Caravan Fire Extinguishers

What is The Best Carvan Fire Extinguisher?

Caravan, camper van and motorhome fire extinguishers can be a lifesaver – but how do you know what sort of extinguisher to use in what situation? Sometimes, traditional fire-fighting techniques such as using water can actually make a blaze worse, we have a comprehensive guide on which fire extinguishers are best to use for different types of fire. There are several common types of caravan fire. This is what we recommend you need to deal with them.

• Cooking fires – a foam fire extinguisher such as our Compact Foam Fire Extinguisher will tackle most caravan cooking fires effectively. However, it’s dangerous to use this on chip pan or fat pan fires. Always have a Fire Blanket handy to deal with those – or don’t do that type of cooking indoors.


• Electrical fires – using a dry powder extinguisher is essential for this type of fire because water conducts electricity and could result in you getting a dangerous electric shock. The Seton ABC Powder Fire Extinguisher is ideal for this type of situation.


• Smoke or heat build-up – often fires like this occur because caravan vents have been blocked or pressurised containers (such as deodorant bottles) have been left too close to heaters. Any type of extinguisher will do. You should point it low down at the base of the flames.

If you can’t put out a fire quickly, we recommend getting everyone out of the caravan. Keep a good distance from it and call for help. Cheshire fire & safety service has further tips for dealing with caravan fires.

How to camp safely

To stay safe, you should check and clean your cooker regularly. Never use butane or propane-powered stoves indoors. Make sure you turn your cooker off whenever you step outside. Keep a small fire extinguisher close beside it so you can act quickly if a blaze develops. Use a fire blanket in the event of a chip or fat pan fire and a Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher or Foam Fire Extinguisher for other types of indoor cooking fire.

Another common cause of setting a caravan on fire is heat or sparks from outdoor BBQ cooking. If you’re doing this, follow the advice of the Fire Service. Make sure your equipment is in good order and use no more charcoal than you need. Set the barbecue up at least two metres away from your caravan and any shrubs or trees. Have a compact fire extinguisher on hand in case of accident.

Electrical faults can happen in caravans just as they can in a house, but because a caravan is smaller, they’re often more dangerous. In this situation, the Seton ABC Powder Fire Extinguisher is the ideal solution. Get your caravan’s wiring checked annually and fit smoke alarms. Make sure that everyone staying there knows how to get out in an emergency. See our full range of Fire Extinguisher Accessories and Equipment for all of your extinguisher display and storage needs.

FAQs

Why are there so many different types of fire extinguishers?

Not all fires are the same. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can make a fire worse. For instance, if you use a water fire extinguisher or a dry powder extinguisher on a fire involving hot fat, such as a chip pan, the fat could spit and hurt you. If you use a water fire extinguisher on an electrical fire, it will conduct electricity and make the fire bigger. Extinguishers are colour coded so you can see what type they are at a glance. Check the band at the top: plain red for water, blue for dry powder, cream for foam, or yellow for wet chemical. A black band indicates a carbon dioxide extinguisher, which should not be used in a confined space like a caravan.

What’s the best sort of fire extinguisher to buy for my caravan?

No one type of fire extinguisher can be used on everything. A chemical powder extinguisher such as a Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher will be a good all-rounder, but can’t be used safely on fires involving hot fat. For this reason, you should also have a wet chemical fire extinguisher in your caravan, along with a fire blanket to smother flames. The Seton AFFF Fire Extinguisher is a good choice and can also be used for putting out fires caused by naked flames or dropped cigarettes.

How long should it take to put out a fire?

If you are using the right type of fire extinguisher, it should never take more than ten seconds to put out a caravan fire or mobile home fire. If it’s taking longer than that, give up and get out. Your life is more important than your caravan. Make sure that you never let the fire get between you and the door or emergency exit. When a fire spreads rapidly, a fire extinguisher can create a safe path for you and your family to escape. Once you’re out, stay at least six metres away from the caravan until fire service professionals have arrived and made it safe.

Are fire extinguishers dangerous to children?

The contents of fire extinguishers are designed to be as safe as possible, but that doesn’t mean they can’t cause harm. If possible, make sure that your caravan fire extinguishers are within easy reach for you but out of reach of small children. In a caravan there’s not much room for fumes to disperse, which can be a problem. Anyone who feels dizzy or has a headache after one has been used should see a doctor. If children eat or breathe in material from a fire extinguisher, they should be taken to hospital straight away.

Do I need to replace old fire extinguishers?

Fire extinguishers don’t stay in working order forever. They should be serviced every year by a BAFE SP101 certified specialist. They should also be serviced after use, even if you haven’t used them for very long. This is especially important with compact fire extinguishers, which can empty quickly. If you find it easier just to replace them, make sure that you get your old extinguishers collected and disposed of safely.