Engine Fire!!!!!!!

Al,

I would advise against purchasing this device.  It may work as advertised, but, if the manufacturer has confidence in his product, he should submit it to UL (Underwriters Labratory), NFPA (National Fire Protection Assocation), or ANSI (American National Standards Institute) for certification. 

I am not a fervent admirer of all things federal, but, in this instance, it would be nice to know that an objective group of scientists and engineers has tested the product and found it does what it claims it would do.   The way this maker gets around testing is that it advertises a use for which an extinguisher is not required.  Hence, an unapproved device is lawful to sell. 

My suggestion is that you buy and mount an approved extinguisher after making yourself familiar with its operation.  Some of our guys find that installing a fixed system with a halon-derivative gas works well for them, giving them the peace of mind they want.  A fixed system does eliminate the need to prop open a burning/hot deck lid while trying to extinguish the engine fire.  As a retired fireman, I can tell you that I didn't feel very effective at extinguishing car fires until I had been to a few.  That's not just me, but any new fireman.  For most of our replica owners, the number of car fires extinguished is zero. 

As Popeye would say: ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer chances. 

Hi, I just installed one, the smallest one fits best in my engine bay. They come in 1m, 2m etc lengths. Had to get mine from Germany (I live in the UK and there's no distributer here) I also carry 3 fire extinguishers........I had a fire a few years ago and had 2 fire extinguishers - one was empty, it had no gauge. Last flame beaten out with my hand !!. I don't ever want to find out if it works but I'm happy with the idea I have something.

I have also installed one in my car.

Troy what size is that? I think it is a good idea. It may not stop all of it but may allow you the time that you need to get an extinguisher on it or the wife's best jacket to tamp out the flames with...

edit:

Nevermind - I can see that it comes in either 6' or 12' lengths.

Looking at the video I am thinking that the amount of flame that it takes to set this contraption off, your fiberglass would already be going up like a tumbleweed.

Is there a flame retardant coating that can be used in the engine bay? The right combo here could save your car from a fire.

I bet if you had a small, odd engine noise you'd start a thread with this title:  Engine blows up!

"flame retardant coating"?

 Now there's something I've never thought of - nor heard of  before.

 Is there such a product available?

I'd rather have an extra ten or fifteen seconds to confront  some singeing around the edges than the chrispy toast that RonO had to deal with! 

Some roofing materials are treated with a retardant film, not sure if it would  adhere and be effective on fiberglass.  Out of my pay grade.

I understand and respect Jim's opinion, but I'll take anything that will give me more time to react! $150 frog skins is nothing compared to a burnt schnitzel!

I like the idea of the flame retardant coating, the blazecut fire suppression system and a fire extinguisher..can anyone recommend a good fire extinguisher type? Thanks!

This is it! It's even good enough for foam and fibreglass.

http://www.firefree.com.au/

Flame retardant coatings can be very useful in buildings, but have little use for car fires.  A flame retardant chemically changes the flammability of the underlying substrate to which it is bonded.  It's great for wood, foam, and other flammable substances to decrease the fire load, and slow flame propogation.

Our engines are a completely different fire scenario.  What normally happens in a car fire is that engine heat and vibration, combined with old, cracked material, such as an old fuel line, causes a fuel leak.  The fuel is what burns, in addition to old oil, grease, etc. on the engine itself.  Other combustibles, rubber and plastic, contribute to fire load as the fire grows, eventually consuming upholstery, paint, plastic, etc.  Fire retardants won't be effective in this environment.  It would help with upholstery, but by that time, the car is totalled.

To effectively protect your car from an engine fire, use quality materials for fuel lines and good quality clamps.  Route fuel lines away from hot surfaces, or anything that can chafe.  Check the lines periodically.  That's the key issue.  Stick you head in the engine compartment, look, and touch things.  Are your fuel lines getting hard or still pliable?  Any fraying near clamps or lines touching hot surfaces?  Cool fuel burns more efficiently, so some owners cover fuel lines with heat tape to reflect radiant heat. 

Don't place a plastic fuel filter in a hot environment.  Fuel filters should be outside the engine compartment.  Wipe your engine down periodically to remove oil and grease.  If you change your own oil, check fuel fittings and filters when you change oil.  If you have it changed, have the pit guy check for you.

Either carry an approved extinguisher that you know how to operate or mount a fixed system.  Do the above, then relax and enjoy the ride.  I went to hundreds of car fires. On the very rare occasion when the owner had an extinguisher, he had invariably discharged it with the engine lid closed, sometimes showing me a blistered palm from trying to open a hot engine hood.  Our response time was usually under 3 minutes, but by the time we arrived, the car was always a total.  Measure twice, cut once.

This is ref to Troy's post. I haven't seen one like yours. Mine is a hose length of 1m which I've attached to the engine cover. I like yours better, neat etc but I bought what was available. I've had a few outings and it hasn't gone off unexpected yet !!. When I had a fire, I was driving home and flames came out of the grill, pulled over and opened the cover with extinguisher in hand......2-3 seconds and the extinguisher was empty.

Thanks so much for your wisdom Jim Kelly. Much appreciated!

Mine is 2 meters and I bought it on eBay.

Solid advice for us all.  Thanks, Jim

I like where you located that Troy...makes sense.