Fire extinguishers – we all carry one, right? But how old and has it been maintained?
Will it work when you finally need it?
Is there any new technology in the fire-fighting world that we could use?
We were first alerted to the Firestryker when one of our staff members acquired some from an international source. Wes did a review in our print magazine and we’ve been excited by the product since.
Thanks to ARB, technology that has matured over the last 10 years in South Africa is finally available on the retail market in Australia.
21st century solution to an age-old problem
Instead of suffocating the flame with a powder, taking the heat out of it with a liquid or reducing the oxygen levels required for combustion as with CO2, Firestrykers use potassium, which rapidly oxidises in air, consuming the oxygen. Furthermore, the chemical reaction is a relatively slow process so it keeps on working and consuming the oxygen, preventing reignition. The Firestryker has a 100-second operating time, which is vastly greater than that of typical 1.8kg dry chemical extinguishers.
The Firestrykers are maintenance-free and have a shelf life of 10 years, far in excess of any traditional liquid, powder or CO2 extinguisher. They don’t need shaking to prevent settling like dry powder extinguishers and won’t lose pressure like traditional extinguishers; just mount them somewhere easy to grab hold of and they are always ready.
Firestryker has been tested and certified to meet Australian and New Zealand standards.
Firestryker is a new kid on the block – it’ll be hard for staunch advocates of traditional methods to accept, but set to save a lot of distress when things get a bit too hot. Priced around $165 each, they aren’t as cheap as traditional fire extinguishers but pack a lot of punch and are still cheaper than a burnt-out 4X4!
Weighing just 365 grams and only 33cm long, a Firestryker is far easier to handle as well as less dangerous if it comes adrift during an accident. I’d rather be hit in the head by a 365 gram plastic tube than a 1.8kg steel bottle!
Get down to your local ARB store and grab one for each car pronto.
Heck, I might get one for the garage at home too!
16 comments
Tested for use on: E
100 Volts is not confidence inspiring.
PS please don’t tell me that’s not what you meant or that it was a typo – quit while you are behind.
Hi Brad, that is how some nations where English is not the first language express thousands, so it is rated at 100,000 Volts, or 100kV. That’s nearly as much as some of the high-tension power lines you see (132kV), the highest voltage powerlines in your street are usually a measly 11kV!
IF you have an inverter you may have 220/240V in your internal combustion powered car, so it’s well and truly in spec for automotive use.
Why did he attack the fire down wind ?
Not the safest demonstration I have seen. Is that my car. ?
If you breathe it in do you die?
Being in the industry I have never seen an extinguisher loose pressure. The only time it has was when it has been used. Hence why we are charged with nitrogen.
So what does the Safety Data Sheet say about it?
Did you both to download it? Did you read it?
Obviously you have not included any detail from the SDS in the article . . . .
once started can it be turned off or single use only.
Umm… yeah not sold hey. looks like they retail for around $150-170 (looking online) and found this which seems to make it look like a toy.
https://vimeo.com/22090822
Think I will stick with my ABC Fire Extinguisher
Not too many fire extinguishers charged with nitrogen dude!
Demo looks a bit sus. The fire is almost going out by itself before he gets to it. I wonder what liquid was used for the fire?
thanks Michael for the video link. Very convincing. Stick with what works!
Hi Sigi, please don’t hesitate to visit our webpage (firestryker.com.au) where there are more demonstration videos of the Firestryker in use.
The product will be available on a show special and will be available for sale at the Melbourne Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow this weekend. Firestryker representatives will be at the ARB site, please do not hesitate to come and see us and the product.
Yep, After seeing that link and even the videos on their own website, I’m not convinced. It also says on their site not to store for extended periods over 65 degrees – such as inside a vehicle?
Two essential pieces of information. That it exists and the price. without either of these, The web site and your whole existence is irrelevant. WHERE is the price? $10? $100? $1000? $10000? $100000. I must assume that you are ashamed of the price and ARB is to be avoided!
Because many that commented here so far, haven’t actually used one of these Firestryker devices I thought I would throw my two bobs worth in.
I was recently out with some friends when we had a fire start behind the dash and we used the Firestryker to deal with the fire. It worked perfectly and the fire was out in short time with only some melted plastic. There was also no residue and once the “Fog” cleared from the cab, a quick repair to the wiring and we were on the road again.
Personally, I would have no trouble having one in my own vehicle. Also talking to a friend who is a
fire station commander about his thoughts and he gave it the thumbs up for a safety devise for vehicles. One main feature he said was it is tested for all types of fires commonly encountered. The use of potassium also has many benefits over co2 extinguishers.
Why not try one yourselves before commenting on whether they work or not.