Fire extinguishers in a vehicle are something many of us probably don’t spend much time thinking about. Since weather has warmed up and car events are in full swing, consider this your reminder to check the condition of your fire extinguisher. If you are like me, you are probably rolling your eyes at the mention of safety, however, having a fire extinguisher handy is a good idea if you have an older car. Or an exotic, as they have a tendency to spontaneously combust as well. We’ve all seen the social media posts where someone’s cherished muscle car or high-end exotic is engulfed in flames. A fun cruise on a beautiful day can end in disaster, but a fire extinguisher in good working condition can mitigate this risk.
My Fire Extinguisher was in Need of a Recharge
I am as guilty as anyone else when it comes to keeping an eye on my fire extinguisher. In March of 2023 I had the opportunity to display my Chevelle at the Columbus Auto Show. When I got the invite, I almost immediately went to the garage to wake the Chevelle from its three-month winter hibernation. I fired it up to look for any new leaks or problems that may have developed. To be on display at the auto show, cars could have no more than a quarter tank of fuel. This requirement got me thinking about safety and fires, so I checked on my extinguisher. It needed to be recharged. How long was the needle on my fire extinguisher’s gauge pointing to recharge? Hopefully just over the winter.
What Type of Fire Extinguisher Do You Need?
The recommended type of fire extinguisher for vehicles is an ABC fire extinguisher. Class A for common combustibles, Class B for combustible liquids and gasses, and Class C for energized electrical fires. Additionally, getting an extinguisher with vehicle mounts will ensure that it stays where you want it.
In doing some research on fire extinguishers for this post, I realized that the old extinguisher in the Chevelle was a BC, not an ABC. I need to take my own advice and do a better job of keeping an eye the fire extinguishers in my vehicles. When you are getting ready to go to your local car event a fire extinguisher may not be the first thing on your list of items to check. However, having an ABC type in good working order can help keep a small fire from becoming a total loss.
