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submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by FireTower@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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[-] RaoulDook@lemmy.world 63 points 11 months ago

Yes I have 2 of them.

FYI you should turn over each of your fire extinguishers at least once every 6 months to keep them working right. That means pick it up, rotate it upside-down, and let the stuff inside slide to the top, then turn it back over. I learned this from a fire inspector that I had to guide through a datacenter once.

[-] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 26 points 11 months ago

It really depends on the kind of fire extinguisher as to whether that matters. That said, my understanding is that if it is a dry powder that has settled it would be visible on the pressure gauge.

Really, that is about actually checking the pressure gauge every six months. If you tell someone to look, they never will. If you tell someone they have to do something, they might. Its the same logic behind "testing" a smoke alarm. The electronics are simple enough that you would REALLY need to try to damage them (and they are set up to piss you off with incessant beeping when failing anyway). But by pushing the button every six months, you actually check if there is a battery in it and so forth. Rather than hearing it beep in the morning, telling yourself you'll fix it when you get home, and never doing so.

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[-] Bonehead@kbin.social 42 points 11 months ago

I have 3. 2 are still pressurized. One was used last night.

A note to everyone...do your welding before you paint and undercoat, or at least wait for it to dry fully first.

[-] nick@midwest.social 14 points 11 months ago

Hope it all turned out ok! You’re posting so clearly you survived

[-] Bonehead@kbin.social 10 points 11 months ago

Everything is fine. I was welding in the outer rocker when it ignited. It was a brief flash and then it went out. I only used the fire extinguisher because I saw smoke coming from the seatbelt hole near the top of the door. I figured better safe than sorry. Of course now the inside of the rocker that I can't get to anymore is covered in white powder, but at least it's kinda fireproof now.

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[-] Milk_Sheikh@lemm.ee 29 points 11 months ago

Piggybacking on this PSA to remind everyone;

  • Attack the base of the fire, where the fuel source is. You need to break the fire triangle to stop the reaction, and drowning out oxygen is the easiest way.
  • Each rated pound of fire extinguisher yields approximately one second of use. They go quickly when you’re fighting any fire, and even small fires fight back. 5lb is the minimum imo, look at any commercial setting where OSHA applies and it’s big 10-20lb tanks generally.
  • Trainers advise to blow the whole extinguisher even if flames aren’t visible to prevent auto-ignition.
  • You really, really want a hose on any extinguisher. Invert the extinguisher to get under a car/cabinet/low obstacle and the extinguisher is useless as the pressurized gas escapes, leaving behind the powder/foam/water that actually stops fire.
[-] grue@lemmy.world 18 points 11 months ago

I have four fire extinguishers:

  • One in the kitchen
  • One in the basement
  • One in my office (where I do stuff like soldering and 3D-printing)
  • One mounted to the roll bar of my Miata (I ought to get some for my other cars, but haven't gotten around to making mounting brackets yet)

However, I never would've thought to check them (or turn them upside down to "fluff" them) without this post, so thanks!

[-] SickDisturbence@lemmynsfw.com 18 points 11 months ago

As a gift to my friends who were going to be first time parents, I bought them a pack and play, a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher. They laughed at my fire extinguisher gift and told their other friends who also laughed.

[-] FireTower@lemmy.world 16 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Laugh all they want burning alive is a shit way to go. And you might have saved them from that fate.

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[-] Uranium_Green@sh.itjust.works 6 points 11 months ago

Awh, that's kind of crappy. I'm hoping they just took it as a gag gift; be prepared for anything, a bit like Jack Jack in The Incredibles.

I hope theynever have to use it, but I hope they do learn how important it is.

Same for cleaning dryer lint; before I was born the entire family who lived across the road from my mum perished in a house fire from dryer lint catching.

Also add Carbon monoxide detectors to that list of devices you never want to need, but should never be without

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[-] seaQueue@lemmy.world 15 points 11 months ago

Followed by: do you have a functional fire extinguisher in your kitchen and can you reach it immediately?

Stove top fires are usually easy, just put a lid on whatever to put them out, but there's always going to be someone who panics and dumps water on a grease fire.

[-] Kelsenellenelvial@lemmy.ca 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Not too immediately. Take 3 steps back/towards the nearest exit, that’s where you want the extinguisher. Not right next to the stove that’s going to be on fire when you need to get to the extinguisher.

Keep in mind that a standard ABC extinguisher isn’t rated for grease fryers. If it’s just the fat needed to sautee something you’re good, but for an actual deep frying fire you want something in class K.

[-] catonwheels@ttrpg.network 13 points 11 months ago

Absolutely it is one of these products that you probably never need. But when you do you are so happy you had it standing around.

I do routine inspections once a year when I do my fire alarm testing so every time I switch to daylight saving time.

[-] chatokun@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 11 months ago

Just caused an oil fire last week and fortunately it was working. I've since replaced also.

[-] Witchfire@lemmy.world 12 points 11 months ago

I'm a professional fire performer, so I have four :P

(Admittedly two need refilling)

[-] WhiteRabbit_33@lemmy.world 10 points 11 months ago

Those years of safety training finally paying off:

Do you know what types of fires your fire extinguisher is rated for? There are several different types. Most modern home fire extinguishers are rated for A (wood/paper), B (liquids like oil fires), and C (electrical), but you may have an older fire extinguisher or landlord who cheaped out on one that only works on some of those types.

