Have you ever thought about investing in a fire extinguisher built especially for putting out car fires? Whether you are on the road, a race track or even off-road, Fire extinguishers should become a fundamental part of your safety procedures.
Even if you have not had a personal experience with it, the chances that your car may catch fire are still there. A fire extinguisher can save your life if such an unfortunate situation arises. Additionally, it will also equip you with the power to help others in a similar situation.
Buying the best fire extinguisher for a car can be a daunting process. There are just too many on the market right now. To help you get started, we have listed our top 5 choices along with a brief review.
Each product has been chosen after careful evaluation with meticulous attention to detail. To help you make better-informed decisions, we have also listed the pros and cons of each product separately. So let us dive into our top 5 choices.
Things To Consider While Buying Fire Extinguishers For Cars
Now before you invest in a fire extinguisher, you need to consider a few basic features that it ought to have.
1. Size and weight
Considering the right size and weight of a fire extinguisher is very important. You need something compact, lightweight and easy to travel with. Go for a small, elongated cylinder that can easily be stored and also be within your arm’s reach.
2. Type
Fire extinguishers are classified into three basic categories;
Class A Fires: Lowest risk category to put out the fire caused by combustible substances such as paper and wood.
Class B Fires: To put out fires caused by flammable liquids such as paint or gasoline. May cause car damage if not contained immediately. A foam extinguisher is used for Class B fires.
Class C Fires: To put out fires caused by electrical components.
You should get a Class C fire extinguisher for your car since most car fires are due to faulty electrical wirings.
3. Durability
You should get a fire extinguisher that can withstand accidental falls. Aluminium-bodied cylinders are recommended because they are light, durable and corrosion-resistant.
4. Discharge time
Make sure that the extinguisher has a powerful trigger that will allow a controlled and a fast discharge that will ensure that it delivers the foam efficiently.
5. Accessibility
The fire extinguisher should be accessible to use both by adults and children alike. Go for a fire extinguisher that is simple yet retains all the fundamental features.
5 Best Fire Extinguishers For Cars
Keeping in mind the value for money list of 5 best fire extinguishers for your cars have been listed below. You can go through their complete details to pick the best that meets your needs.
1. FirstAlert Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher
I love how these extinguishers are built to last, and they’re easy to use too. The design is simple but effective, and the nozzle has a pull pin so you don’t accidentally use it when you’re not supposed to.
It’s also rechargeable and comes with a 5-year warranty.
It’s made of durable materials which means that it will last for years, and it is easy to use. It has a reliable gauge that tells you when it’s time to be recharged, and it comes with detailed instructions that are easy to understand and follow.
- Comes with an easy-to-follow set of instructions
- Uses liquefied gas to put out hard-to-reach fires
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Lightweight and easy to travel with
- EPA approved and BC-rated
- Five years warranty
- Slightly expensive
- A shorter maximum range
- The pin may fall out if not correctly inserted
- First Alert's HOME1 FE1A10GR Fire Extinguisher is UL rated 1-A: 10-B:C; it features durable all-metal construction with a commercial-grade metal valve and trigger to meet demanding needs
- Multipurpose fire extinguisher fights wood, paper, trash, plastics, gasoline, oil, and electrical-equipment fires
- First Alert’s Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher can be recharged by a certified professional after use, allowing for reuse.
- Metal pull pin with a safety seal to help prevent accidental discharge and tampering; corrosion-resistant, easy-to-read, color-coded metal gauge; waterproof label with easy instructions
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Disclosure: We may get a commission from retail offers.
2. Kidde – Pro Series Fire Extinguishers 4Lb
If you are on the lookout for a more kid-friendly Fire Extinguisher, the Kidde Pro is your safest bet. One of the largest automotive fire extinguishers that weigh around 4 pounds, can be tucked away nicely in your car’s trunk and can’t be easily used by kids.
Whether you want to put out fires caused by wood or oil, Kidde Pro 210 will come to your rescue. Manufactured with a sturdy and corrosion-resistant aluminium body, it is very travel friendly.
Coming with a 6-year warranty, it is also rechargeable and can safely be used for a couple of years.
- Rechargeable product
- A good sturdy build
- Slightly heavy so kids cannot play around with it
- Clear instructions printed on the model
- 6 years warranty
- ABC-rated
- Require regular checkups
- Cannot be used by kids in case of emergencies
No products found.
3. Amerex 240, 2.5 Gallon Water Class A Fire Extinguisher
Best for putting out fires created due to ordinary combustion, the Amerex 240 is a powerful fire extinguisher that will cater to all your needs.
It comes with a bracket that can be used to mount it on and provide support. It comes with a detailed set of instructions that makes its installation very easy. The most impressive feature about Amerex 240 is the discharge time which is only 55 seconds. It is suitable for large fires because it penetrates from a distance of 45 to 55 feet.
