We all hope to never have to use the fire extinguisher; but as our unit is 3 years old, I am wondering if anyone has replaced theirs.

Most businesses must have their extinguishers checked yearly, and I'm sure that doesn't apply for home or RV use... but what is the life expectancy of an extinguisher supplied with the RW?

Is this something that should be included in the 'preventative' list of things to do? (Annually, Bi-yearly, etc.)

Shelley,

Commercial DC fire extinguishers are inspected monthly, annually, 6-years & 12 yrs (at least in the marine environment). The monthly & visual are predominantly visual inspections to confirm they are not damaged, nor has somebody tampered with it. On the annual we also weighed them and gave them a good shake to loosen the powder. At 6-years they are opened, powder replaced and inspected internally. At 12-years they get hydro-statically tested.

In addition to the RW supplied extinguisher I also carry a commercial 5 lb ABC dry-chem. I plan to dispose of the RW supplied one after 6 years. However, I do give it a good shake to loosen the powder before we start a trip. The commercial one, I inspect annually, but will take it to a shop for the 6-year inspection.

The RV fire extinguishers are a one time use disposable type. They cannot be serviced or recharged, but they can be inspected for pressure, and First Alert (our Redwoods brand) says "weekly" for what its worth. It doesn't hurt to turn them over and thump them to loosen the powder either. Boat fire extinguishers are known to compact the powder bad because of the slamming on the water, so RVs probably get a lot of the same.

Personally, mine would get tossed at 12 years.

Fires are a big concern. You only have a few seconds to react. Make sure you replace your fire/smoke detector batteries regularly. And replace the LP sensors regularly.

We have the Redwood provided Fire Extinguisher by the front door (that might put out a cigarette), (1) 5-lb ABC in the Hall, and (2) 16 oz. FireAde's (1 on each side of the bed).

You can't be too careful. Play with fire and you'll probably get burned.

I recall researching the FireAde AFFF when purchasing foam systems. Therefore, I assume your 16 oz cans are also foam. If foam, it is good for Class A (solids), excellent on Class B (liquids), but I would only use foam on Class C (electrical) as a last resort. Might have been a few years ago, but I am also trained in the use of Fresh Water, Salt Water and Foam on electical fires up to 240 volts.

Just a quick word of caution, as not everyone should be getting bigger extinguishers.
A 5 lb or larger extinguisher may not be a good tool for untrained or inexperienced extinguisher users. Gives too many people a false sense of security, when they should be getting out. Seen way too many rookies get surrounded by fire when using an extinguisher poorly, especially when training with liquids.

I recall researching the FireAde AFFF when purchasing foam systems. Therefore, I assume your 16 oz cans are also foam. If foam, it is good for Class A (solids), excellent on Class B (liquids), but I would only use foam on Class C (electrical) as a last resort. Might have been a few years ago, but I am also trained in the use of Fresh Water, Salt Water and Foam on electical fires up to 240 volts.

Just a quick word of caution, as not everyone should be getting bigger extinguishers.
A 5 lb or larger extinguisher may not be a good tool for untrained or inexperienced extinguisher users. Gives too many people a false sense of security, when they should be getting out. Seen way too many rookies get surrounded by fire when using an extinguisher poorly, especially when training with liquids.

I can't argue with sound advice. Your right. The first thing to do is to get out.

I took it for granted that many would know how to use it properly but there is training that should be taken.

Personally, I am concerned with those tiny emergency windows. I surround myself with fire extinguishers around the house as I hope to buy enough time to help get others out of the RV first.

I've had a lot of training with these things over the years. I've also thought about buying a couple of those fire blankets to put beside the bed as well.

I may sound a little paranoid but all it takes is one...It's cheap insurance...

Thanks for stepping in.

When in the Coast Guard, was trained as a industrial fire fighter. That being said at 68 YO, the best advice taught was to get a 5 pounder and use it to knock out the window, "GET THE HELL OUT", forget about trying to fight the fire.

All powder style fire units, should be turned upside down and shaken once a month,
PERIOD.

I can say from personal experience, having a good fire extinguisher and the knowledge how to use it can avoid a terrible situation.

If it wasn't for the factory delivered fire extinguisher in our Redwood, we would not have our coach. Going down the road after a rather hard stop at a red light some cargo in the back of our truck shifted and pulled the break away cable. The emergency breaks activated in the Redwood but our F350 didn't complain and kept pulling.

The result was that the brakes in the Redwood over heated, burst a gasket and an grease fire started. Only because we had the fire extinguisher readily available was I able to mange the situation and not have a total loss.

I of course immediately replaced the spent extinguisher in the camper and am now figuring how to include a secondary extinguisher in the design when I rework the back seat of my TV. I also have secured the cargo in the back of the TV and changed the brake away cable to be the spring type that don't loop down into the cargo bed.

All I can say from personal experience is don't under estimate the importance of a fire extinguisher in the right place and available at the right (or perhaps wrong) time.

I also keep another 2 lb'r in the truck. There might not be enough time to grab one out of the RV.

Here is one report about RV fires:

http://www.rversonline.org/01ConfCCFire.html

It seems your chances of a fire are much greater in a motorhome...

"Fire in an RV is a terrifying thought. Perhaps that is why people tend to consider it one of those things that will only happen to the "other people". "Mac" McCoy should know. Before his retirement in 1999, he had been a paramedic, deputy sheriff and, most recently, the Oregon State Fire Service Training Coordinator. His class begins with a blaze -- he shows pictures of the complete devastation that the some 20,000 reported RV fires a year can cause. Last year, 80% of these fires were in motorhomes, with most of those being gas powered motorhomes. Often these were transmission fires. Mac stresses the need for a transmission heat indicator installed in your rig. 35% of RV fires are caused by 12 volt shorts. Check your extinguishers."

Here is another article. The numbers for 5th wheels show 6,000 fires a year. Anyway, it is interesting reading.

http://fifthwheelst.com/34_rv_fire_facts_that_can_save_your_life.html

I put a larger fire extinguisher in our basement shortly after buying our Redwood. Like most of the other comments regarding fires, most people will not use the emergency exits, rather they will go out the way they came in ( The Entry Door ). Since this a heavier one and I didn't want it on the floor of the basement I used a backer behind the felt wall to help support the bracket. I then cut a crutch to help from it moving around too much while towing, and added a velcro strap at the bottom to keep it from moving. I might not be able to get to it right away, but I look at it that I may help save someone elses rig if a campfire or outside kitchen fire should happen. It is in the basement so I would need the slam latch door key to get to it, but I do have one of those keys on me at all times.
Hope we never have to use it!

Chris
2012 36RL

Nice job!

Probably another good place.