firedude
somewhere HOT!
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firedawg182 wrote:firedude, you mentioned using a ceramic electric heater. Does yours have a tip switch? this is an internal switch that turns the heater off if it gets knocked over. they are not universal to all of that type of heater. Thought is was worth mentioning
Yes mine has the auto cut-off tip switch. Thanks for bringing it up. Very important feature to have on these type heaters.
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portscanner
Georgia
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I am curious - does anyone sell a fire suppression system for the entire RV? Something like what is used in computer rooms or kitchens where it is either automatically or manually triggered to dump fire retardant. It would seem to me that something like that, if triggered early enough would save the RV. If it was a water based system it could be triggered while you are still in the RV.
Did I just come up with a product I could sell?
GRonken wrote: "darn thing didn't work, I pulled the pin and rolled it into the fire and it did nothing".
Did he pull the pin with his finger, or was he a tough guy and pull it with his teeth? (sorry - first thing that came to mind)
One beautiful wife, one beagle, one brittney spaniel
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firedude
somewhere HOT!
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portscanner wrote:I am curious - does anyone sell a fire suppression system for the entire RV? Something like what is used in computer rooms or kitchens where it is either automatically or manually triggered to dump fire retardant.
It just wouldn't be cost effective. It would most certainly drive the cost of RV's up considerably. Remember we're talking about a very small space where if the fire was small enough the proper extinguishers could handle it. If not then you'd be out of there anyway. Many other factors come into play as well, like what extinguishing agent? Lots of other issues to like codes, weight, design, too many to think of lol.
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fisher60
Plant City, Florida
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This post really got my attention. As a former Merchant Mariner, Fire Prevention was heavily stressed, and all our extinguishers, pumps, fire stations and support equipment was checked by the Coast Guard on an Annual Basis and a local Fire Equipment Co had to physically inspect & weigh all the extinguishers and document that inspection with a tag with the date and his company identification. But I never saw any inspector just shake a small extinguisher. And all the vessel staterooms had one. Much like what most of us probably have in our RV's. And those vessels shook, rattled & rolled probably more than our RV's. So, my question is, how can you tell if the powder is still loose and expendable? (useable) I just went and shook both of mine and I can't tell if if the powder is loose or packed.
'01 Dutchman Express 28A, Master Tow, '07 Tuscon, '05 Honda VTX 1300
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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~
Lots of good info from firedude and others.
Lots of emphasis on "getting out"!
Would like to add two thoughts.
~
When you pull into a service station to fuel, look around to see where
the emergency pump shut-off switch is located. Might just do you some
good sometime. (You have to worry about what "other guy" might do or
"cause")
~
Now I know we're talking RVs here - but when you go to a motel, hotel,
or an -EVENT- at a hall etc. - look to see where the exits are.
Is there an -obvious- obstruction? Like - - chained & locked?
(No joke! Besides routine inspections, seen that at actual "events in progress"! #1=basketball game. #2=giant convention hall in Vegas.)
If I can do so -without activating an exit alarm- I like to actually try the door too.
~
JC
* This post was
edited 03/01/08 04:32am by ol Bombero-JC *
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firedude
somewhere HOT!
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Ah yes, pump shut offs! This is what saved many more lives and a whole service station on the fatal at the pumps I responded to and investigated! Great point!
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Jusnew
Mead, Washington
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This past Tuesday, Mar 11, the wife and I were just getting onto highway 101 South from the Santa Margartia on ramp when we saw a very nice motorhome with smoke coming out of the diesel engine compartment. There were already 2 or 3 other motorists stopped and we helped get the tow vehicle unlatched and pushed away from the coach. There were probably 4 or 5 fire extinguishers emptied on the fire but it did no good. Within 5 minutes the entire rear end of the coach was engulfed in flames. To make a long story short, they lost the entire unit by the time the fire department got there.
It is a real eye-opener when you see in person how fast it goes.
Don't know how it started, but it was in the engine compartment. The driver said he just happened to see smoke out his side view mirror.
No one hurt, thank God.
2005 Everest 344J
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firedude
somewhere HOT!
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Yep, like I said before that most Rv fires I responded to were fully involved on arrival. This stresses the need for quick egress during a fire, both day and especially at night. in most cases I'd recommend not waisting time with an extinguisher. You lose valuable escape time. Unless it's a very small fire it usually won't do a bit of good and only keep you in harms way longer.
Thanks for the post Jusnew!
Tony
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andrewX
Virginia, USA
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Joined: 07/08/2002
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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
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Pete D
Washington
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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firedude wrote:Yep, like I said before that most Rv fires I responded to were fully involved on arrival. This stresses the need for quick egress during a fire, both day and especially at night. in most cases I'd recommend not waisting time with an extinguisher. You lose valuable escape time. Unless it's a very small fire it usually won't do a bit of good and only keep you in harms way longer.
I keep my fire extinguishers near exits so I am already on my way out when I'm near one and can make choices.
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
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