Fire extinguisher

[JoeMarine]

Quick question: Any recommendations IRT the right fire extinguisher to have with a Model A. Thanks in advance.

[1931 flamingo]

I mounted a $20 one from walmart on the rh kick panel, forget which type, probaby the most common. Previous discussions on this subject with varying opinions.
Paul in CT

[Jim Brierley]

Dry powder, ABC I believe. Mount it where it is readily accessible, like on the front floorboard in front of the seat and behind the gear shifter. Big enough to put out a fire, small enough to not be in your way.

[700rpm]

I have an ABC and keep it on the package shelf of my coupe.

[Tom Wesenberg]

A 2 or 3 liter pop bottle filled with water, and with a 1/8" hole drilled in the cap can put out a lot of fire. Plug the hole with a golf tee. It's so much cleaner than the powder, plus it gives you a reserve for the radiator, or spare drinking water. If you ever have to use the powder be sure to clean it all up ASAP, as it really corrodes things.

[Napa Skip]

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Fire Extinguisher.jpg

5 lb AMEREX 2A-10BC (USCG marine rating Type A Size II/Type BC Size I) dry chemical fire extinguisher.

Only had to use it once, when I was an engineer for the Oceanic Division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation in their Vallejo CA field office. Driving to work one morning on Broadway, a 1970's era Cadillac pulled out in front of me, with more black smoke coming from under the car than you could imagine.

I honked; he waved back. I honked again; he waved again, but this time must have looked in the rear view mirror, because he immediately pulled over and lept out of the car. By this time there were visible flames accompanying the smoke.

As a retired submarine officer, I knew instinctively what to do, but there wasn't anyone around to order to put out the fire. So I grabbed my handy-dandy 5 lb AMEREX 2A-10BC (USCG marine rating Type A Size II/Type BC Size I) dry chemical fire extinguisher. He popped the hood on his Cadillac and - assuming the proper position - I implemented PASS (Pull the pin, Aim, Squeeze the trigger, Sweep) and promptly emptied 5 lbs of dry chemical fire retardant into his engine compartment.

Did absolutely no good.

Fortunately, someone in the nearby Jack-in-the-Box had the presence of mind to call the fire department, who soon arrived, told me to get the heck out of the way, and proceeded to put out the fire in what was left of this guy's Cadillac.

Sic transit gloria...

[30ccpickup]

Research the ABC fire extinguisher. It takes care of all types of fire with out spreading it.

Paul

[jdfinch22]

just a newbe here but most model a fires are gas or electrical, mostly gas related, abc is fine but i would look for something that has a higher b rating

A - normal combustables (wood, paper, ect.)
B - flamable liquids (gas, desiel, oil)
C - electrical (must be de-energized doesnt do any good with power still flowing)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_extinguisher

[Jim/GA]

The powder extinguishers are cheap but very messy. The powder is corrosive. It can create as much work for you as the fire.

There are new versions of the halon extinguishers out today (halon outlawed due to concerns for the ozone layer). They are pricey but will not leave a coating on everything that is hard to clean off.

IF your car is worth having an extinguisher for, I recommend a 5 lb. Halotron extinguisher from West Marine.

[Gary WA]

I use Halon. Expensive but no residue. and they do work!!! Still available in Wa. State.

[Kurt in NJ]

I also have Halon ---after having to clean up dry chemical damage on other peoples cars I didn't want to have that mess on my car if I ever needed to use the extinguisher, I made a leather sling that holds it by the seat riser---it is just shoved between the seat and the riser

[JoeMarine]

All great stuff; thank you gentlemen.
Semper Fidelis
Joe Marine

[CarlG]

Halon (or equiv) is all I would use.

[Cape Codder]

1931 flamingo:
I have thought about installing a extinguisher on my kick panel but have two concerns. First, does it hamper the persons feet sitting in the passenger seat and secondly did you just mount it to the kick panel itself or have a brace installed behind the kick panel?
Thanks for your time.
Cape Codder

[Pete]

CO² and Halon here.

[jdfinch22]

halon is gettin had to come buy

[Brother Hesekiel]

I have classic car insurance with an agreed value slightly over the actual value. If my car catches fire, I walk away and call 9-1-1.

[Paul in Colorado]

Has anyone considered the First Alert Tundra? It looks small and convenient, but I am not sure what type it is.

Paul