Fire extinguisher mounting

[Guest]

Hello,

Some time ago, I watched my 1988 Carrera Superpsort burn. The fire started in the fresh air motor and by the time I had it under control?? all of the associated ducting and the wiper motor had been irretrievably damaged. I had no firefighting equipment to hand and had to rely on blind faith and a hose pipe.

Understandably, I have resolved to fit an extinguisher. I wonder whether other forum members have fitted similar equipment and if so, the type of extinguisher, the mount used and its position.

There seems to be a debate about halon versus powder as far as extinguishers content is concerned and positions vary also.

My car is road use only.

Thanks
Mike
491

 

[oliverjamesthomas]

Can't help you with the mounting options, but here's the lowdown from a very experienced fire fighter friend of mine.

Halon is generally used in enclosed conditions, such as document storage facilities, etc. The idea is that being an inert gas, it allows nothing to burn. The problem comes when there's someone trapped though, because it allows nothing to breathe, either!!! The other problem is that being a gas, it has a propensity to be dispersed - hence losing effectiveness.

Powder, in his words, makes a right bl**dy mess of everything! Although it can be used, foam is the preferred alternative. Foam will deal with oil / liquid fires, is water based so it can be dispersed and dried and it doesn't make much of a mess. It's also pretty effective at putting out pretty much any type of fire you'll find associated with a car.

Hope it's of help.

Regards

 

[dixhuit]

Mike,
Dont know if this helps as I havent got an extinguisher in my car but I do have a relatively large boat with twin 200 hp engines. The Marine rules are strict requiring full fire fighting. Halon has been banned since the end of 2003 which required all boats to have these replaced (no insurance !) The cheap replacement is powder but Oliver is absolutely correct. Clearing up afterwards and ingestion can do even more damage . There is a product called FM200 which is now used by the top u.k boat manufacturers Sunseeker/Fairline etc which is a gaseous vapour and clean which I have installed in my engine room and above my fuel tank which holds 650 litres (ouch !). These are automatic. I also have one mounted for hand held use. This could be fitted inside a car with a quick release mounting .Dont know if Olivers friend has any comment on FM200 but its spec will cope with electrical/fuel and will not damage that 3.2 engine.
Im sure if you contact the race car sec. he will give you a recommended fire extinguisher and fitment as those boys have to have a fully approved system to go and play on the track