There are three things that are mandatory attributes of a car. This includes a fire extinguisher, warning triangle and first aid kit. The article will focus on fire extinguishers, namely its two types: powder and carbon dioxide. If a car catches fire, you can also extinguish it with a water device, but it is not installed in cars, because at low temperatures it simply freezes. This means that it will simply be impossible to use it. So, let’s look at powder and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers – which is better, their purpose, and what are their characteristics.
Kinds
There are two types of car fire extinguishers, see below for more information.
- Powder. This type of fire extinguisher is highly effective along with the wide distribution of that same powder. Such devices are also called foam devices. During the collision, the powder turns into foam. One of the main disadvantages will be the residue remaining after the fire and combustion have been extinguished.
- Carbon dioxide. The devices last a long time, their properties do not change over time. There is carbon dioxide inside the cylinder, which easily weakens the flame and allows it to die out. There are most likely no disadvantages, but there is a chance of getting poisoned and even burned. Follow safety rules during operation.
Tips for choosing
The selection criteria below will help you choose a quality device for your car.
- View. The powder fire extinguisher remains the most popular; it eliminates the possibility of a fire reoccurring, since the powder flies out under pressure and covers the fireplace, cutting off access to oxygen. It fights small fires well, but it will be difficult to wipe off the surface. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher sprays carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide. It cools the fire by eliminating its source. There are also aerosol fire extinguishers, however, their efficiency is low, and therefore it is better to replace the budget option with a more expensive but reliable one.
- Appearance. The device body must be intact, without dents, damage or burrs.
- Availability of a certificate. When purchasing new equipment for your car, be sure to check for a certificate. Without it, the fire extinguisher is not considered suitable for use.
- The fire extinguisher must be effective in dealing with fires of classes A, B, E. We are talking about solid and liquid flammable substances, as well as live electrical equipment.
- You should take into account the nuances of the conditions in which the car fire extinguisher will be used. It is important to study the operating temperature range, since efficiency depends on its value (more is better).
- Expiration dates. As you stay in the car, the filled container gradually loses its initial pressure. At the same time, the properties of the mixture intended for extinguishing fires deteriorate. Information about expiration dates, checks, refueling and recharging is applied directly to the container. It is important to ensure that all deadlines correspond to current dates.
- Capacity volume. If a motorist operates a passenger car, then the volume of the fire extinguisher should be 2 liters. For trucks, the volume rule is 5 liters.
Basic requirements for fire extinguishers
Now it is worth noting the basic requirements for such devices.
- Firstly, the devices comply with current GOSTs (R51057-2001. NPB 155-2002). Mass and volume 2 and 5 (in appropriate units) for cars and trucks, respectively.
- Secondly, an active cylinder with an unexpired expiration date. As a final point, we noted the presence of markings on the body itself.
Orion
A self-contained contact device, also called a "fire grenade". It is distinguished by its relatively low price and extremely compact size. Used to extinguish all fires that may occur in a car.
Contact fire extinguisher "Orion" in the rating of automobile fire extinguishers
The response time upon contact with open flame is 3 seconds. Weight – only 1.25 kg. In appearance, the fire extinguisher is a cube with sides of 13 cm. And the principle of its operation is noticeably different from other models - instead of pressing a lever and directing the bell towards the source of fire, the Orion must be thrown into the fire. The micro-explosion will scatter the powder particles and prevent the spread of the flame.
Main advantages of the device:
- extinguishing all types of fires that a driver may encounter and no restrictions for extinguishing Class A fires (solids);
- very easy to use;
- affordable price - up to 2 thousand rubles;
- compactness and minimal weight for a fire extinguisher.
A few important disadvantages:
- not very great fire extinguishing capabilities;
- low price ratio to the size of the fire that a fire extinguisher can handle.
Rating TOP 7 best fire extinguishers for cars
The following models made it to the TOP:
- OU-3;
- OU-2;
- OP-2(Z)-ABCE;
- OP-2;
- OP-4(Z)-ABCE;
- OP-2 (z);
- OP-2 (plastic).
It's time to take a closer look at them.
OU-3
from 1699 to 1899 rub.
