Is it mandatory to equip a fire extinguisher in the car?

[GeorgeMarie]

According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law" and the "Sichuan Province Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Law," vehicles without a fire extinguisher may be subject to a fine without penalty points. Highway traffic police stated that on expressways, traffic authorities primarily focus on checking whether buses and large trucks are equipped with fire extinguishers, while warnings and reminders are often given to passenger cars, though penalties can also be imposed. Methods for vehicle fire prevention are as follows: 1. Keep the fire extinguisher in a dry and ventilated location: The placement of the fire extinguisher should be kept dry and ventilated to prevent moisture corrosion of the cylinder. 2. Avoid direct sunlight: It should be protected from prolonged exposure to sunlight and strong radiant heat to avoid affecting its normal use. 3. Regular inspection and maintenance: The vehicle fire extinguisher should be placed in an easily accessible location and inspected regularly. Strengthen the maintenance and management of fire extinguishers to ensure that every extinguisher can effectively combat fires when needed, promptly extinguishing initial fires to reduce casualties and material losses.

[VanAlexandra]

I have deep feelings about this. The other day when I passed a highway accident scene, I saw smoke coming from the hood of a car, with the driver anxiously searching for a fire extinguisher. Although the Road Traffic Safety Law doesn't mandate private cars to be equipped with fire extinguishers, the newly revised industry standards last year clearly recommend carrying at least 1kg of dry powder fire extinguisher in vehicles. The key point is that the first three minutes of an engine compartment fire are the golden rescue period - waiting for fire trucks often takes too long. I always keep a fire extinguisher hung under the driver's seat in my car, and check before every summer whether the pressure gauge needle is in the green zone. Don't skimp on this - you can buy a 3C-certified one online for just fifty yuan. If you ever encounter a short circuit causing spontaneous combustion or collision-induced fire, this little device can save lives.

[MacJames]

We veteran long-haul drivers know best how crucial fire extinguishers are. Last month, Old Zhang's SUV in our fleet had its AC compressor seize up and start smoking. If the co-driver hadn't been quick to grab the extinguisher and give it two quick sprays, the entire dashboard would've gone up in flames. For regular family cars, I recommend water-based extinguishers - the 750ml ones don't take up much space and won't roll around when placed in the side mesh pocket of the trunk. Just make sure not to leave it under the windshield where it'll bake in the sun, as high temperatures can cause excessive pressure in the canister. Remember to get it inspected every two years - expired agents lose their spray distance. Once when helping a friend check a used car, I found his extinguisher's rubber hose had hardened and cracked - that kind would fail completely in an emergency.

[ValeriaAnn]

As a mother of three, I consider the fire extinguisher in my car even more important than the first aid kit. Especially in summer when the temperature inside the car can reach 70 degrees, there was news last year about a child being locked in a car causing a fire. I opted for a two-in-one fire extinguisher with a window-breaking hammer, which is directly clipped onto the driver's seat rail. Actually, many new energy vehicles nowadays should be equipped with one, as lithium battery fires can erupt violently. A mechanic at the auto parts market taught me to regularly shake the canister to check if the dry powder has clumped. If the fire extinguisher has been knocked over, never skip checking it. Last week, when my best friend's car was rear-ended and the fuel tank started leaking, I immediately pulled the safety pin and sprayed the extinguisher at the leak, successfully preventing a fire.