Fire Extinguisher for the Car

[OsoMoore]

I moved houses last year and somehow lost my car's fire extinguisher. It was a small but solid silver one, in the traditional shape, nozzle, etc.
Now I'm looking to replace it. I bought one online but when it arrived, it was just too large to stow anywhere accessible in the car.

I'm looking for recommendations. I've read about Element extinguishers, and they seem like a good option. Any other experiences or ideas are appreciated.

[dwelle]

i run the elements in my cars. they're nice and compact. i can't speak to their effectiveness as i've (thankfully) never had to use one...

[mb911]

Purple k and also look at blazecut as a supplement

[Bill Douglas]

I have a small one in the glove box of the SC. It's intended for forestry workers to carry on their belts. It may be small but with an engine fire, you're either going to be able to put it out or you're not. duration of the blast isn't going to change that.

[RSTarga]

Element is great or Halotron. The Element gives much more time.
Don't use anything that leaves a powder residue as cleanup is a pain and the powder can be corrosive.

[Tommy Z]

Interesting video comparing the Element E50 with a standard fire extinguisher. For the size of the element it's a pretty impressive result and despite it's low reach of spray, looks like it would be effective on the small engine bay of a 911.

Link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUR6zrz3DYU

[Locker537]

I went with an Element.

[jpnovak]

I Have a halotron mounted to the luggage tie down on the heel panel of the passenger back seats. Easily reachable from front seat.

[Locker537]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

I have a small one in the glove box of the SC. It's intended for forestry workers to carry on their belts. It may be small but with an engine fire, you're either going to be able to put it out or you're not. duration of the blast isn't going to change that.

I'm no firefighter or expect on the subject, but I disagree. The more the better when it comes to trying to suppress a fire.

You may want to check the type of that extinguisher. Dry chemical extinguishers, while better than nothing, will make a serious mess of a car. The chemicals are corrosive.

Halotron based extinguishers, designed for automotive use, are considered "clean" in comparison and more effective. Halguard is the popular brand you often see.

The Element "flare" style extinguishers are the next iteration; smaller size, longer run time.

Regardless, I hope to never use any of them.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Locker537

Dry chemical extinguishers, while better than nothing, will make a serious mess of a car. The chemicals are corrosive.

Fire makes an even bigger mess of the car.

A guy who did fire prevention consultancy to us at Unilever said "Excellent." So I'm going with his recommendation. But thanks.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Most sanctions insist on a metal nozzle for a race car unit

[ClickClickBoom]

Note,
A fire extinguisher is a time buying tool, if it puts out the fire completely, all the better. A Porsche engine is aluminum(or magnesium) filled with almost 3 gallons of oil. Said oil resides in the engine compartment and is held in the tank with rubber hoses. Halon and the derivatives will simply not be enough, especially if gasoline is involved as well. Dry chemical, preferably Purple K is the tool of choice for a potential metal fire, yes aluminum will burn in the right conditions as well. The best suppression system is in the engine compartment and remotely actuated or automatic. Ultimately fire fighting is salvage after the lives are saved. I carry a 2.5 lb Purple K extinguisher on the front of the pax seat. Those small halon style glovebox extinguishers won’t do much. The preferred firefighting method for engine fires is a water deluge from a inch and a half hose and a couple hundred gallons of water or next, dry chemical, followed by whatever you have.
The fire dept I worked for had several large Purple K extinguishers on my engine. They were only deployed if the engine fire involved burning metal otherwise we would deploy a water hand line with a sheet metal lance nozzle. Halon or other gaseous agents will dissipate rather quickly due to them being heavier than air. If carrying a glove box halon type bottle makes you feel better, go for it, just adjust your expectations accordingly.

[911obgyn]

One more for element extinguisher!
Fits under the seat with just the end sticking out by transmission hump.

[B_El]

It took 1.5 full size powder exinguishers to put out my engine fire last October. The flames were up to the opened engine lid (2.5ft?). The fire re-ignited 3 times before the fuel pressure dropped enough. Scorched my hair and eyebrows. In my case, I doubt if the Element would've allowed me to get close enough to put out the fire. Obviously, you use what you have when it happens and I happened to have several extinguishers in my garage at the time.
Regarding corrosion of the materials with powder - it's absolutely true. The intake manifolds were jammed closed to the point where the linkage broke when trying to move them. Kudos to Dan and Dan at RMG (Real Mean Garage) in Sunnyvale who cleaned and did the repairs. Pictures before and after $3500.[

[mb911]

Look at blaze cut as an option as well as a bonus to the purple k.

I have mounted on my 914-6 engine lid.

[Cairo94507]

Thanks to Greg (CoonDog on 914World.com) I carry a 10 pound Purple K in my front trunk. I am now looking for a very clean bracket that is or can be powder coated satin black to attach to the front of the sliding passenger seat and hold a 2.5 pound Purple K. Fires scare me-seen to many burned up 914's that were pristine before the fire.

[chrismorse]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

Most sanctions insist on a metal nozzle for a race car unit

I suspect most sanctioning bodies want to see an extinguisher service within the last year or two, so plastic is out. Doesn't matter if it is for a rental, home or race car.

[chrismorse]

I have been involved in three fires and i'm here to tell you speed is important because if the fire raises the temperature of the metal bits high enough and there is anything available to burn, (fuel, oil, plastic), you can put the fire out, BUT if hot enough, it will come right back.

I had an employee who worked on his truck the night before and when he was leaving the job site, the carburetor had leaked enough fuel for a fire to start. He used up a 2-3/4 pounder and i rolled up to the fire with my 5 pounder and put it out 4 or 5 times, then told him to run back inside for a bucket of water - that finally did it, but the truck was a write off - toast.

Does the element leave any residue or have any difficulties.
I still have a couple of halon extinguishers for the two cars - how much more effective is Purple K.
How effective is CO2?? I know it is way not PC, (just like Halon) but a no mess fire put out is a lot less poluting than a burnt car.
chris

[RSTarga]

The Element discharges such a large amount, and for a long enough duration that you don't have to be close. Really no comparison with a traditional extinguisher , except maybe a 30Lb tank of C02.

Just be sure you are completely familiar with how to start it off.

Ofcourse anything is better than nothing

[chrisbalich]

Element within arm's reach of driver or passenger. Held in with a plastic clip so it can be easily yanked out with or without breaking the clip.
And I did 'train' my [beautiful] wife on how to use it. I said, "I need you to be able to use this if we crash and I'm taking a wee nap. I'd much prefer you put out a fire than watch me bbq."