7th place 4.1/5
This fire extinguisher is carbon dioxide, which means it is not capable of extinguishing alkali and alkaline earth metals, but otherwise it does an excellent job. The total volume will be 4.3 liters, meaning it's probably wise to keep a fire extinguisher in your truck, just in case. The cost is relatively high, but what can you do for your own safety?
| Fire extinguishing ability | 34B |
| Life time | 7 years |
| Alkaline earth extinguishing | No |
- volume 4.3 liters;
- high warranty (7 years);
- charge weight up to 3 kilograms;
- working pressure (MPa) 5.8.
- no deficiencies found.
fire extinguisher OU-3
A very good option for a car fire extinguisher, but I personally bought it for the kitchen, I work as a chef, and I decided, so to speak, to carefully monitor the process of establishing safety. I think this option would be great for truck drivers.
OU-2
from 1299 to 1499 rub.
6th place 4.3/5
This carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is designed taking into account all the optimal requirements for this type of device. The operating pressure is (MPa) 5.8, and the storage temperature range is as much as 90 degrees (- 40 +50). The device has an adequate price and a long warranty of seven years.
| Fire extinguishing ability | 21B |
| Life time | 7 years |
| Alkaline earth extinguishing | No |
- high warranty (7 years);
- storage conditions (from -40 to +50 degrees Celsius);
- charge weight up to 2 kilograms;
- working pressure (MPa) 5.8.
- no deficiencies found.
fire extinguisher OU-2
An excellent option for car drivers. A fire extinguisher, of course, does not ensure your safety and security, but it provides a kind of guarantee in case of emergency.
OP-2(Z)-ABCE
from 799 to 999 rub.
5th place 4.5/5
This powder fire extinguisher is designed to extinguish fires of classes A, B, C, E. The duration of supply of the fire extinguishing agent will be at least 6 seconds. Along with a volume of 2.5 liters, you can charge a substance weighing no more than 2 kilograms, which is the optimal indicator.
| Volume | 2500 ml |
| Charge mass | 2 kg |
| Alkaline earth extinguishing | Yes |
- duration of supply of the substance is from 6 seconds;
- charge two kilograms;
- high-quality powder "Vekson ABC-25".
- no deficiencies found.
fire extinguisher OP-2(Z)-ABCE
Perfect for drivers of passenger cars due to its optimal charge and volume of 2.5 liters. The high-quality powder is charged inside, and the model itself is reasonably priced.
OP-2
from 500 to 689 rub.
4th place 4.6/5
Foam fire extinguisher with a jet of at least two meters. Developed and produced on the territory of the Russian Federation. The total mass of the charge is two kilograms. Now let's move on to professional values: for class B - 21 V, for class A - 0.7 A. A high-quality device used by many drivers.
| Jet length | 2 meters |
| Charge mass | 2 kg |
| Manufacturer | Russia |
- long jet (2 meters);
- charge two kilograms;
- extinguishing class A, B, C, E fires.
- no deficiencies found.
fire extinguisher OP-2
A friend bought himself a few months ago because the old one had run out, or rather the expiration date had expired. I decided to change it for myself too, the reviews are positive and popular in Russia.
OP-4(Z)-ABCE MIG
from 800 to 999 rub.
3rd place 4.7/5
A powder device designed to extinguish various types of fires and fires of classes A, B, C, E. Having a volume of five liters, the device is widely used in ensuring the safety of truck drivers. The operating pressure in the fire extinguisher body will be 1.5 MPa with a temperature of 20˚C.
| Model outbreak rank | 2A 55V C E |
| Charge mass | 4 kg |
| Manufacturer | Russia |
- high-quality powder “Vekson ABC-25”;
- charge of four kilograms;
- extinguishing fires of classes A, B, C, E.
- no deficiencies found.
fire extinguisher OP-4(Z)-ABCE MIG
A very heavy fire extinguisher, its own weight is as much as 6.3 kilograms. Very wide range of usable temperatures -50…+50 °C. In general, the device is working, the warranty is normal, I am completely satisfied.
OP-2 (z)
from 599 to 780 rub.
2nd place 4.8/5
The best option for a fire extinguisher at an adequate cost. The ejection length of the device is as much as 3 meters, and the maximum charge is two kilograms. The operating pressure range ranges from 1.17 to 1.57 MPa. Compact dimensions of 340x140x130 mm make it easy to store the device in the right place in a small car.
| Release up to | 3 meters |
| Volume | 2 liters |
| Manufacturer | Russia |
- dimensions 340x140x130 mm;
- throw length up to 3 m;
- extinguishing fires of classes A, B, C, E.
- no deficiencies found.
fire extinguisher OP-2 (z)
The small price tag attracts first of all, and then the characteristics and other data. But if compared with other models, then most likely this cylinder will win.
OP-2 (plastic)
from 199 to 250 rub.
1 place 4.9/5
The most compact and cheapest version of a car fire extinguisher with a volume of two liters. The cylinder itself is placed in a cardboard package, and the main areas of application and capabilities are written on it. The device is a powder (foam) fire extinguisher.
| Best before date | 5 years |
| Volume | 2 liters |
| Manufacturer | Russia |
- small body (compact);
- service life up to 5 years;
- extinguishing fires of classes A, B, C, E.
- no deficiencies found.
fire extinguisher OP-2
I bought it for my car, the old one had expired. I can’t say anything bad, it doesn’t take up much space. The price is reasonable. It is stated that it will serve for 5 years if there is no emergency. I advise you to buy it.
Powder
The price of powder fire extinguisher is the lowest. That is why this type is the most common today. It consists of a body that contains a special powder and a small amount of carbon dioxide, which is in a compressed state. In the process of pressing the lever of a powder fire extinguisher, the powder under pressure passes through a special cartridge and exits through the nozzle.
It is recommended to use when extinguishing flammable liquids, such as gasoline or diesel fuel. In addition, it perfectly fights ignition resulting from a short circuit. This makes it a universal device that is quite cheap. You will not have any problems passing the technical inspection.
The main disadvantage of a powder fire extinguisher is that its composition causes metal corrosion. Shortly after its use, you need to thoroughly clean the burnt surface from traces of powder, which is also quite problematic.
Comparison table of the presented models
Let's compare the presented models.
| Model | Volume (liters) | Working pressure (MPa) | Jet length (meters) | Duration of substance supply (at least *second) |
| OU-3 | 4,3 | 5,8 | 2 | — |
| OU-2 | 2,9 | 5,8 | 2 | — |
| OP-2(Z)-ABCE | 2,5 | 1,5 | 2 | 6 |
| OP-2 | 2 | 1,5 | 2 | — |
| OP-4(Z)-ABCE | 5 | 1,5 | 3 | 10 |
| OP-2 (z) | 2 | 1,57 | 2 | 6 |
| OP-2 (plastic) | 2 | — | — | — |
Summing up and making recommendations
Based on the results of the review of the features of the most popular car fire extinguishers in 2021, certain recommendations can be made. So, if the main selection criterion is compactness and ease of use, the Strazhnik-3 model can be an excellent purchase. The most profitable option is the Melanti OP-8 fire extinguisher, which has a decent volume at an affordable price. And the Orion model will cope perfectly with a small fire inside a car, and it can work both when thrown into the fire, and automatically, upon contact with the flame.
How to use it correctly
Initially, do not forget about the check or valve that your cylinder is equipped with. Once ready for use, point the nozzle clearly at the source of the fire and adjacent areas of the fire. It is worth taking into account the weather conditions, they will be favorable and not so favorable. When extinguishing the flame, there is no need to rush; the fire should be completely extinguished. Use the fire extinguishing devices you have. Use them simultaneously.
We recommend wearing gloves when using a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. And carefully check the expiration date of the device, otherwise it is unlikely to help at the right time. We're done with the rules.
Technical features
On topic: powder fire extinguisher and carbon dioxide fire extinguisher - the difference, there are also technical differences. This mainly concerns the nozzle from which the fire extinguishing agent must fly out to extinguish the fire.
In the powder type, it is a small plastic pipe, which cannot be called a nozzle for a fire extinguishing agent. Often, young traffic police inspectors, when conducting a vehicle inspection, without noticing it, issue warnings to drivers for not carrying a fire extinguisher. This is what devices specifically for cars look like. OP fire extinguishers for premises are equipped with a hose and a plastic socket of sufficiently large sizes. There is simply not enough space in the car interior, so manufacturers are trying to offer compact devices.
For the carbon dioxide type, this is a hose and nozzle or a short metal pipe and pipe.
Powder fire extinguisher with small nozzle
