Of course, if you don’t know much about fire extinguisher, it’s pretty easy to make the wrong choice. Let’s hop into some great extinguishers, and then we’ll show you why they’re our preferred fire suppressant methods for the home.
Below are our reviews of the 4 best fire extinguishers on the market:
Kidde 21005779 Pro 210 Fire Extinguisher
Kidde is one of the top sellers of fire extinguishers, and this ABC model should cover all of the bases needed within a home. This dry fire extinguisher is going to leave some residue behind once it’s been used, but it’s also a reliable and long-lasting way to keep your property protected.
The only unfortunate part about this one is the fact that the multi-packs don’t really seem to save any money. If you have multiple properties you may want to look at the next option, but for those with fewer units, one or two fire extinguishers are enough, and this is among the best landlord fire extinguishers for the money.
First Alert Home Fire Extinguisher – 4-Pk.
If you’ve got a lot of properties, then it makes sense to purchase your fire extinguishers in bulk. This moderately priced pack of four will let you save some money and cover a ton of different properties without having to break the bank.
They’re also good for landlords with particularly large properties, where multiple extinguishers might be needed. They’re all ABC-rated, dry-chemical extinguishers (see full specs) so they’re going to make a mess, but it’s much better than losing a huge patch of your investment to chance.
Amerex B402, 5lb ABC Dry Chemical Class A B C Fire Extinguisher
The Amerex B402 is an ABC fire extinguisher which comes from a top brand. In addition to the ability to put out any common type of fire, you’ll be able to aim it easily with the extended rubber hose. It’s a 5lb mixture, which provides enough to stop most household fires as well.
It even comes with a wall bracket, so you can keep it mounted in the kitchen, near the furnace, or wherever else in the home you think it will be both readily accessible and close to the danger. While it’s a bit expensive, this brand is used by many large institutions, which says a lot about its reliability while in action.
Amerex B441, 10lb ABC Dry Chemical Class A B C Fire Extinguisher
Larger fire extinguishers are great for commercial properties, especially kitchens where things can get out of hand in a hurry. While the B441 might be a bit much for residential usage, the highly recommended brand and large size makes it perfect in areas where risk can get serious in a hurry.
The brand name, spouted design, and ABC classification are great (see full specs) but the price is also a bit high for those who are looking to protect apartments and houses instead of commercial buildings. It’s a bit of a trade-off, but it has the potential to save A LOT of money if the worst happens.
Guide to the Best Landlord Fire Extinguishers
Most landlords aren’t up on all the technical aspects of their properties. Even if you are, fire extinguisher knowledge is a bit more than just having common sense like many aspects of property maintenance.
First up, a quick acronym which explains why it’s essential for you to have ABC fire extinguishers in the homes you rent out:
- A is for Ashes. That means solid, combustible materials like paper or wood. This isn’t the most common source of a fire starting in a home, but it’s going to be a factor if things go unchecked for even a minute or two.
- B is for Boiling. In the instance of a house fire, this is most likely to be grease but it also covers materials like gasoline or alcohol which burn differently from standard combustibles.
- C is for Charge. Electricity has charge. Electrical fires are the most common cause of catastrophic damage contained within your home, which makes this one of the most essential qualities your extinguishers can have.
ABC, dry chemical fire extinguishers are pretty much the gold standard for at-home fire extinguishers, and investing in a high-quality one can save you a lot of money down the line if something happens.
Limiting Liability
If your state doesn’t require a fire extinguisher, we still feel you should provide one. There are a few extra caveats, however.
You need to either accept the responsibility to have the extinguisher re-certified each year or place the responsibility on your tenant in the lease. Otherwise, a malfunction can be your fault.
You’ll also want to include something which few people think about: instructions on how to use it. It’ll only take ten minutes of your time, but it decreases liability on your part and increases the chance of a tenant properly using the fire extinguisher if things go badly down the line.
Always spray a fire extinguisher at the base of a fire. Inform your tenant of this, and demonstrate how it works as well. You may want to include the fact that you’ve educated them on proper usage in the lease or in separate paperwork as well.
You also need to replace extinguishers when they hit their expiration date. While they may function fine, you don’t really want to gamble lives and property damage on a “may.”
As long as you do the above, your bases should be well covered and you’ll have the best chances of damage being minimized in the event of a fire.
Conclusion
Finding the best landlord fire extinguisher isn’t hard, and neither is maintaining them. It’s just a matter of remembering and making sure that you do the right thing. Since there’s little that can do more damage more quickly to a building than fire, your best insurance is making sure that any fires which start can be handled quickly and safely by those residing in the residence. Good luck!
