Westy Fire Extinguisher

tam_shops · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:22 pm Post subject:

2.5# one on sale at CT this week:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/...?locale=en

There's also a great 6# one, but it doesn't have the vehicle bracket that the 2.5# one does:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/...?locale=en

And, how, but do I need to fill all the holes from the old ones? The new one will be bigger than old one, so you won't see them, yet they bother me anyway! Wink

tam
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Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:48 pm Post subject:

I've posted this up in another extinguishing thread, but here goes again...

These nifty little Gloria units are designed to fit on the underside of the front seat bottom cushion of Mercedes, but near as I can figure they'll fit a Vanagon seat as well. Nice and handy to have right there within reach when you need it. What I especially like about these is that the handle is completely tucked away and can't be caught on things, like the more typical US units.

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tam_shops · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:15 pm Post subject:

I like it, but new that's a $162 Fire Extinguisher. That's crazy for something so small. Can't be *that* much better than those little cans? Though, if you could find one w/ the bracket at the Junk Yard, what a find that would be! Thought someone said that they had to be upright. Different if they're designed to but like that, but...
http://www.mbpartsworld.com/p/Mercedes__S-450/FIRE-EXTINGUISHER/7303016/0008603380.html

djkeev · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:21 pm Post subject:

I keep small 2 lb ABC units in my cars and under the kitchen sink in the house.

I never plan on using them and if I need to, well..... I'll deal with the mess left behind. At least I'll still have a car or house to repair and use again!

Much better to have one than to not have one! There is almost an elitist attitude against ABC units.
I agree the cleaner units are very much preferable and I'd like to get the better Halotron or what have you, but for the $$ outlay, I'll keep what I have. I have yet in my life experienced the need to pull a pin on ANY fire extinguisher for use!
This one in my Van is a 2007 Model and I just had it serviced for the next 6 years. I have them recertified yearly so they are always ready for action.
It isn't mounted but lays in the "hole" between the drivers seat and the driver side jump seat.

I keep larger (5 & 10 lb ) ABC units in the garage where the real risk of fire is much much higher.

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

tam_shops · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:38 pm Post subject:

How and where do you get them re-certified? Here, I was told it was cheaper to just buy a new one. I *hate* that.

And, why is the risk of fire higher in your garage?

djkeev · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:50 pm Post subject:

I hav a local fire fighters supply company that sells, certifies and recharges units as needed.

I do it yearly because of my work which requires yearly certification of all units......(I've got probably 40 of them scattered around)

As a home owner you can forego the yearly check but it doesn't hurt. Minimally pick up you unit and shake it vertically like you would a can of Spray paint. You are feeling for movement of the powder inside. Over time if it just sits still the powder will settle into a useless lump on the bottom! Even though the gauge will read good, the unit is worthless.

In my garage, I cut metal, grind metal, weld metal, use torches, fix gasoline devices, have propane and use explosive painting chemicals ..... On and on the list can go! Smile

Who just PARKS CARS in a garage?!?!?!

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

Syncromikey · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:56 pm Post subject:

I try to not weld and grind in the house but do so in the garage quite a bit. With all the sparks flying around I always make sure I hang out and check for any potential issue at least an hour after I've done either. Having something to put out fires in the garage is a definite must! Never had to use one yet either ... Knock on wood ... But it's good to be prepared, for sure!

Cheers,
Mike
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joseph928 · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 3:02 pm Post subject: fire extinguisher

Tam- your right the cost to re certify an extinguisher is high cheaper to buy a new one, this is only true with the cheap ones. But as long as the gauge reads in the green you should be OK. Now I've shot 20 year old ones and they worked. That said the powder can pack into the bottom. But with the new FE-36 and Halon type they use a gas so no packing down. If the gauge is in the green your good to go. Now remember you get what you pay for! More is better and bigger is better! But dear God have at least one! Very Happy

My other post. The best way to go! http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=521827
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Ruffturn · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 3:37 pm Post subject:

Has anyone ever checked out automatic extinguishers? The last two shows I was at had a dude selling what looked like a 5# extinguisher with a tip that, IIRC deployed the material at around 270°F. I could be wrong on the temp, real wrong. Anyway, having a baja and a two pounder in the trunk made me feel safe the last couple of years. Now that we're looking at buying a westy, my thoughts toward fire suppression have changed dramatically. I really wouldn't mind having something near the engine that blew it's payload when really needed and I wasn't able to pull a pin, point, shoot & sweep.

Does anyone have info on this guy at the Lakeland & NDBS shows recently or any other "mount it and forget it" bottles?
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Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:33 pm Post subject:

noganav · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:38 pm Post subject:

Link to a thread from another samba member who has an automatic extinguisher system for the engine bay.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=521827

$165-$185 for a drop in automatic system (these are Halon extinguishers though)
http://www.gmccoop.com/fire_ext_.htm
http://www.firefightproducts.com/Fire_Fight_Supplemental_Hal.html

Amerex 2.5LB halotron extinguishers are on eBay for $95 including shipping. This includes the bracket and fits great in the stock location by the slider. You can even re-use one of the original mounting holes. There's the old one for a size comparison.

tam_shops · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:18 pm Post subject:

Oooohhhhh, the too expensive comment was from a fire fighter friend, he's also the one that told me to get it at CT. I wonder what they otherwise use here, will have to ask him.

