The importance of carrying fire extinguishers in industrial vehicles

Having best fire extinguisher for car should not be an issue to consider after the occurrence of an accident or an incident that can cause fatalities. It must be a responsible and consistent decision with the safety not only of the drivers and passengers of the fleet of industrial vehicles , but of other drivers and passers-by on the road.

There are several aspects to take into account when equipping the units that make up a fleet of industrial vehicles with fire extinguishers: the number of fire extinguishers - according to use -, the type of fire extinguisher, the shape and the situations of use of these accessories.

Why use fire extinguishers in industrial vehicles?

The reasons are several. But let's start with the most basic: because like the seat belt, the headrest, the rear-view mirrors, the extinguisher is a mandatory safety element in all types of cars, but, with greater reason, in a fleet of industrial vehicles that, due to their function,may eventually transport flammable chemicals or fuels.

Vehicle fire can occur for several reasons. However, the most common cause is associated with mechanical or electrical problems.Therefore, ensuring the timely and professional maintenance of industrial vehicles, in addition to being a necessity, is a measure that contributes to reducing the risk of fire.

A fire extinguisher is a product designed to do a specific job. It is an essential element to guarantee the safety of any car, be it industrial, family, sports

In the case of industrial vehicles, taking into account that it is a work asset for a company, the extinguisher allows to extinguish the fire or mitigate its impact, preventing the destruction of the vehicle or minimizing the consequences of the fire.

A curiosity: Did you know that vehicles built after 2005,produce bigger fires, and reach higher temperatures, compared to the models produced in the 20th century?

Well, the reason is very simple: the oldest cars - 20 years ago - were built with metal bodies, so, at the time of a fire, the textile of the chairs, and, of course, the fuel , were the only potentially flammable elements.

In automobiles and vehicles built during this century,highly flammable plastics and resins are used in 100 percent of car construction, including the dashboard, roof, bodywork, and even bumpers.Although this helps to reduce the weight of the car and, consequently, its efficiency, it significantly increases the risk of fire and the speed with which the fire spreads.

Different types of fire extinguishers

Basically we can find three types of extinguishers for industrial vehicles on the market. They are identified with the letters A, B,and C, according to the material that causes the combustion as follows:

How to proceed in case of fire in industrial vehicles?

Staying calm is the first recommendation. But it is also important to have the fire extinguisher on hand. It doesn't seem like a good idea to keep it in the trunk, under the spare tire.

But it is useless to have the fire extinguisher on hand and keep all the calm in the world if the device does not work or is not discharged. As part of a safety routine, the condition of extinguishers in industrial vehicles should be checked regularly as follows:

· Make sure that the pins and seals are intact.

· Verify that there is no external evidence of damage, corrosion or oxidation.

· Make sure that the charge indicator is in the green zone.

· Verify that the nozzle is not blocked.