Fire Extinguishers

[Raymond W.]

I first attempted a look up in the archives, but found it necessry to seek more info and help. I'm looking well beyond the bonus points and want to purchase a fire extinguisher that would be reasonably capable of saving my car (1974 Coupe) in the event of a fire. Given all of the variable as to the types of fires one could have with car, I'd like to know what type of extinguisher I should purchase, what size I should get, and the best location within the car to keep it. Thanks, Ray

[Dick W.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

There are as many opinions as there are members here, but a 5# ABC is the most practical. Sure dry powder makes a mess, but had you rather have a mess, or a melted hulk of fiberglass?

[John F.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

^^^^Agree!
John (ex USAF firefighter)

[Terry M.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

I first attempted a look up in the archives, but found it necessry to seek more info and help. I'm looking well beyond the bonus points and want to purchase a fire extinguisher that would be reasonably capable of saving my car (1974 Coupe) in the event of a fire. Given all of the variable as to the types of fires one could have with car, I'd like to know what type of extinguisher I should purchase, what size I should get, and the best location within the car to keep it. Thanks, Ray

Dick has firefighting experience, listen to him.

Fire extinguishers are items where size DOES matter. Bigger is always better.

Keep it close at hand. I keep mine right behind the passenger seat, so I can reach it in a flash.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

Ray, take a look at this prior thread on the subject:

It may save you one heck of a headache, by reading these thoughts.

If you can find a 5 pound dry chem extinguisher cheap at a garage sale or elsewhere, buy one and "test" discharge it. Do it in a safe, outdoor area, and let us know what you think of the discharge mess........
Think of that mess inside your Corvette, your shop, your garage, your home, etc......
Would it be better than fire damage,......of course.
But are there better options....? of course there are.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...e+extinguisher

[Jim D.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

I recommend carrying 2 extinguishers. 1- 2.5 lb Halguard/Halotron (Halon replacement) and 1 10BC dry chemical. Having fought probably 500+ vehicle fires in my 31 years as a firefighter, no single extinguisher will work under all circumstances. If you are experienced, use the Halotron 1st, if that doesn't work, use the dry chemical. If you are not experienced, have good insurance and call the fire dept.

Jim

P.S. Once fiberglass starts burning, only one thing will extinguish it --copious amounts of water. Yes, I seen many Corvettes burn to the ground.

[Dick W.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

The Halon/Halon replacement extinguishers work well in confined spaces but are readily dispersed by any wind. They are rather inefective underhood for this very reason. The major use of these extingushing agents are high value facilities, such as computer rooms. The discharge volume is figured so as to flood the facility, to the point it will is toxic to humans, with the agent. I taught classes in Fire Protection for about 20 years and used all the different agents for demonstration purposes. For flammable liquids, Purple K is the most effective agent, but does not do well on combustible materials, TriPlex or ABC is the best all around agent, CO2 works fairly well on flammable liquids, but then again it does not do well on combustible materials.

If size were not a factor, I believe that CO2 would be more effective than Halon, but have you ever looked at a CO2 extingusher? They are rather large and heavy.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

I recommend carrying 2 extinguishers. 1- 2.5 lb Halguard/Halotron (Halon replacement) and 1 10BC dry chemical. Having fought probably 500+ vehicle fires in my 31 years as a firefighter, no single extinguisher will work under all circumstances. If you are experienced, use the Halotron 1st, if that doesn't work, use the dry chemical. If you are not experienced, have good insurance and call the fire dept.

Jim

P.S. Once fiberglass starts burning, only one thing will extinguish it --copious amounts of water. Yes, I seen many Corvettes burn to the ground.

Good thoughts, Jim.

You got me beat on experience. It was 29 years, one month, and two days (paid career) for me.......
Retired five years ago this month.

Ridge

[Jim D.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

The Halon/Halon replacement extinguishers work well in confined spaces but are readily dispersed by any wind. They are rather inefective underhood for this very reason. .

