Is a Fire Extinguisher Required for Cars on Highways?
2 Answers
It is advisable for private cars to carry a fire extinguisher. Highway traffic police generally do not conduct special inspections on whether small vehicles are equipped with car fire extinguishers. However, for buses, tourist vehicles, school buses, and hazardous chemical transport vehicles, there is a focus on checking whether they are equipped with onboard fire extinguishers, warning triangles, and other equipment, and whether the fire extinguishers are expired. The types of onboard fire extinguishers are as follows: 1. Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher: The principle of this extinguisher is chemical suppression, which interrupts the chain reaction of combustion. It has a high fire extinguishing level, comprehensive functionality, and rapid extinguishing capability, with electrical insulation properties and good low-temperature performance, making it particularly suitable for use in factories, warehouses, and outdoor settings. The drawback is that dry powder extinguishing agents are not resistant to re-ignition, and users must undergo specialized technical training. Due to its price advantage, most vehicles are equipped with portable pressurized dry powder fire extinguishers. 2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher: The extinguishing mechanism is suffocation, achieved by reducing the oxygen concentration around the burning material. Carbon dioxide, as a fire extinguishing agent, has good insulation properties. However, its disadvantages include a high extinguishing concentration, resulting in a low fire extinguishing level, making it suitable for use in relatively confined spaces. It has poor resistance to re-ignition, and carbon dioxide is a moderately toxic substance. When the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air reaches 2%, it can cause discomfort. 3. Aqueous Film Forming Foam Fire Extinguisher: The extinguishing mechanism is cooling and isolation, with a high fire extinguishing level and minimal water damage during use. It neither has the secondary pollution of dry powder nor the toxicity of carbon dioxide. However, the biggest drawback of domestically produced aqueous film forming foam extinguishing agents is their poor stability after dilution, making them unsuitable for long-term storage. For a practical fire extinguishing agent, storage stability is one of its most important performance indicators.
To be honest, I always carry a fire extinguisher when driving on highways. Although the law doesn't mandate small passenger vehicles to carry one, I witnessed a car spontaneously combust at a service area two summers ago. If the driver had a fire extinguisher, they could have at least controlled the fire from reaching the fuel tank. Just buy a 1kg dry powder extinguisher and place it under the front passenger seat - remember to replace it every 3 years. Emergency vehicles take too long to arrive on highways, and this little thing can be lifesaving in critical moments. Repair costs are far more expensive than a fire extinguisher. Nowadays I also carry a window breaker - you can't rely on luck when it comes to safety.
