Fire Extinguisher

[magoo]

I'm considering the idea of adding a gas dispersion fire extinguisher for the engine bay, but how effective are they when driving along at 50 mph with all that air rushing around the engine bay?

 

[mike202]

There's several threads on this theme. The best ones are the foam or the powder ones, the gas extinguishers are not advisable in the aircooled engine bay because of the large movements of air around the engine which would disperse the CO2 or other gas.

That said I still have to fit my firetec engine bay extinguisher :lol: But I do have two extinguishers in the bus should the worst happen! :msn4: :msn4:

 

[Ryanmck1984]

Yeah I don't think the gas ones would be any good as it would just get sucked in to the fan I imagine

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

We do a powder system similar to the firetec ones that used to be group buys on here:

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Fire-Extinguisher-DAUS-Low-Pressure-1Kg-Dry-Powder-Vertical-AC999E001_act_shop.product_pID_139050754.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We can do a special price for EB customers of £185, you will need to ring and ask for me on 01444 251 270 to get that rate.

 

[Moseley]

I've read a lot of speculation on here, but can't say I've seen anything where someone's auto extinguisher has actually activated and how it performed.

Also, might be worth looking at where the majority of fires occur - is it whilst stationary, or whilst at motorway speeds?

I spoke to one of our fire engineers at work and he was of the general opinion that powder would be most effective at putting out an engine bay fire, but only if it was well directed to smother any flames. Even then, the chance of re-igniting is high once the extinguisher has emptied if fuel is present.

I'm of the personal opinion that the engine bay systems on the market are only really large enough to suppress most fires - there's multiple threads on here about people using small hand-helps that barely even doused engine bay fires.

Having said that, I've gone for a gas system to at least give more chance of getting people out safely.

 

[dazza1975]

I have a fire tec in my engine bay and a further 2no 2kg powder ones that i keep in the cab just in case! Safety first for the wife and kids hence the firetec and the others to protect my pride and joy

 

[Ryanmck1984]

Got round to fitting mine today. Now feel a lot more relaxed when driving around! 8)

 

[KevH]

I have a fire tec in my engine bay and a further 2no 2kg powder ones that i keep in the cab just in case! Safety first for the wife and kids hence the firetec and the others to protect my pride and joy

Like Moseley, I have been sceptical of fixed automated systems in the engine bay, but relented when I saw a pic of a bus on fire on a motorway bridge. It just got me and I thought bugger it, better safe than sorry.

I now have the identical set up to dazza1975...Firetec in the rear, and two handhelds in the cab. And I feel much better for it.

 

[vwcanuck]

Has anyone tried installing a home made system like in this link? Simple, inexpensive and maybe effective? I know it's not automatic but it's a pull of the lever if you notice smoke and there's no scrambling to get out a hand-held extinguisher, run to the back, try to open the engine lid and hope you spray it properly. This summer I will do a little more research for this and a fuel line shut-off valve.

http://www.mangosmoothie.ca/fire-suppression" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Tristan71]

Can anyone remember the name of the compact engine bay co2 fire extinguisher

 

[sjhjoinery]

Vw aircooled works

 

[niklee1]

Elide fireballs are very effective and very cheap but I can't seem to find any links to them on sale in the UK other than buying 100 of them...

 

[StuF]

Elide fireballs are very effective and very cheap but I can't seem to find any links to them on sale in the UK other than buying 100 of them...

Thats exactly what I have installed in mine - got it off eBay a while ago
Simple, cheap and hopefully effective should the worse happen
:msn4: (Its the orange and white ball next to the carb!) :msn4:

 

[coopster]

http://www.accentsystems.biz/index.php/shop-store/fireballs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
40 quid delivered seems not a bad price

 

[john the horse]

Poweder actually causes a chemical reaction with the vapours that are combusted , hence putting out the fire, however it will not reduce the heat at all and if disturbed will e ignite, now this is fine when stationary as if it puts out the fire then you can cool it down by another means but if you are driving i would think that the air flrom the intakes may disperse and or remove said powder. afff foam would be best IMO, an no i havent got a fire extinguisher , i have agreed valuaton insurance which is far nicer. TBH if ours set on fire i would grab myself and others out and walk away , its not worth it.


my ten pennies spend whilst bored at work.

jth