You have obviously NO experience them. They have far superior "knock down" than a CO2 and really aren't even close to being in the same class. Do a review on the fire tetrehedron. As far as I'm concerned, a CO2 is good for nothing more than a "C" fire. I would never use one on a car fire. I would gladly compare resumes. I too taught fire protection and first responder classes for many years ,and still do.
The best thing to do for an engine comp. fire is to leave the hood closed and discharge the ext. from underneath the car, but you knew that didn't you. The next best thing is an "Akron Piercing Nozzle" through the radiator. I did that on a brand new $200K Mercedes. The owner about crapped their pants.

Ridge, I'll be retiring this year. I've never met a FF that didn't say it was the best thing they ever did. If you're ever in the Pacific Northwest, let me know and I'd be honored to buy you a beer.

[Edward B.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

Exactly 30 years on April 1st.

[Dick W.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

CO2 also has a rating for Class B, flammable liquids, fire. Halon has a very limited range, 4-6 feet per manufacturer. As I stated before, it was intended to be used in closed rooms with the system flooding the area with agent, to the point of being hazardous to human beings. Dry chemicals also interupt the chemical reaction, one part of the tetrahedron. Pound for pound, dry chemical is far superior as an extingushing agent.

We can argue this point to death, but you can carry your halon and I will carry my dry chemical. From my experience, if we both have a fire, I will stand a better chance of being able to repair my car and drive it another day

[Chris E.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

I have read a bunch of threads on the subject, and decided to carry a Halon or Halon replacement extinguisher in my 67. I just ordered one from these guys:

http://www.vetteworksonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=1&osCsid=b774835ffabadb84de88c093a848b813

This is the one I bought. I also bought the seat bracket for it.

http://www.vetteworksonline.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_110&products_id=42

I hope to high heaven I'll never have to use it.

[Paul L.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

I have read a bunch of threads on the subject, and decided to carry a Halon or Halon replacement extinguisher in my 67. I just ordered one from these guys:

http://www.vetteworksonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=1&osCsid=b774835ffabadb84de88c093a848b813

This is the one I bought. I also bought the seat bracket for it.

http://www.vetteworksonline.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_110&products_id=42

I hope to high heaven I'll never have to use it.

They are nice units but halotron not halon. But I guess their adequacy is being called into question in this thread. I like you, hope never to use it.

[Gary S.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

I recommend carrying 2 extinguishers. 1- 2.5 lb Halguard/Halotron (Halon replacement) and 1 10BC dry chemical. Having fought probably 500+ vehicle fires in my 31 years as a firefighter, no single extinguisher will work under all circumstances. If you are experienced, use the Halotron 1st, if that doesn't work, use the dry chemical. If you are not experienced, have good insurance and call the fire dept.

Jim

P.S. Once fiberglass starts burning, only one thing will extinguish it --copious amounts of water. Yes, I seen many Corvettes burn to the ground.

Well, I won't comment on MY resume (no firefighting experince) versus those of you who are in the profession but I had an occasion to use the dry chemical on a minor carb fire, self-induced, in my garage. What a freaking mess. I still keep on in the 72 but I also have a Halon/Halotron and I have read that slightly popping the hood only enough to get the nozzle in there and then spray with Halon is a good technique. you FFs care to comment on that approach?

[Jim D.]

Re: Fire Extinguishers

Well, I won't comment on MY resume (no firefighting experince) versus those of you who are in the profession but I had an occasion to use the dry chemical on a minor carb fire, self-induced, in my garage. What a freaking mess. I still keep on in the 72 but I also have a Halon/Halotron and I have read that slightly popping the hood only enough to get the nozzle in there and then spray with Halon is a good technique. you FFs care to comment on that approach?

Gary, That is a very good approach. Have the dry chem. as a back up. You know first hand why I use the dry chem. as a last resort. Not only is it messy, it will wreak havoc with anything electrical that it contacts.