Fire system discussion
Dec 14, 2015, 07:20 PM
#1
Fire system discussion
Ok so most of us saw the recent videos, lets get serious about fire safety, specifically for the track Evo. Andy and others please share your comments/experiences.
Firstly, watching Andy's video it looked like he had an on-board halon/gas based system. At speed the halon went....nowhere it seemed...and by the time he got back to the pits it was empty and the fuel was still everywhere ready to ignite.
Lesson 1: Have a portable fire extinguisher available IN the car, IN reach, in the case that your up a hill or down pit road, and only YOU can deal with the issue.
Continuing on systems, an AFFF or liquid based system seems to be a better option given it "sticks" as a liquid rather then a gas. With so much air entering the cabin and engine bay a gas based system seems to inadequate. At rest however a halon extinguisher could save you from having to fire a foam based system. So maybe a hybrid approach?
Lesson 2: Make sure your pit crew knows where the portable units are and has them on pit wall.
Andy was lucky enough to drive with full gear. Had the fire erupted into the cabin he was wearing the right equipment to prevent serious issues (and would have pulled over RIGHT away instead of coasting i'm sure). But still, fire is nature, you cannot predict where it will go, so don't F* around anymore and get the right gear. Parts wise, it seems he had an OEM fuel supply line to the rail that failed? I've never seen or heard of this before. Could it have been nicked or damaged before, sure, but it IS rubber. So it COULD and DID happen. I think we can all rest assure that a braided or equivalent hard line to rail hose is more of a concern now then before.
Then there's the helmet visor. We all know and love open air flow because we're, lets face it, out of shape and need all the air we can get. HAD the flames burst into the cabin and regardless if he had the head sock on, it wouldn't have mattered much due to the upright visor. The same goes for crashes - having sunglasses on can literally break your face if something gets in there Vs the well tested 3mm visor. Should we start dealing more with forced air systems and correct visor tints instead? We're not pros by any means, but it still brings up the point.
Firstly, watching Andy's video it looked like he had an on-board halon/gas based system. At speed the halon went....nowhere it seemed...and by the time he got back to the pits it was empty and the fuel was still everywhere ready to ignite.
Lesson 1: Have a portable fire extinguisher available IN the car, IN reach, in the case that your up a hill or down pit road, and only YOU can deal with the issue.
Continuing on systems, an AFFF or liquid based system seems to be a better option given it "sticks" as a liquid rather then a gas. With so much air entering the cabin and engine bay a gas based system seems to inadequate. At rest however a halon extinguisher could save you from having to fire a foam based system. So maybe a hybrid approach?
Lesson 2: Make sure your pit crew knows where the portable units are and has them on pit wall.
Andy was lucky enough to drive with full gear. Had the fire erupted into the cabin he was wearing the right equipment to prevent serious issues (and would have pulled over RIGHT away instead of coasting i'm sure). But still, fire is nature, you cannot predict where it will go, so don't F* around anymore and get the right gear. Parts wise, it seems he had an OEM fuel supply line to the rail that failed? I've never seen or heard of this before. Could it have been nicked or damaged before, sure, but it IS rubber. So it COULD and DID happen. I think we can all rest assure that a braided or equivalent hard line to rail hose is more of a concern now then before.
Then there's the helmet visor. We all know and love open air flow because we're, lets face it, out of shape and need all the air we can get. HAD the flames burst into the cabin and regardless if he had the head sock on, it wouldn't have mattered much due to the upright visor. The same goes for crashes - having sunglasses on can literally break your face if something gets in there Vs the well tested 3mm visor. Should we start dealing more with forced air systems and correct visor tints instead? We're not pros by any means, but it still brings up the point.
Last edited by Balrok; Dec 14, 2015 at 07:28 PM.
Dec 14, 2015, 09:34 PM
#2
I have one build in system and TWO portable extinguisher, The reason is , one portable woth basically nothing. As said as its sounds , its true. So you set off your build in (larger System) then get out and spot extinguishing with that two where it is needs to be. And HOPE for a best.
