Fire Suppression System, Suggestions wanted Options

[Cairo94507]

Hi Everyone - As my car moves forward I think it is time to consider a small fire suppression system for the engine compartment. I would like something with maybe 3 nozzles which can be strategically placed to address a possible engine compartment fire.

I am hoping some of our members may have experience with these and would be willing to make a recommendation as to what is a neat, compact system. I want to get it mocked up before we move along to paint in case Scotty needs to weld in any brackets, etc. So please let me hear your thoughts.

Oh, this is going to be a stock 3.2 Motronic engine if that helps.

Thanks for your collective wisdom in helping me reduce the chance of an engine fire which consumes my car.

Michael

[Dave_Darling]

Different agents are available, as well:

Some of the dry chemical extinguishers are corrosive. They will eat wiring insulation and aluminum. They're almost impossible to clean up, too. I'm not sure if all of them are, these days, but try to avoid those.

The halon extinguishers work quite well, but obviously halon is harder to find now and rather more $$ than it used to be. Halon is also less effective in open areas where the wind can blow it away.

Old-fashioned CO2 is heavier and bulkier than the above. It can work well in enclosed spaces especially, but moving air will tend to dissipate it.

There are foam extinguishing agents that seem to work better in areas with air flow, but they make a mess and may be heavier and bulkier than halon or dry chem.

In a race car, there is generally one (or more) nozzle pointed at the engine, one pointed at the driver, and often but not always one at the fuel cell. The idea is go give the driver time to exit the vehicle, not to save the car.

It is possible that the CO2 can cool hot parts enough to keep them from re-starting a fire. I think the foam is supposed to be persistent enough to have a real shot at keeping fires from re-starting. But the dry-chem and halon are just for temporary supression.

Most extinguisher systems are used by racers. Check the Paddock section of this BBS, and the Racing section of the Pelican BBS, for lots more discussion.

--DD