Fire Suppression Addition

[moneymanager]

I've just added a fire suppression system required for club racing. I thought my experience might be of interest to others.
The two pics pretty much say it all.
The bottle (Firebottle FE 36) is mounted on a sheet metal bracket bolted to the floor and to the two embedded nuts which usually hold the luggage strap on the vertical panel just behind the driver's seat. I contemplated running the rearward line thru that same panel where it would have been less obvious. But I found it easier simply to run the line backward then up the firewall (and under the carpet) and thru a 1/4" hole to the engine. One small bracket thru the firewall holds this line in the middle and it is secured with tie wraps at the ends.
The line going forward just goes along the edge of my custom seat bracket to a point an inch in front of the seat where it points up slightly to improve coverage. The release knob is mounted on the side of the seat bracket within easy reach.
After finishing the job, I decided it would be better to reverse the bottle direction. This would put the release knob on the outside seat bracket... just as accessible to me but better for someone opening the door. I'll make this change in the near future.

[Wil Ferch]

Perhaps the following comment/question applies more to fire suppession systems installed on Street cars....vs this installation used for club racing but I will ask anyway--->

- is the suppressant a chemical base or a halon base? If chemical extinguishers are used, their caustic residue usually results in more mess/cost than letting the car burn and collecting a fire insurance settlement. Insurance typically doesn't cover caustic damage. Again..this concern applies more to street car applications but I wonder how the racing world views the damage done by chemical extinguishers.....there is a cost here too. Maybe it's obvious that it can save lives and cost is not a factor...but it would be good to hear comments.

[moneymanager]

FE 36, the current halon replacement, leaves no residue I am told and is almost as efficient as halon. It can be used in an operating room. I'm also told that modern foam extinguishers don't leave the giant mess that their forebearers did; they are generally thought to be easy to clean up after...though I'd like to hear from someone who actually had to do it. The chemical extinguisher of yore seems pretty much obsolete and to be avoided.

[Green 912]

Foam is slick and might make getting out of the car harder. Don't let anyone tell you it is not messy I have see it in action and it is 100% messy. Cleans up with a wet rag.
FE36 is good but not quite as good as Halon pound for pound. Be sure any system can take a high G impact and retain integrity. No use if it breaks loose or the tubing bends. Safety pins should be in easy reach. I see that there is one at the push button is there another one at the bottle? If so I would discard that one. You will forget to remember that one at some point. Having the pull punch button up and in sight and reach of the drivers window would be a +. This way a corner worker could see and trigger it

[moneymanager]

Bottle pin will be out. We're still under construction here.

[JP911]

I've had to clean up chemical foam (AFFF) and while it is messy, it is not corrosive or destructive like the older foams.

[fanaudical]

Question - It's been a while since I've worked on any fire suppression gear, but does that hard line to the engine compartment support enough flow to sufficiently blanket the fire? The fire doesn't go out if you don't discharge fast enough.

[WOLVERINE]

Check out this company........DJ Safety............coldfire stuff is awesome without the damage to your engine ..they say even on magnesium

YouTube - Coldfire Vs Others Fire Suppressant Agents

[moneymanager]

fanaudical...dunno. That's how they all seem to be sold so I'm assuming they work.

[kodioneill]

That test of the different agents on You Tube looks a little shaky to me.

[MrJTP]

Foam has more 'staying power'. The problem with gas type extinguishers is that once the gas dissipates, if conditions still exist for fire, it can rekindle. Gas puts out flame, it does not permanently eliminate fuel, heat and oxygen, the components necessary for fire.

[WOLVERINE]

YouTube - Cold Fire - Utah demo - car fire