RE: Fire !! Fire !!
True, getting out important!! But no trailer out there would meet any building code of the most lax county, and will burn faster than anything built that you sleep in. BUT...buildings that burn show get automatic fire suppression, and some home's are required to have them for sleeping areas. For $200 builders or people could put in system that would buy them time....install and forget about it. How many have put in anything that would go off automatically? I'd dare say less than 1/100 of people on here.
RE: Fire !! Fire !!
Nice Post! Was posted on another forum here, but was topic started about importance of having an automatic fire extinguisher...one that would relase upon hitting high temperature automatically. For motorhome, having one in engine compartment, as well as interior. Can be set at 165 degrees, or 285 so they won't go off inadvertently. Much like Nascar drivers and boats use.
There's no fire extinguisher out there with more 'toxin' to it than any fumes you're going to breath in fire. RV fires are not that uncommon, and think it's good the kids know how to use extinguisher too. May be only thing between them and exit, and a small fire if caught quick can be kept from ruining your rv and/or insurance record.
The dry chemical types like sold in local store can make a powder mess, but there are clean agent ones avail in the $100-$200 range for automatic, and $50-100 for manual. Low price considering alternatives. I don't sell the auto fire suppression, but have coupons for 10%off and photo. Here's link
click here for info/photo $200 auto fire extinguisher
RE: MH Fires whats the cause?
Hey Darkrubi,
Glad you have an auto system!!!!! a good investment in my humble opinion, and don't mean to knock what system you chose as best for you (and who you bought it from)
But your take on extinguishers and that all the lines go through a rear diesel pusher RV aren't square on with facts.
Halon and Halon replacements are not, nor were ever corrosive or dangerous to people or product, and leave no residue from the gas, but from the propellent in container, which is same used in all gas extinguishers including yours, and is also non-corrosive.
Halon's only problem?!? "harmful to ozone", and the government/US Military EXCLUSIVELY uses Halon and is the ONLY entity allowed to have it manufactured for their use, a not-so-subtle finding on it's own....THEY don't use anything like the coldfire systems. There area Halon substitutes and stores for our public use, but Mac doesn't have a deal with them, thus, he's selling what he does! Can't blame him making a buck. He's well known business man to RV'ers and has done well at promoting the need for some system.
The system he CURRENTLY promotes is very widely available to get a deal on, but is twice as heavy, bulky and expensive as others out there. Sorry to bear such news. Bulky system you descibed uses DuPont FE36 and similar clean agents that were originally designed for buildings, computer rooms, where a closet full of it wouldn't matter. It also quickly disappates (why it's not harmful to ozone). An engine compartment with openings will need a LOT of this agent over a period of time. Another interesting fact, is that DuPont was largest lobbier of keeping Halon (which they didn't make money off of) out of hands of public....but that's for another thread some day.
No matter what, glad you're protected with something, you may need more than Mac sold you equal what other agents can offer at half the weight and cost, and do a google search for fire extinguishers, how they work, fe36, halon, and you can find out some good info. In time, wouldn't be surprised if there's not another new 'more expensive' alternative out there that's even kinder to the environment, just hope it works more effectively.
RE: MH Fires whats the cause?
I don't know, I was speaking tongue in cheek about putting one of the smaller $100 automatic fire extinguishers by the fridge, and now reading your post, and that of the sticky posts with recalls, it might not be a bad idea! Then you could be sleeping or out of RV when fire hits....not that for your case would have made any difference.
You being 15 feet away was lucky for you. I'm glad you were prepared. Alternative probably would have been your disappointment with how much your insurance cooperated on a totalled RV, paid back, and then your cost to insure your next RV.
These automatic extinguishers (which I don't sell, but have the discount coupons for), $100-200 range also come with free replacement if used in fire.
RE: Thoughts about inexpensive fire suppression system?
reset, I hear what you're sayin', but wonder how many people get burnt at #2 on your plan. Also there's step 6, review new policy premium notice while fighting to get your check when a few hundred bucks to snuff out the 'small ones' before the become 'big fires' may have made a difference.
I dunno, part of me says RVing is fun, don't sweat the small stuff. Then again, part of me realizes that these fun motorhomes, are among the most dangerous, unprotected moving objects that wouldn't pass any municipalities codes for safety just when parked to live in on a good day.
Somewhere between reset's take on it of doing nothing, and Mac's or other even higher priced and heavier systems are alternatives, and was the guist of the start of the post. There's systems for $200 to cover engine, another hundred for generator and/or electrical compartments that at least help level the playing field and at demonstrations stop fires, or pesimistically buy a little time, if nothing else, for my friend reset to get his cell phone out and call for help while snapping some amazing fire footage.
