Author Topic: What chemical in fire suppression systems?  (Read 16941 times)

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Offline wheelrdealer

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #15 on: May 12, 2016, 12:34:24 PM »
I just met with the safecraft people. (They are close by to my house and are very nice) I told him that I have a full interior car, with a surge tank and pumps in the hatch.

He suggested a single 10 lb bottle of their FE36 agent, with one nozzle in the back by the surge tank, one on the dash by the driver and then two nozzles in the engine bay...

All of which run by a pull lever.

What's everyone think?

Car is 2.5l  Subaru Sti hatchback, running a E-85 (or e-90 ignite), and I'm hoping to make 186 mph in the standing half mile and 205 in the standing Mile.

I'm not looking to be classed in anything. This is for self gratification. The car will the. Become my dedicated track day car.


My 2 cents:

I run a 10 lbs automatic bottle of FE-36 under the deck lid. I figure I could be on fire for a while before I might notice  a truck fire up front. FireBottle makes my system. I run two 10lbs one for the engine/turbo/carb and one split between the driver and the rear decklid. My discharge nozzles in the car are two by my feet and one that points towards my hands. I know 30 lbs is a lot of fire agent but I figure I need the weight and if the chute and brakes burn up I am in for a long coast down.

Now with that said, and  because we have had so much downtime with our Salt issues. I have been rethinking the driver's compartment and may switch to the foam based system for the inside of the car. I have read a lot about FE-36 and what could happen if you are stuck in a car with a lot of FE-36 discharging and limited ventilation. I plan on calling a few people in the know when I get to the decision point.

Check with Joe Timney at Delaware Chassis Works. Joe has the systems, more importantly the Land Racing expertise to help you. You can also call Nick at Safety Systems (FireBottle) in Fort Myers, Fl. Nick knows his system well.

BR


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Offline Slide

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #16 on: May 12, 2016, 01:00:43 PM »
Can't get a better endorsement for a type of system than being engulfed twice! The safecraft guy said that the push system was a little less reliable and or install friendly (I can't remember if it was a complication issue or what) but I will relook into the push button!!

As for the number of nozzles and size tank for my program,
Any concernes or recommendations?

I will call nick too! Can't hurt to get another companies views!
« Last Edit: May 12, 2016, 01:03:22 PM by Slide »

Offline Slide

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2016, 01:14:56 PM »
I just talked to somebody at fire bottle, no idea their name, but nick wasn't there, and he was pushing the pull cable and 3 nozzles total and 10lb of Fe 36 and said it didn't matter where the in cab or engine bay nozzle
Was because it would fog the whole place out... :|

Yeah...

So anyways...off to call the othe guys you mentioned for better info!!!! :cheers:

Offline wheelrdealer

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #18 on: May 12, 2016, 06:51:51 PM »
Push or pull if the car is in a violent roll you probably are pushing or pulling until it stops crashing. I have not seen remote push systems although they may be out there. The pull systems offer the option of placing the bottles in parts of the car where a push system cannot be reached. I think you are fine with either push or pull.

I used to sell firebottle and I know Don the owner. He pioneered the in car remote fire system. However, the down side of Firebottle is they have a proprietary diaphragm that only firebottle can refill your system with Fe36. That can be troublesome if you don't carry spares. I found out the hard way in 2011. I pulled both handles  in a small incident. I had never been in a vehicle  fire before... Heck, saw the flash and pulled handles. Next... hopefully not, I will wait a few seconds to see if there is a fire of just a  flash! An expensive lesson but one I will remember. Then waited two days while two bottles we overnighted to Wendover. The shipping was as much as the spare bottles.  I know Joe Timney sells a good system too and he might be around some of the events or at least if others have his system then there may be a spare bottle in a trailer if you need one.

Buy what you are comfortable with and hope you race your whole career and not us it!

BR
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Offline Slide

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #19 on: May 12, 2016, 06:58:00 PM »
The one good thing about safecraft is they are right down the street.
Knowing my luck, I'd discharge the bottles by accident and would need a quick refill!

Where do you have your nozzles and how many if you don't mind me asking?

Offline wheelrdealer

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #20 on: May 12, 2016, 08:24:03 PM »
Accidental discharge...I have done that too.

Safe Craft is the way to go then. Because even if you do not discharge they still need re-certification every 2 years. So if you live near the supplier it can be done without shipping which is expensive because the charged bottles are considered hazardous.

I have two nozzles on each side of the oil pan and in or so back from the front of the pan. They are pointed toward the back of the engine but not parallel with the pan rail. I have one nozzle pointed towards the hot side of my single turbo which is mounted on the front of the engine so the nozzle is about center of the radiator pointing at the turbo. I figure after 90 seconds of running wide open that turbo is a major source of ignition and re-ignition. The fourth nozzle is orificed down and points at the base of the front of the carburetor. I think the recommendation is three nozzles for a 10 lbs bottle. The carb bottle is plumbed to the interior bottle which is 10 lbs also. The trunk bottle is 10 lbs and has a heat bulb and discharges at a certain temp.

BR
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Offline Slide

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #21 on: May 13, 2016, 12:03:33 AM »
^^^^thank you!!!

Offline ggl205

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #22 on: September 11, 2018, 11:41:40 PM »
OK, so I have two Fire Fox bottles each with tags saying 8 lbs 6 oz of charge weight an 3 lbs 6 oz of discharge weight. Which of these two values meets the 5 pound rule?

John

Offline manta22

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #23 on: September 11, 2018, 11:49:08 PM »
I'll guess that 8 lb 6 oz is the total weight full and the 3 lb 6 oz is the empty bottle weight. 8 lbs 6 oz minus 3 lbs 6 oz = 5 lbs. Voila!

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline ggl205

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Re: What chemical in fire suppression systems?
« Reply #24 on: September 12, 2018, 12:10:35 AM »
Makes perfect sense, Neil. Thanks.

John