Halon Fire Extinguishers vs. Chemical

[Donald M.]

Having been involved with an underhood fire today ('65 Rustang, not Vette), I have started to think about types of fire extinguishers. I currently carry a 2 lb. Halon unit in my '67. But the label says "not for class A fires" which is paper, carpet, etc. But, since the Halon does not leave any residue and is very effective in electrical and oil/gasoline type fires,the most common automotive fires,I prefer Halon. I feel these advantages outweigh the one disadvantage of class A fires over the dry chemical type. One other note using Halon, be sure to disconnect power to avoid re-flash if there is an electrical fire. Any thoughts?
Don

[Alan Drake]

Re: Halon Fire Extinguishers vs. Chemical

Ditto on Halon!
Carry second small Class A ?

[Gary C.]

Re: Halon Fire Extinguishers vs. Chemical

Recall that Halon snuffs out all the oxygen - caution in enclosed spaces. In the SAC underground command post and other data centers there were Halon systems but we were required to have oxygen cannisters available to escape. Gary....

[Patrick T.]

Re: Halon Fire Extinguishers vs. Chemical

Halon does snuff out the oxygen, but I've read it doesn't work very good on a car fire on windy days. Pick your poison, maybe keep both on hand.

[Dave F.]

Re: Halon Fire Extinguishers vs. Chemical

Make sure to carry as big of an extinguisher as you can. I was about to buy one of the really small ones thinking it would be perfect for the Corvette. Then they explained to me how much of a fire that could put out. It wasn't much. I ended up buying the next bigger size (2 1/2 pounds of Halon) which is still probably not enough for a major engine fire, but I decided to compromise between ability and convenience.

-Dave

[Mark Milner]

Re: Halon Fire Extinguishers vs. Chemical

For years, SCCA required 2-1/2 lb. fire bottles but they were barely enough to buy you time to escape.

Probably 20 years ago, they went to 5 lb in-car systems mandatory in all new cars. Grandfathered cars lasted until around '95 befor ethey had to have the system.

Basically, 2-1/2 lbs let you get out of the car if it is inside. If it is under the hood, you might get it out.

A big wool blanket, like an old Army blanket, is a good friend to have in cases like these. It will go a long way to snuffing out a fire. they come in handy to cover stuff in the luggage area, keep things from flying around or banging around, and may save your car, especially if used with an extinguisher.

[don 42616]

what caused fire? Wires or Gas? *NM*

[Mark Milner]

Re: what caused fire? Wires or Gas?

I've seen very few gas fires. Most are electrical or oil.

I have seen several cars of all types burn from under dash wiring. A few from under hood wiring.

I've seen a few burn from oil leaks, mainly on headers. The best was an idiot at the track once who was leaking oil out his breathers so he wrapped several rags around them and ty-wrapped them on. After a few laps, they were loose and in the headers. 130 mph, oil-soaked rags, and you have a torch. Since the oil leak had already covered much of the engine compartment, the whole front of the car was a blaze in a hurry.

It took 9 full-sized fire bottles to hold it down until the fire truck got there from Pit Out.

I have only seen a couple catch with gas, usually a backfire on a carb. It usually involved no air cleaner.

I've seen several burned in junkyards, but I wonder how many were torched for insurance or were burned as part of a wreck.

In Workers School, we used diesel. Gas wouldn't catch well enough and frequently went out before you could learn how to put it out.

[Donald M.]

Re: what caused fire? Wires or Gas?

Don, Fire was caused by carb backfire, possibly due to plug misfire or incorrect timimg. Backfire ignited air filter.
Don

[Patrick T.]

What does a dry chemical extinguisher do...

to the paint? Is it just a mess to clean up or does it roach the paint permanently? Anyone tried it? PT

[Dick W.]

Re: Halon Fire Extinguishers vs. Chemical

I carry as a minimum an extingushier that has a 5A: 10B: C rating. I can clean up the mess if there is something left to clean up. Halon in fine in a confined space, but open hoods do not qualify as a closed space. Dry chemical leaves a mess, but it is very effective as a fire supression agent. Plus, when used in a confined space, it is toxic to humans.

[Eugene B.]

Sodium bicarbonate dry chemical

Gents,
Thank you for your posts. I've wondered about fire extinguishers for some time. The one that I bought is a Kidde, Auto/Marine, UL rated 10-B:C. It came from Lowes for about $15.

The extinguisher is marked Bureau of Motor Carriers and Coast Guard approved so I thought that it would be acceptable. I know that dry chemical is a mess to clean up, but I figured that if I have a real fire, cleaning up fire extinguisher mess is probably the least of my problems.

Since Halon displaces oxygen from the fire, I've read that the fire may re-flash when the Halon is removed. Obviously, I hope that I never find out.

Best regards,
Gene