not mean it's going to save your ass...... Check your dates on the bottle, have them serviced when needed, and don't skimp even though it shows charged, or in the green zone. Do yourself a favor.

 

Funny that this thread came up. I just finished replacing 4 dry powder fire extinguishers in my shop. One at each man door on either end, one in the middle, and one attached to my roll around tool cart. I have a 2 1/2 lb. Halatron in each of the running hot rods.

And for the princely sum of $8.00 I got a 3 pack of these stickers:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A1GTWWO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It almost looks like I know what I'm doing.

 

I have a ten pounder in the garage and a smaller one in my truck. There should be one at each of the 2 doors. I worked in a mill where everyone in the mill went through an annual fire extinguisher practice. Everyone had to take a turn to put out an oil fire in an 8' x 8' pan. They also opened a 100 lb propane tank and lit it so it was a big flame thrower. We all got a turn of getting behind that and putting it out as well. It is a good exercise and a person having had the training should be able to calmly put out a fire. Always have a way out. We were told to get a chemical extinguisher recharged every 5 years as the chemicals settle and consolidate so they may not work if they have been around too long.

 

I too have several placed next to work benches and in welding area. And slightly equally important with a new shop, plan where your flammables/combustibles will be stored. Meaning, keep rags picked up, store paint and thinners, cleaners, fuels, etc. away from areas where you are making sparks. Always keep an extinguisher in the shop area where you are doing engine tuneups.

 

Always had them and had to use them once or twice.

 

I have 4

 

Two in the garage, recently added an extra in our utility room,cheap insurance.

 

As a retired Firefighter, I have two. A CO2 and a water can. I know nobody used cans anymore, but believe it or not you can extinguish a lot of fire with one. In fact some engine companies in NYC have a "can-man". He goes in first and knocks it down if it's a small fire. Saves picking up a lot of hose.

 

Great to hear all of you have extinguishers in your garage/shop and cars. I have one securly mounted in my hot rod as well as my garage.

A fire doubles in size every 30 seconds. Time is of the essence.

While we're on the subject, dont forget to have one in your kitchen, I have one under the kitchen sink. The most common cause of a house fire is unattended cooking. Also...keep one in your Master Bedroom Closet!! Think about it, where do you spend the majority of the time when you're home? In your bed sleeping (approx. 5 - 8 hours per night). Added to that you're asleep so your response will be delayed. That extinguisher can buy you time and help you get out.

 

Not sure if already discussed but also very important
In addition to the monthly inspection and yearly maintenance examination, the following are also required:

• 6-Year Internal Examination: Every 6-years, fire extinguishers which require a 12-year hydrostatic test must be emptied and given an internal and external examination.
• 12-Year Hydrostatic Test: Every 12 years, most types of fire extinguishers are required to undergo hydrostatic testing, a process that tests the cylinder for any deformities or leaks.
• Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers: If your fire extinguishers are non-rechargeable (for one-time use only), then they require neither the 6-year or 12-year maintenance procedures. Rather, they must be removed from service by no later than 12 years after their manufacture date.

 

Yeah, I have one in my shop...

 

I have a 10lb by the welder & another on the other side of the shop, one under the kitchen sink, & one in the computer room. When I'm planning "hot-work", the last thing before I start welding/cutting is to hose down an area 10' around the area I'm working in, & I keep the "charged" hose next to the area until I'm finished, & when I am through, I hose down the entire area that I've worked in, including the area that I originally "hosed". Then I take a break & put-up the tools & scrap, then give the area another inspection before I roll-up the hose. I know : a bit "anal", but , as a welder/fitter I've dealt with "fire-in-the-workplace" on a regular basis(Yes, No matter how careful, THEY DO HAPPEN!!!), so now, working on my own, I'm extra careful not to threaten my shop or house.

 

Very important fact. ALL dry powder type extinguishers must be agitated periodically to keep the powder from packing at the bottom, shake them upside down every now and then. And when you actually try to use them, "burp" the handle just a little to cause the propellant to stir up the powder or if you just squeeze the handle you just get air, which won't help too much. Had a jet engine blow fuel all over the wing above it then catch fire, brought out big roll around extinguisher (been sitting for God knows how long) and PPFFFFTTTT, nothing but air. Had to replace most of wing, anyway we all had to take fire training (every year after that) and that was the reason it failed to work. After that all extinguishers had to have a tag with last service (check pressure and agitate every 3 months). If you maintain your cars, do the same for these. Public service announcement over.

 

I put one in every garage I've had. It's foolish not to.

 

Yep two, one on either side of the garage. Especially with occasional welding/cutting. Absolutely a must have, along with the water hose.
Seen a 5 gal can of lacquer thinner start 'puffing' one time at a buddy's shop while he was tacking a panel. Was enough for me...

 

The only people who don't have fire extinguishers also don't wear seat belts or use jack stands. You get yo be old by mostly being lucky. By then, you are considered smart.

 

Yeah, and I should buy more so there's at least two but I keep a dry powder in the center of my little shop.

I have had to use it. It was quite a scare but one toot from the little guy did the job.

 

I have 4 in the garage and alway one by the doors, welder and sanders

 

Disharge/ recharge procedures..... 5 yearly Water foam and dry powder / 10 yearly Co2 (replace)
Annually service once yearly checking pressure and no defects....
Always pays to have them at hand...Be safe