Fire Extinguishers......

[Glenn and Lorraine]

From years of being a volunteer fire fighter I developed certain safety habits when it came to fire safety. Two things you'll find in everyone's rig are Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers. But just having them is one thing, having them work is another.

#1- Test your Smoke Detector monthly and replace the batteries yearly. I replace the batteries the first of every year. I am sure many of you have a particular date when you replace your batteries.

But , When was the last time you even looked at your Fire Extinguisher(s) much less inspected it.
In every rig that Montana builds one piece of Standard Equipment is a fire extinguisher. Usually a 2 1/2 pound Class B/C, Dry Chemical. Not the best choice in my opinion. The Class "B" rating is for extinguishing Flammable Liquid type fires such as propane, gasoline or diesel fuel. The Class "C" rating is for Electrical fires.
The Chemical is actually a very dry powder type of substance which is basically backing soda AND in order for the extinguisher to work properly this powder must be kept loosely packed and not firmly packed.
In a stick house the extinguisher hangs on a wall for years at a time allowing this powder to settle and become firmly packed. Than when we need it most we pull the trigger and little or nothing comes out of the nozzle. Each year these extinguishers should be removed from the wall, inverted and struck on the bottom with the heel of your hand or a rubber mallet to loosen the powder and than shake the extinguisher for about a minute to break up any clumps. At the same time you check the condition of the charge. Read the label it will tell you how to check for the condition. In my case there is a little green indicator button sticking out of the handle, press that green button in and if it the button does not spring back replace the extinguisher. Some have a gauge with a needle indicating the state of charge. Normally if the needle is in the green it is OK. If it goes into the red than replace it. I say replace it as it would cost more to have the extinguisher serviced than a new one would cost.
NOW in our 5ers or TTs or even your tow vehicles the extinguisher should be inspected even more frequently. As we drag our rig down the hi-way the vibrations actually causes the powder to settle and become even more tightly packed. You would therefore want to check your extinguishers before and after every trip. Add it to the "Things to do at set-up" or "Arriving home" list.

One more thing...
As I said these extinguishers that they put in our rigs are for Class B/C rated fires. They are not for Class "A" (NO not motor homes) Normal Combustible type fires such as paper, wood, trash, cloth, etc. For example, a trash can fire in your kitchen is usually a Class A type fire whereas the grease burning in the frying pan would be a class B.
Therefore, I would also suggest carrying at least a 2 1/2#pound or 5 pound ABC Extinguisher along with the 2 1/2 pound you received with the rig. The ABC rated works on all 3 type fires. In fact, a couple of ABC's would not hurt. 1 in the trailer and one in the TV.
And another thing, A Class C electrical fire is only a Class C electrical fire until the electricity is cut off. If when the electricity is cut off and there is still flame it is now a Class A Combustible or Class B Flammable Liquid fire.

NOW when the time comes to replace that 2 1/2 pounder that came with the rig I would either get a 2 ½# or another 5# ABC.

AND...Just because you have a fire extinguisher in your hand does not necessarily make you a firefighter. Know your limitations as well as the limitations of your fire extinguisher, not just the different classes. Just how much fire can the extinguisher you have in hand put out. To learn a bit more on the subject stop at your local fire station and ask questions. I was a volunteer firefighter for over 25 years and we always encouraged the citizens to stop in and ask questions.