Race car fire usually very nasty, and needs a pro team to actually taking control over it. Only if you catch it in time these small units works.
Just a problem it is real hard to notice fire early.
Race car fire usually very nasty, and needs a pro team to actually taking control over it. Only if you catch it in time these small units works.
Just a problem it is real hard to notice fire early.
Dec 15, 2015, 11:53 AM
#4
yeah my old fire system was very small. If anything, it delayed the fire a few seconds.
I've used (well, haven't had to really use it yet) in my ChumpCar and I'd recommend to anyone.
4.0 Liter Multi-Flo Steel Mechanical AFFF System
https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...p?Product=2426
I've used (well, haven't had to really use it yet) in my ChumpCar and I'd recommend to anyone.
4.0 Liter Multi-Flo Steel Mechanical AFFF System
https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...p?Product=2426
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Dec 16, 2015, 08:33 AM
#9
I started with the ESS 2.25L due to it's price but after awhile it started leaking and corroding (never fired) so I ditched it and went with the SPA 4.0 multiflo as well. There's a company on the Nasa benefits page with a nice discount. Due to it's "snap and twist" nature I installed it myself in one night. Plus lots of retailers can recertify/service/fill it without having to send it to somewhere else. I do think i'll be getting a portable Halon in the cockpit and a standard big guy for the pit wall for sure.
However on your failure Andy, how did the line get cut?
However on your failure Andy, how did the line get cut?
Dec 16, 2015, 02:21 PM
#10
I started with the ESS 2.25L due to it's price but after awhile it started leaking and corroding (never fired) so I ditched it and went with the SPA 4.0 multiflo as well. There's a company on the Nasa benefits page with a nice discount. Due to it's "snap and twist" nature I installed it myself in one night. Plus lots of retailers can recertify/service/fill it without having to send it to somewhere else. I do think i'll be getting a portable Halon in the cockpit and a standard big guy for the pit wall for sure.
However on your failure Andy, how did the line get cut?
However on your failure Andy, how did the line get cut?
.
Dec 16, 2015, 06:32 PM
#13
if you have any leaks, i'd recommend just getting them fixed.
Dec 17, 2015, 05:51 AM
#14
this is a great discussion and just in time. i got a fire suppression at the end of this season and planning to install it this winter. looks like i'll take Rob's advice and install a large portable one in the car also. i need about 200 lbs ballast in the back of the car for next year anyways.
i have a 3 layer suit but i'm kinda lazy wearing it. i usually just wear my single layer pants and jacket (drag racing style) because it's better than wearing jeans and long cotton ****, and it's easy just to remove the jacket in the pit.
i got this system from OG Racing. what's your input on it. any advice to where to put the nozzle?
http://www.ogracing.com/spa-afff-fir...ter-mechanical
what's a good portable extinguisher to get?
http://www.ogracing.com/halotron-fir...guisher-2-5-lb
http://www.ogracing.com/sodium-dry-p...guisher-2-5-lb
i have a 3 layer suit but i'm kinda lazy wearing it. i usually just wear my single layer pants and jacket (drag racing style) because it's better than wearing jeans and long cotton ****, and it's easy just to remove the jacket in the pit.
i got this system from OG Racing. what's your input on it. any advice to where to put the nozzle?
http://www.ogracing.com/spa-afff-fir...ter-mechanical
what's a good portable extinguisher to get?
http://www.ogracing.com/halotron-fir...guisher-2-5-lb
http://www.ogracing.com/sodium-dry-p...guisher-2-5-lb
Last edited by honda-guy; Dec 17, 2015 at 06:20 AM.
Dec 17, 2015, 05:53 AM
#15
well after the fire, everything came out of the car and I put my stock turbo back on. I did notice my oil feed line to the big turbo was not 100% tight and I think that may have sprayed some oil onto the exhaust manifold which started the fire.
if you have any leaks, i'd recommend just getting them fixed.
if you have any leaks, i'd recommend just getting them fixed.