Technical Topics No. 4

Choosing the correct fire extinguisher for your home, vehicle or camp:

This is not always a simple matter, or rather, is one which is not often given much thought. It would be reasonable to feel that an extinguisher is an extinguisher. Unfortunatley and sometimes even sadly this is not so. Just as there are many different types of 4WD vehicles each having its own advantages or disadvantages over the next. So it is with the humble, unassuming, hang me in the corner fire extinguisher. Each type has been developed for a specific fire fighting or fire suppressing purpose.

With Halon gas now outlawed and heavy fines waiting for the unwary caught still in possession of the mighty yellow soldier, our sights must now be set on something suitable to replace it.

Fortunately, companies spend a lot of money looking for the most efficient for suppressing fire and most cost effective to produce. The bottom line is, for most of us, really only two to choose from, unless we are going to have a battery of fire extinguishers around us. The two to look at are DCP (Dry Chemical Powder) and Co2 (Carbon Dioxide). In the DCP we have a choice of two again.

1. The first of these is AB (E) DCP. Suitable for;

Class A fires.	combustibles such as wood, paper, plastic etc.
Class B fires.	flammable and combustible liquids.
Class C fires.	flammable gases.
Class E fires.	fires involving energised electrical equipment.

but is NOT suitable for Class F fires - fires involving cooking oils and fat.

2. The second of these is B(E) DCP. Suitable for;

Class B fires.	flammable and combustible liquids.
Class E fires.	fires involving energised electrical equipment.
Class F fires.
fires involving cooking oils and fat.

but is NOT suitable for Class A fires - fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, plastic etc.

3. The Co2 extinguisher is suitable for;

Class A fires.

but not for deep seated smouldering fires.

Class B fires.

flammable and combustible liquids.

Class E fires.

fires involving energised electrical equipment.

Class F fires.

fires involving cooking oils and fat.

but is NOT suitable for Class C fires. And Co2 is also very susceptible to wind dispersing the suppressant.

Based on this, it shows we really only have the choice of which DCP we are going to carry. To me the AB(E) wins. I am more likely to encounter a Class A fire (wood, paper, etc) than cooking oil or fats. And of course we are NOT going to store it beside the stove or gas bottle are we? The fire we want to extinguish may prevent us from getting near the extinguisher in the first instance.

This series of technical articles is of a general nature. The views expressed are not necessarily related to the Jackaroo, or any other make or model of vehicle. The content is believed to be accurate, but no responsibility can be accepted for errors or inaccuracies. If you have a problem with your vehicle you should consult a competent mechanic.