itsalleasy
USA
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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There is no guarantee with a small trap door you will be able to get to the area on fire. To do any good the extinguisher needs to be directed at the base of the flames, not just in the general area. You could dump a whole fire extinguisher on the top of the engine, if the fire is from a ruptured power steering line or the trans it won't help.
As the engine is so wide open I don't think the trap door would add any needed oxygen but it would give the noxious fumes and heat a place to escape and you would be right there to breath it. Grab as many extinguishers as possible on the way out, decide if it is safe to use them once outside or better to get the toad unhooked and save it. That's pretty much my plan.
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kgmz
Portland, OR and Eatonville, WA
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Joined: 10/09/2001
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FireTrace
1998 29' Itasca Sundancer pulling a 2002 Interstate West 27' All-Sport, 10,400 GVWR with Yamaha Mountain Viper's inside.
2001 Suburban 2500 LT,8.1,4.10
2001 2500HD Crewcab Longbox LT,8.1,4.10
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Halotron I Fire Extinguisher
These are pricy but we just had company fire fighting train course put on by a local fire company owned by the former fire cheif. He said the Halotron (replacement for Halon) was the way to go for engine fires. He said just spray it through the radiator and the fire will suck into the dog house and put out the fire. I was late for another meeting and did not get to talk with him after the parking lot training of putting out fuel fires but will get back with him this week.
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Ray,IN
IN, USA
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Joined: 03/22/2001
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Your key word is "inexpensive". How much value do you place on your family? Go to macthefireguy.comto read about diesel MH engine fires and learn about his engine compartment fire suppression unit.
Would you fly on a plane knowing each part(or fire suppression unit) was the most "inexpensive"?
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bill h
el segundo
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Joined: 08/02/2001
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Halon and other inert gasses are usually heafier than air, and will fall right out of an open=bottomed engine compartment. It works well in confined areas like airplanes and boats.
I would favor AFFF or Cold Fire foam in an RV.
Bill and Susan
84 Barth 30 tag powered by ht502/Thorley, Gear Vendors OD
Siamese Calvin and Airedale Hobbes
4WD Toyota toad
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ffemt1271
Louisiana
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Joined: 12/29/2002
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http://www.louisvillefireprotection.com/firestop.htm
this is a link to the one that magnets to the underside of your range hood
* This post was
edited 05/16/08 12:50am by an administrator/moderator *
Professional Firefighter/EMT
2003 DODGE 2500Hd/ cummins
2001 dutchman 27rk 5er
Prodigy Controller
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psyflyjohn
San Diego, CA
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Joined: 10/31/2003
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There are certainly some good points made here. I am backing off of the trap door idea because of the danger in opening it during a fire. I do like the idea of a premounted extinguisher where you just pull a pin and exit the vehicle to safety.
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bill h
el segundo
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psyflyjohn wrote: I am backing off of the trap door idea because of the danger in opening it during a fire.
I remember airline piston aircraft that had a little round spring-loaded trap door that was just the right size for the extinguisher nozzle. We just shoved the nozzle in and discharged. No fire came out.
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andrewX
Virginia, USA
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Joined: 07/08/2002
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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.
* This post was
edited 05/17/08 05:59am by andrewX *
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psyflyjohn
San Diego, CA
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Joined: 10/31/2003
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A system for $200 made for this purpose, with remote pull sounds very interesting. Can you give us some more details or sources for information?
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