Get a fire extinguisher
Discussion
Sorry to hear that Peter,hope the damage isnt that bad.
Surprised you havent got one wired into the engine bay?
I have a fire extinguisher just in case,if not me it might help someone else,one of them blankets would be good too, as pretty compact and could fit under the footwell carpets i would think.
BB
Surprised you havent got one wired into the engine bay?
I have a fire extinguisher just in case,if not me it might help someone else,one of them blankets would be good too, as pretty compact and could fit under the footwell carpets i would think.
BB
I do have a ready-to-be-plumbed-in one, the thought being to supress a major fire long enough for me to stop the car and get the hell out of there. I haven't actually plumbed it in yet, I'm still relying on the hand-held one. As it happens, a plumbed in one probably wouldn't have been much help on this occasion because the fire was low down at the front and not a obvious place to point a plumbed in extinguisher at.
I was very impressed how quickly the AFFF extinguisher knocked down the flames, mainly I suspect because I got in there quick enough to catch it before it really took hold. I suggest around 3 liters capacity, small enough to fit in the footwell but big enough to be usefull. I am still counting my lucky stars, now back out to inspect the damage ...
I was very impressed how quickly the AFFF extinguisher knocked down the flames, mainly I suspect because I got in there quick enough to catch it before it really took hold. I suggest around 3 liters capacity, small enough to fit in the footwell but big enough to be usefull. I am still counting my lucky stars, now back out to inspect the damage ...
WonkyGibbon said:
doddze - did you use self tapping screws to secure that ? Mine has been hanging around loose in the car for the last couple of years. Probably not a good idea - if I were to crash at speed !!
WG
Second that - how is it fitted? Mine is loose behind the driver's seat! I was thinking of mounting it in the passenger footwell as where you have it fitted I'd get no end of passenger complaint's.
>> Edited by page3 on Saturday 24th September 17:08
Self-tappers into fibreglass don't sounds very secure, I prefer a couple of bolts with penny washers behind them. Since the driver's seat doesn't move on mine, it's convenient to put it sideways under the driver's knees. That might not be very convenient though if you need to move your seat a lot.
I think out of the 3 possible places to put one :
1. Passanger footwell - only ever me in the car, so probably to far out of reach to grab quickly. Same place on drivers side, I think I would catch it with my feet getting in and out.
2. Behind seats - better than no. 1, but still means moveing around etc to reach it. Ok if roof down as you can just lean in - but so can every one else. One of the cars I looked at buying had it attached to the back bulkhead, between seats.
3. Direct in front of drivers seat. I always have seat right back and no one else drives the car so no worries about having to move seat.
I'm going to go with 3. If I'm in a accident its not going to become a missile as my legs will almost be holding itt down. I can drag it out when exiting the car, so no having to reach for it.
Now to find a drill.
1. Passanger footwell - only ever me in the car, so probably to far out of reach to grab quickly. Same place on drivers side, I think I would catch it with my feet getting in and out.
2. Behind seats - better than no. 1, but still means moveing around etc to reach it. Ok if roof down as you can just lean in - but so can every one else. One of the cars I looked at buying had it attached to the back bulkhead, between seats.
3. Direct in front of drivers seat. I always have seat right back and no one else drives the car so no worries about having to move seat.
I'm going to go with 3. If I'm in a accident its not going to become a missile as my legs will almost be holding itt down. I can drag it out when exiting the car, so no having to reach for it.
Now to find a drill.
So which model? from where? and in which position?
For a Chimaera...
Been looking at :-
www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=MTNFM20
www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=16574&type=0&cat=121
www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=RVER01SY0001
>> Edited by tvrforever on Sunday 25th September 18:04
For a Chimaera...
Been looking at :-
www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=MTNFM20
www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=16574&type=0&cat=121
www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=RVER01SY0001
>> Edited by tvrforever on Sunday 25th September 18:04
russ35 said:
I think out of the 3 possible places to put one :
1. Passanger footwell - only ever me in the car, so probably to far out of reach to grab quickly. Same place on drivers side, I think I would catch it with my feet getting in and out.
