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Post by Cowboy Camper on Nov 12, 2009 21:36:26 GMT -6
This subject came to mind today, and I figured I'd even ought to create a new Board for this reason.
Do not forget to keep an eye on your Fire Extinguishers in the camper, and remember to Test them Regularly!
If you don't have one in the camper already (as was the case in my old '75) buy one and mount it on the wall near the door. For under $20.00 you can get a little Wall Mount unit that will fit nicely near the door and not be in the way of Ingress or Egress. I Will Update this Topic in days to come soon. I have Pics somewhere and I'll post them when I find them.
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Post by snow on Nov 18, 2009 14:48:46 GMT -6
Also if your extinguisher is more then 5 or 7 (can't remember) you should replace it or have it inspected and re-charged (expensive).
Also you should from time to time take your extinguisher and shake it so the powder in it doesn't get packed at the bottom as it sits.
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Post by Cowboy Camper on Nov 18, 2009 19:54:42 GMT -6
Also if your extinguisher is more then 5 or 7 (can't remember) you should replace it or have it inspected and re-charged (expensive). Also you should from time to time take your extinguisher and shake it so the powder in it doesn't get packed at the bottom as it sits. 5 or 7. Years Old I think Craig means. A happy medium can be 6 years. Replace it after so long just to be safe rather than sorry. Replacement of these little ones is far more cost effective than a Professional Inspection might be. Also, he's exactly right about shaking them up every now and then. The General Manager once took an extinguisher out of one of our fuel trucks and chucked it to the ground saying "That's actually good for them". Reason being, that powder can almost turn into a rock like substance after riding around in the trucks for so many miles. Logic concludes that the same is true for riding around in the camper.
While not the best pic I had in mind, I did find this example of a smaller F E that can fit by the door with ease. A simple wall mounted unit that can be fetched in a hurry no matter where the fire is. Inside or Outside. I have a couple Newer ones I bought, but one is in the camper now (as a back up to the included OEM unit) and I've misplaced the other one I have available for a pic. In the mean time this file pic of an older one I also have gets the point across. Also notice on the top of the F E the little green button? Since these little models do not have a Charge Gauge on them, that little green button is the method to 'test' the F E. * Press down on that green button to test. If the button pops back up, you're good. If it doesn't, then the charge may have leaked out and it's probably not safe to depend on to put out a fire. * You can work the button a couple of times to get it to pop out again, as they can get sticky after time. But it that button never frees up and comes back out, Replace that F E.
If you're anything like me and hate to see things go to waste for no reason, you can always keep the older ones that failed the test or are older than the 6 year age limit. Keep them as another back up just in case you may need it sometime. Hey, the thing might still work! I test fired one that was over 20 years old and it still worked!! But to be Sure and Safe, get a new Primary extinguisher.
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Post by snow on Dec 7, 2009 7:02:55 GMT -6
Ok, just an update. From what I was told the replacement age depends on the age to begin with. If the extinguisher is within the 20 year plas catagory, replace it, chances are the powder is like a rock. If its in the 15 to 20 year range you should have it inspected and hydrostatically tested, due to the cost of doing this buy a new one, unless of course its a dry chem re-fillable ansul or something like that, then it is worth the $$$. If your extinguisher is 10 to 15 years old you should at least buy a back up and same as above if its a real good one have it tested and in spected. If it is 5-10 check the charge pressure and "stir" the tank every couple weeks. And if it is newer then 5 years, give it visual and sit back hoping that you never need it.
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Post by Cowboy Camper on Dec 7, 2009 19:39:50 GMT -6
An Update of my own as well. Sorry I forgot to do this already... Jeeze, I dropped the ball on this one as the Camp Host here. Anyhow, 6 years IS a good number of years to replace the little units we have in the campers and maybe even in the kitchen at home. This comes from the guy who serviced the F E's at work just last week. I asked him about it, so at least I remembered to ask. I've just been so busy with Geocaching lately that I forgot to post what I've been told. Another thing, about that little green button, the guy said that each time you press that it releases just a little bit of pressure each time. So only press on it Once when you test it. Any more than that would just be wasting the internal pressure, thus depleting the effectiveness of said F E while testing it. Not a good thing. If ever in doubt, buy a little back up like I did. And do what Craig said... Relax and sit back, hoping you don't need to use any of them.
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Post by Cowboy Camper on Dec 8, 2009 19:53:19 GMT -6
This has been an Announcement long enough. This post should set the topic back to a Normal status and take it off of Announcement status. EDIT: Or, resetting the Original Post will do the trick... Duh.
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