Good fire extinguisher?

Invasivore

Viper Owner
Joined
Jan 28, 2012
Posts
371
Reaction score
0
Location
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
I've been wanting to mount a fire extinguisher in my car for sometime. Anyone reccomended a specific one and where I should mount it. I would like to conceal it as much as possible but still be of sufficient size in case if a motor fire
 

Viper Club HQ

Viper Club of America Business Office
VCA Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Posts
160
Reaction score
0

hiss highness

Enthusiast
Joined
May 1, 2013
Posts
120
Reaction score
0
the only reason someone should use a extinguisher is as a last resort to save life, you have maybe 5 seconds of use from little extinguishers, if you spend any time undoin and looking for a extinguisher it will be that much more time that either you or your passenger could get clear, so lets say you have an engine fire and you mess with the front latches and then lift the hood and have a nice flashover or explosion since you are not dressed for the fire or heat anyway and your itty bitty extinguisher has minimal range to begin with, if you have a fire get away and call someone who is trained for auto fires, your life is worth more than any viper, unless you have a 20 pound extinguisher on board that is easily accessable and is inspected monthly then the little ones can give a false sense of security(buy a little one and set it off and see what I mean), and make sure the class is correct for a vehicle fire ABC or F
 

Allan

Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 7, 2009
Posts
2,546
Reaction score
0
Location
La Junta Colorado 81050
I have the one from Roe with the custom mounting bracket.
I like it...........haven't had to use it yet, but did pull it once when I had a steering line blow. Smoke from under the hood and a big mess. No fire, I got lucky.

The custom bracket places it driver accessible without impeding passenger room at all. Mounts to the two front bolts of the seat on the floor.
 
OP
OP
I

Invasivore

Viper Owner
Joined
Jan 28, 2012
Posts
371
Reaction score
0
Location
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
If you don't have a lot of extinguishing agent/water, you should never open the hood. Simply aim the extinguisher in the front valence or either one of the side vents of the hood and apply. You would be surprised what you can put out with a small extinguisher. Displacing O2 in a fire with tight spaces makes the fire go out pretty quick. And as far as fire classifications go, there is ABCD or K. In this case, a class D is the worst possible scenario and most difficult to put out which usually requires dirt and a shovel.
 
Last edited:

Jay Lopez

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
316
Reaction score
0
Location
Dallas, TX USA
I had it in my Gen 2 on the passenger side. Never had to use it. Didn't get in the way of the passenger feet. Wanted it because I do a lot of track events, and if we go off we can start grass fires in TX. Had it happen to a buddy in his 911.
 

hiss highness

Enthusiast
Joined
May 1, 2013
Posts
120
Reaction score
0
in Canada we have the class f which may be your class k in usa which is only for residential grease fire anyway, could have a d fire on a viper as this is combustible metal but extinguishers for that class could be pricey, fire extinguishers with any powder in them are supposed to be inspected and rotated on a monthly basis as well as a yearly inspection(as powder will settle over time), good points but still take care of yourself,passengers and bystanders before trying to fight the fire, not like your wearing fr rated clothing or respirator
 

Ron

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 6, 2000
Posts
2,137
Reaction score
1
Location
Indianapolis
I used a Sean Roe sized extinguisher to put out an engine fire on my Porsche 944S years ago and didn't even use the entire charge to fully extinguish it. All depends what's causing the fire (mine was electrical) and how long it's been burning. Common sense says that if the flames are wrinkling your hood paint, it's probably too late. A smell of something burning, acted on quickly, most likely can be handled with a Roe sized extinguisher without risking your life. Mine is mounted in front of the passenger seat and is both easy to get to and not an obstruction for the passenger. Cheap insurance.
 

Jack B

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 5, 2000
Posts
3,483
Reaction score
0
Location
NE Ohio
The liquid type like HalGuard are the best choice for automotive use, no clean up either. I believe SCCA now requires an extinguisher for autox events.


HalGuard H3R Performance HG250R
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
 

agentf1

Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Posts
2,608
Reaction score
0
Location
Phila Suburbs
They are pretty much just decorations IMHO. If the car starts on fire do you really want it anymore anyway. I say let that baby burn to the ground.
 

DrumrBoy

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 21, 2003
Posts
2,612
Reaction score
0
Location
GA
In the street car I have the same set up as Life Is Good has shown. Looks nice, reasonably out of the way but for most combustion situations its kinda like a 22 pistol on a camping trip in bear country. Won't do squat if the bear shows up but makes you feel a little better. Works fine if you're attacked by a rabid squirrel :) (or in the analogy a small electrical fire or grease burning) True fire suppression systems are available (I have 2 20 lb bottles in the race car) but very impractical for the street.
 

AZTVR

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 28, 2005
Posts
3,043
Reaction score
7
Location
Chandler AZ
They are pretty much just decorations IMHO.

Many cars ago, I have had oil get on an exhaust manifold and create a flame while in a gas station. It wasn't much of a fire at that point. It would have been nice to have had a fire extinguisher. (The gas station's extinguisher was empty.) I was able to extinguish it anyway. There are quite a few scenarios where the initial symptom is just some smoke while an extinguisher could still be useful.

Do I carry one? No.
 

VIPER GTSR 91

Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 11, 2003
Posts
3,789
Reaction score
0
Location
Spring, Texas
I've been wanting to mount a fire extinguisher in my car for sometime. Anyone reccomended a specific one and where I should mount it. I would like to conceal it as much as possible but still be of sufficient size in case if a motor fire
I put mine as shown above per NARRA requirements for TT1. 4 lb. bottle I believe. I did a google search way back, and found a site that has them like Roe but has more color options inc. the bracket color. It uses the factory seat bolts and takes just a few minutes to install. Mounts either on driver or passenger side with pros and cons. Driver side is more accessible but gets in the way off your feet at times. Passenger side makes it difficult to reach quickly but out of the way.
 

TowDawg

Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Posts
2,105
Reaction score
0
Location
Chattanooga, TN
I've got a similar set-up like LifeIsGood, but I did a chrome extinguisher with quick release and then fabbed my own aluminum bracket to mount it with the front bolts of the passenger seat. Unfortunately I can't post pics because I'm not a member anymore and don't feel like going through and deleting all my current pics to make room.
Also, like DrumrBoy, I've got a full automatic suppression set-up in my race car, but it wouldn't make sense on a street car.
 

denniskgb

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Posts
1,671
Reaction score
1
Location
Sewell, NJ
the only reason someone should use a extinguisher is as a last resort to save life, you have maybe 5 seconds of use from little extinguishers, if you spend any time undoin and looking for a extinguisher it will be that much more time that either you or your passenger could get clear, so lets say you have an engine fire and you mess with the front latches and then lift the hood and have a nice flashover or explosion since you are not dressed for the fire or heat anyway and your itty bitty extinguisher has minimal range to begin with, if you have a fire get away and call someone who is trained for auto fires, your life is worth more than any viper, unless you have a 20 pound extinguisher on board that is easily accessable and is inspected monthly then the little ones can give a false sense of security(buy a little one and set it off and see what I mean), and make sure the class is correct for a vehicle fire ABC or F

Agree that what insurance is for
 

Bugman Jeff

Enthusiast
Joined
May 19, 2013
Posts
229
Reaction score
0
Location
Wisconsin
I have, on two separate occasions, been in situations where a small extinguisher kept the car from burning to the ground(not in my Viper). No, they won't save a car engulfed in flames, but they can help prevent a catastrophe if you use them properly and in time.
 
Top