Gale, there's some good footage online with videos of systems. I don't think the rolling down the road makes as much difference as you'd think, plus engine fires also are common when temp peaks, when you've stopped from a trip and are resting comfy getting set up to camp. There's folks who know more than me about it. But no protection is just that.
RE: Saf-Tee / Saf-TTE tire monitor
I ordered the Saf-Tee system, and got it very quickly, but having to return it. They seem very nice about the situation, and are a small company with a lot of demand compared to supply and people in the office. It looked VERY cool and simple...my problem..the sensors wont fit my large ALCOA wheels where my valve stems are. Make sure you can fit a quarter over your valve stem to ensure you have enough space. I just didn't have the clearance on mine and didn't want to add extenders...seemed to defeat the purpose. When they come out with smaller sensors, I will re-order for certain.
RE: Thoughts about inexpensive fire suppression system?
I got a lot of private messages on here, but here's link with photo.
The coldfire system is nice, just a bit heavy and cold fire requires more agent than halon replacements and more direct placement. Plus, takes a lot to cool engine 'heat'. Nascar and such aren't as fond of them yet...again from weight and quantitiy issue. If that is what you want, you can find it less expensive from yaching sources, fireboy, etc. Is good that doesn't leave residue. I spent a good amount of time looking, and like others, picked what suited my application. Weight and space followed by price. Also, you'll want temp to be above 250 when they 'pop" for auto systems and makers can do that for you usually at no extra cost.
No doubt that RVs should come with some sort of fire suppression from the factory in my humble opinion.
Here's link for what I installed so far. Covers 1000 cubic feet (my engine compartment 640). Comes in larger and smaller size and can be hooked to pull for remote activation.
photo for $200 automatic fire suppression in my coach
RE: MH Fires whats the cause?
Jon, cool link. That site quotes 20,000 RV fires, would guess its much more. Honestly, we don't RV to think about 'what if', why WOULD RV makers put in a system that makes us LESS likely to buy a new coach if 15-20k of them burn, when we don't demand it, and nobody regulates it.
I recently took a lot of weeks of looking into different systems. The downside with COLDFIRE or similar systems is that you need a lot of it and is heavy in RV compared to Halon or Halon replacements, which also don't leave any residue. Plus, his systems relatively expensive in cost and weight comparatively. You also won't want any system that puts any corrosive foam or other chemicals on your engine or components.
Several private msg me for photos, so put up small photo of my install, small bottle with coverage for 1000 cubic feet, power of 5lb of cold fighting agents which would cost more in price, weight and space. Also, they have them in smaller and larger sizes, with manual pulls, etc. Could put in gen bay, electric bay, wherever, they're not that big. Have certificates for 10% off...I don't sell them though. check link
RV automatic fire extinguisher for about $200 each
RE: Hey Firedude...
Posted this on other page....I recieved 10 coupons with extinguished I bought.
Opening engine compartment door with fire, a bad idea in my opinion. NOT having some suppression, either automatically by temperature, or by external pull handle not great either. REALLY, should be standard equipment in RVs. They are in Diesel boats/yachts, and turbine aircraft.
Why we (RVers) accept safety standards we wouldn't accept in any other transportation with same standars is a mystery. Anyhow...I don't sell nor own company with anything to do with fire suppression, but have several coupons for 10% off auto or remote pull systems as used on yachts. If interested, let me know and I can fax or email one to you. paeric1 at gmail dot com
RE: MH Fires whats the cause?
Fires in Motorhomes most often start in engine compartment, and for about $200 you can get an auto suppression system that will work when coach is running, or while camping in it. Another $100 will cover genset or electrical compartments.
Opening engine compartment door with fire, a bad idea in my opinion. NOT having some suppression, either automatically by temperature, or by external pull handle not great either. REALLY, should be standard equipment in RVs. They are in Diesel boats/yachts, and turbine aircraft.
Why we (RVers) accept safety standards we wouldn't accept in any other transportation with same standars is a mystery. Anyhow...I don't sell nor own company with anything to do with fire suppression, but have several coupons for 10% off auto or remote pull systems as used on yachts. If interested, let me know and I can fax or email one to you. paeric1 at gmail dot com
RE: Thoughts about inexpensive fire suppression system?
Fires in Motorhomes most often start in engine compartment, and for about $200 you can get an auto suppression system that will work when coach is running, or when fires most often happen, when stopped after a run.
Opening engine compartment door with fire, a bad idea. NOT having some suppression, either automatically by temperature, or by external pull handle not great either. REALLY, should be standard equipment in RVs. They are in Diesel boats/yachts, and turbine aircraft.
Why we (RVers) accept poor quality and safety standards we wouldn't accept in any other transportation with same standars is a mystery. Anyhow...I don't sell nor own company with anything to do with fire suppression, but have several coupons for 10% off auto or remote pull systems as used on nascar and yachts. If interested, let me know and I can fax or email one to you.