If you have a fire that's based on metals (like fireworks) or exothermic chemical reactions, have a different fire extinguisher or call the fire department with special instructions.

Always remember the acronym PASS when using a fire extinguisher:

  1. Pull the pin
  2. Aim at the base of the fire
  3. Squeeze the trigger
  4. Sweep the fire extinguisher side to side to cover all of the fire till the fire is extinguished
[-] wjrii@kbin.social 11 points 11 months ago

If you have a fire that’s based on metals (like fireworks) or exothermic chemical reactions, have a different fire extinguisher or call the fire department with special instructions.

It ought to go without saying, but maybe not for some, so it's worth pointing out that there's a difference between a fire started by fireworks and one fueled by fireworks.

[-] WhiteRabbit_33@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

Great point! So if you have a firework that sparks some dry grass or brush, your home fire extinguisher will likely be fine as long as the fire doesn't get too big before you can grab it.

However, if you have a hoard of fireworks that catch fire, you're better off running and calling the fire department than trying to quickly put that out with your home fire extinguisher as it likely won't work.

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[-] raptir@lemdro.id 9 points 11 months ago

Yup. We had one but after we had a smouldering fire in our outdoor trash can we got several for different points in the house. We also have escape ladders in the bedrooms.

[-] girl@sopuli.xyz 6 points 11 months ago

After being directly adjacent to three separate apartment fires, we also have several fire extinguishers and escape ladders stashed around the apartment.

[-] theKalash@feddit.ch 8 points 11 months ago

Nope, don't even have a fire alarm.

[-] slazer2au@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago

I am sure the insurance company loves you.

[-] Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net 15 points 11 months ago

Falls asleep with a cigarette in his mouth every night

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[-] theKalash@feddit.ch 6 points 11 months ago

I don't remember them even asking for either one.

[-] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 5 points 11 months ago

That tends to be covered by code.

if ANYTHING happens in your home and they either send someone out or a responder makes a note of it, you get dropped and they laugh.

[-] theKalash@feddit.ch 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yup, but neither is required by code where I live.

Some insuraners offer a small discount for having a fire alarm, but they can't drop you for not having one.

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[-] Coreidan@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago

Fire blankets are good to have as well

[-] earmuff@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 11 months ago

I don’t use permanently pressurized fire extinguishers anymore, as they are hard to maintain and rarely reach a life span of 20 years.

Make sure to check at least once every 3 years if the pressure is still in the green. If not, replace it immediately.

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[-] DemBoSain@midwest.social 7 points 11 months ago

I have one that's over 20 years old and it still shows proper pressure. I haven't tested it, but I have replaced it.

I should start a fire...

[-] FireTower@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

Some times being able to start a fire is just as important for survival as putting one out.

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[-] empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

To tag on to all the good advice, you should DEFINITELY keep a decent sized fire extinguisher in your car as well. I've stopped one engine fire on a car not my own from spreading by having one. Pop the hood (if it's safe to reach the latch) and unload that shit.

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[-] HelixDab2@lemm.ee 7 points 11 months ago

Currently have 6. I need to get more, and larger ones. We live in a log house, in an area that takes a minimum of 20 minutes for emergency services to get to, and heat with a wood stove. We absolutely need to practice fire safety all the time.

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[-] kometes@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

Do they go bad even if they are still pressurized? I'm thinking they are nearly 20 years old now...

[-] Macallan@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

Yup. And you're supposed to have a professional inspect them annually. You're supposed to inspect them every month.

[-] Shard@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

Good question.

Yes the dry powder type which is most common, can go "bad" usually from excessive moisture in the pressurization gas. This causes the powder to clump and no longer come out.

This can be prevented by inverting the extinguisher a few times a year to make sure the powder is still "fluid" and to break up any clumped up powder.

[-] skyspydude1@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

I've never had to directly deal with a fire, but after an incident where a roommate took the only extinguisher in the house when he moved out and an electrical short from an old crappy dimmer switch, I'm big on having a couple on-hand.

I also have way too many hobbies involving stuff that can easily catch fire and they're so cheap that I have multiple on each floor. 2 on the upper floor where my sim-rig, 3D printers, reloading supplies, and electronics soldering bench are. One in the kitchen and one in the master bedroom. 2 in the garage (excluding the one that's mounted in my old MG), and finally one in the basement since there's basically nothing down there.

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[-] Hereforpron2@lemmynsfw.com 6 points 11 months ago

2 here, still full, and thanks for the reminder to check!

[-] Feathercrown@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

Probably yes, and probably not

[-] rikudou@lemmings.world 5 points 11 months ago

I do, bought it when I bought my 3D printer.

[-] greembow@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

One 2.5 in each bedroom, a 5 in the kitchen and a 5 in the rest of the downstairs, a 10 and a 20 in the garage, and then a 20 CO2 for my servers.

[-] Okokimup@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

Yes. Also have a fire blanket in the kitchen in case of grease fire.

[-] jacktherippah@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yup, one for every floor! Yup, one for every floor!

[-] Atin@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

I have one in my car, I check it every 6 months. I was trained to do full inspections and repairs at my last job. I only have a fire blanket in the house though.

[-] eran_morad@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago
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[-] Limit@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago

Yes, 4 easily accessible in various locations in the house and 1 in the garage. I check them all when I change out the batteries on my smoke alarms, which I do all at once when one starts to chirp.

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this post was submitted on 08 Jan 2024
317 points (97.9% liked)

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