What type of Fire extinguisher?

[mark b]

I am thinking about fitting a fire extinguishing system to my car, what type of extinguisher are best? I mean powders make a mess believe me, halon is no longer available. Do the foam ones do any damage ( I know fires make a real mess) should it put it out quickly. Can you fit them in the boot as the engine bay is a bit tight?

[kdavies3]

Good old Tinka organised a group purchase not too long ago, I'm not sure which type it was as I didn't partake.

[Double D]

Hi Mark,

I ended up buying an electrical (9volt battery) one. It is a 2.75 litre foam extinguisher. I managed to fit it upside down in the passanger footwell. A 3.5litre would have been too large. The two nozzles supplied point towards the carb/exhaust manifold. I managed to fit the firing button and control box inside the cabin. Have a look at Merlin Motorsport. http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/

Paul

[V8 BJC]

Originally Posted by mark b

I am thinking about fitting a fire extinguishing system to my car, what type of extinguisher are best? I mean powders make a mess believe me, halon is no longer available. Do the foam ones do any damage ( I know fires make a real mess) should it put it out quickly. Can you fit them in the boot as the engine bay is a bit tight?

I am also tempted to fit something to our car following that guy earlier in the year that posted some pics of his car in flames. Not sure what to fit though. I met a guy called Paul at Donnington with a very nice red AK. He had purchased a 2KG powder bottle from Halfords for £40, mounted it in the boot and piped a nozzle into the engine bay. The trigger was made from a mini bonnet release handle with a cable running through some metal tubing back to the bottle trigger. It all looked very well thougt out and installed and cost only £50.

So what are peoples views on:

Are systems worth the extra cashcompared to a hand held bottle mounted in the cockpit.

If the car catches fire then the only issue is getting out unharmed. I would imagine that you are unlikely to actually save the car in any way?

What is better - powder or foam.

What size of bottle do you need.

If you buy a system, or make one up as above, how many nozzles do you really need. I would imaging that just one would fill the entire engine compartment very quickly.

Where is the best place to mount the bottle. I wouyld prefer the engine compartment to keep as moch boot / cockpit spave as possible. Is it OK to put in the engine bay?

Can you get nice shiny metal ones as opposed the red?

Any help will be appreciated here.

[Paul Gayter]

Aquaeous foam seems to be the choice of the racing types

http://www.lifeline-fire.co.uk/products/handheld.htm
http://www.spatechnique.com/fireexti...er/systems.htm

That's what I have fitted, just my luck I haven't had a fire yet to try it!