Same friend shakes my fire extinguishers every year. Thought he was just checking them, didn't realize it'd bunch up if you didn't do it! Bad design!

Thanks, I thought your washer dryer were in there. I remember when we moved here, firefighter friend got me a fire extinguisher for our laundry room...I don't have a garage, just a shed and don't weld, but the guy before me (in this house also a fire fighter) did and he left a HUGE fire extinguisher in that shed. It explains a LOT. Thank you! Your wives need to get with it and suggest you weld something in their kitchens, so it accidentally starts a fire and you get a new one! Wink

Just make sure to get the baby pictures out or you're dead and they'll deny it was their ideas! LOL

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

Advice from a first responder...

Make sure it is safe to use the extingusher, don't get run over fighting a fire.

Get the biggest capacity extingusher you can fit. Putting a gasoline fire 99% out, then running out of extingusher is bad thing.

Only store all metal valve fire extingushers in your car. Plastic top ones may be ok in the kitchen (however they are generally pretty small). The plastic valves do not survie long in the heat that can build up in cars, they leak out faster than metal valves. They are not refillable either.

Don't let a fire extingusher roll around in the car, that is a good way to loosen the valve from the cylinder if not secured. A loose extingusher can make a lethal projectile in a crash. Store it wisely.

Keep it handy, if it is buried away under a seat hard to get at, or behind bulky cargo, the delay in its use may render it useless.

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

tam_shops · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:10 pm Post subject:

THANK you for the picture. I've been trying to figure out how you knew what was inside them! I have 3 in the house, left over from the Fire Fighter that owned the house before us, will see if I have any Halotron ones...

noganav · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:49 am Post subject:

So here's one for the books. I was showing my boss my new extinguisher tonight and wondering if the old one still worked. As we're taking about it he absentmindedly presses the button and blasts a shot of foam directly into my van. There is powder literally everywhere, but once the damage was done all we could do was laugh. Guess what? It still works! Laughing

luVWagn · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:59 am Post subject:

akyrie · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:44 am Post subject:

Last year we had a "little" fire in the 1.9l van. oh man I can't stress enough to have a good extinguisher handy. I had the little naive extinguisher, I am no longer naive enough to buy the little one. Just enough, I mean just, to put out the fire. Also attack the fire from the bottom first, you can get it out from there. Try not to open anything (hatch, liscense plate), opening allows air back into the fire, and it starts all over again. I put out the fire from below, then thinking I wasn't getting it all I opened the hatch, bad move. The fire would probably sayed out, if I hadn't opened the hatch. Opening the hatch allowed new air to ignite the fire that was left, and made a huge fireball that barely missed my face. By this time my wife is freakin. I ducked the fireball and used the very last of my extinguisher to finish off the fire. It's taken me awhile but hopefully soon the rehabilitation to the van will finish and I can start her up again. oh yeah, I bought a diesel, cause I don't like flames in my face. And yes both my van's (diesel and gasser)got big extinguishers now.

no injuries, lucky.
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tschroeder0 · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:25 am Post subject:

I get discussing having a fire extinguisher, and of course everyone should have one, or two, but if you have done the right things then you should never have a fire.
These vans have travelled and are traveling the world over bad terrain in all kinds of extreme conditions without fires.
-Fuel lines, metal fuel rails, replace the junk plastic piece at the "firewall", seal the gas tank. Zip ties on all lines where they may rub to keep them away from something moving or something too hot.
Above that dont do any wiring unless you know what you are doing, if you do, put a load on it, watch it, feel it to see if it gets hot.
-And last, check things out often! Look over the engine compartment often,
check clamps, move things around when they are pressurized to see if they leak.
The quote I have in my head from a local vanagon mechanic looking at a van in his bay that had a fire always sticks in my head " another guy who thought his van was a honda...it aint a honda"

DeadSetMonkey · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:10 am Post subject:

In the for what it is worth category.

My van did not include an extinguisher when I bought it from the PO.

So, I bought a GoWesty extinguisher mount, and then went to local Autozone and bought an automotive sized extinguisher (the local HomeDepot and Lowes only sold larger extinguishers that didn't come with mounts or would not have fit in the space behind the passenger seat without interfering with seat rotation).

The one I bought from autozone came with the exact same mount that I had paid GoWesty for.

So. Point is, maybe save some cash and get lucky to buy an extinguisher than comes with a mount.
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'90 Syncro Westy 2.5Subi Turbo, BFGs 215/75/15 Rheins


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Westy Fire Extinguisher
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