How to use your car fire extinguishers is such an important topic to learn about. Car fire extinguisher is a crucial and extremely important tool to have in your car. It is a precautionary and safety device for fire occurrence or break outs. There is absolute need to learn how this life and car life -saving equipment should be used.
Weight determines the size of fire extinguishers, they are also characterized by the fire repellent they contain. There are many models you can get from the market or car stores that are ideal, small and perfect for your vehicles. There are 1kg fire extinguishers that can be easily handled and small enough to fit into any car without obstruction. Commercial vehicles that carry fire extinguishers do not usually require a model more than 2.3kg so this model is also a good fit for them.
Your car is faced with different hazardous risks because it represents or contains several fire hazards like oil, gas, electrical wires and other materials that are easily attracted to fire. Thus, the type of fire extinguisher used in the car must be able to handle and control any fire accident. Dry fire extinguishers are usually the best ones to be carried in the car. The fire repellent inside the dry fire extinguisher is can be used on any class of fire, the A, B, C or E class of fire. This means dry fire extinguishers can handle electrical and fuel related fire as well as common fire attractive materials like paper, cloth and wood products that are inside your vehicle.
General Features Of A Quality Car Fire Extinguisher
If you want to have a stress-free and long term usage of your car fire extinguisher, there are basic general properties to check out for, below are some of those features:
Light weight — A car fire extinguisher which is 1kg is an ideal one for most vehicles because it easily fits in and out of the car without obstruction. This is also easily taken out for use in the event of any fire mishap
Compact shape — an elongated, cylinder shaped car fire extinguisher is practical and a good fit for the car.
Durable body — The car fire extinguisher should be preferably aluminium because that material is corrosion-free and light·
Ready filled — This is a very necessary feature, your car fire must be already filled and always available for immediate use·
Easily serviced — You should be able to fill and service your car fire extinguisher by a regular fire services company·
Storage clip or mount included — an under-seat or trunk mount is convenient, and some have useful clips that hook unto other places in the vehicle·
Controlled discharge —This is yet another important feature to look out for in your car fire extinguisher, it should have a durable and controlled trigger which can be regulated and controlled by the handler.
Good warranty —The car owner should ensure the extinguisher has a good warranty to make sure you are protected from faulty manufacturing·
Certified to Local Fire Standards — Always buy a fire extinguisher that has been labelled with local certification.
Using Your Car Fire Extinguisher
In the event of any car fire accident, the first thing that comes to mind is how to use your car fire extinguisher to salvage whatever will be left of your vehicle. These are the necessary steps to follow in this situation :
-Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin removes the locking mechanism and will allow you to expel the extinguisher.
-Direct the extinguisher at the base of the fire and not the flames s. This is important because if you want to put out the fire, you must eliminate the cause, the fuel. Aiming the extinguisher directly to the flames without extinguishing the fuel can be dangerous.
-Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent usually some sort of white foamy substance in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
-Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth while discharging its contents until the fire is completely out.
-Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, don’t move close to the fire while you are still trying to put it off, this can be dangerous and might cause severe injuries if the fire blows towards your face. You can move towards the fire once it starts to dry out.
-Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher — Always follow instructions in the manual before attempting to use a particular car fire extinguisher. This doesn’t mean you should start reading the manual when you are faced with a fire accident, No. That is not proper, you should read through the manual immediately the car fire extinguisher is purchased.You should also be aware that different fire extinguishers requires different operating methods. You should be familiar with different parts of your car fire extinguisher.
-Once you extinguish the fire, don’t leave their immediately so that you can watch the car area for some minutes to be sure the fire doesn’t reignites.
-Always fill up your car fire extinguisher after every use so that it can be ready for use any time it is needed.
Other Necessities In A Car Fire Extinguisher kit
Apart from your car fire extinguisher, it is good judgement to possess a fire blanket, maintenance tools, a small obelisk or pylons for mounting and a cold weather body protection in your safety kit. These items are meant to ensure you are safe and prepared for any accidental occurrence.
It is quite important to know that cars are not the only place to carry an extinguisher, they should also be carried in your truck, van, caravan, campers and the likes. Well, your rally car is a mobile too so carrying a fire extinguisher in it is a good idea.