Fire Extinguishers

[Beigewagon]

Not sure about discounts for fire extinguishers in cars. Lucky to get a discount for an alarm these days.

Beigewagon.

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday Mr T

Why, oh why, oh why
That is an epic fail if ever I saw one

Regards
Mr Turbo

Think of it as "protecting" the OEM fuel tank; and being a long way from the battery, with its known propensity for shorting its terminals randomly, and at any time ... :rotfl:.

 

[Ratbag]

Thanks, BW

Ratbag,

I only carry one 1kg in each of my cars. I figure it is more to save the occupants than the car. Leave the car for the insurance to deal with. As you say, we are driving cars, not Fire Trucks.

A 1kg dry chemical (dry powder) will cope with things like electrics, and most under bonnet fires. Once a fire has gotten into fuel lines, or the interior, conosider it a loss.

Make sure when you buy an extinguisher that you get one that has the letters A,B,E in it. These are more versitile than just A,B types.

A=class A, papers, wood, rags, etc.
B=class B, Fuels, oils, etc (Liquids)
E=electrical, pretty obvious.

If you were travelling more remote, make sure each vehicle has an extinguisher, or if you are travelling alone, then having two would not be a bad idea.

Beigewagon.

Sensible advice. Thanks.

And yeah, the agreed value insurance is about 20% more than I paid for the car ...

First time ever that I haven't had to argue the toss with an insurance company about the agreed value ... .

 

[Rally]

Vee Dubs not the really early ones) also have a propensity for split fuel hoses spreading fuel over the exhaust. Instant BBQ. Best be careful what we say about the Dak Daks as I know at least one of our members has one- maybe more.

 

[NachaLuva]

I agree with Rally that one 1kg extinguisher will not be enough for a fuel or oil fire, but should be enough for an electrical fire.

As a CFA vol (CFS or RFS in other sates) I have used a 1kg Dry chem on a car that had completely ruptured a full fuel tank in an accident and caught fire. It did not save the car, but allowed me to get to drivers door, and pull the driver free.

Beigewagon.

Well done BW

I agree, 1kg is more to slow the fire & get the occupants out than save the car.

What is the next size up from 1kg?

Make sure when you buy an extinguisher that you get one that has the letters A,B,E in it. These are more versitile than just A,B types.

A=class A, papers, wood, rags, etc.
B=class B, Fuels, oils, etc (Liquids)
E=electrical, pretty obvious.

I'll have to remember that...:biggrin:

 

[mr turbo]

I agree with Rally that one 1kg extinguisher will not be enough for a fuel or oil fire, but should be enough for an electrical fire.

As a CFA vol (CFS or RFS in other sates) I have used a 1kg Dry chem on a car that had completely ruptured a full fuel tank in an accident and caught fire. It did not save the car, but allowed me to get to drivers door, and pull the driver free.


Beigewagon.

Well done Beigewagon

Make sure when you buy an extinguisher that you get one that has the letters A,B,E in it. These are more versitile than just A,B types.

A=class A, papers, wood, rags, etc.
B=class B, Fuels, oils, etc (Liquids)
E=electrical, pretty obvious.

I just checked my one & yes it is good for electrical too

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Beigewagon]

Fire Extinguisher sizes depend on the maker. Usually 0.9-1.2 are available. I have seen 2kg in the past, but not for some time. 4.5kg are available, but are getting a bit big to fit in the cab of most cars without getting in the way. Then there are 9.0 kg.

BTW, these are dry powder (dry chem) that I am refering to. These are the type you should have in your car, or Kitchen at home for that matter.

Beigewagon.

 

[mr turbo]

I agree, 1kg is more to slow the fire & get the occupants out than save the car.

What is the next size up from 1kg?

Fire Extinguisher sizes depend on the maker. Usually 0.9-1.2 are available. I have seen 2kg in the past, but not for some time.

I had a quick look around & Supercheap sell 2kg ones.

They are A:B:E ones (2A:30B:E rated) & comp with AS/NZS 1841.5 standards

It says that they are suitable vehicles.

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Beigewagon]

Mr Turbo,

Without having seen the Super Cheap ones, they sound like a good buy.

The number in front of the letters ABE, are ratings with regard to effectiveness in 'still' conditons. The higher the number, the more effective. These figures will be affected by windy conditions.

The 2A is not bad, but how often do have just paper burning in a car, and nothing else?

30B is rather good, it will have a fair chance of knocking down a moderate fuel fire.

Just checked what is in my car, couldn't remember. Mine is a 1A:20B:E 1.0kg.

Beigewagon.

 

[Ratbag]

G'day again BW & All

Mr Turbo,

Without having seen the Super Cheap ones, they sound like a good buy.

The number in front of the letters ABE, are ratings with regard to effectiveness in 'still' conditons. The higher the number, the more effective. These figures will be affected by windy conditions.

The 2A is not bad, but how often do have just paper burning in a car, and nothing else?

30B is rather good, it will have a fair chance of knocking down a moderate fuel fire.

Just checked what is in my car, couldn't remember. Mine is a 1A:20B:E 1.0kg.

