Although this is unlikely to happen, in some cases fire extinguishers in cars will explode. To prevent this from happening, it is enough to follow some safety rules.
How does a fire extinguisher work
There is a misconception that a fire extinguisher can explode if the car is left in the sun for a long time. This is not true, because fire extinguishers are designed to extinguish a fire, and it is hot.
When choosing a fire extinguisher for a car, you must be guided by its basic characteristics. The description for the fire extinguisher must indicate the maximum and minimum temperatures at which it can be stored. A standard fire extinguisher can be safely stored at temperatures ranging from -50 to +50 degrees.
A fire extinguisher can also have a maximum shelf life at temperatures up to +80 degrees. Usually it is 7 days.
A quality fire extinguisher consists of a steel cylinder that can withstand six times its own pressure without exploding.
Precautionary measures
The explosion of a fire extinguisher is a very rare phenomenon. However, a certain amount of caution doesn't hurt. It is best to store the fire extinguisher close to the floor, out of direct sunlight. Then its temperature will be much lower.
Poor quality fire extinguishers can cause great harm. Such fire extinguishers can indeed explode. In the professional field, fire extinguishers should be checked every year by specialized service providers.
Car fire extinguishers should be replaced every three years. Due to the constant shaking when driving, the powder in the fire extinguisher is compressed, and such a device becomes inoperative.
For safety reasons, a fire extinguisher should not be placed behind the seat in a vehicle. It is better to provide a special compartment for it.
Most modern fire extinguishers have a special valve. If a fire extinguisher heats up to a critical temperature during a fire, the valve opens and the extinguisher leaks, but does not explode. If there is no such valve, then the fire extinguisher, being on fire for a long time, can explode. The fire extinguisher valve can come off the cylinder when the handle is pressed for a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. In this case, injury is possible.
But this happens very rarely, and the likelihood that a fire extinguisher will explode in a car is very small.
A much more serious question regarding the use of fire extinguishers is what to do if a car is on fire. How safe is it to use the device if the car engine catches fire
A fire extinguisher can come in handy if a fire starts inside the car. A small fire from a dropped cigarette that scorches the flooring or paper can be easily extinguished.
The most sensible thing to do in this case is to move away from the car at a safe distance. Do not lift the bonnet of a burning engine. It can explode right in your face. If the car is in flames, you do not need to try to extinguish it.
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