Motorhome fires are, thankfully, fairly rare – after all, it’s one of the most terrifying things any ‘van owner could have to contend with. While you’ll hopefully never need to use it, having the best fire extinguisher for a camper van to hand is crucial, providing the peace of mind that you’re safe when you’re pitched up.
It goes without saying that should a fire break out, you should immediately ensure everyone gets out of the ‘van as safely and quickly as they can. When it comes to choosing the right motorhome fire extinguisher, an Aqueous Film Forming Foam extinguisher which is tested to BS EN 3 is recommended by the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
Also known as AFFF fire extinguishers, these are rated for use on Class A and Class B fires, meaning they can be used on inorganic materials such as plywood furniture and textiles, as well as on petrol, diesel and other flammable liquids. However, they’re not suitable for use on electrical fires or flammable gases. You also couldn’t use one on a frying pan or chip pan fire, for instance – in the case of an cooking oil or fat fire, a fire blanket is an effective option.
It’s worth noting that a dry-powered extinguisher is not recommended in our ‘vans, as they can lead to choking fumes when used in small spaces. They also have a shorter discharge time.
In this guide, we’re sharing some of the options you can use to stay safe on tour, as well as answering some of the common questions you may have when choosing the right camper van fire extinguisher.
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Please note: Practical Motorhome has not tested these products. Make sure you follow the advice from the manufacturer to choose the products most suited to your vehicle.
The best fire extinguisher for a camper van:
FireShield 1-litre AFFF Foam Fire Extinguisher
Fire Safety Stick
Firexo All-in-One Fire Extinguisher
FireShield AFFF three-litre Foam Fire Extinguisher
The best motorhome fire extinguishers
FireShield 1-litre AFFF Foam Fire Extinguisher
Providing motorhomers with a one-litre capacity, this fire extinguisher has been manufactured to BS EN3 and is made in the UK.
We like how the CE approved product comes with a bracket, which will ensure it’s straightforward to fit in your ‘van. Its dimensions are fairly compact too, coming to 337 x 115 x 100 (height x width x diameter in mm), making it ideal for camper vanners who have less space in their leisure vehicles. Helpfully coming with a five year guarantee, the AFFF extinguisher can be used on both Class A and Class B fires.
Fire Safety Stick
If you’re tight on space, we think the more compact Fire Safety Stick is a great option to go for. This chemical fire extinguisher is capable of dealing with most types of fire, as it can be used on Class A, B, C, Electrical and F fires. It also has a very impressive discharge time of at least 50 seconds.
Its dimensions of 30mm x 30mm x 270mm and weight of only 210g means it will be incredibly portable and easy to store in a place that can quickly and easily be reached. It’s environmentally friendly and, according to the manufacturer, has an expiry date of 15 years+, giving it some good longevity.
Firexo All-in-One Fire Extinguisher
We think this FireXO option is a versatile option for ‘van owners to consider. It’s suitable for use on a wide range of fire types, including Class A, B, C, D, Electrical, F and Lithium-ion battery fires, giving you some excellent peace of mind. Offering a two-litre capacity, it’s fairly lightweight, at only 3.79kg. We like how it’s an eco-friendly option that uses natural ingredients, ensuring it’s a non-toxic product. It is also EN3 and CE certified, as well as coming with a five year warranty.
FireShield AFFF three-litre Foam Fire Extinguisher
Providing a good three-litre capacity for ‘van owners, this larger fire extinguisher is an AFFF extinguisher, making it suitable for Class A and Class B fires. Due to its larger capacity, it’s bigger in dimensions too, coming to 450 x 153 x 115 (height x width x diameter in mm), so you’ll need to make sure you have room for it. Like its smaller counterpart, it is CE approved and manufactured to BS EN3. A five year guarantee and wall brackets are also included.
Other useful fire safety equipment to take on tour
Kampa 15 litre Plastic Fire Bucket
Offering a good 15-litre capacity, this fire bucket comes in an eye-catching red, so you won’t struggle to locate it should you need it. Made from plastic, we like how it comes with a handle, which should make it easy to carry around. We also think the lid is another useful feature, as it will help to prevent any spillages from occurring if the bucket is full of water or sand. Unfilled, it weighs a light 480g.
FireShield Fire Blanket
Don’t forget to pack a fire blanket in your tourer either, like this one from FireShield. It’s made from 200g of cloth, while we reckon its soft pouch should ensure it is not only easy to store but should help to give it a good life span too. It can cut off the oxygen supply of a fire, subsequently smothering it. It meets BS EN 1869:2019 standards too.
Check the price on Fire Protection Shop now.
How to choose the best fire extinguisher for a camper van
While you will buy it hoping you will never need to use it, a campervan fire extinguisher is a purchase you’re going to want to ensure you get right. Some simple considerations will ensure you get the one for you. For starters, make sure you have the necessary room to store it. If space is very tight, the compact Fire Safety Stick could be well worth considering, thanks to its small dimensions, for instance.
Dry powder extinguishers are not recommended for use in ‘vans, as discharging one in the confined interior of our motorhomes could result in choking fumes. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommend Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) fire extinguishers, which work on Class A and Class B fires. Our expert, Peter Rosenthal, recommends “going for the biggest you can – to give you an idea, a one-litre version will typically give 10 seconds, a two-litre model, 15 seconds, and a three-litre, around 20 seconds”.
The different classes are broken down below, as well as a table outlining what type of fire extinguisher works on what fire.
- Class A: Inorganic materials, such as plywood furniture, textiles, paper
- Class B: Petrol, diesel, solvents and other flammable liquids
- Class C: Butane, propane, LPG and other flammable gases
- Class D: Flammable metals
- Electrical: Electronic devices, wiring and so on
- Class F: Cooking oils and fats
Where should I store my fire extinguisher in a camper van?
Practical Motorhome’s contributor, Peter Rosenthal, says the best position for a fire extinguisher will be by the door. This means everyone can exit the vehicle before you decide whether or not you will be able to tackle the fire safely, in which case the extinguisher will be to hand.
As AFFF extinguishers are not suitable for oil pan fires, a fire blanket is another essential. Peter advises storing this by the hob or in a nearby cupboard so it will be to hand should it be needed. Again, make sure everyone is out of the ‘van before you consider dealing with it. Make sure your fire blanket conforms to BS EN 1869.
Another accessory that can play a role in providing some peace of mind, this time when you’re on the road, is the best dash cam for a motorhome. Check out our top picks on the market so you can ensure you have footage of any incidents that occur on the road.
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