(Larkspur, CA) – In a market flooded with fire extinguishers that do not meet basic safety standards, H3R Performance provides the automotive aftermarket with a UL Listed product that is legal to sell in all 50 states. H3R’s premium fire extinguisher lines, MaxOut™ and HalGuard™, give consumers protection in case of a vehicle fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 800 vehicle fires occur every day and few consumers carry an extinguisher to help put out blazes that routinely begin in the engine compartment. According to the most recent data from NFPA, U.S. public fire departments respond to an estimated 266,500 highway-type vehicle fires each year.

According to NFPA these fires claimed 520 lives and caused $969 million in direct property damage. Highway vehicles include cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles commonly driven on roads or highways.

“Short circuits, leaking fluids and faulty fuel delivery systems are common causes of engine fires,” according to Stephen Berg, president of H3R Performance. “Fires can also start in exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters and even brakes. Our products are designed to help consumers take swift action and avoid a major catastrophe.”

In addition to helping to extinguish vehicle fires, H3R Performance portable fire extinguishers are ideal for consumers to have in their garage when performing DIY repairs.

In many states today, it is illegal to sell a portable fire extinguisher unless it bears the label of Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) or other approved testing laboratories.  In addition to being UL Listed, H3R Performance fire extinguishers meet or exceed the requirements of the NFPA. The UL Listing mark on a product is the manufacturer's representation that samples of that complete product have been tested by UL to nationally recognized Safety Standards.

MaxOut™ is a proven dry chemical extinguisher that helps put out fires likely to be occur in an automotive environment. Its compact and attractive design makes it easy to carry in a vehicle.

HalGuard™ is a “clean agent” extinguisher. A “clean agent” is an electrically non-conductive liquid or gaseous fire extinguisher that does not leave a messy residue. The product is perfect for protecting classic collector, high performance, tuner, and race cars.  Clean agent fire extinguishers are the product of choice for protecting aircraft, computer rooms and other highly sensitive electronic equipment.

MaxOut is available in 1.0 lb. and 2.5 lb. refillable red or chrome-plated bottles. HalGuard is available in 1.4 lb. and 2.5 lb. refillable red or chrome-plated bottles. All include high quality steel cylinders, all metal valve construction, aviation-quality mounting brackets, instructions and UL Listed labels. All are rechargeable.

H3R Performance’s sister company, H3R Aviation, has a rich history in the aviation industry, known for its rigorous safety standards.

“Our years of experience in the aviation industry assure aftermarket distributors and retailers that they have a product that is of exceptionally high quality,” said Chris Dieter, vice president of marketing and distribution for H3R Performance. “Unfortunately, there are many products being sold in the market today that do not meet state regulations. It is safe to assume that, often, the reseller is unaware that the product they are marketing does not comply with safety standards.”

State authorities, however, are beginning to take notice. At a major automotive aftermarket industry trade show in November of last year, the Nevada State Fire Marshal’s office warned selected exhibitors that non-approved extinguishers could not be sold in the state of Nevada. Last month, the California Fire Marshal issued cease and desist letters to a number of suppliers of non-approved extinguishers and required them to recall products sold in the State.

For more information on H3R Performance’s line of premium UL Listed fire extinguishers, phone 800-249-7778, or visit www.h3rperformance.com.