Fire damage prevention

[BaG hEaD]

Hi All;

Had an enlightening conversation with Robins today, and had a light bulb moment.. :!:

If there was to be, and god forbid it happens, an engine bay fire.. would it help to have an automatic fuel shutoff valve?

I know of a valve, that if fitted close to the fuel tank, that has a remote thermostat which could be situated within the engine bay.. So if the engine bay temperature exceeds 65 degrees (fire)the valve would turn off the fuel. Thus removing the fuel from the fire.

If anyone is interested in the safety of their van and or, familly etc please responed.

PS. THIS PRODUCT WILL WORK ALONG SIDE OF OTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHING PRODUCTS.

 

[aogrady]

Hi Lee,

Sorry to say, but your LATE with this one, (sorry dude ) there was a group buy on a fuel cut off valve - is this remote one available as a separate thing, a heat triggering cut off would be good, handy to have cut in when the extinguisher goes off. I have a Firetec, and the group buy valve - tell us more about this idea of yours - and possible costings?

Cheers!

Alistair

 

[BaG hEaD]

I am a heating engineer, so fit gas and oil boilers.
For oil boilers we need to fit a fire valve that isolates oil from entering the boiler if the temperature exceeds 65degrees..

As ts is made to convey heating oil (basicaly diesel), surely it could convey petrol..

It is a simple valve, one inlet one outlet, no wiring, valve could be fitted close to the fuel tank outlet and the sensing phail located above the engine..
Does any one know what temperature the firetec extinguishers go off at?? I thought it was 65..

Cost of these valves wouldn't be any more than £50 tops. Oh and they have a handy shut off valve built in, so you could manually cut off the fuel.. Neat little anti theft device..

 

[aogrady]

Hmmm, interesting option. though how long is the capillary sensor, probably works better immersed in liquid or suchlike, as it may be difficult in finding somewhere to position it, as the fire will need to be at that spot for the sensor to trigger it maybe? Unless the overall temp in the engine bay is 65 or above.

Think i need to sort my tinware out first, i have the wrong gearbox end tinware, so i am sure some heat is being lost, and until i get my stock filter fitted, warm exhaust air is going up the air filter pre heat pipe - i don't know how hot the "cold" area above my engine it. I'll get my temp measure sensors and datalog it next time i venture out if i get time to set it up.

You gonna fit one to yours?

Cheers!

Alistair

 

[BaG hEaD]

Good questions...

The valve is similar to the solenoid, but with a copper capilary and sensing phial..

The capillary wire can be varoius lengths, 1.5m 3m, 6m and 9m.
I'd have thought the 1.5 is enough.
On oil boilers the phail is sited inside the boiler casing and above the burner. Which is very similar to the engine bay and engine.. So I'd fit it centrally above the engine, on the engine bay ceiling,

Would need statistics on the running temperature of the engine bay, so yes please if you could get your thermometer out, I'd appreciate it..
I'm going to do the same over the next few weeks, and definately fit one to my bus..to test it.

 

[RICH-I-AM]

Heating oils/diesel pass through these valves n probably lubricate as they go. Petrol has never been known for this quality.If petrol passes through a diesel engine pump (Cars etc...) it can quickly damage the seals as it passes through. Any chance this could happen over a perioid of time leaving total mechanical failure when you need it most?
Sounds like a cool plan if all of the above dont apply.

Rich :mrgreen:

 

[BaG hEaD]

Yeah, gotta check this out with the manufacturers..

Thanks for your input.

 

[aogrady]

Good questions...

The valve is similar to the solenoid, but with a copper capilary and sensing phial..

The capillary wire can be varoius lengths, 1.5m 3m, 6m and 9m.
I'd have thought the 1.5 is enough.
On oil boilers the phail is sited inside the boiler casing and above the burner. Which is very similar to the engine bay and engine.. So I'd fit it centrally above the engine, on the engine bay ceiling,

Would need statistics on the running temperature of the engine bay, so yes please if you could get your thermometer out, I'd appreciate it..
I'm going to do the same over the next few weeks, and definately fit one to my bus..to test it.

Ok, will try to do some tests next time i am out. Though to be honest, as my engine bay isn't sealed well from the hot side, I'm not too sure if it's a real world test as such, but will give it a bash.

Alistair

 

[RICH-I-AM]

Maybe try a hairdryer on it :?: