The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Priority item(s) FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

(Up front- we are all safe & OK; little boy got a bit scared, but I explained everything later & he's fine...)

I am thankful my house didn't burn down last night. After grinding some edges, a spark/shard from my seat springs apparently smoldered and caught some of my truck panels on fire (Yes, the painted metal was actually on fire). They were wrapped in a moving blanket & sitting on the truck frame above the rear axle, 8-10 ft away. I did not notice anything when I put the grinder away & walked inside. Luckily a neighbor noticed the fire in the garage (on the truck) & rang the doorbell about 45 seconds after I walked inside. I usually turn out the lights & walk through after I do any welding--guess I'll do it for everything now.

**GOOD ADVICE HERE:** Make sure you have TWO fire extinguishers in your shops/whatever--the first one I grabbed to use broke off at the nozzle's plastic trigger making it useless--the second one ($40 version) worked. Spend the money on them; today is not as bad as it could be because I had two extinguishers handy...

I'll have to touch up the frame later on, as well as re-do the filler panel.

This was going to be posted in 'what did you get done on your bolt,' but I really wanted you all to make sure you have good serviceable fire extinguishers. That's all this is about.

Brad

Brad
Really glad you were able get the fire put with no injuries and not much damage, it could have ended a lot worse.
I carry a small one in each of our cars and trucks.
10 and 20 pounders in both the shop and house.
2, 20 pounders in the flag pole and a 20 pound water.

Don

I'm glad the damage was minor. Thanks for making it into a safety lesson.

For those who don't have them, get them. For those that do, inspect them.

Inspect the hose for cracks, inspect the nozzle for insect nests, inspect the gauge for charge. They should be checked monthly but I admit I don't know when I last checked mine. I just checked the house one and intend to check the shop and vehicle ones this evening. Y'all do the same.

I did not even look at the price tag when I bought two replacement fire extinguishers last night -with METAL triggers/levers on some of the BIG boy cylinders. (Also got a small one for the kitchen)

Somewhat having to unlearn the lesson that just having a fire extinguisher is good enough. I am now against plastic triggers in fire extinguishers unless Glock starts making them.

Yes, the damage was only to the truck parts wrapped in a cheap moving pad, and it all can be fixed. Only took two hours to strip the top of the frame & paint it. Now... that powder fire retardant is a whole 'nuther beast to clean up!

Brad

I learned years ago to have them handy, I had a race car catch fire and burn the wire harness. Luck mom was watering the lawn so the hose was handy.

I don't like to grind anywhere near the garage anymore, getting older I am aware of what can happen and don't really like the out come of it.

Glad you all right, and it glad you posted, I need reminded every now and again.

Joe

im a firm believer in CO2 fire extiguishers....
buddy put out a carb fire on a running engine....not pretty....

Halon is still out there as well...
Noted just so everyone doesn't believe everything in the Wikipedia article. I had to look up the CO2 version as a refresher on what was what.

Brad