Attention in the Pits!
Do you have the right safety/support Fire Extinguisher? Here are the NEW Support Vehicle - Fire Safety Fire Extinguisher Guidelines, which REQUIRES a minimum 10:B-C Rating. Do you know what a 10-B:C Extinguisher is? It doesn't mean 10 pounds, so read on!
2018 SCTA/BNI Rule Changes:
…
3. Relevant Rule: 1.l PUSH VEHICLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Page # 14
Third paragraph delete “(4-lb. minimum)” and replace with bold in CAPS; A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER WITH A MINIMUM RATING OF 10-B:C and …
Section 3.Q Page: 49 4
th paragraph, Delete “minimum of one 4-lb.” Add Bold
“All push/recovery/support vehicles are required to have at least one portable fire extinguisher
with a minimum rating of 10-B:C.
…
There are basically four classes of extinguishers – A, B, C and D – and each class can put out a different type of fire.
Class A extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper...
Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil...
Class C extinguishers are suitable for use only on electrically energized fires...
Class D extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals...
The SCTA/BNI requires you have a minimum 10-B:C Extinguisher that is charged and ready with your safety support vehicle/crew. The Number, (in this case "10") is a rating of coverage to extinguish a fire.
The numbers indicate how much of the fire can be put out by the fire extinguisher. Every number before the Letter Code (A) means it is as effective as 1 ¼ gallons of water. For example, 2-A means the fire extinguisher is as effective as 2 ½ gallons of water, and so on. The numbers before B and C are a measure of the amount of square feet the fire extinguisher can put out. For example, a 10:BC fire extinguisher can extinguish a fire over a 10 sqft area. The most preferred type of Fire Extinguisher used by support teams is a "Dry Chemical" Extinguisher. I prefer a Dry Chemical Extinguisher with a Hose Nozzle attached so I can aim the chemical at the fire while keeping the extinguisher vertical so I don't drain the gas propellent before all the Dry Powder is used up.
Below is a picture and a Label from the Extinguishers we carry in our support vehicles and trailers. I like a strong combo unit that is 4A + 60-B:C. This means I have the extinguishing power of 5 gallons of water for paper/wood fires, or 60 square feet of Gas or Electrical Fires. The extinguisher itself below is approx 15 pounds. So I am covered well beyond the "minimum" requirement. We carry approx 4 of these onto the race area and they are with us at all times mounted in 4 separate areas for easy access.
Go check your Extinguisher(s) today. Make sure they are fully charged, meet the 10-B:C minimum requirement and are packed in your support vehicle ready for inspection! Let's all be SAFE and FAST this year! --Papi