Choosing a car fire extinguisher

Among many motorists there is an opinion that the car fire extinguisher should be present in the car solely because it is written in the rules of the road. Based on these considerations, a large number of motorists recall the need to buy or refill it only on the eve of a technical inspection. This is a very wrong approach, which can have dire consequences, since the vehicle is among the sources of increased fire danger. Think for yourself, the process of constant fuel burning takes place a meter away from you! Therefore, the prescribed duty of the driver to have a fire extinguisher in the car will only serve the benefit.

Choose a car fire extinguisher for your four-wheeled friend is not very simple, because now the market offers a fairly extensive range of them. Each of the specimens is characterized by certain advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the type, they are all divided into three large classes, which will be discussed separately later. So, car fire extinguishers are air-foam, powder and carbon dioxide.

Air-foam fire extinguishers in the people are still known as aerosol. This name is determined in many ways by their design and principle of operation, which are similar to a can. Such an automobile fire extinguisher serves to eliminate the source of fire and releases a jet of foam from its socket. Such quenching would be very effective, if not for one "but", which is its volume, ranging from 1 to 3 liters. Proceeding from this, the usual kit is unlikely to be enough to eliminate a serious fire.

Powder car fire extinguishers differ slightly in the best characteristics in comparison with the previous type. To extinguish the fire there is a special mixture that simply flies out of the neck under high pressure. After the surface of the car is covered with this powder, access to oxygen is interrupted to the fire, without which it can not burn. But this method also has a serious drawback. The fact is that after the end of quenching the powder forms a kind of hard crust on the surface of the machine, which is very difficult to tear off.

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are considered the most effective and reliable among all. The process of extinguishing a fire in the case of them occurs due to carbon dioxide, which is supplied by a powerful jet. The flame is knocked down, and the ignited surfaces are cooled. Using this kind, do not forget that there is a very large pressure inside the cylinder, therefore its operation and storage must be accompanied by certain limitations.

Finally, I would like to note that each of the varieties has disadvantages and advantages. When choosing a car fire extinguisher, one must not forget that this thing can save not only your vehicle, but life as well. Follow the precautions for storage indicated on the label and be sure to secure it and easy access to this extinguishing agent.