A firefighter friend of mine who's also a model railroader and I were discussing the current Trains of Thought, specifically the recommendation going with an A-rated pressurized water fire extinguisher. My friend told me it would be better to go with an ABC fire extinguisher, which I ultimately opted for. With all the solvents and paints on ones workbench, it seems to me that a train room has the potential for a lot of C fires (burning liquids and oils). What do you guys think?
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
You should already have a fire extinguisher in your house already, and I think those are ABCs. Definitally would hurt to buy another ABC for your train room. If you are really worried about fires buy two or three different ones.
A C-rated only extinguisher is sort of specialized. They are handy where the potential quantity of burning liquids might be substantial. In the usual quantities used in the hobby, you should be fine with an ABC-rated.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
ADC is the best way to go..
Here's another tip for those that may not know..After amount of time the extinguisher looses it pressure and will need to be recharged..Check you extinguisher every month-it just takes a 5 second look at the pressure gage.
I usually recharge mine when the needle enters the yellow zone on the pressure gage.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE ADC is the best way to go.. Here's another tip for those that may not know..After amount of time the extinguisher looses it pressure and will need to be recharged..Check you extinguisher every month-it just takes a 5 second look at the pressure gage. I usually recharge mine when the needle enters the yellow zone on the pressure gage.
Also shake the extinguisher and hit the bottom every so often to prevent the foam from clumping up on the bottom.
A = Burning Solids, such as wood, paper cloth etc.
B = Burning Liquids such as oil gas etc.
C = Electrical Fire
D = Burning Metal such as Sulfur , magnesium etc.
E = Nuclear such as Chernobyl or even some medical waste in your local hospital.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
You can also,take it to your Local Fire Department and have it checked free, they will also tell you where you may take it to have it recharged,if need be.
Cheers,
Frank
BroadwayLion A = Burning Solids, such as wood, paper cloth etc. B = Burning Liquids such as oil gas etc. C = Electrical Fire D = Burning Metal such as Sulfur , magnesium etc. E = Nuclear such as Chernobyl or even some medical waste in your local hospital. ROAR
A sh- burning material forms an ash
B arrel- whe burning substance typically comes in some form of barrel, such as liquid, and
C urrent- the material is electrified...
Hope this helps a bit more, well covered already.
Happy RR'ing!
Duane
And while we are on the topic of fire safety don't forget to place a smoke detector in or near your train room. Change the battery every six months. Spring and fall when daylight savings time changes is a good way to remember.
Randy
Former Fire /EMS Chief
The Cedar Branch & Western--The Hillbilly Line!
Another precaution I take is to plug my workbench light into a power strip, and soldering iron into same. When I leave the room and it's lights out, I can't accidentally leave the soldering iron on. Dan
Make sure you don't have exposed wire that could come into contact with another exposed wire and create a spark. And make sure you don't put/leave the soldering iron near anything flammable (best place to solder is over a metal sheet if you can, it wouldn't catch on fire).
Having had a house fire at night, while i was sleeping and having to crawl out of a window in my underwear and socks ONLY in the middle of February, and going to be treated for smoke inhalation at the hospital, I am firmly aware of fire safety.
We have several fire extiguishers in our house. All ABCs. One in the master bedroom for our safety, one near the furnace {we live in a trailer it is on the same floor with us}, one in the kitchen, and one in the train room. Probably should have on in every room. We replace them every 5 years.
Same with fire detectors, we actually have 3. Actually they should be replaced every 5-7 years too. READ the instructions, the "replace by" date isn't there to make you buy a new one,it is to ensure your safety as they DO "wear out".
I actually did not hear mine, or it never went off the night of the fire. I was lucky to wake up to the loud crackling noises. TG the Bedroom door was closed as I had a room mate and I kept it closed for privacy-it gave me more time to survive [who had spent the night at his GFs, or else he would have "been toast" as he said it.].
DON'T FORGET a CO2 Monitor either!!
Change your batteries every time you change the clocks, OR every six months,the 1st of January and the fourth of July work well as reminders for those in the USA!
Fire safety is often a matter of common sense...USE it!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Also remember the most important room to have a fire extiiguishers is the kitchen (for grease fires, unless you want to use water, and have a bigger problem), second would be in your bedroom (for you safety), and third the train room (electricity can generate fires). Make sure there is at least one on every floor, and it never hurts to buy more (within reason), it is like insurance only better, plus it can save your life. Also if you ever smell smoke after turning electricity on, shut off the power, and always shut off power if you are leaving a house for an extended period (like a week or more, also lowers you electric bill), one time my parents had a hole in the siding that caused water to leak in and corrode the fuse box, it would have burned down the house if they didn't shut the power off for the winter (it is a vacation house) and then shut the power off after they smelled smoke shortly after turning on the power. If in doubt, call an electrician.
Remember, Fires are a very real danger, try to prevent them. Also remember this saying "Hope for the Best, Prepare for the worst"!