Fire Extinguishers

[SSUte01]

Today whilst doing some shopping I saw Fire Extinguishers on special so I grabbed a couple, one for each car and it got me to thinking how many people have one in there car or if anyone has any tales of fires in their or friends car.

Friend of the families VS went up a fair few years ago, he had to get out go to the side of the road and watch it burn to the ground - a good samaratin even emptied his extinguisher to no avail - but I figure it cannot hurt.

I installed mine on the kick panel on the passenger side, down where the PCMs used to be on the VN-VS.

Anyways here's a couple of piccies, I think it turned out alright and not too obstructive to any passengers either.

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/100_1545.jpghttp://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/100_1547.jpg

Cheers
Luke :)

[35R]

Not bad.

Where did you get em Luke and how did you fix them on? Safe for circuit?

[Febs]

Looks good mate.

Another good spot (where Seedy and myself have ours) is under the back seat base. You can lift the back seat base up (really easily), then use a few cable ties to hold the bracket in place. Then you just snap the fire extinguisher in/out as you please. Sounds dodgy, but with enough cable ties it's actually really solid.

Out of the way too...it sits under the passenger's knees, but it's well out of the way and you can barely notice it.

Dunc - you can get them from SuperCheap and BigW for $19.95-$24.95. Sometimes you can be lucky and find the metal bracket ones too.

Safe for the circuit - you'd hope so...I'd want one there more than anywhere. :) (But yeah, the brackets are pretty solid. I've taken mine on the skidpan several times - no problems.)

Cheers,
- Febs.

[BOMI]

Looks good there Luke. I had never thought to put it there!! Is that mounted to the plastic or the chassis? What we all need to remember that its all well and good that they dont move around BUT when in a crash a 1Kg Extingushers will way up 15 to 30 kgs in a split second depending on the severity of the cras or impact. You dont want a 1Kg projectile bouncing around the cabin when in a crash so MOUNT THEM TO STEEL!!!

Some of the Fire extingushers that are cheap are cheap. Make sure they are "Dry Chemical" with a decent wind rating. Try to go for 1kg or more in size.

1Kg wont do much when it comes to a car on fire.


Troy :thumbs:

[RedVYIISS]

I've one floating around in the back footwell. Must get around to mounting it.

[35R]

I guess the other question is, what capacity should we have? I've read that anythign less than 2kg is a waste of time (for a decent car fire).. is that true?

I have a 0.5kg in the glove box, i guess that would only be good for a minor electrical fire really.

[SSUte01]

Looks good there Luke. I had never thought to put it there!! Is that mounted to the plastic or the chassis? What we all need to remember that its all well and good that they dont move around BUT when in a crash a 1Kg Extingushers will way up 15 to 30 kgs in a split second depending on the severity of the cras or impact. You dont want a 1Kg projectile bouncing around the cabin when in a crash so MOUNT THEM TO STEEL!!!

Some of the Fire extingushers that are cheap are cheap. Make sure they are "Dry Chemical" with a decent wind rating. Try to go for 1kg or more in size.

1Kg wont do much when it comes to a car on fire.


Troy :thumbs:

Not bad.

Where did you get em Luke and how did you fix them on? Safe for circuit?

I should note that this is not an accredited install or similar, I do not know but I would suggest that it may not pass scrutineering for a circuit day because as Troy pointed out mine is only mounted through the kick panel. Given its location I am fairly confident that in the majority of accident situations even if it were to break it wouldn't endanger the occupant - the exception to this would be perhaps some type of rollover. It is quite sturdy however but I hope I never find out how well it will stand up to an accident.

BTW - I got them from Supercheap for $20 on special

I mounted it where I did and how for a couple of reasons:

- Quick access
- Relatively non-obstructive to the passenger
- Something is better than nothing, noted it may do SFA on a fire but if you catch a fire early you MAY extinguish it and it is a dry chem unit
- It's a ute so oppurtunities are less

I think perhaps a good idea may be to put a flat piece of plate on the back to distribute the points where it is fixed to lessen the chance it will rip out.

Anyways I feel it is better than nothing

[BOMI]

It is in a good spot, one I had never thought of man!

I wasnt saying it was a shite spot, just that make sure its not gonna let go in a crash or any sort.

Troy :thumbs:

[SSUte01]

It is in a good spot, one I had never thought of man!

I wasnt saying it was a shite spot, just that make sure its not gonna let go in a crash or any sort.

Troy :thumbs:
You raise valid points, don't worry you wont offend me that easily - you have done me a service by making me (and everyone else) think about it so that it is safe. I used washers as well to try and distribute the weight, time will tell.

Cheers :)

[Elite SS]

I've had one fitted in my cars from the day my mates car went up in flames, not much damage but enough to spoil what he put into it.
As Bomi said as long as it's fitted securely it shoudn't be an issue where you put it, mine sits in the rear parcel shelf of my ute, large pop rivets hold it down.
Just remember when the time comes will you be able to reach it, and if you need to go to the passenger door it's not locked, every second counts in these situations.
just for the record any std powdered 1kg extinguisher will do the job, if the fire is to big for that, get away from the car real quick.
I just hope we never need to use them.

