I plan to mount a Halguard HG100C fire extinguisher upright using Velcro behind the driver's seat near the door ledge. This is the 10" by 3.6" small Halguard and doesn't effect seat back travel(for me). My question to you old pros is: is this an optimal location for this item?
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Hi Dave,
Two things to consider when mounting an extinguisher are ease of use and security. You should mount it in a place where you can get to it easily. The mounting bracket should be easy to operate. It helps to open the mount occassionally and actually remove the extinguisher. Since you have a coupe, with a lockable cab, security is simple if you lock the doors and close the windows when you leave the car.
Many owners mount the extinguisher on the forward portion of the tranny tunnel, where it's out of the way but accessible, and visible. Out of sight may not be the best option for an appliance that should at least be glanced at occassionally. As a young fireman, I used extinguishers many times before I got comfortable with their use. I recommend that folks actually start a small fire in a safe place and use one of ther home extinguishers prior to having it recharged. If your first use is for a fire in your car, few of us will be the calm, rational person we would all like to be in an emergency.
Here is what I did...personal preference but I like the position. Second picture show it is more hidden than what you think when looking in the car. Held on by Velcro and never moved...the velcro went behind the bottle holding the bottle base. That black strap is the strap that comes with the bottle to hold it to the base.
I concur with everything Jim mentioned; You'll want it in a place where you can easily reach it with one hand from either the driver's seat, (either facing forward or when getting out of the seat), or standing just outside the driver's door.
You should be able to quickly remove it from it's holder with one hand in a second or two, no more, and you should be able to activate it in under five seconds. Remember, every second counts in that situation, so I also agree that you practice with it a few times to get comfortable with it. Sacrificing a like extinguisher on a staged fire might sound like a waste of a perfectly good bottle until you have a real fire, panic and fumble with your extinguisher as you watch your car engulfed with flames. Not a pretty sight.
Thanx for the sage advice guys. I'm thinking tranny tunnel now Todd's under dash doesn't work for me since the AC is in that location my original behind the driver's seat spot fails Gordon's reachability and one hand tests I'll add some gloves for a little heat protection and do some run throughs
Dave, I know Gordon warned against velcro in the past, but I used it anyway and secured it just to my left. Not sure what type of room you've got in the coupe. Velcro does allow for repositioning things. Before the fire ever happens, I hope to one day get an auto system installed, I don't think I could get out of the car fast enough to save much.
I'm all for mods and improvements but isn't a fire extinguishing system in a fuel injected water cooled car a bit over kill. High performance duel carb air cooled car. That's a no brainer.
I'm all for mods and improvements but isn't a fire extinguishing system in a fuel injected water cooled car a bit over kill. High performance duel carb air cooled car. That's a no brainer.
Mine is bolted through the floor. Carey originally installed it facing forward, but I was constantly catching my seat belt on the latch and unlatching the fire extinguisher bracket, so I flipped it around the other way. I think it's the perfect combination of out of the way and accessible from inside and outside of the car.
I got the placement idea from Lane. This works great on a Beck, not so sure about other makers.
I'm all for mods and improvements but isn't a fire extinguishing system in a fuel injected water cooled car a bit over kill. High performance duel carb air cooled car. That's a no brainer.
Phil, if I had your setup I wouldn't put one in.
Mine is mounted vertically, just in front of the driver side door right at my left knee. Easy to access and easy to grab on the way out the door.
The reason that I object to using Velcro (or generic "hook and loop" fastening) is simply that in case of an abrupt stop (due to a collision with another vehicle) that 2 or 3 pound extinguisher becomes an airborne missile capable of doing some serious harm. You may think that might be the least of your problems if you're in an accident....
Trust me, it might not be.
Why take the chance?
Mine is mounted on top of the tunnel, behind the E-brake handle and between the two seats. Either passenger can reach it and it can be grabbed when standing outside of the car from either side. It sits just behind the seat belts so they don't get near it and it's low enough (on our arm rest challenged cars) that you're elbow doesn't come near it.
Plus, the NHRA safety guys who were inspecting cars at a show I attended years ago approved it.
A subject on my mind. Had two cars catch fire, an old Rover 2000 (I'm English) when I was 20, carried an extinguisher ever since. Then my Speedster, had 2 extinguishers on board, one emptied within a couple of seconds and all but a burning rubber connector...picked up the second extinguisher - empty, so the last flames beaten out with my bare palm. I only carry extinguishers with a gauge now (have 3) The main one is mounted under the dashboard, passenger side (your drivers side) Other two are just behind the front seats. Have also just purchased a Blazecut system that I'm waiting on delivery. I hope that'll be me covered for burning problems. The old carbs used to overfill where the needle didn't seat properly with grit (had 3 filters in the line though) and then drip on the hot manifolds. Hope I'm done with fire....
Me too. Any more and you'll be in contention as the Roy Sullivan of car fires.