It comes in a sturdy and corrosion-resistant packaging of stainless steel and does not leave any residue. Additionally, it doesn’t distort the operator’s visibility and comes with a 5 years warranty. However, it does not very travel friendly and does not come with a mounting bracket.
- Easy-to-follow set of instructions
- Rechargeable model
- Fast discharge time
- Covers maximum distance
- 5 years warranty
- ABC-rated
- Comes with a wall bracket
- Not easy to travel with
- Does not come with a mounting bracket
- Might cause vehicle damage because the container does not come with a padding
No products found.
4. First Alert FIAFESA5 Auto Fire Extinguisher
Being the top producers of Fire Extinguishers, our list is bound to include a model by First Alert. This automatic fire extinguisher is one of the best CO2 fire extinguishers for a car. It is very effective for category B and C fires and comes with a five years warranty. The best thing about FIAFESA5 is that it comes with a mounting bracket which makes it very easy to store and hang.
The features that make this extinguisher stand out from the rest is that it is very compact and lightweight at only 2.2 lbs. It is more like a mini fire extinguisher making it very easy to travel with. Additionally, children can also use it in times of emergencies because it is so light. The packaging is very durable. However, it is only suitable for one-time use and cannot be refilled.
Therefore, if you are looking for a lightweight product on-the-go, FIAFESA5 is the model to get.
- Compact and lightweight
- The perfect product to get for on-the-go
- Comes with a mounting bracket
- Suitable for both flammable liquids and electrical types of equipment
- 5 years warranty
- Can be safely used by kids
- For single use only
- Not suitable for heavy-duty work
- Smaller holding capacity
- Durable metal head designed to meet demanding needs.
- Corrosion resistant metal gauge easy-to-read color coded gauge provides accurate measurement.
- Metal pull pin with safety seal to help prevent accidental discharge and discourage tampering.
- Secure extinguisher mount, bracket and strap are included for secure placement of extinguisher.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Disclosure: We may get a commission from retail offers.
5. Amerex B417T Car Fire Extinguisher
Equipped with a 4.5 decades of experience, Amerex’s Vehicle Fire Extinguishers are some of the best on the market. Although it is a larger fire extinguisher, it is very effective out of all category fires with a dry chemical agent, Ammonium phosphate. With a pressure of 195 PSI, it is a fast discharge time of 10 seconds. The model is also rechargeable and will last you for a couple of years. The aluminium packaging is sturdy and corrosion-resistant.
The downsides to Amerex B417T are that it leaves residue behind and the pressure reduces over time. However, for the price, it comes that, this model is practically a steal.
- ABC-rated Fire Extinguisher
- The fast discharge time of 10 seconds
- Rechargeable
- Pressure reduce in the long run
- Not very travel friendly
- Does not come with a fire extinguisher hook
No products found.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
A few common questions that come to the user’s mind have been listed below.
A fire extinguisher is a vital aspect of safety precautions for driving. Even if you are not in any imminent danger, a car fire extinguisher may come in handy should an unfortunate situation arise.
The product which is propelled cuts off the oxygen supply of the fire and contains it.
The main extinguishing agents used in fire extinguisher are dry chemical, water, foam, wet chemical, halogenated materials and Carbon Dioxide.
Colour codes on the models stand for the extinguishing material used. Red stands for water, blue stands for dry powder, yellow is for foam while black stands for Carbon Dioxide, green stands for vaporizing liquids and yellow stands for wet chemicals.
It’s the heat you feel when sitting in front of a fireplace or around a campfire. Convection is the transfer of heat by the physical movement of hot masses of air.
DCP extinguishers are sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. DCP (Dry Chemical Powder) extinguishers put out fires by separating the fuel from the oxygen in the air. That prevents the fuel from burning and vaporizing which produces an inert atmosphere that allows the fire to be quenched.
The Fire Department recommends using a CO2 fire extinguisher in a confined space, as it displaces oxygen and can asphyxiate the operator and other users.
The most important fire fighting tool in your home is the dry powder extinguisher. It works by smothering a fire with an inert gas that creates a barrier between the fuel and oxygen. To use it, you’ll need to follow the label instructions, which tell you how to activate the extinguisher, when to use it and what type of fire to expect.
Aluminum powder is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. If moisture is present the hazard is greater. Use dry chemical extinguishers or smother with dry sand, dry clay or dry ground limestone. Do not use water, carbon dioxide, or halogenated extinguishing agents.
You may brush off the significance of a Car fire extinguisher but you will never know when you will have to use it.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. We have listed our top 5 recommendations on this list. Carefully go through the pros and cons of each model and choose one that will best cater to all your needs.
[…] dashcam is an essential tool for cars. It offers protection to the drivers with complete evidence for an insurance claim and police […]