Cheers

Goran

[seedyrom]

Febs and mine are located in the following position.

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/fire.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/fire2.jpg

My only experience with fire extinguishers and car fires is either anecdotal or what happened to the Marrano's Test Pilot on the night of the Sydney Peter Brock memorial cruise.

Someone was able to use their HSV extinguisher from their boot to put out a little oil fire. Not the same as a fuel fire i'm led to believe - which are basically something unrecoverable i'm led to believe.



Just a warning for those attempting to put out an engine fire ...
From what i'm told, from those who have been their before. Get your extinguisher/s ready to go before popping the bonnet. Once you open the bonnet, oxygen hits the flames and makes it worse.

[Elite SS]

Thats what I was saying about the size of the fire, if the flames are comming through or under the bonnet (eg) don't even try and fight it, the air will just fuel the fire even more, like any thing we do, use common sense...
I put out a ladies rear brake that was on fire, due to the line leaking oil all over her hot rotor (disc), the forst bloke that tried to put it out dodn't know how to use the fire extiguisher, she was luck Ialso had one, so any one not familiar on the use of one, get familiar one day you moght need it.

[DaveHAT]

Good to see the finished product came out tippy top. Given the relatively limited places you could put it in a ute I reckon for accessibilty that is :bravo:

I fitted mine in the boot to keep it out of the way but in a moment of crisis it might be a PITA to get to.

I considered mounting it where Seedy has but having a car mad 20 month old with a propensity for button pushing I figured the boot was safer.

[Bermudablue]

Manifacturers are slack.This should be a standard fitment in all cars!
At the least...an option.

[Ryzz]

I used to have one in my old GTS, got it when i went to the HSV Nationals in Melbourne. I cable tied it to the front of the passanger seat to the rail where you life to slide the seat back and forward. Was pretty secure through the use of multiple cable ties then electrical tape the whole way over the base, end to end. Made for really really easy access as well.

Beware using some of the cheimcal ones, apparently the mess is that hard to clean up its usually easier just to write the car off (from a interior perspective). This is just what I have heard, never confrimed it either way, nor do i want to!!

[Hazza]

For track use Dunc, the CAMS scrutineer said it needs to be a metal bracket one, and hard mounted to metal, and within reach from the drivers seat.

They let me off easy for the first Hillclimb I ever did as I had a plastic one, so they made me mount it behind the drivers seat on the floor (so it wouldn't be a projectile danger in a crash situation). Not sure where the best spot would be, maybe on the floor just in front of the drivers seat?

[lautray]

Did a dummy fit for fire extinguisher mounting & this was the most practical position I found:

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/DSC02259i.JPG

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/DSC02258i.JPG

It is out of the way of the passengers feet & is quite unobtrusive for the legs too. Mounted quite high on the transmission tunnel, & allows full front seat travel, & doesn't have issues with floor mats. Most importantly, I think it should comply with Cams rules regarding being within easy reach of driver.

Thoughts please.

[BOMI]

Hey Erik have you tried mounting your extinguisher where mine is, at the front of the seat attached to the seat adjusting bar?

No drilling required and its way out of the passengers legs way.

I think that your setup whilst good for the track and with no passengers would be dangerous if you had an accident and you had a passenger, lots of knee and leg damage.

Just a thought mate, but if its only for the circuit then yeah, its a good spot :yep:


Troy :)

[lautray]

You got a pic Troy? For Cams they have to be hard fastened.

[BOMI]

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/Image109.jpg

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/Image113.jpg


Good old Zip ties, but if CAMS need solid mounts then yeah, this will no work.


Troy :)

[lautray]

Cheers mate. Nice idea, but don't think it'll be practical for my application.

[lautray]

The finished product (excuse dirty carpet):

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/DSC02260i.JPG

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/medium/DSC02262i.JPG

Even the cordless drill had more than enough oomph to pierce the floor-pan. Used 2 10Gx30mm self tappers as fasteners. Anything shorter & it wouldn't bite. Very secure. Easy reach of driver & doesn't interfere with the passengers legs nor full front seat travel :).

[firebug]

I've only just stumbled across this thread. A couple of things to consider IMO when purchasing and mounting an extinguisher into any passenger vehicle.

Whilst I don't expect that anyone who has already mounted an extinguisher in the forward leg area would remove it, as the installs look pretty good and would leave unsightly holes behind in the plastic. However...

You dont want a 1Kg projectile bouncing around the cabin when in a crash so MOUNT THEM TO STEEL!!!

This is a concern. Luke, consider putting some sort of metal bracket behind your kick panel that will secure to the frame of the car. Say use 3mm aluminium plate as it is easy to work with. Excuse the bodgy diagram:

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Firebug_01/How%20to%20pics/ExtinguisherBracket.jpg

You would have a better idea of what is behind the panel and if this is possible, as I may be talking through my bum as usual. As for anyone else attempting such and install, be aware that the plastic will not hold up to any sort of decent impact. It will come adrift, either by the extinguisher leaving the plastic moulding, or the plastic moulding parting company with its own mounts.
I have seen factory installed radio head units come out of their housing and land on the centre console, stretching or breaking the wiring loom as well from a decent rear end hit. Do not underestimate the energy stored in objects inside a vehicle in the event of a serious crash.

