Fire Extinguisher reccomendation

[Babord]

The Fire Safety Stick looks like a good solution. Unfortunately for me, it appears you can only buy if you are in the UK or US. I have just sent them a message asking though.

Is it useful and practical to fit a battery master switch inside the car? On my LHD it looks like quite an easy run from the battery to the passenger parcel shelf area.

[cjp]

Years ago, I installed a similar AFFF system to the one Drew is recommending, but with electronic actuation using a completely separate 9v battery powered circuit. The bottle actually fits very neatly in the bottom of the soft top well. The nozzles are mounted pointing at both carbs, under the dash at the fuse box, at the fuel pump, into the boot area and into the passenger area. I test continuity on the circuit regularly, change the battery every year and the bottle as recommended. The control circuit has a "fireproof" cable, and the built in circuit tester and actuation button are in the passenger footwell. Yes, it's overkill, but I had the car ripped apart anyway. I also carry a small powder extinguisher, to help others as much as belts and braces. And an emergency first aid kit. I don't know if I can find the link to the specific system but if anyone is interested I will try. It was from a US motorsport site and was compliant with race regs back then. The car is currently the one in storage, so could get pics but might be a few days.

[RobinLegin]

Glad CJP also made mention of a first aid kit. In many countries on mainland Europe both the Fire Extinguisher and First Aid kit are mandatory. In France, a breathalyser kit was also mandatory until they found the Government Minister responsible for enforcement also owned one of the main suppliers

[Jeff]

Don't forget something simple and cheap like water! A pump sprayer or similar, quite adequate for small fires and most importantly, COOLING.

You do not want to breath dry powder, CO2 hardly cools, heavy and large one needed. Foam apart from AFFF is only good at 'covering totally' but the water content does cool to some degree.

As Dave said, BCF or BTM are the best as inert and breathable to a point, very 32CDA7CE-D46E-4053-A955-357ED54A0A8A_1_102_o.jpeg FC0C2EF9-4A6C-43C7-8534-D031A40C2EFB_1_102_o.jpeg ED314AD7-D10D-4A48-8002-342E45C89423_1_102_o.jpeg 93B34BF5-5EE7-4A35-8B66-AB0FA470F364_1_102_o.jpeg 784C7DFA-89CC-4D8A-AA4C-C60473BC0354_1_102_o.jpeg quick knockdown but not available now.

I have a large water ext in garage but used hand sprayer when welding. 3 litre water can be stored easily and ready for use, just ideas.

[Jeff]

Sorry for messy post, don't know what happened there plus a picture missing.

[dasadrew]

Good to have you on board on this topic Jeff!

On the subect of water (as you're the expert!) couldn't it potentially have an unfortunate effect if it's a fuel fire? The other thing where I don't know the answer would be the effect of pouring cold water onto things like hot exhaust manifolds - could it lead to cracking?

I agree that, before long debates about the merits of different extinguishers, a gallon of water in the boot is a good idea!

Drew

[SaskStag]

I threw the dog's water over the fire I had in my Stag. In my panic, I forgot I had an extinguisher in the car!
The fire was electrical on start up, so car was in garage. A click and whoosh of orange under the bonnet. Opened bonnet and quickly turned off the battery.
I did admit to a moment of pause as I held the bucket, "electric ...water...shouldn't...oh to hell with it..chuck it"
Freaked me out though...and has made me lose some confidence in working on the car

[Jeff]

Good to have you on board on this topic Jeff!

On the subect of water (as you're the expert!) couldn't it potentially have an unfortunate effect if it's a fuel fire? The other thing where I don't know the answer would be the effect of pouring cold water onto things like hot exhaust manifolds - could it lead to cracking?

I agree that, before long debates about the merits of different extinguishers, a gallon of water in the boot is a good idea!

Drew

Thanks Drew,

This subject pops up now and again and good to mention/discuss it again IMO.

Have to weigh up the pros and cons really. For many, many years only fought car/petrol fires with water albeit it at a very high pressure and a decent fog spray, petrol fires didn't stand a chance until..........................un-leaded!!!

The rate of running fuel fires and fires following RTCs escalated, but along came a saviour........AFFF, magical stuff. Don't forget the main agent is still water with an infusion of AFFF entrained into it, still magic!

Metal parts cracking; back to advantages and disadvantages, what do you do? I know what I'd do.

[Chix]

Really good discussion guys, thank you! I still haven’t decided on what to get, but another way of approaching it is to ask how do these fires start?

I’ve already moved my inline fuel filter from the engine bay to the boot, and improved my heat sheilding from the manifolds.

Interested to hear how your fires started (not any stories of I once new a bloke… but first hand experiences!)

Thanks team!

Chix

[Bakdraft007]

Really good discussion guys, thank you! I still havenât decided on what to get, but another way of approaching it is to ask how do these fires start?

Iâve already moved my inline fuel filter from the engine bay to the boot, and improved my heat sheilding from the manifolds.

Interested to hear how your fires started (not any stories of I once new a bloke⦠but first hand experiences!)

Thanks team!

Chix

Mine followed an upgrade to halogen headlamps. I need a H4 connectors and bought new from a well known main supplier. The new harness was poorly made (supplier was unaware of it) and the spades pocked out of the back of the connector insulation, this meant they could touch the grounded metal headlamp bowls.. which caused a fire within the headlamps.... very scary. Called the fire brigade ( my wife turned up with a large co2 extinguisher) which put it out. Hence I now carry 3 extinguishers!

I often travel along the A55 at night. If the fire had happened there it would have been burn't out before the fire brigade got there.. ( my wife or the real mob)

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