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-   -   Fire surpression procedure (http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/77852-fire-surpression-procedure.html)

jaykay 05-19-2020 08:14 AM

Fire surpression procedure
 
I just installed this 2.5 lbs baby to replace the big 3 pounder that I carried around on the track. It will have Halon 12 in it

This got me thinking about proper fire suppression procedure for.....let's say engine bay. I am not sure I know the correct steps. I have seen a older 911 go up completely from the engine bay and it left an impression for sure. It was the kind of event that one had to almost run from.

For the engine bay I would get in the rear wheel well in front of the wheel and shoot up towards the fuel rails on either side. A big bottle may not even get in there; one should test this ahead of time.

That's all I have ....don't think it is good enough. Any thoughts?http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1589904855.jpg

JFP in PA 05-19-2020 08:48 AM

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 05-19-2020 01:56 PM

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 05-19-2020 02:14 PM

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..

JFP in PA 05-19-2020 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaykay (Post 617342)
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 05-19-2020 06:46 PM

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.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i7aKdVp-wCI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

jaykay 05-19-2020 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert986 (Post 617345)
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 05-20-2020 06:04 AM

"Blazecut" is a conventional fire suppression system that uses a heat sensitive hose to release the Halon in the bottle rather than a simple driver pull cable .

Starter986 05-20-2020 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFP in PA (Post 617367)
"Blazecut" is a conventional fire suppression system that uses a heat sensitive hose to release the Halon in the bottle rather than a simple driver pull cable .

Appears to be worth the ~$170

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iePku-2jh7Y

jaykay 05-20-2020 09:04 AM

I would agree. I plan to modify my engine cover to incorporate this....

JFP in PA 05-20-2020 09:10 AM

Having used remote fire system in the past, I would prefer manual control.

jaykay 05-20-2020 10:03 AM

For sure but I imagine the expense and installation requirements maybe prohibitive for a street car. Definitely would love a fire handle

Robert986 05-23-2020 07:03 AM

@jaykay, I don't have the Blazecut, at least not yet. However if/when you go to Stockholm do look me up!!! I have some great twisty roads where you may testdrive my S!

jaykay 05-23-2020 01:11 PM

Sounds good, will let you know!!! Thanks for the product information!

husker boxster 05-25-2020 11:32 AM

Man that was sad to watch that Boxster go up in flames. Seemed like it took yrs for the fire dept to get there.

I use my clear glass engine cover on my CSS when I'm on the track. I figure the fire guys could whack it with an axe to get to the top of the engine.

rick3000 05-26-2020 09:31 AM

I have Halon in my 986 mounted to the front of the passenger seat, I always figured I would spray it through the side intake vents and hope the Halon does it's job in the enclosed space of the engine bay. If I tracked the car regularly a fire suppression system would probably be a good idea. That said, I don't think engine fires are all that common. The video above was someone that retrofitted an Audi V6 turbocharged engine, I think I have only heard of one stock 986 catching on fire.

These are Porsche's not Ferrari's, catching on fire is less of a concern. ;)

MaxD 05-26-2020 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000 (Post 617698)
These are Porsche's not Ferrari's, catching on fire is less of a concern. ;)

Or Corvettes - seen quite a few of them go up in flames unfortunately.

piper6909 05-26-2020 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78F350 (Post 617357)
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.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i7aKdVp-wCI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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

jaykay 05-26-2020 04:08 PM

Yeah frustrating you just want to able to do something

rfuerst911sc 05-26-2020 04:20 PM

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 ?


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