Fire Extinguisher Systems, What Cha Got and Why?, Fire Extinguisher Systems Options

[john914somers]

I'm researching fire extinguisher systems for my race car and I would like to know what people are using? What brand? Type? How many nozzles and why? How big? I see a lot of options out there and I'm uncertain which direction to go? There must be some sort of "certification, approval", agency/documentation one must have but I'm not sure. Thanks for your input!

[Bill's Racing 914]

Call Mark Goodman at Racing Fire Systems in Oregon Phone: 503 784-1878 e-mail: service@racingfiresystems.com

He has the best prices.

For a 914, use a three nozzle Aqueous Foam system with a 3.375L bottle. Any bigger and you would most likely drown in the foam.

On a 914, I recommend a nozzle pointed at the engine, one under the steering wheel pointed at you and one pointed at the fuel cel up front. I you were to add a fourth nozzle, I would have two nozzles in the engine bay, one pointed at each set of carbs. AN engine fire is going to come from a carb backfire, oil on the exhaust or a busted fuel line.

If you have an engine fire, you do THREE things in this order....1. pull the fire handle....2. turn off the electrical kill switch...3. get the heck out of the car. You should be able to get to the kill switch from inside the car. Why?...to turn off the fuel pump. If you forget to turn off the kill switch, you might get to watch your car burn to the ground. I have seen this happen even though the driver dumped the fire system......nozzles are not always perfectly aimed to put out a fire.

I also recommend two pull handles for the fire system. One on the center console for the driver to pull and one behind the driver for easier access for the flag workers to pull. This should be right next to the electrical kill switch so they can access both at the same time. They are trained (or at least they should be) to pull the fire handle and turn off the kill switch.

Don't forget to mark both fire handles with a circle "E" sticker placed fairly close to them. When I am on the grid lined up with the other cars to go out on the track, I makes sure the corner workers and the fire crews know where the handles and the electrical kill switch are so there is no guessing at the last minute.

Tell Mark it is for a 914 and he will set you up.