Fire extinguishers

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Robert Brennan
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Fire extinguishers

Post by Robert Brennan » Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:52 am

I have read that dry chemical ABC type extinguishers can damage auto paint. On the other hand, halon type extinguishers are not effective on "A" fires.
There is a vast array of products on Amazon and e-Bay. Is there any consensus on product and placement?
Thanks for your opinions.

Bob Brennan
S. Freeport, ME
TC7794EXU

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dirk w dondorp
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by dirk w dondorp » Sat Feb 28, 2015 2:30 am

Please remember Halon is a CFK product and highly damaging to the envirement- Ozone layer!
Dirk

Robert Brennan
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Robert Brennan » Sat Feb 28, 2015 3:51 am

Thanks Dirk for the admonition. Curious, if TC0660's SU's were blazing smoke and fire, would you decline the use of a halon charged extinguisher to put it out?
Actually, I am not familiar with the environmental objection to halon. I had assumed that the reason for their existence, is that they are more effective in extinguishing fire.

Bob

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dirk w dondorp
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by dirk w dondorp » Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:00 am

Bob, there is quite a bit of info on that topic on google, permitted where, when and not.
I used to have them but changed over to CO2. Not so effective though........
Dirk

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Steve Simmons
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Steve Simmons » Sun Mar 01, 2015 2:39 pm

As I understand it, halon extinguishers no longer have actual halon in them, as it was deemed unsafe for pretty much everything. They now use a halon substitute that is supposed to not kill the planet.

Standard powder extinguishers are probably better for putting out a variety of fire types, but the powder is very corrosive. I've been told that once you hit your engine with it, you may as well do a rebuild to get the crap out of there. It's better than losing the car of course.
1949 TC8975 / XPAG 9609
1948 TC6011 / XPEG1182 (XPAG6472)
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Robert Brennan
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Robert Brennan » Sun Mar 01, 2015 4:12 pm

Definitely cold comfort, Steve. After spending thousands of dollars on a re-paint and hundreds of personal hours stripping every speck of old paint off TC 7794, the last thing I want is a fire retardant that ruins everything. Except perceived environmental correctness. The chances are, an extinguisher will never be used, but just in case, should we settle for second best?
I carry a couple $25 Wal-Mart ABC type extinguishers my TR3A that I drive a lot in season, and have no worries, but a TC?

Bob Brennan
S. Freeport, ME

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Gene Gillam
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Gene Gillam » Mon Mar 02, 2015 8:05 am

Bob,

A member of our antique car club who also works as a track worker at auto race events was touting a product called FireAde 2000. I think it might be what you're looking for (I carry a bottle in my TC - just in case).

http://www.firesupplydepot.com/fireade-2000-2-pack.html

FireAde 2000 Fire Extinguisher Features:
For Use on Class A and Class B fires
Equivalent to a 1A10B Extinguisher.
Environmentally Safe - Non-Toxic and Non-Corrosive
Super Cooling Effect - Inhibits Re-ignition
No Messy Cleanup

Will Not Damage Engine, Car Parts or Appliances
Easy to Use - Including Children and Seniors
Compact - Easy to Store and Transport
Reusable Until Empty
Money-Back Guarantee!
"The Most Advanced Fire Suppressant on the Market"

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dirk w dondorp
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by dirk w dondorp » Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:33 pm

This is what we need;

Easy to use -including Children and Seniors....!!!!

Robert Brennan
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Robert Brennan » Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:57 am

Thanks again Gene. I'm ordering it. Found this video on a similar product using Fireade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_JlWzcwsxo#t=151
Combined with a quick disconnect for the battery, the bases are covered. Unless (like you), I get rear-ended!

Bob

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Gene Gillam
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Gene Gillam » Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:36 am

Fingers crossed you never need it, Bob!

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dirk w dondorp
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by dirk w dondorp » Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:12 am

Believe it or not I found three in Germany- leftovers from an unsuccesful certification attempt for the German Market!
Happy to have one on board.
Dirk
Thanks for the good tip!

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Gene Gillam
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Gene Gillam » Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:44 am

And fingers crossed you never need yours either, Dirk!

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dirk w dondorp
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by dirk w dondorp » Tue Mar 03, 2015 11:31 pm

Yes Gene, it is an absolute horror scenario, the Beetle with a twin carburettor installation of my son had a carburettor fire and was a total loss after that.
But my 1946 MG spent 11 years in his long international career in the Orkneys- must be indistructable:-) (apart from rot and rust!)
Dirk

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Duncan M
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Duncan M » Wed Mar 04, 2015 1:33 am

Real halon fe's work real well.
Last edited by Duncan M on Wed Dec 06, 2017 2:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Gene Gillam
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Gene Gillam » Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:16 am

Dirk,

My wife is from Thurso, Scotland and we visited the Orkney Islands a couple of times while we lived there (I was stationed there in the Navy). I'm not surprised your TC survived it's time there though...I had a TC while in Thurso until I got drunk one night a wrecked it while still on the Base. It also survived and is owned by a TABC member in Wick, Scotland now - he had read my write-up on the site, checked the logbook and found my name. My wife returned several years ago and saw the car which has now been restored.

Gene

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dirk w dondorp
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by dirk w dondorp » Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:54 am

Must have been a brave guy in Kirkwall, driving a TC over there over all these years, no info on his alcohol consumption though. After that the car ended up in Houston, also not a very dry place:-)
Yes they can stand a lot these tuff little things!

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Duncan M
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Duncan M » Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:16 pm

A lot of misinformation out there on fire extinguishers.
Last edited by Duncan M on Wed Dec 06, 2017 2:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Robert Brennan
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Robert Brennan » Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:27 am


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Steve Simmons
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Steve Simmons » Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:10 am

That's the exact type I carry in my TC, but I'm glad to say I don't know how well it works when needed.
1949 TC8975 / XPAG 9609
1948 TC6011 / XPEG1182 (XPAG6472)
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Gene Gillam
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Re: Fire extinguishers

Post by Gene Gillam » Thu Mar 05, 2015 3:17 pm

Duncan,
I don't know...just know that it was recommended and thats some of the racing community use it. As for Lucas electrical fires...well, they just don't last that long. Burn away the insulation and the fire is out...not particularly hot (I know from experience - underdash). You're not worried about getting electrocuted from the 12 volts so not sure why anything else would be a concern.

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