Shop Fire

[Bob D.]

$80 not bad I think considering all the positive attributes.

An Amerex 5# 2A:10B:C runs about $60 in my neck of the woods so not that much more.
And in the grand scheme of things when it comes to fighting a fire $20 more I would gladly pay for the advantages afforded by the Element extinguisher.

I decided to give it a try so I bought one with an extra mounting bracket which added $2 to the order. With tax and shipping $92 so yeah not cheap but I think it will be worth it. I wouldn't mind having one in the Ham Shack with thousands of dollars of equipment there that would be ruined with a dry chemical extinguisher or water.

 

[Cheese]

$80 not bad I think considering all the positive attributes.

An Amerex 5# 2A:10B:C runs about $60 in my neck of the woods so not that much more.
And in the grand scheme of things when it comes to fighting a fire $20 more I would gladly pay for the advantages afforded by the Element extinguisher.

That was my thought also, basically only a $20 surcharge for a cleaner product.  The only down side I did notice is that you need to be fairly close to the fire to use the Element, while the Amerex has a 12'-18' range.  That'd be easier to use on a larger fire. I've used 5# Amerex extinguishers during fire training classes and the increased distance from the fire is reassuring that you're not going to become part of it.  [eek]

Talking about Amerex, here's a shot of 2 Amerex 5# B500 extinguishers that were purchased in 2002. One in the shop & one in the kitchen. The needles haven't moved.  [big grin]

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

 

[Mario Turcot]

I can tell which one is in the kitchen  [tongue]

 

[Cheese]

I can tell which one is in the kitchen  [tongue]

Ya I noticed that after I posted.  [big grin]

 

[Bob D.]

Cheese, I remember the same from fire watch classes. We had to show we could put out a fire in a small pan of water about 3 x 4 feet with kerosene burning using both dry chemical and CO2. You are right it appears you need to be closer to be effective with the Element.

On your Amerex units, is the chemical still loose or has it caked up and turned semi-solid. I have heard that it's a good idea to  occasionally agitate them to keep that from happening. Just need to invert them every once in a while.

The disposable dry chemical units should be replaced every 12 years.

Here's a link to a PDF from Amerex of instructions for their extinguishers in case anyone is looking for them.
https://www.amerex-fire.com/upl/dow...table-dry-chemical-extinguishers-eaf8ef21.pdf

Also, if anyone has Kidde extinguishers they have had a recall out for years. I got three of mine replaced last year for free even though they were over 8 years old. You can read more about it here:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/k...astic-handles-due-to-failure-to-discharge-and

 

[RKA]

I can tell which one is in the kitchen  [tongue]

It would have to be the dusty one because he has dust collection in the shop!  [tongue]

Thanks for that heads up [member=60461]Bob D.[/member] Guess who has a plastic handled Kidde in the kitchen!