Is it mandatory to keep a fire extinguisher in the car?
2 Answers
According to relevant national regulations, medium-sized (with more than 9 seats) and above passenger vehicles and dangerous goods transport vehicles are required to be equipped with fire extinguishers, while other ordinary passenger cars and similar vehicles are not subject to mandatory requirements. The following is relevant information about car fire extinguishers: 1. The most critical aspect of a fire extinguisher is its effectiveness within the first few seconds of a fire. Vehicle-mounted fire extinguishers are typically portable dry powder extinguishers. When purchasing a vehicle fire extinguisher, it is important to choose a product with a capacity of at least two kilograms, produced by a reputable manufacturer, to effectively ensure the safety of the owner's property. The most important feature of a fire extinguisher is the thickness of its steel casing. Fire extinguishers that do not meet national standards, due to their thinner casings, may explode when the temperature inside the car reaches seventy or eighty degrees Celsius in summer, turning them into hazardous items rather than effective firefighting tools. 2. Suitable locations for placing the fire extinguisher include under the driver's seat, under the front passenger seat, or on the outside of the vehicle compartment (including door storage compartments).
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I must say that keeping a fire extinguisher in the car is almost a necessity. Although China does not mandate it for private vehicles, based on experience, the risk of vehicle fires is much higher than you might think—factors like electrical short circuits, fuel leaks, or collision accidents can all trigger one. I usually keep a small dry powder fire extinguisher in the trunk; it’s compact, doesn’t take up much space, and is easy to access. I remember once witnessing a car’s engine smoking on the highway—luckily, the owner had a fire extinguisher, which prevented the fire from spreading. If you don’t want to spend much, the lowest cost is around just over 100 yuan. The key is to regularly check its expiration date and maintain the pressure gauge. Developing this habit isn’t just about protecting your own car—it could also help others on the road. Overall, this isn’t just a safety measure; it’s more like buying insurance for the unexpected.
