Fire system questions?

rdane · rdane's Garage

After seening the number of member's cars burnt up over the last year I am about to buy a SafeCraft 10# Halon system.

Haven't decided to put it in myself or have my wrench do it for me.

I am more concerned about an engine or front end fire than I am about getting out of the cockpit.

Is this reasonable insurance to keep the car in one piece (using a two head system front and back) or should I set the system up in the typical format where the driver gets the majority of the bottle in a three head system?

My wing is a bit hard to get up at the gas station. In a fire I suspect the car would be gone before I could get the wing up and a bottle on the engine.

makaio · 06-07-2003, 08:22 PM

A Halon system would be most effective with your rear decklid down (they work best in an enclosed environment).

Yes the Halon system would be great insurance policy.

rdane · rdane's Garage

Thanks Matt, I hadn't realized that about the engine lid staying down but it makes sense.

I am thinking a system where I can put the halon front and back with a block off valve available for the cabin except on track days when I'd be more inclined to leave it open.

Anyone done this? Or should I just use two heads (front and back) and stick with a 5# bottle?

304065 · 06-07-2003, 09:01 PM

I have three heads: fuel cell, driver and engine. The largest diameter tube is to the driver, which is also the shortest run. If I have an engine fire, I am getting wet.

I use AFFF which is superior to halon in my opinion. Halon will not support life (that's what makes it such a great fire supressant!), disperses with a breeze, and does not displace liquid gasoline the way AFFF does. Guys say "I'll hold my breath and then hit the trigger for the bottle. . ." which I think is pure BS: if you are upside down and burning you are going to be panting like a German Shepherd in July.

If you are concerned about engine fire I would do a couple things: first, make sure your fuel lines are in good shape, and carry a 2.5# halon bottle in an easily reached spot, like mounted to the passenger seat, to fight engine fires, and assist others in trouble. My .02 . . .

makaio · 06-08-2003, 02:26 PM

John I agree 100% that AFFF is a better system. I just wanted rdane to know that a Halon system would be a good choice as well. But most people don't like the thought of any residue, whether it be liquid or powder. That's why they carry Halon hand held extinguishers vs. dry chemical ones.

Being a fireman by trade, I carry a 5lb dry chemical extinguisher in all my cars. Once my SC becomes a dedicated or 90% track car, I will be installing an AFFF system on board.

Any charged and serviceable extinguisher is better than none.

Bob D · 06-08-2003, 02:35 PM

I recently saw some sort of notification that Halon might not be allowed by some sanctioning bodies. I cannot find the refernce but it might be worth checking it out.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

A fire suppression system should be a good addition.

Halon is one of several now available.

These extinguishing agents work in different ways. If I remember correctly, Halon removes the oxygen from fire extinguishing it. We once used it in control rooms. When the system is activated, the A/C system shuts down, louvres close, and the doors shuts. This is why the advice to keep the engine lid down is valid.

We have moved to FM200 as the extinguishing agent with Halon no longer being the preferred method. I wonder would FM200 work in an automobile. It extinguishes fires in a different way. See the links below.

I'm not sure what options your system comes with but I would want a LED inside the cabin telling me the system has activated. Also, I can think think of two scenarios; one when the car is parked and the other during driving. When parked is not an issue. However, if a fire started when driving, I would want a short delay, perhaps 3 seconds or so before it actually released. This would then give you time to start steering for the side of the road. Secondly, I would want the system to kill my ignition shutting off the fan so it doesn't pull all the Halon out of the engine compartment. In a panic, a person could get out leaving the car running causing the fan to reduce or eliminate the Halon's effectiveness. The engine compartment is already somewhat porus.

http://www.firecanada.com/fm200.html

http://www.e1.greatlakes.com/fm200/jsp/index.jsp