Hangar fire extinguisher size and type recommendations?

scard · #1 02-23-2007, 09:52 AM

I'm preparing to setup my hangar and figure that the most appropriate first "tool" should be a big expensive fire extinguisher. I've searched the archives and most of the conversation is about small units in the plane. I'm interested in recommendations as to size, type, and availability (source) of fire extinguishers to keep in the hangar. I understand Halon is probably best to keep from doing more damage with the extinguisher than a very small fire.

Low Pass · #2 02-23-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scard

I'm preparing to setup my hangar and figure that the most appropriate first "tool" should be a big expensive fire extinguisher. I've searched the archives and most of the conversation is about small units in the plane. I'm interested in recommendations as to size, type, and availability (source) of fire extinguishers to keep in the hangar. I understand Halon is probably best to keep from doing more damage with the extinguisher than a very small fire.

Well, we've got 5 in the hangar - counting the two Halon in the planes. The ones that stay in the hangar are one 20-lb CO2 on a little wheeled cart and two 5-lb dry chem (BC) types. If there's a problem, I'm going for the CO2 first. That dry chem makes a horrible mess. But it satisfies the landlord (City of Houston).

Ironflight · #3 02-23-2007, 10:50 AM

Scott,

I agree 100% that the best thing to have in the airplane is Halon, but it can be a bit pricey in larger sizes. For a hangar environment, I agree with Bryan that CO2 is the way to go - much more readily available for refill, and it does a good job of extinguishment and cooling. Also as mentioned, stay away from dry chem - yeah, it'll put out the fire - then you can just walk away from the whole mess and start over!

As a firefighter, for small fires in vehicles, I always grab a CO2 first. If I don't get it done with that, I'm probably going for hose - and I hope everyone else is headed for the door!

Paul

rv6ejguy · #4 02-23-2007, 10:52 AM

I've got two 10 lb. CO2 and one 20lb. CO2 in my hangar. Dry chem- scary around aircraft or people. You may be sorry if something starts on fire and you just have one 5 pounder on the wall.

Davepar · #5 02-23-2007, 12:20 PM

I was just down at Sears yesterday planning on picking up a CO2 extinguisher. They only had a couple of small units, and nowhere on the packaging did it say the type. I assumed they were dry chem and moved on. Does Lowes/HD have CO2 extinguishers? First engine start will be soon, and I want to be prepared.

Low Pass · #6 02-23-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davepar

I was just down at Sears yesterday planning on picking up a CO2 extinguisher. They only had a couple of small units, and nowhere on the packaging did it say the type. I assumed they were dry chem and moved on. Does Lowes/HD have CO2 extinguishers? First engine start will be soon, and I want to be prepared.

I've got two. One was a second-hand but servicable unit from an industrial fire extinguisher shop. Second, sitting in my garage, was give away from a swap-out at a petrochem plant where I was once employed. I know of no Lowes/HD/Ace that will sell the larger CO2. Grainger has them. But beware of shipping problems. If you don't pick it up, they may have to ship it by a super-whammy hazardous materials delivery service. Had that problem with one of the dry chems I bought from them.

scard · #7 02-23-2007, 03:03 PM

I just got done calling around here in Austin and found an industrial fire extinguisher shop and got the following quotes (available for pickup):
CO2
- 10# is $195
- 15# is $238
- 20# is $265

They didn't sound like they wanted to sell Halon (phased out in '97), but gave me a couple of quotes on small Halotron (whatever that is):
2.5# is $108
5# is $304

RV6_flyer · #8 02-23-2007, 03:18 PM

I see lots of people recommending CO2 fire extinguishers. I had a pilot freind that is the local fire department Captain recommend Purple K for use in the hangar.

Google 'Purple K fire extinguisher' I came up with:
http://www.illinoisfire.com/commercial.shtml

I use to have a hangar at another airport and the guy next to me had a Cessna C140. He once had the cowl open in flight and told the tower that he was coming back because of it. The tower rolled the airport fire truck. When my friend stopped the airplane, the fire department hit the engine with the CO2 fire extinguisher and cracked the heads.

Ironflight · #9 02-23-2007, 03:47 PM

Yes Gary, Purple K does the job - but that is the standard dry-chem extinguishant. It will certainly save you from the fire, but is quite corrosive and almost impossible to get cleaned up. As a firefighter, I always try and think beyond the fire itself - life preservation is always first, but if I can accomplish that AND save the property for future use, I'll try and do that.

And yup, if you hit a hot engine too directly with CO2, you can cool it to fast - but you don't have to get that close to use it properly. You want a blanket of gas cutting off the O2 to the fire - some folks get a little to enthusiastic and try to freeze the fire!

Paul

Marc DeGirolamo · #10 02-23-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scard

I just got done calling around here in Austin and found an industrial fire extinguisher shop and got the following quotes (available for pickup):
CO2
- 10# is $195
- 15# is $238
- 20# is $265

They didn't sound like they wanted to sell Halon (phased out in '97), but gave me a couple of quotes on small Halotron (whatever that is):
2.5# is $108
5# is $304

Halotron is what I have in my plane. It is the enviromently friendly replacement gas for Halon....you and I would never know the difference, but ole Mother nature knows !

Interestingly you can still get Halon extinguishers filled....until the supply runs out that is.....and the cost is a lot more.