Hi Slightly strange question and not Ducati specific, but I've been thinking I should have a fire extinguisher in my garage what with the bike and petrol in there. Presumably ABC to cover all sorts of fire? Is 2Kg a sensible size? Cheers Neil
No hand held fire extinguisher will tackle a petrol fire. If you survive the flash over it is unlikely you will survive the pressure increase that will blow out the garage walls as effectively as a chemical explosive. Petrol vapour is nasty. If your instinct is to fight a fire before it takes hold instead of running, 6 litres foam and 5kg CO2 should cover you for most eventualities that you can change the outcome of. Andy
I have a small fire-safe for important documents at home. A couple of 5Kg fire-extinguishers (powder & Co2) & fire-blanket. But the most important bare minimum is a smoke alarm or three!! If you discover fire, get down low into clean air. Remember the smoke is unburnt fuel!
Foam is great stuff, but you have to use it correctly to form a continuous blanket that excludes all air, this is not easy to do, depends upon the distribution of the fire, fuel supply etc and requires practice. CO2 is quick and very effective on a small fire but on a liquid fire it could just spread the fuel and make the situation worse. Prevention is better than cure.
I once did a 5 day firefighting course, before they started to use fake smoke, it was very interesting, BA sets and the full kit, and very hot and very scary at times. I then did a number of refreshers over the years but health and safety and risk assessments took the fun, and value, out of it. Firefighting was made safe. If in doubt get out quick and call for help. Be realistic in what you think you can tackle with the equipment to hand.
just being lighthearted no offence to fellow members, but I will renenber your last bit johny, if you haven't got the tackle get out quick!!
Some good knowledge here. I'd stick with something inert in my garage; Co2 & possibly an AFFF. Powder; inc ABC just makes a hell of a mess & is not particularly effective in my experience. Store your petrol properly; even empty containers.
