As the title suggests, is this an Amazon purchase, or are there other places I should look? I'm looking to buy three for my house, one on every level. The fire department is about 1/4 mile from me, I considered asking them (best place to purchase) but not sure if it's a waste of time.
Best place to buy fire extinguishers?
- Thread starter 92saturnsl2
- Start date
- Status
We bought ours at Coscto, not sure if they still have them though.
I was able to purchase a couple of different kinds at Costco. Both the 5 pound dry chemical style, and some smaller "spray can" ones for the kitchen area. Note: Consumer Reports does not like the spray can style units and gives them a "do not purchase" rating.
I have no idea what's in them.
I also have a number of Halon units from aircraft. They are extremely effective.
I have no idea what's in them.
I also have a number of Halon units from aircraft. They are extremely effective.
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2013
- Messages
- 3,075
I prefer a 4A 60BC 10 pound big monster…
One under each sink, one in my bedroom closet…
Rechargeable 4-a:60-b:C Commercial/Residential Fire Extinguisher https://www.lowes.com/pd/First-Alert-Commercial-Fire-Extinguisher-Rechargeable/3057081
One under each sink, one in my bedroom closet…
Rechargeable 4-a:60-b:C Commercial/Residential Fire Extinguisher https://www.lowes.com/pd/First-Alert-Commercial-Fire-Extinguisher-Rechargeable/3057081
Good for you for thinking ahead. Depends on what kind of extinguisher you want and what you reasonably expect to use it for.
The 2A10BC extinguishers seem to be the typical "go-to" that you see pretty much everywhere, and while they are usually better than nothing, they do have some drawbacks worth thinking about.
1) They make an incredible mess which is better than losing your house but it is still an incredible mess.
2 )More importantly -- they really are not that effective on ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, furnishings, and the things that usually burn in a house.
3) They give little to no protection against re-ignition of hot materials as there is no cooling effect.
4) It can be a little tough to breathe or see when you discharge of these in an enclosed space.
That said, it's always a good idea to have one of them in or near a kitchen in case there is an electrical fire on something you cannot unplug or a grease fire in something you cannot cover.
For elsewhere in the house it's worth thinking about a pressurized water extinguisher. Non-toxic,clean up with a mop, highly effective on wood, paper, and ordinary combustibles, and if you have an air compressor you can recharge it yourself, which means you and family members can practice with it.
There is no substitute for practice, even if it means lighting a small fire safely out in the yard and extinguishing it.
Sorry, I accidentally posted that before I was done typing.
I have received excellent quality from Buckeye Fire Equipment. Some of their products are on Amazon, some are not. These are Made In USA products.
http://buckeyefire.com/
Their water extinguisher is excellent quality and they also offer a water mist extinguisher that carries a 2AC rating.
If you do go with the dry powder type extinguisher, like a 2A10BC it's worth spending the extra money for the better quality, the cheaper ones like what you find at big box stores or home centers, they do leak sometimes and you might not notice that until it is too late.
Also if you go with dry powder about once every six months or so pick it up, flip it over, and bop the bottom of the extinguisher with a rubber mallet a few times to shake the powder up or it can consolidate in the bottom and nothing will happen when you need it.
Not putting down these types of extinguisher in any way, they are good legitimate tools to have, and the ratings do not come from nowhere, they work. But I have fought a real lot of fire on all kinds of things and what I will say is that I keep all three types handy -- a water extinguisher, a dry powder extinguisher, and a Halon extinguisher as mentioned by a previous poster. They have their advantages and disadvantages too, but they certainly do work and they are especially worth having in the garage or around motor vehicles.
I have received excellent quality from Buckeye Fire Equipment. Some of their products are on Amazon, some are not. These are Made In USA products.
http://buckeyefire.com/
Their water extinguisher is excellent quality and they also offer a water mist extinguisher that carries a 2AC rating.
If you do go with the dry powder type extinguisher, like a 2A10BC it's worth spending the extra money for the better quality, the cheaper ones like what you find at big box stores or home centers, they do leak sometimes and you might not notice that until it is too late.
Also if you go with dry powder about once every six months or so pick it up, flip it over, and bop the bottom of the extinguisher with a rubber mallet a few times to shake the powder up or it can consolidate in the bottom and nothing will happen when you need it.
Not putting down these types of extinguisher in any way, they are good legitimate tools to have, and the ratings do not come from nowhere, they work. But I have fought a real lot of fire on all kinds of things and what I will say is that I keep all three types handy -- a water extinguisher, a dry powder extinguisher, and a Halon extinguisher as mentioned by a previous poster. They have their advantages and disadvantages too, but they certainly do work and they are especially worth having in the garage or around motor vehicles.
Another thing to consider is a typical good quality 2A10BC dry chemical fire extinguisher you're probably looking at a discharge range of 15' at the maximum and still be effective, my experience is you have to be pretty aggressive sometimes and that does mean getting close which can be hard to do if it's already getting hot. Outdoors or with a breeze, more so.
With a pressurized water extinguisher you could be looking at a range that is easily twice that, maybe even more.
Not that applicable inside a house because rooms aren't usually that big but it can be really handy outdoors, and even indoors it means you don't have to be so close.
With a pressurized water extinguisher you could be looking at a range that is easily twice that, maybe even more.
Not that applicable inside a house because rooms aren't usually that big but it can be really handy outdoors, and even indoors it means you don't have to be so close.
Might sound questionable but i promise check out places like offerup or facebook marketplace for used extinguishers. Often you can find nice large extinguishers from businesses that are closing up. They will usually have there inspection tag on them and still be verified good for a while.
JHZR2
Staff member
Look up a local place that checks them and refills them. Only buy quality is made extinguishers like from Amerex or buckeye.
You can often find refurbished/retested ones on eBay with free shipping. Ive bought a few from farnier fire in PA.
You can often find refurbished/retested ones on eBay with free shipping. Ive bought a few from farnier fire in PA.
Fire equipment supplier. From what I’ve heard from a local shop, Kidde is to be avoided. The ones that are rechargable seem to be decent. Badger was just bought out by Kidde.
Amerex and Ansul are the choice of fire extinguisher suppliers. First Alert extinguishers are made by Ansul IIRC.
Amerex and Ansul are the choice of fire extinguisher suppliers. First Alert extinguishers are made by Ansul IIRC.
And if you go the internet route to purchase, be aware of the Kidde recall. The plastic pivot pins would break and the extinguisher not activate.
Even though free replacements were provided, you never know when one was overlooked or not returned.
Even though free replacements were provided, you never know when one was overlooked or not returned.
Great advice, the entire family should discuss escape routes and a meeting place outside.
- Status
Similar threads
