Fire. When it gets too hot in the shed

Auto Motor Klassiek » Articles » Fire. When it gets too hot in the shed
Not 600 cc, but two liters of spray foam
Purchasing classics there

A observant reader reported that in the past, people did not just tinker, but mainly driving. But within the circle of acquaintances there are still quite a few people who enjoy their classics in the various sheds and garages during these gray days.

And friend Freek reported yesterday that he had had an inner fire and that he had put it out. He was therefore genuinely desperate. Because he had used a powder extinguisher. Extinguishing powder is salty and hygroscopic. Freek was gloomy: "Actually, I should have let the case burn out."

So extinguishing powder extinguishes well, but is deadly for electronics, electricity and bare metal surfaces. We once called fellow villager Jeffrey Sӧser. Jeffrey is a friendly craftsman and runs a company specialized in fire prevention and fighting. He seemed like the man to reconsider.

Extinguishing powder is a disaster, BCF is no longer allowed

One thing is clear. The other thing is that the miracle extinguishing agent - fast, clean and without consequential damage - should no longer be used because it apparently gnaws holes in the ozone layer. What then remains if suitable extinguishing agents for us and what does that cost? That was not that bad.

If we consider that our extinguishing campaigns are small-scale - the fire usually starts where we are - then we do not have to invest in very professional extinguishing agents as they use in the petrochemical and offshore industries. What the possibilities are?

Firstly, fire extinguishers present on a hobby do not have to be inspected annually.

Spray extinguishers

One thing the size of a large aerosol can. It contains about 600 cc of extinguishing agent. This extinguishing agent is aqueous and suitable for burning solids, liquids and it causes minimal collateral damage due to the spray mist formed. The price of such a spraycan is approximately € 20 and the devices are guaranteed for three years. So after three years you will be under the roof for another three years for the same amount. Etcetera…

Foam extinguishers

Those are the big brothers of spray extinguishers. They are often not or only partially frost-free.

CO2 fire extinguishers

CO2 is an extinguishing gas. It is of limited suitability for extinguishing smoldering solids, and it extinguishes without residue. Provide ventilation after extinguishing. CO2 is an oxygen repeller, although the low outflow temperature due to the liquid CO2 from the liquid to gas phase may also help a little in extinguishing. Fire and people cannot do without oxygen. Hence, ventilation afterwards.

Fire blankets

It couldn't be simpler. With a fire blanket you can close the fire from oxygen supply. That is also a completely clean, but somewhat limited approach for our hobby. But fire blankets have a big advantage: If you wrap them around a fired keyman (first around the neck to limit facial damage) then you can prevent a lot of suffering. A blanket of approximately 2 x 2 m is best for this.

An offer

Jeffrey has special for Auto Motor Klassiek readers made a few offers including tax and shipping. We have no further involvement in this, but would advise: Take advantage of this. And hope the stuff is never needed.

But, if you are not working during the holidays, just put such an extinguishing agent at home. At least: if you burn real candles instead of an LED fake of the Action.

Jeffrey's offer (incl.VAT and shipping):

  • 2L Foam extinguisher. Not frost-free / incl. Wall bracket. Suitable for use on electrical installations up to 1000V at a distance of at least 1 meter: € 32,95
  • Spray extinguisher and hanging bracket. Not frost-free. Suitable for use on electrical installations up to 1000V at a distance of at least 1 meter: € 26,50
  • Fire blanket 1,0 x 1,0. Not suitable for deep frying fires: € 22,50
  • Fire blanket 1,2 x 1,2. Not suitable for deep frying fires: € 24,50
  • Fire blanket 1,2 x 1,8. Not suitable for deep frying fires: € 26,50
  • Fire blanket 1,8 x 1,8. Not suitable for deep frying fires: € 32,50
  • Oh yes: A 2 kg CO2 extinguisher including VAT and shipping costs: € 54,50.

You can place your order via info@soser.nl, www.soser.nl

A spray extinguisher with bracket
Not 600 cc, but two liters of spray foam
An old CO2 extinguisher
A fire blanket can be used as protection during welding or grinding and save human lives.

* CO2 has an outlet temperature of -60 degrees Celsius. As a result, you can also use such a CO2 extinguisher to shrink cylinder liners, for example. There is a risk that you will be left with an empty extinguisher if a fire breaks out.

 

 

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10 comments

  1. Useful article! As far as we are concerned, there are still a few points:
    provide a pair of fire blankets (2 × 2m for people and 1x1m for starting fires) I also use the small ones as a grinding and welding blanket (with 2 or three you can quickly make a 'welding or grinding angle', those of the Action are cheap and fine!).
    As far as extinguishers are concerned, I use a Co2 extinguisher and a SPRAY FOAM extinguisher. The difference between the foam extinguisher (now less often used) and the spray foam extinguisher is the spray head, the extinguishing agent is identical (94% water and 6% foaming agent). The most important difference for use is that with a spray foam extinguisher you can spray on live objects due to the interrupted jet and with the foam extinguisher NOT (you get a very special haircut….).
    The halon extinguisher was a top thing, but should no longer be used professionally.
    CO2 extinguisher and the spray foam extinguisher (soap suds) cause no or minimal residual damage in contrast to the powder extinguisher (sodium bicarbonate, say stomach salt), which causes a lot of residual damage and is not even easy to suck up. Also not good for your lungs! Does have a very good extinguishing capacity, well suited for car fires.
    You do not extinguish solids with the CO2 extinguisher. You can get rid of the flame due to the oxygen thinning, but the fire will just start again. So the flame away and immediately cover with a lid or fire blankets. You can extinguish solids with (spray) foam, but a 6kg extinguisher is empty well within 10 seconds. With the CO2 extinguisher, keep in mind the low temperature when leaving the spray tube (you write -60 °, but nmm it is more likely to go towards -80 °…) so do not aim at people (certainly not on the face). A bucket of soapy water is also a good extinguishing agent!
    It is actually better to prevent fires: no open oil basins and no heaps of greasy rags in a corner where welding and grinding splashes can cause insidious smoldering fires, just waiting for you to close the door behind you unsuspectingly….

  2. Be careful though.
    If your hobby is suddenly commercial, or you hobby in a company shed, eg the farmer or grower who hobbies in the evening, then various extinguishing agents should be inspected annually and refilled every 10 years.
    And often there is a minimum weight attached to the extinguisher.
    Even if it is a hobby or a hobby corner, it is in a business space.

    Only once had an employee of RIjnland visited the floor who did not appreciate the fact that the skull stickers etc. were still on the old (so no longer in use as such) pesticide cabinet.

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