Fire Extinguishers Tips

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are most effective on Class B and C (liquids and electrical) fires. Since the gas disperses quickly, these extinguishers are only effective from 3 to 8 feet. The carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid in the extinguisher; as it expands, it cools the surrounding air. The cooling will often cause ice to form around the “horn” where the gas is expelled from the extinguisher. Since the fire could re-ignite, continue to apply the agent even after the fire appears to be out.

Dry Chemical extinguishers are usually rated for multiple purpose use. They contain an extinguishing agent and use a compressed, non-flammable gas as a propellant. Regular dry chemical fire extinguishers use sodium bicarbonate as the extinguishing agent. The regular dry chemical fire extinguisher is effective on Class B & C fires. Sodium bicarbonate is considered to be the least corrosive fire extinguishing agent. ABC (or multi-purpose) fire extinguishers use ammonium phosphate as the extinguishing agent. The ABC fire extinguisher is effective on Class A, B, or C fires. The ammonium phosphate based fire extinguisher is the only agent suitable for Class A fire and thus this type of extinguisher is the most versatile choice available.

Not only do you need a fire extinguisher, you need to inspect it before each trip to make sure it is charged. Look to see if the arrow is pointing in the green area in the sight gauge. If it reads empty or needs charging replace it or have it recharged immediately.

Fire Extinguishers 101

If it's a dry powder type fire extinguisher the arrow pointing in the green doesn't always guarantee that it will work. Every month you should turn dry powder extinguishers upside down, tap on the bottom of the extinguisher and shake it. It should sound hollow, sort of like a drum. If not, continue tapping on it until it sounds hollow and the powder that settled in the bottom is released.

There are four different types, or classes of fire extinguishers, A, B, C, and D, and each type is for a specific type of fire.

Class A extinguishers are used for fires caused by ordinary combustibles like paper and wood.
Class B extinguishers are used for fires caused by flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil.
Class C extinguishers are used for fires caused by electrical equipment.
Class D extinguishers are used for fires on flammable metals and often they are specific for the type of metal it is.

Some fire extinguishers have multi class ratings like, AB, BC or ABC which means one fire extinguisher can be used to put out different types of fires.

The National Fire Protection Agency rules that RV's must have a "BC" rated fire extinguisher near the exit. "BC" rated fire extinguishers are used for flammable liquids and gasses like grease, gasoline and oil, and for electrical fires.

Many RV fires that happen inside an RV are type A fires caused by common combustibles like paper, and they require a type A fire extinguisher to put them out. This is why, in my opinion you need more than one fire extinguisher for your RV.

It's a good idea to keep a BC type fire extinguisher in an outside storage compartment where it is easily accessible. You should also keep a BC type fire extinguisher inside the RV and keep an A type fire extinguisher inside the RV.

If you tow a trailer keep a BC type fire extinguisher in the tow vehicle too.

Having these fire extinguishers available is a great idea but they are worthless if you and the other people traveling in the RV don't know what type of fire they are used for and how to properly use them. Get everybody who will be in the RV together, and make sure they understand the different types of fire extinguishers you have and where they are located in the event of an emergency.

The old style labeling for fire extinguishers, to designate what type of fire they are used for was with the letter A, B, C or D. Newer style labeling for fire extinguishers includes a picture designating the type of fire it is used for. If it can be used for multiple types of fires it will show the pictures for the types of fires it can be used for and it will have a red diagonal line through the picture of what it cannot be used for.

Use on Class A and Class B rated fires. FireAde 2000 fire extinguishers are biodegradable, environmentally safe and easy to use. Quickly extinguishes fires involving wood, paper, cloth, oil, gasoline, flammable liquids and grease.

Contains no CFC • Made in the USA. Cost $18.00 to $25.00

Dimensions: 2-1/2" x 10-3/8" weight 16 oz.

Kidde Fire Extinguisher

Suitable for use on Class B (liquids & gases) and Class C fires (energized electrical equipment). The Kitchen/Garage unit is fitted with a pressure gauge that provides at-a-glance status, is manufactured from lightweight aluminum and a tough nylon valve assembly.

Regular Dry Chemical
UL listed
UL rated 5-B:C
U.S.C.G, DOT approved
Supplied with retention strap bracket
Sodium Bicarbonate
6 year limited warranty
Suitable for use on liquid & energized electrical fires
Easy-to-read gauge tells you fire extinguisher is charged and ready for use
Clear instruction label using graphics to show steps required to operate extinguisher
Easy-to-pull safety pin
Rust and impact resistant nylon handle
2 lb of fire extinguishing agent (Average)
6 year limited warranty
UL approved strap retention bracket
Coast Guard (U.S.C.G) approved when fitted with supplied mounting bracket
Powder coated cylinder for corrosion protection

Fire Extinguisher Ratings

	Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish.

	Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can expect to extinguish.

	Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

	Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Even though extinguishers come in a number of shapes and sizes, they all operate in a similar manner. Here's an easy acronym for fire extinguisher use:

P A S S -- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep

	Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being accidentally pressed.
	Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.
	Stand approximately 8 feet away from the fire and squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher. If you release the handle, the discharge will stop.
	Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire. After the fire appears to be out, watch it carefully since it may re-ignite!
	Congratulations -- you did it!!!

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