"Tundra" Fire Extinguisher

[mountainpete]

Hi all,

First Alert has a new line of Fire Extinguishers called "Tundra". I don't know much about it other then it looks like a great product from the commercial.

It's marketed toward home use, but it looks like it has potential in the truck...

Commercial here: http://www.firstalert.com/movies/tundra.wmv

Any thoughts?

 

[ntsqd]

Looks like a decent first line of defense, but I wouldn't forsake a normal 5 lbs or larger Fire Extinguisher for it.

 

[WJinTRSC]

I actually just bought myself a new fire extinguisher last night at Wally World. The "Tundra" is actually more expensive and smaller than the larger automotive extinguisher, which seemed to be a bit more Heavy duty and reliable as well.

 

[ntsqd]

Something to be aware of with any of the dry chemical type extinguishers is that the powder will compact just sitting still. As best as I can determine this is the reason for the regular inspections in industrial or commercial settings. In a vehicle the continuous jarring really is effective at compacting the powder, rendering the unit nearly useless.

I turn over those in my vehicles at least every 6 months and probably wouldn't hurt to gently rap them with a dead blow once in a while.

Wonder how small a CO2 unit you can get? Maybe this would be a good argument for a Power Tank type 'air' source?

 

[DaveInDenver]

Wonder how small a CO2 unit you can get? Maybe this would be a good argument for a Power Tank type 'air' source?

Interesting, never thought of using a Power Tank as a fire extinguisher. I bet the only problem would be the amount of time it would take to access and operate as compared to an actual extinguisher. You know, you'd probably have your regulator set fairly low and you'd have to fiddle with it or something. I dunno, just thinking out loud. Interesting idea, though. Oh, also it would probably be a bad deal if you had a fire (particularly if you happen across a smoldering camp fire or ember that could start a wildfire) at the end of a run after you've emptied your Power Tank, too, eh?

 

[ntsqd]

MY SOP estimate is that getting a high enough flow nozzle would be the difficulty. Can't use any of the traditional high volume blow guns since they employ a venturi to trade pressure for volume.

 

[asteffes]

I prefer to carry a Halon or Halon-alternative extinguisher in a vehicle. If that sucker ever decides to have a seal fail or you park in the sun and the safety valve releases when the cab temperature reaches 120+, your cabin will be full of powder. I have had to clean up a car after it was doused with a couple powder extinguishers and it is *not* pretty nor fun.

Then again, if you subscribe to the idea that an extinguisher is there to save people and not cars, use whatever you think will do that best. But if you decide to use powder I would consider mounting it in the bed. If you want it nearby, I would mount a Halon unit in the cab for reduced risk of a huge mess on a hot day. I doubt a unit intended to be stored under the kitchen sink is up to the challenge of hot-summer-day cab temperatures.

 

[rmarz]

Another thought on the dry chemical type is that it is destructive on wires/computer components. If used under the dash or hood it could cause damage beyond what a small smoldering type fire might.

I have had a dry chemical type go off while rolling around under a car seat, it was good lesson for me as I spent a long time cleaning it up and thinking about where I was going to mount the new Halatron extinguisher.

 

[John90XJ]

The only thing I've learned about the placement of an extinguisher is to have it close at hand. I actually had to use one 2 summers ago and getting out, going to the back of the rig, opening the hatch and then getting the unit out added critical time.

I've since mounted it within reach of the driver and passenger so it can be used in the event of a rollover that would capture the occupants as well as make it readily available for use outside.

 

[telwyn]

What do you think of this one? Was following a link from another post to look at Quick Fists (these guys sell them at bulk discounts) and found this fire extinguisher in a spray can.

www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm?pID=3440

 

[Azrocks]

The one thing that concerns me about them is that they are only rated for "A" and "B" and not "C" which is electrical which includes electrical wiring and such.