Carry A Fire Extinguisher!

[HealeyRick]

I put a chrome dry chemical extinguisher on the tunnel of my Healey because I thought it looked cool.



Never thought I'd need it until a fuel leak from the carb, lit up the engine compartment. I spotted the flames through the hood louvers and was able to grab the extinguisher and shoot through the louvers to knock the fire down pretty quickly. Paint damage to the hood, burnt up wiring, some interior carpet damage, but if I didn't have the extinguisher it would have burnt to the ground. Keep one handy.

[mrmustang]

After years of racing, with built in fire suppression systems, now without, I've been carrying around the following:
https://elementfire.com/

Watched a demonstration live a few months ago and was quite impressed.


Bill S.

[kevins2]

That's impressive for something that small. I mounted a Coldfire extinguisher in my car but, fortunately, have never used it. I like that I can recharge it with my air compressor. According to the website, Nascar, Indy and many police forces use it. It is supposedly much less messy than dry chemical extinguishers. There are a number of videos on the website showing it in action.

https://coldfiretactical.com/?gclid=...hoCmeAQAvD_BwE

[1795]

Lucky that you had it Rick. Yes, fires are always a possibility, better some damage than total loss. If you do use a dry chemical one, do not use water to clean up the mess, it creates a a substance that will ruin your aluminum.

Jim

[A/S65]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

After years of racing, with built in fire suppression systems, now without, I've been carrying around the following:
https://elementfire.com/

Watched a demonstration live a few months ago and was quite impressed.


Bill S.

Thanks for sharing that Bill. I just ordered 2.

[HTM101]

Years ago I had to blast the engine compartment of my Cobra with a dry chemical extinguisher and did a great job of putting out the fire. However, the chemical etched every piece of aluminum in the engine bay; inner fender liners, firewall, radiator, everything.

I switched to a Halotron extinguisher.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by kevins2

That's impressive for something that small. I mounted a Coldfire extinguisher in my car but, fortunately, have never used it. I like that I can recharge it with my air compressor. According to the website, Nascar, Indy and many police forces use it. It is supposedly much less messy than dry chemical extinguishers. There are a number of videos on the website showing it in action.

https://coldfiretactical.com/?gclid=...hoCmeAQAvD_BwE

Kevin,

Years ago, I used to have a MWD level direct connection to ColdFire, and have used their systems in all of my race cars, even a few of my Cobras. Great product(s).


Bill S.

[kevins2]

Bill,

Now that you mention it, I believe it was a thread that you posted about Coldfire that got me to look at their products. Would have been about 9 or 10 years ago.

Thanks again!

Kevin

[spdbrake]

Originally Posted by HTM101

Years ago I had to blast the engine compartment of my Cobra with a dry chemical extinguisher and did a great job of putting out the fire. However, the chemical etched every piece of aluminum in the engine bay; inner fender liners, firewall, radiator, everything.

I switched to a Halotron extinguisher.

Yes the Dry chemical is corrosive to aluminum. And hard to clean up. We've had to reskin the entire tail section of a jet as it got between the stringers and skin. It's recommended to never have those types on the hanger floor.
Cleanup instructions: https://www.guardianfireprotection.c...tal%20surfaces.

[SGwick]

Had an off-track last month. I used my fire extinguisher I had inside the cobra and luckily the Fire service also responded. Looks like the side exhaust lit the dry grass on fire, then that lit the fuel plume from my dislodged fuel fill hose (from high speed side impact) causing a fireball high up in the air. I had the Element Fire extinguisher but it wasn't installed. Highly recommend a fire extinguisher or system and fire suit if you're planning to track these beasts. Maybe switch out and install a FIA fuel cell.

[Unique427]

Originally Posted by HTM101

Years ago I had to blast the engine compartment of my Cobra with a dry chemical extinguisher and did a great job of putting out the fire. However, the chemical etched every piece of aluminum in the engine bay; inner fender liners, firewall, radiator, everything.

I switched to a Halotron extinguisher.

I use Halguard Clean Agent (no residue) fire bottles.
https://www.h3rperformance.com/colle...guisher-1-4lbs

One mounted under dash plus a small trunk mounted backup.

The Element extinguisher sticks are compact and clever but:
1) Appears to have very limited range when deployed.
2) Requires both hands to activate. A properly mounted fire bottle
is accessible with left and right hand. Operated with only one hand.
This is about suppressing a potential post-crash fire while injured.
3) Once started it expels completely. No bursts.
4) No way to test if still good until it's needed. Fire bottles are metered and tested.

Correct me if my observations were in err.

[1985 CCX]

Rick

Thank god you are alright. Always sad to here this type of news however guess it could have been worse.

Again, nicely done and glad you are safe.

[HealeyRick]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Rick

Thank god you are alright. Always sad to here this type of news however guess it could have been worse.

Again, nicely done and glad you are safe.

Thanks, Jeff. The car will be going up to Dover, NH for repair, but won't be until a couple of months before they can fit it in.

[Morris]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

After years of racing, with built in fire suppression systems, now without, I've been carrying around the following:
https://elementfire.com/

Watched a demonstration live a few months ago and was quite impressed.


Bill S.

Bill

Thanks ....just ordered 2 each and roll bar & wall mount ...good to have on the Cobra and in the kitchen.....just to add... KMP259 has a Fuel Safe Fuel Cell as well as a 10 lbs Fire system, in the trunk and engine compartment and Aeroquip all over the car.... but these will work in the cockpit in an emergency which I have been in a burning race car before and you can't have enough safety....

Thanks
Morris

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Rick

Thank god you are alright. Always sad to here this type of news however guess it could have been worse.

Again, nicely done and glad you are safe.

Welcome to my world! I have said for years, the title of my autobiography should be, "It Could Have Been Worse" and the subtitle, "I Couldn't Do That On Purpose!" I suspect, when I finally pass on, both those titles will fit!


Hopefully, no one will need their fire extinguisure!