The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Another possible game changing fire extinguisher

I just saw this on Jay Leno's garage. Instead of carrying around those 5# tanks that last just a few seconds, maybe these are the way to go. Though I carry a Halon extinguisher in both my chevy truck and vw camper, I'd sure like to know if there is something better.

Jay Leno:



Here is a link to the extinguisher's website:
https://elementfire.com/

If the price was $40 instead of $80 they would sell millions. Shark tank would get the price down and the marketing up.
YouTube has several other videos where they actually put out a fire.
Great idea seems to work....just too expensive. Yes it’s cheaper than a fire..........but people don’t purchase items like this with that mind set.

Agree, Cost to refill that 5 pound extinguisher is typically around $20.
Cost to clean up the mess a bunch more. But eighty bucks a shot is
a bit much. I'd probably get one for Old Blue if it were half as much
or twice what the refill was for my ABC.
dg

I can't argue that it's a bit expensive for a one-time use, but a lot more convenient than a bigger bottle....unless it was full of vodka of course, LOL.

$59 would buy a pretty good bootle of vodka?

The middle model/version (for vehicles/garages) at $79 would get you a premium bottle?

I'm too skeptical to purchase one.

In their technical explanation of how it works some of the scientific explanations are "confusing" or "questionable".

There is no UL certification and it's not clear if they are trying to get one. So for me it's unproven. If it had a UL certification that was better than the dry chemicals I currently have, $80 wouldn't stop me from buying it. I have training and experience with dry chemicals and would want to practice with one of these since it's different, so now my cost would be $160.

My house, my wife, and my vehicles are too valuable to put my trust in this one.

I use the Cold Fire units in all my vehicles. The solution is vegetable based, and non-toxic. A friend of mine is certified as a FF at a NASCAR track; he sez it's what they use. Couple things I like about it is that since its noncorrosive, you could spray it on a person without injuring them. Plus, it won't damage the stuff you're spraying it on.

You can refill your own units; just pour the solution in, add some water, and repressurize to 175 psi (I use one of those portable tire inflator units to get it over and above what my shop compressor can do). Because of that, I've discharged a unit a few times just to teach my family how to use one.

You can also buy single-use units; I have one that traves with my campfire kit, and another under the kitchen sink where anybody could figure out how to use it.

Never had to use one in anger, but they seem pretty effective:

https://youtu.be/pCbzFMc9GqI

Nope, don't work for them. I'm just a safety freak about fires, I guess. I happened upon a SUV fire a few years ago; it was fully engulfed by the time I got there. I read later the driver and passenger perished, in part because earlier passerbys had nothing to fight the initial fire with. That haunts me to carry something in all my vehicles...

Hmmm. Not at all sure the price is really a consideration given -
1. Regular extinguishers require maintenance every six years and then at 12 years extensive maintenance and/or replacement depending upon model if one wants to be certain the unit will work properly when needed. This makes the cost difference a mote point unless one frequently uses their extinguisher (something we all hope is not the case??).
2. If used the mess one has to clean up is extensive and some items (especially the carb & wiring in my experience) are damaged by the chemicals and will need to be worked on to restore externally unless it was rinsed off completely very quickly.

I see that they have been developed in Italy and are imported from there so wonder what testing and approval process has been gone through to sell in Europe. I've raised the question of why they are not UL rated and will update when (if) I hear back from Element.

Here is the response received from Element. Sounds as though UL needs to revise their testing standards to include new technologies such as this one.

Thanks for taking the time to contact us. UL711 is the UL testing standard which is used for every Listed portable handheld fire extinguishers in North America. Besides setting performance standards, UL711 defines what physical characteristics a portable fire extinguisher needs to have. 711, for example, makes reference to pressure gauges, the pressurized cylinder that holds the extinguishing agent, etc. These are all things that our extinguisher does not have because it is of a fundamentally different design than what UL envisioned when they wrote their standard decades ago.

In short, UL will not even consider testing our extinguisher because they do not recognize it as one in the first place. We, among other companies that have produced personal use fire extinguishers of unconventional design, are lobbying UL to write a new standard against which to test. Until this new standard is written —a process that realistically takes years- we cannot be considered for a UL listing.

Hope this answers your question. If you need more information please do not hesitate to ask.

Impressive product Rip. But......what's the cost and that's an orful big container
to have to lug around in your Stovebolt.
I do like the way it works though, and the thought that all's you need to do is
mix it up like making lemonade.
Denny G
Sandwich, IL