I think that your setup whilst good for the track and with no passengers would be dangerous if you had an accident and you had a passenger, lots of knee and leg damage.

Agreed, body limbs can be seriously injured by hard sharp objects in the event of a serious crash. The floor pedals on the driver side can snap or puncture the lower part of the legs, even the remaining keys hanging from your car keys have been known to puncture upper thighs. IMO if you can mount the extinguisher say where Seedy has, you will have far less of a chance of coming into contact with it if the worst occurs, although children’s short legs could be endangered with a shunt from behind. Luke has less options being a ute so I am not much help mate sorry. I don’t think in front of the front seats are an option as you are not allowed to inhibit the slide adjustments of the seats. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Not sure about the previous models but in the VY sedan the back seat has access to the boot. I think this is a perfect place for the extinguisher as it can be accessed with minimal fuss from the boot, or the cabin if the boot will not open.

There is no easy answer to this and I really don’t want to throw a wet blanket on a great install thread, but I feel these things should be kept in mind. As Luke said “Something is better than nothing”, very true, install wisely as your loved ones safety inside your car is paramount.

I guess the other question is, what capacity should we have? I've read that anythign less than 2kg is a waste of time (for a decent car fire).. is that true?

I have a 0.5kg in the glove box, i guess that would only be good for a minor electrical fire really.

I think for any electrical fire that a good brand battery isolator is a good investment in conjunction with your extinguisher. This stops re-ignition after you have put it out.

A 2kg extinguisher should be plenty for most car fires if caught early enough. Be aware that over a period of time dry chemical powder will ‘pack down’ in the extinguisher rendering it useless. This happens mainly when the extinguisher is mounted upright, although may happen in any position. The powder eventually settles due to constant vibration and becomes a hard mass. To prevent this, give the extinguisher a little shake from time to time to keep the powder loose.

If you experience an engine fire, turn the ignition to the ‘off’ position to be sure. It may be a leak in the fuel system and you don’t want the fuel pump trying to charge the line. Also any flammable liquid leaking from your car may pool underneath and continue to burn. Just a few points that you will no doubt completely forget when you pride and joy catches fire.

Lastly (which should be firstly), make sure everyone is out of the car and safely away from traffic before you start fighting your fire. It sounds obvious I know but kids especially can get very upset or just curious in these circumstances and the last thing anyone wants is children running around on the side of a freeway while you are preoccupied, and the general rubbernecking public not concentrating on the road ahead. I shudder at the thought…

Well that’s my 200 cents worth. Hope I didn’t highjack your thread Luke. :hide:

[NickS]

Great post Bill ... :yep:

:cheers:

[Quadcams]

Cool thread guys, you got me thinking I must get one myself and more so after watching a late model commodore in the burnout comp at WSID last night (not that I would ever go in it), his engine bay caught fire big time.

[MY Racing 221]

Couple of points to add too.

At the last IPRA round a GT-R caught fire just after the finish of the race. It took 2 1kg extinguishers to put it out. Having seen that, I'm glad I've chosen to have 2 in the race car, even if it means I'm carrying a whole KG more than I need to!

Having seen this, I need to pull my finger(s) out and mount a couple of spares to the road cars.

Finally... there is no way I'd use a bracket with a plastic mount inside the cabin of my road car. In a crash that will become a lethal weapon.

Cheers
Dave

[MrKeen]

Good thread guys,my GTS came with one as standard ,is in the boot tho.Ive often thought that might be just a little to far away if the shit really hits the fan.But if you put it inside the cabin....its really got to be secure.I dought that many fixtures would hold a bottle in place in a serious crash.

This is one area of car mods that scares me a little.Haveing kids in the back of my coupe and trying to get them out with fuel system pumping fuel and flames everywhere.I know Sam was not happy about mounting my fuel system where he did because it was very close to the rear axels,and if one broke it could easerly puncture a surge tank or fuel pump, exhaust is right there as well.....

[seedyrom]

I know Sam was not happy about mounting my fuel system where he did because it was very close to the rear axels,and if one broke it could easerly puncture a surge tank or fuel pump, exhaust is right there as well.....
I'm 'thinking' of making up a shield/box to go around the tank, consisting of 3 mm of Carbon fibre, some kevlar weave, then sandwiched again by another 3mm of carbon fibre.

Will let you know if I end up knocking something up.





Also, just on engine bay fires. One thing that often happens, is you lose your head.

On the private day when I had smoke pouring out of my bonnet, I went and popped it, and lifted it, without having either of my two extinguishers in my hand.
Lucky it wasn't a fire (there was a slight giveaway in that I also had smoke pouring out the exhaust), but yeah, I really didn't know what was going on under the bonnet, but lifted it anyway. :slap: Stupid me.

[pascal]

When i had my old vl i had one mounted on tyhe trans tunnel next to the console. I figured if the thing caught alight i didnt want to be buggerising around trying to pop the boot. And it wasnt intrusinve on the passenger at all. Even if it was, too bad...

Ive been to to many wreckers and seen to many burned out cars to go without one now.