2. Behind seats - better than no. 1, but still means moveing around etc to reach it. Ok if roof down as you can just lean in - but so can every one else. One of the cars I looked at buying had it attached to the back bulkhead, between seats.
3. Direct in front of drivers seat. I always have seat right back and no one else drives the car so no worries about having to move seat.
I'm going to go with 3. If I'm in a accident its not going to become a missile as my legs will almost be holding itt down. I can drag it out when exiting the car, so no having to reach for it.
Now to find a drill.
Had you not said that, It's what I would have suggested.
It has the distinct advantage that if you get trapped in the car by your feet, and the car goes up in flames, at least you have a fighting chance.
If anyone out there is now thinking of going out to buy an extinguisher there are really only 2 types you should be considering:
1)AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), this is a wet foam spray extinguisher. It is rated for Class A and B fires (class A fires are general combustables such as wood, paper, textiles, plastics that kinda thing. class B is flammable liquids) as risk of electrical shock from you car is not really an issue it is ideal and as Green V8S said you wanna be looking for a 3litre capacity.
2) Dry Powder, powders come in different types and if you go for this type be sure it is an ABC powder which gives you cover against the same types of fire as AFFF but also class C fires (gas) which is not really an issue (unless of course you run an LPG conversion). Just be sure it is not a BC rated ext as this is niether use nor ornament to you. As regards size 1KG is very common and readily available all over the place (local DIY store and camping shops included) Would suggest 2KG is a better size.
I would personally plump for AFFF as recommended by Green V8S as it makes lees of a mess than the dry powder types (this stuff gets into everything) but the dry powders are more readily available and very inexpensive. Be aware many of the smaller dry powder ext's are non refillable and only have a 5 year life span. They may well work after longer than this but it is not guaranteed and should be replaced every 5 years to be safe. If you have one and its been there a while, CHECK THE DATES it will be on there somewhere. The one that came in my car was made in '92 and is therefore well out of date lol. I havent gotten around to replacing it yet :embarrassed smiley: I have no excuse, maintaining this kinda equipment is what I do to earn a crust..
Hope that lot is of some help to you all in choosing the right piece of kit for the job and really hope non of us need to use them.
Good to hear you managed to put an end to your bit of excitement without too much damage Pete
.
Carl.
>> Edited by ceejay73 on Sunday 25th September 20:10
1)AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), this is a wet foam spray extinguisher. It is rated for Class A and B fires (class A fires are general combustables such as wood, paper, textiles, plastics that kinda thing. class B is flammable liquids) as risk of electrical shock from you car is not really an issue it is ideal and as Green V8S said you wanna be looking for a 3litre capacity.
2) Dry Powder, powders come in different types and if you go for this type be sure it is an ABC powder which gives you cover against the same types of fire as AFFF but also class C fires (gas) which is not really an issue (unless of course you run an LPG conversion). Just be sure it is not a BC rated ext as this is niether use nor ornament to you. As regards size 1KG is very common and readily available all over the place (local DIY store and camping shops included) Would suggest 2KG is a better size.
I would personally plump for AFFF as recommended by Green V8S as it makes lees of a mess than the dry powder types (this stuff gets into everything) but the dry powders are more readily available and very inexpensive. Be aware many of the smaller dry powder ext's are non refillable and only have a 5 year life span. They may well work after longer than this but it is not guaranteed and should be replaced every 5 years to be safe. If you have one and its been there a while, CHECK THE DATES it will be on there somewhere. The one that came in my car was made in '92 and is therefore well out of date lol. I havent gotten around to replacing it yet :embarrassed smiley: I have no excuse, maintaining this kinda equipment is what I do to earn a crust..
Hope that lot is of some help to you all in choosing the right piece of kit for the job and really hope non of us need to use them.
Good to hear you managed to put an end to your bit of excitement without too much damage Pete
. Carl.
>> Edited by ceejay73 on Sunday 25th September 20:10
Pies said:
Sorry to hear Peter but which type and size do you rcommend?
For me, a 2kg dry powder.
More important, learn how to use it.
I have seen people do crazy things that just made the situation worse.
Used to do testing for BSI and the AA for car extinguishers many years ago.......
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