Fire extinguishers in the cars over Winter

[smittykid]

I was just thinking about something, is it ok to leave fire extinguishers in the cars over the winter? They are the small Kidee brand or similar. The cars are covered and inside an unheated garage. Are there any chemicals that can freeze in those types of fire extinguishers? I think I'm going to pull them out and put them in the house anyway, but I was just wondering about the freezing deal. We have had Winter temps 20 below & colder up here in NW Pa.

[Dollar Bill]

If it's a current type FE, it will be either dry powder or a gas such as CO2. Neither will freeze.

[Bruce Adams]

FWIW, It is a good idea to bang your Dry Chemical extinguisher on the cement a few times each year to ensure the baking soda does not solidify. There have been many occasions of people firing off a Dry Chem Extinguisher at a fire and having ONLY CO2 come out. The pressure gauge has no bearing on this condition.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Bruce Adams

FWIW, It is a good idea to bang your Dry Chemical extinguisher on the cement a few times each year to ensure the baking soda does not solidify. There have been many occasions of people firing off a Dry Chem Extinguisher at a fire and having ONLY CO2 come out. The pressure gauge has no bearing on this condition.

Bruce, that's a good safety tip for us all. One of the members of our club, who is a retired Fireman, suggested that to me for my Garage Extinguishers. After breaking loose the power you can actually hear the power as you slowly tip the extinguisher over.

I have a 2.5 lb. Halotron in the car so solidifying is not an issue. Less messy too...

[smittykid]

Originally Posted by Bruce Adams

FWIW, It is a good idea to bang your Dry Chemical extinguisher on the cement a few times each year to ensure the baking soda does not solidify. There have been many occasions of people firing off a Dry Chem Extinguisher at a fire and having ONLY CO2 come out. The pressure gauge has no bearing on this condition.

That's a great tip! Thanks to all

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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I'm mystified, that NO ONE sells Fire Extinguishers, DOOR to DOOR??
Bill W.

[1crosscut]

Use a rubber mallet to break the powder loose. That is what the folks that service them use.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I'm mystified, that NO ONE sells Fire Extinguishers, DOOR to DOOR??
Bill W.

I hear tell, the fire departments will soon be handing them out free too along with free smoke alarms and batteries.

[SSsssteamer]

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

Use a rubber mallet to break the powder loose. That is what the folks that service them use.

Never bang a fire extinguisher on the cement to break the powder loose. I agree, use the rubber hammer instead.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

Use a rubber mallet to break the powder loose. That is what the folks that service them use.

Fort years ago when I was In the Navy , the above was standard operating procedure.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I'm mystified, that NO ONE sells Fire Extinguishers, DOOR to DOOR??
Bill W.

No one sells anything door to door any more, do they? Except maybe Girl Scouts with cookies.

[noboD]

If the car catches fire due to something unusual, like a mouse chewing on a battery tender, the extinguisher would do no good IN the car. At the very least sit it closeby.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by noboD

If the car catches fire due to something unusual, like a mouse chewing on a battery tender, the extinguisher would do no good IN the car. At the very least sit it closeby.

Kinda hard to use an extinguisher while out driving the car if it's in the garage also.

You need one IN the car as well as sitting close by in the garage...

Actually I have 2 dry chems and 1 halon in the garage and 1 Halotron in the car. And No Mouses, Tommy the Cat takes care of that!

Back to smittykid's question, my Amerex Dry Chems say they are good for -65°F and the Halotron is good for -40°F.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

I hear tell, the fire departments will soon be handing them out free too along with free smoke alarms and batteries.

Almost;

http://www.burninstitute.org/fire-an...-alarm-program

[Tom Wesenberg]

Nothing is free. It is taken from some and given to others. Give me the good old days when you work for what you own and big brother doesn't take it and give it to those who don't want to work.