Amerex B402 – The Best and Most Affordable Fire Extinguisher. Nobody hopes or even expects to ever be in a situation in which they have to put out a fire. However, accidents can happen. We are surrounded by combustibles on a daily basis and we often don’t even think about the dangers they pose. That is to be expected because if we were to spend our lives afraid of every potential danger, we wouldn’t be able to live normally. However, there is a difference between not expecting the worst and being completely careless. This is why, although it is hoped and likely that you will never have to use one, it is advisable for homeowners to have a fire extinguisher in their property. Click here for the Top 10 Best Fire Extinguishers.
Thankfully, many people have come to understand the importance of having a fire extinguisher. The result of this, however, is that there are now many different manufacturers to choose from, all vying for your custom and stating that theirs is the best one. This can be quite confusing for the average individual. One extinguisher that you may have come across is the Amerex B402. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of this particular device, hopefully enabling you to determine whether this is the right one for you.
What Is the Amerex B402?
The Amerex B402 is a 5lb ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher. What that means is that it contains 5lbs of chemicals that suppress fire, and that it can deal with Class A, B, and C fires, which are the most common types fires found in domestic properties. More specifically:
⦁ Class A fires are fueled by ordinary combustible materials.
⦁ Class B fires are fueled by flammable liquids, such as oil and alcohol.
⦁ Class C are fires in which live electronic equipment is involved, which are generally caused by sparks and short-circuits
The fire extinguisher also comes with a wall bracket for easy mounting and its total weight is 9.5lbs, making this one of the lightest on the market. Amerex is known for their high quality construction and this model is no different, with a steel cylinder and aluminum rather than plastic valves. The discharge time, meanwhile, is just 14 seconds, which is one of the fastest in the industry.
Statistics show that it is unlikely that you will ever have to use a fire extinguisher yourself. The consequence of this is that when people do purchase fire extinguishers, they often forget that they have them and don’t maintain them properly. Because of the steel construction and the aluminum valves, however, the Amerex B402 is able to remain functional for far longer than the average domestic fire extinguisher.
This fire extinguisher has also been created with the average domestic user in mind. This means that Amerex understands that most ordinary people do not have extensive knowledge on how to fight fire, or even on how to operate an extinguisher. This is why they have developed this model, which is easy to use, easy to maintain, and easy to service. Its fire suppressant chemical is mono-ammonium phosphate, which is by far the best chemical out there to stop fires.
The B402 has received full UL approval, with a 3A:40B:C rating. This rating is important. Most fire extinguishers have a 2A:10-BC rating, which is good, but not as good as the Amerex B402, which greatly exceeds those minimum standards. It is also compliant with standards UL 299/UL 711, meaning that it meets all relevant safety standards. It also means that it is fully rechargeable, rather than disposable. It measures 15.25×4” and operates under 195psi pressure. The maximum range of the extinguisher is 18 feet, which is quite significant.
What I Liked About the Amerex B402
⦁ Amerex is a recommended brand by professional fire fighters and fire safety experts.
⦁ The cylinder is made from steel, which means it doesn’t deteriorate.
⦁ It comes with a hose discharge, which makes it very user friendly.
⦁ It meets and exceeds all relevant safety and UL standards.
⦁ It is fully rechargeable, meaning it can be used again and again.
⦁ It comes with a six year warranty.
⦁ It is popular within smaller businesses.
⦁ With the tamper-proof seal, it is even suitable for buildings that have to meet certain coded standards.
What I Didn’t Like About the Amerex B402
⦁ There have been some complaints about the strength and appropriateness of the wall bracket, which is more like a hook. Some people were worried that the extinguisher could be knocked off the hook if it is placed in a high traffic area. However, the company does also have an aftermarket bracket available, which can be purchased separately.
⦁ A number of people have complained about the tamper seal being broken. While this is not necessarily a problem in a domestic property, it does mean that it cannot be used in commercial apartments, where the code dictates that a tamper seal must be present. However, if devices have been received without the tamper seal, Amerex is always happy to send a replacement.
The Final Verdict
There are a number of very good fire extinguishers out there for domestic properties, and one of them is the Amerex B402. It meets all the standards that you can expect from a device of this caliber and designed for this purpose. Its steel cylinder construction and aluminum valves mean that the extinguisher will not deteriorate or become useless over time. It meets and exceeds all the relevant safety and industrial standards and is even sufficient to meet codes in commercial apartments.
Most of all, it is very easy to use. It is lightweight at 9.5 lbs, meaning virtually anyone will be able to carry it. It is also suitable for class A, B, and C fires, which means that an inexperienced individual does not first have to determine the cause of the fire and then cross-reference that with the different fire extinguishers that are available. Furthermore, the fire suppressing chemical is one of the best available on the market today. Clearly, this is the fire extinguisher that will put out any fire should you ever be unfortunate enough to experience one. As such, it comes 100% recommended.