Health & Wellness · Head-to-head
Amerex B402 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher vs First Alert PRO5 Heavy Duty Plus Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher (FE3A40GR)
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Fire Extinguishers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The B402 is the one that publishes everything: rating, discharge time, range, valve material, temperature limits and warranty. The PRO5 matches its 3-A:40-B:C rating for less money and is the sensible pick if you want two or three units rather than one.
Amerex B402 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher
Buy itA fully documented 3-A:40-B:C rechargeable that a service shop can open, inspect and refill for decades.
- UL and ULC rated 3-A:40-B:C, four times the listed Class B figure of a typical 2-A:10-B:C home unit.
- Drawn steel cylinder with an all metal anodized aluminum valve, so nothing structural is molded plastic.
- Amerex publishes the numbers most brands hide: 14 second discharge, 12 to 18 foot initial range, and a rated range of -65 F to 120 F.
- At 9.25 lb shipping weight it is a real object to hold one handed while aiming.
- The mono ammonium phosphate agent is acidic and can corrode untreated metal if it is not cleaned up quickly.
- Rechargeable ownership means paying for annual maintenance, a 6 year internal examination and a 12 year hydrostatic test if you follow NFPA 10.
First Alert PRO5 Heavy Duty Plus Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher (FE3A40GR)
Buy itThe same 3-A:40-B:C rating as the Amerex in a unit sold through ordinary retail, with a longer warranty and a thinner spec sheet.
- 3-A:40-B:C rated and rechargeable by a certified professional, which is unusual at this price level.
- First Alert specifies a metal head, a corrosion resistant metal gauge and a metal pull pin with a safety seal.
- 12 year limited warranty and a heavy duty wall bracket in the box.
- First Alert does not publish the agent charge weight, discharge time or effective range on the product page.
- Listed product weight is 10.2 lb, slightly heavier than the Amerex despite the same rating.
- Same ABC dry chemical cleanup problem as any mono ammonium phosphate unit.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Amerex B402 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher Our pick | First Alert PRO5 Heavy Duty Plus Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher (FE3A40GR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | The person who wants one serious extinguisher near the kitchen or garage and intends to have it serviced. | Buying two or three rechargeable units at once so you are not walking past a fire to reach the only one. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
| UL 711 rating | 3-A:40-B:C | 3-A:40-B:C |
| Agent | ABC dry chemical, mono ammonium phosphate | ABC dry chemical, mono ammonium phosphate |
| Rechargeable | Yes, by a certified technician | Yes, by a certified professional |
| Cylinder and valve | Drawn steel cylinder, anodized aluminum valve | Metal head, metal gauge, metal pull pin |
| Published weight | 9.25 lb shipping weight | 10.2 lb product weight |
| Discharge time | 14 seconds | Not published |
| Service path under NFPA 10 | Annual external, 6 year internal, 12 year hydrostatic | Annual external, 6 year internal, 12 year hydrostatic |
| Manufacturer warranty | 6 years | 12 years limited |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Amerex B402 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher if
the person who wants one serious extinguisher near the kitchen or garage and intends to have it serviced.
Know before buying: at 9.25 lb shipping weight it is a real object to hold one handed while aiming.
Pick the First Alert PRO5 Heavy Duty Plus Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher (FE3A40GR) if
buying two or three rechargeable units at once so you are not walking past a fire to reach the only one.
Know before buying: first Alert does not publish the agent charge weight, discharge time or effective range on the product page.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Amerex B402 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher - A fully documented 3-A:40-B:C rechargeable that a service shop can open, inspect and refill for decades. Choose the First Alert PRO5 Heavy Duty Plus Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher (FE3A40GR) instead if buying two or three rechargeable units at once so you are not walking past a fire to reach the only one.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Fire Extinguishers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).