Fire surpression procedure

[JFP in PA]

When these cars burn, it is almost always inside the engine bay, which you cannot quickly gain access to. On serious race cars, there is a halon bottle with lines running into both sides of the engine bay, where nozzles spay the gas in an optimum pattern to suppress the fire. Unfortunately, a hand held unit is almost useless against a fire in the engine bay.

[jaykay]

Thanks JFP, sobering for sure. Yes I was hoping that there was something one could apart from a fire suppression system fired from the cockpit. I guess we should all just make sure we don't have fuel leaks (what are critical inspection points?) or P/S fluid venting on top of the engine.

.....perhaps change over to electric P/S

[Robert986]

Have you seen the "Blazecut"? A hose placed on the inside of the engine hatch that bursts in case of a fire, releasing some kind of gas to put out the fire. I have been considering that one..

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by Robert986

Have you seen the "Blazecut"? A hose placed on the inside of the engine hatch that bursts in case of a fire, releasing some kind of gas to put out the fire. I have been considering that one..

Robert,

Thanks for this!!! I had not seen this at all. I will go do some research. When I get to Stockholm I will look you up and check out your installation.

The burst time is too long but looks very promising overall

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Thanks JFP, sobering for sure. Yes I was hoping that there was something one could apart from a fire suppression system fired from the cockpit. I guess we should all just make sure we don't have fuel leaks (what are critical inspection points?) or P/S fluid venting on top of the engine.

.....perhaps change over to electric P/S

It isn't just fuel leaks, oil and hydraulic fluids are flammable as well, particularly when they get hot.

[78F350]

I have little to offer except for an opinion. If your engine compartment has a fire, get away from the car and let it burn until proper equipment and personnel arrive on the scene. That 2.5lb bottle? Use it for egress or to buy time for egress if you are ...delayed. The cost of the car is nothing compared to the cost of having your body burned.
Fire happens fast in cars. Here's an article from GRM: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/how-i-became-human-torch-and-survived/

Here's a video:
Escy posted some info on his build on this forum, but most of it is detailed elsewhere. Here's his video of the car burning.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by 78F350

I have little to offer except for an opinion. If your engine compartment has a fire, get away from the car and let it burn until proper equipment and personnel arrive on the scene. That 2.5lb bottle? Use it for egress or to buy time for egress if you are ...delayed. The cost of the car is nothing compared to the cost of having your body burned.
Fire happens fast in cars. Here's an article from GRM: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/how-i-became-human-torch-and-survived/

Here's a video:
Escy posted some info on his build on this forum, but most of it is detailed elsewhere. Here's his video of the car burning.

Very sad video. One good takeaway is that they had more than ample time to get out.

[jaykay]

Yeah frustrating you just want to able to do something

[rfuerst911sc]

I wonder if a small piece of metal tubing could be installed in the rear trunk on the front wall . Maybe 3/4 " diameter and up high . You sense a fire/smoke you pull over and grab your extinguisher . As you exit the car you pop the trunk and place the nozzle of the extinguisher into the tube and empty it . Either the fire goes out or you walk away knowing you at least tried . A simple rubber plug would keep under hood dirt and grime from getting in the trunk . Crazy idea ?