lets talk fire extinguishers for the rigs.

[4.3LXJ]

Are there any concerns about the ABC becoming a solid inside the can because of vibes and such pack it in so tight that it will not come out?

This happens to any extinguisher that resides in a moving vehicle. To take care of this, turn the extinguisher in a position that is 180° from how it rides and shake it until you feel stuff bouncing around inside. It should be done periodically or just before use.

 

[4.3LXJ]

One other problem with halon extinguishers. do not inhale the halon of the fumes from the fire. Heated halon turns to phosgene gas which is a nerve gas that can eventually kill you.

 

[jeeperjohn]

You should be able to convert most halons over to FE-36 which is actually more effective than Halon in non sealed environments.

Do you know where I can get this done?

 

[hollywood32]

Do you know where I can get this done?

It was done by a contractor at our facility, so there should be companies out around you that can handle it, I will PM details.

 

[MasterPull]

I had two abc extinguishers in my xj before KOH, they were both used drying the lcq to put comp buggy fires out. I upgraded to a bigger one since bc of what I saw out there.

-Alex

 

[RCman]

I've got a pair of Amerex 2.5lb'rs mounted on quick release hinges the B-Pillar hoop. Both the driver and passenger can reach and grab them if need be while sitting in the seat. I don't trust the department store Kiddie ones. The one I had lost all pressure in under a year and a half, not something I'd want to have to depend on. Sure, the ones I've got now were 2.5-3x the cost, but with all metal construction I know they'll be ready in the unfortunate event I ever need them.

Now I know most people can't mount theirs like mine, but something that bugs me about a lot of people's mounts is they put them out of reach (like in the back cargo area hole on the pass side or under the rear seat). They really need to be somewhere were it takes no thinking and no time to grab them. Like 94xjstud posted next to the seat.

You can see my mounts in this picture:

 

[kastein]

I keep the big one in the MJ (since I drive it more often, it's more of a spontaneous conflagration danger, and there are less likely to be other members around with fire extinguishers when I'm driving it) right behind the driver's seat. If I'm stopped I can be out of the vehicle and holding it within about 10 seconds max.

PS - when faced with an engine fire DO NOT open the hood. There's a decent chance you won't be able to anyways, since the hood latch cable will melt. From what I've seen it is best to shoot the extinguisher up from underneath or punch some holes in the hood with a fire axe or other large tool and spray it down in. You're going to need a new hood anyways. Opening the hood = you just gave the fire that much more air, now air can come in below and fire/smoke can go out on top with better airflow.

 

[hollywood32]

PS - when faced with an engine fire DO NOT open the hood. There's a decent chance you won't be able to anyways, since the hood latch cable will melt. From what I've seen it is best to shoot the extinguisher up from underneath or punch some holes in the hood with a fire axe or other large tool and spray it down in. You're going to need a new hood anyways. Opening the hood = you just gave the fire that much more air, now air can come in below and fire/smoke can go out on top with better airflow.

You can also shoot straight threw the radiator, this will cause some blow back but you would be surprised how much will go straight threw

 

[DirtyJeeper]

This thread motivated me to finally get my extinguishers installed. I had several commercial 5lb ABC ones so, one is mounted in the rear of the XJ, another in the passenger space against the trans hump. A third one went in the TJ between the drivers door and seat. Now to hopefully never need them!

 

[ktm racer 419]

i run 2 lil ones on each a pillar. wish i knew more about them. but they have put out a couple jeep fires and i can get them for 15 bucks at the local hardware store.

Had a fuel line blow at the same time my bottom end blew. opened the hood to flames about 5 feet high. one of those little things did the job.

they come with little straps that dont come loose and when ya need em' you can get em easily. i have also used zip ties. and in the heat of the moment (no pun) you dont even know the zip tie is holdin it on when ya yank it off.

just make sure they are within reach. the quicker you can get to them the better.

 

[austinaubinoe]

after my tranny overheated at Rausch earlier this summer, causing hot ATF to ignite on the exhaust, I sprung for the HalGuard 2.5 pounder. Cost me about $120, but it is super high quality, and comes with a very sturdy basic mount.

Im guessing that "halguard" replaced "Halon" because you can easily buy these and they are EPA approved.


Check out there site: http://www.h3rperformance.com/


oh and BTW I had a dinky 1 pound gauge-less all plastic ABC one at the time of the minor fire... it literally spit powder for 5 seconds the clogged up! The halguard one can even be used once half way, then saved for another time because it is filled with liquid.

 

[tbburg]

I use a Kiddie 2 lb unit mounted where I can easily get at it without unbuckling. The mount is cheap plastic, and in a hurry I have simply broken it from it's mount. Sure it's throw away, but it's all of $15, so who cares?

Exactly right. Any fire extinguisher is better then no fire extinguisher.

It doesn't much matter what extinguisher style you use, none are worth a dime if you can't get them out and use them effectively.

Also true.

 

[WebDog]

I have two fire extinguishers in my Jeep. In the cab is a small 1lb extinguisher in a neoprene sleeve attached to the roll cage were I can reach it while wearing my harnesses. In the back of my jeep I have a 5lb ABC on a QUICK Fist clamp mounted to the wall by the hatch on the drivers side.

The neoprene sleeve is from a bicycle shop for water bottles on mountain bikes.

Link to QUICK Fist site.
http://www.endroad.com/page/page/711712.htm

I have mine in a Quick Fist also and I had to use it recently for a garage fire and it was really easy to release but holds tight on the trail.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

The halguard one can even be used once half way, then saved for another time because it is filled with liquid.

Now in my mind, this makes a heckuva lot more sense than using dry chemicals, which will self-harden over time, especially in an environment like a car where most folks "set it and forget it".

 

[Talyn]

One other problem with halon extinguishers. do not inhale the halon of the fumes from the fire. Heated halon turns to phosgene gas which is a nerve gas that can eventually kill you.

You should have clarified this. Its not all Halon extinguishers, it is specifically Halon 104. Halon extinguishers prior to 1960. In 1947 the US Army discovered Halon 1211 and 1301, low tow. I hope no one here is carrying around an extinguisher from the 50s.

More: http://www.tpromo2.com/ssmag/fire/exting.htm
http://avstop.com/ac/apgeneral/fire.html

 

[4.3LXJ]

They may be approved, but I don't trust any of them. I have permanent lung damage from phosgene from another source, burning feathers and wool. Just about any chlorinated or fluoridated organic compound can give that stuff off when heated sufficiently. In the late 70s we were not told in the fire service that any halon was safe to breath. The biggest thing that was banned as far as halon goes was CCl4, or carbon tetrachloride which was a common material in liquid extinguishers. Also, you still have the restriction of a closed environment just as you do with C02. A stiff breeze will make it difficult to use on something like a leaking and burning gas tank. Soda may be messy, but it washes off easily and is usable in a breeze.