Fire Extinguisher 101

Originally Posted by pjost

Welcome to the forum fellow NoDaker. What are your thoughts on this company and their fire extinguishers? :

AKE

They claim to be the best. I visited there HQ in Rochester, MN a few years ago. Wasn't allowed in to the super top secret laboratory where they make the chemical. Their extinguishers are spendy, but have a lifetime warranty and you send them in to be refilled if needed.

In the fire service, fire extinguishers that are extensively tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories and/or Factory Mutual, are considered rated. NFPA Standard 10 Portable Fire Extinguishers, has the guidelines for fire extinguishers, to be considered approved.

From what I can see from the sales literature, this type of portable fire extinguisher has not been tested and rated. I doubt you could place it in a commercial building and be considered compliant with the building fire codes. They look very expensive and you can purchase a 20 pound BC rated dry chemical extinguisher for +/-$89.00. The sales literature states the agent can get into concealed places. So can CO2 type extinguishers. If this new agent is so great, they should submit it to Underwriters Laboratories and/or Factory Mutual for the engineering teams to test the extinguisher and give it a rating. Also, I do not see any mention of NFPA 10, in their advertisements, which has requirements for extinguishers.

Best to stick with name brands like Amerex, Ansul, Badger or Buckeye. These brands are rated and follow NFPA 10. As far a lifetime warranty, a warranty is only good until the company is bought out, disbands or files bankruptcy.