So, what kind of fire extinguisher is in your gameroom ?

[Level42]

Seriously: Have you got one ? It's really a good idea to have one around. There's a pretty high risk because a gameroom is generally full of 25 year old electronics. It's not like they catch fire all the time, but it's still a true risk.

The second risk is that a gameroom can be pretty full of people at parties, and I bet a lot of gamerooms only have 1 exit. Think about what you would do in a room full of smoke and games ! Might be a good idea to add a lit exit sign if you have a really big room.

Now, what type of extinguisher to select ? There are various types and each have their advantages/disadvantages.

I wouldn't go with a powder extinguisher because although it may put out the fire, it will also ruin your cabs or whatever you spray it on. It's VERY hard to remove without damage.

Also the foam extinguisher is not very suitable as we could well be faced with an electrical fire.

That leaves the CO2 extinguisher as the one to choose. Those are suitable to safely use on electrical fires while power is still on (max. 1000V at 1 meter distance).

Of course you should have one or more smoke detectors installed too.

I know, it's because I'm in the fire detection business that it's natural for me to think about these things but I hope you think about your situation.

[SavannahLion]

IIRC, when I lived in my apartment, I purchased a so-called A/B/C disposable extinguisher. Home Desperation had them on sale, so I just grabbed one. When I moved, the extinguisher went out in the shed with all the noxious and flammable chemicals.  I no longer have any in the house. Since none of my arcades are currently in working order, running twenty plus year old equipment is of little concern.

Really the only thing I regret is purchasing a disposable when a refillable/rechargeable unit might've been a better and more reliable investment.

[MonMotha]

I really wish it was still possible to buy Halon extinguishers.  Experience has shown them to be amazingly effective on all sorts of fires, and they leave basically no trace of their use (other than a room with vitually zero oxygen - gtfo when done).  I've heard that there's a replacement for Halon that isn't as nasty on the atmostphere that they now use in fixed installations that would have been halon in the past (like server rooms).  Anyone know how well those work and if a portable version is available?

[SavannahLion]

I really wish it was still possible to buy Halon extinguishers.  Experience has shown them to be amazingly effective on all sorts of fires, and they leave basically no trace of their use (other than a room with vitually zero oxygen - gtfo when done).  I've heard that there's a replacement for Halon that isn't as nasty on the atmostphere that they now use in fixed installations that would have been halon in the past (like server rooms).  Anyone know how well those work and if a portable version is available?

My work still has Halon (not sure what type) extinguishers. Well... not the portable units, but whole room ones. The law is kind of bizarre governing their use. Apparently, manufacturer of Halon is strictly prohibited, but any existing stocks are grandfathered in? It's also an annoying plot device in some films. 

I've never heard of an equally effective replacement, do you remember where you've heard that?

[patrickl]

Of course you should have one or more smoke detectors installed too.

I thought you had the switches set up so that you cut power to the cabs when you are not there? So they wouldn't be able to catch fire when unattended?

I have a powder extinguisher, but I never thought about the damage the powder might do. Guess I should invest in a CO2 extinguisher too then.

[Jess--]

I am lucky in terms of where my games are, as its also the place I refill paintball tanks which means I have a 6 foot liquid take-off Co2 tank in there, if anything goes up I will just open the valve and get out fast, I figure it will flood the room in around 15 seconds