Fire extinguishers

[Bazzer]

The powder ones make more of a mess than the fire would.

Hmm, not entirely sure about that. I had to use one in my garage about 4 years ago, after sparks from grinding, set fire to parts of a car interior which was some distance from where I was working.
Whilst the powder created a mess and took ages to clean up, I suspect that was much less than if I had not happened to see the smoke from the burning plastic and foam. Particularly as my garage is attached to my house.

 

[stephec]

Even more confusing in a panic then...

I know two people who've been involved in industrial fires and they both more or less said the same thing, ' you don't even think about the fire extinguishers, you just run like fark.'

 

[pjd57]

Hmm, not entirely sure about that. I had to use one in my garage about 4 years ago, after sparks from grinding, set fire to parts of a car interior which was some distance from where I was working.
Whilst the powder created a mess and took ages to clean up, I suspect that was much less than if I had not happened to see the smoke from the burning plastic and foam. Particularly as my garage is attached to my house.

I was in the fire brigade for 30 years and saw quite a few places where they had been used and created a huge mess.
Not saying they should have let the place burn down, but sometimes a drop of water will do .

 

[PeteXXX]

I was in the fire brigade for 30 years and saw quite a few places where they had been used and created a huge mess.
Not saying they should have let the place burn down, but sometimes a drop of water will do .

Leg it, and leave it to the experts..

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

[QUOTE 5257207, member: 259"]The big plus side with doing it was you got a really good free pair of wellies, a yellow helmet (ooer), and a handy set of new overalls[/QUOTE]
And the lyrics to "YMCA"

 

[classic33]

Leg it, and leave it to the experts..

Don't recall that wording ever being used in any training.

 

[Piemaster]

Can't use the powder extinguisher in enclosed spaces though - toxic when inhaled.

If I was in an enclosed space with a fire that wouldn't be high on my list of priorities.

 

[colly]

Years ago I was waiting for someone in Woolworths, standing near the doors. There was an old 'Minimax' fire extinguisher hanging on the wall and two little lads, about 7 or so were in hysterics laughing at the instructions.

''In case of fire turn upside down and strike knob on floor''


I used to work for a company that made extinguishers, amoungst many other things. Not relevent but ......................well I thought I would share.

 

[pjd57]

Don't recall that wording ever being used in any training.

I remember touring an M&S store in Glasgow and they were going on about how good their staff training was , all trained to deal with emergencies etc.

Item 1 on their check list.....lock till !


Showed where their priorities lay.

 

[Beebo]

The water ones are for premiership footballers to discharge in the hotel after their Christmas party.

 

[classic33]

I remember touring an M&S store in Glasgow and they were going on about how good their staff training was , all trained to deal with emergencies etc.

Item 1 on their check list.....lock till !


Showed where their priorities lay.

Having been given the order to evacuate a building due to a gas leak by the fire brigade, I was surprised that the bank, in the same building, made each teller cash up before leaving.

 

[DRHysted]

The water ones are for premiership footballers to discharge in the hotel after their Christmas party.

Or students in a hall of residence.

 

[Low Gear Guy]

Don't recall that wording ever being used in any training.

No, but the thought was there. Unless the fire is small enough to be put out quickly you should prioritize leaving the area and raising the alarm.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

The foaming agent (AFFF) in a foam fire extinguisher is excellent at removing spot stains in clothes.

They also pose a hazard to the environment.

Not the kind of thing to use for cleaning clothes and rinsing into drains.

 

[classic33]

They also pose a hazard to the environment.

Not the kind of thing to use for cleaning clothes and rinsing into drains.

Which would be worse, the extiguisher or the fire you might be trying to put out.

All that smoke.