Wheeled Fire Extinguishers
Wheeled fire extinguishers mount 50 to 125 pounds of agent on a two-wheel cart, so one person can bring far more firefighting power to a large fire than any hand extinguisher can carry. A typical hand unit empties in under 20 seconds. A wheeled unit discharges for 36 to 48 seconds through a 25 to 50 foot hose, so the operator can stay back from the heat while working the fire.
Wheeled fire extinguishers protect high-hazard areas: fuel storage and loading racks, aircraft hangars, refineries, chemical plants, lumber yards, large warehouses, construction sites and manufacturing floors with large amounts of flammable material. Insurers, fire marshals and site safety plans often call for them where hand units alone can't cover the hazard.
Our wheeled units are stored-pressure models from Badger and Buckeye. They are designed for one-person operation and sized to roll through standard doorways. Choose from:
- ABC multipurpose dry chemical in 50 lb and 125 lb sizes, for ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and electrical fires
- Purple K dry chemical in 50 lb and 125 lb sizes, for fuel and flammable gas fires
- Standard and heavy-duty wheeled unit covers that protect outdoor units from sun, rain and grime
Compare capacities, hose lengths and ratings below, or read our wheeled fire extinguisher buying guide further down the page.
There are no products listed under this category.
What Is a Wheeled Fire Extinguisher?
A wheeled fire extinguisher is a large-capacity portable extinguisher built on a carriage with wheels, so one person can move it to the fire. NFPA 10 classifies it as a portable extinguisher, just like a hand unit. The difference is scale: a 125 lb ABC wheeled unit carries a 40-A:240-B:C rating, many times the capacity of a typical 10 lb hand extinguisher.
Where Wheeled Fire Extinguishers Are Used
Wheeled units belong wherever a fire could grow faster than hand extinguishers can handle it. Typical sites include fuel farms, loading racks, aircraft hangars, refineries, chemical plants, paint and solvent storage, lumber and pallet yards, large warehouses, and construction sites. Your fire marshal or insurer may specify a minimum rating for these areas. A wheeled extinguisher is often the most practical way to meet it.
Keep each wheeled fire extinguisher in a marked, unobstructed spot near the hazard, with a clear path wide enough for the cart. Outdoors, park it on level ground a safe distance from the area most likely to ignite, so the operator can reach the unit without walking toward the fire.
How to Choose a Wheeled Fire Extinguisher
Agent: ABC or purple K
An ABC wheeled fire extinguisher covers ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and electrical fires, which makes it the right fit for mixed-hazard warehouses and job sites. A purple K wheeled unit is rated B:C only, but it is more effective on fuel and flammable gas. Choose it for fueling areas, hangars and petrochemical sites. Learn more on our purple K fire extinguishers page.
Capacity: 50 lb or 125 lb
A 50 lb unit stands about 46 inches tall and ships at around 140 lb. It is easier to move and fits tighter spaces. A 125 lb unit stands 58 inches tall, ships at around 300 lb, and delivers a higher rating and longer discharge time.
| Wheeled unit | Agent | UL rating | Hose | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badger 50 lb | ABC | 20-A:160-B:C | 25 ft | 46¼ in |
| Badger 50 lb | Purple K | 160-B:C | — | 46¼ in |
| Buckeye 50 lb | Purple K | 160-B:C | — | 47 in |
| Badger 125 lb | ABC | 40-A:240-B:C | 50 ft | 58 in |
| Badger 125 lb | Purple K | 240-B:C | 50 ft | 58 in |
Hose length, range and wheels
A longer hose lets the operator park the cart at a safe distance and advance on the fire. The Badger 125 lb models carry a 50 ft hose. Semi-pneumatic rubber wheels roll over concrete, gravel and packed ground without going flat.
Protecting and Maintaining Wheeled Fire Extinguishers
Wheeled fire extinguisher covers
Outdoor units take a beating from UV, rain, dust and grime. A wheeled fire extinguisher cover keeps the gauge, hose and valve clean and readable. Our covers come in standard reinforced vinyl or heavy-duty acrylic-coated polyester, in sizes that fit 50 lb and 125 lb units.
Inspection and service
Check every wheeled unit monthly: gauge in the green, hose free of cracks, wheels turning freely, pin and seal intact. Have it serviced annually by a certified technician, with a six-year internal examination and a 12-year hydrostatic test for stored-pressure dry chemical models. Because of their weight, wheeled fire extinguishers ship by freight. Plan for a loading dock or liftgate delivery.