Beigewagon.

They don't make these things all that easy to find, but here is a 2 kg one:

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/o...-Mounting-Bracket.aspx?pid=221110#Description

About AUS $80.00.

 

[mr turbo]

I just checked my one & yes it is good for electrical too

Just checked what is in my car, couldn't remember. Mine is a 1A:20B:E 1.0kg.

Sounds like we have the same one

They don't make these things all that easy to find, but here is a 2 kg one:

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/o...-Mounting-Bracket.aspx?pid=221110#Description

About AUS $80.00.

Yes thats it :biggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Barry]

Vee Dubs not the really early ones) also have a propensity for split fuel hoses spreading fuel over the exhaust. Instant BBQ. Best be careful what we say about the Dak Daks as I know at least one of our members has one- maybe more.

How do you know the gerry can isn't full of water?
A beetle would need to be going a damn long way 'off the beaten track' to require that much extra fuel.

Yep, I've got a '67 'Custom' beetle and a '66 type 3 'Variant' (i.e. station wagon). Both still registered.

The main reason the batteries short out is people carrying too heavy a load on the back seat - or 'bouncing' on it for other reasons.

The fuel line through the fire wall in the 'Combi vans' had a potential to eventually rub through, theis allowed fuel to drip / pour into the 'under floor' section of the body and pool. By the time the vapour from this ignited there was a lot sitting their ready to burn.

Inm my experience Vee Wees were exceptionally safe cars, with 2 provisos:

1/. They were properly maintained - all fuel lines etc eventually need replacing on any car.

The problem was that, because VWs go 'forever', un-maintained 1960s era hoses do eventually disintegrate! :lol:

2/. The driver was actually capable of driving.

My 67 beetle with 1600 engine, mechanical advance distributor, electronic ignition and 'swing axles' gave the best road 'feedback' of any car I have ever driven.

I never managed to roll it, but then I had more sense than to power into a down hill corner, lose my 'bottle' half way through and back right off the accellorator. If you do that of course you run a high risk of turning turtle. :rotfl:

 

[Barry]

I'll have a look

There's no markings on it whatsoever!

I was looking at the seat mounting bolts yesterday and thinking that I could make up something similar for my 2.5kg extinguisher.
The only problem will be determining the optimum distance, so there is still room for the passengers feet and the seat will still be sufficiently adjustable to accommodate taller passengers in the rear seat.

 

[NachaLuva]

I never managed to roll it, but then I had more sense than to power into a down hill corner, lose my 'bottle' half way through and back right off the accelerator. If you do that of course you run a high risk of turning turtle. :rotfl:

Why is it that they turn turtle lol? I have heard they do like to fall over...

The only problem will be determining the optimum distance, so there is still room for the passengers feet and the seat will still be sufficiently adjustable to accommodate taller passengers in the rear seat.

Thats very magnanimous of you :rotfl:

 

[Barry]

Why is it that they turn turtle lol? I have heard they do like to fall over...

They have very little weight, especially if not carrying anything in the front luggage compartment and only the driver.
The engine and trans-axle are at the rear, with the engine behind the wheels.
The early swing axle design means tha, when unweighted, the wiils 'tuck in'.

So... in the circumstances I described:
'Gunning' down hill into a left turn (or right turn for a left hand drive car) ...
Driver decides to back off a bit ...
Momentum keeps the car going, but without the positive 'push' from the driven wheels ...
Inside back wheel starts to lift just a bit ...
At this point the only intelligent thing to do is to 'power through' however the uninitiated will panic and begin to brake ...
So, front breaks slow faster than the unweighted rear end ...
i.e. the outside front brake effectively performs a 'judo throw' on the inside rear wheel!

With the amount of feedback via the seat of the pants and steering wheel any half way intelligent driver will never get to this point.
However, for those used to 1940s - 50s 'big iron' and soft suspension, the sporty beetle was a foreign concept in more ways than one!

Having said that, the 1968 beetle, with front tortion bars and IRS would 'stick like poop to a blanket'. They were the basis for the original Formula Vee. I intend to retro-fit mine one day.

Thats very magnanimous of you :rotfl:

My 2 most frequent passengers are my kids, both of whom are taller than me. So, just dad 'doin the right thing.'

 

[Kevin]

I was looking at the seat mounting bolts yesterday and thinking that I could make up something similar for my 2.5kg extinguisher.
The only problem will be determining the optimum distance, so there is still room for the passengers feet and the seat will still be sufficiently adjustable to accommodate taller passengers in the rear seat.

You do understand that this is attached to the front of the front seat?

 

[NachaLuva]

You do understand that this is attached to the front of the front seat?

Is it attached to the seat itself (so slides with it) or to the supports?

Having said that, the 1968 beetle, with front tortion bars and IRS would 'stick like poop to a blanket'. They were the basis for the original Formula Vee. I intend to retro-fit mine one day.

They certainly were different lol
Not everyones cup of tea but have to admit had some very clever features...

My 2 most frequent passengers are my kids, both of whom are taller than me. So, just dad 'doin the right thing.'

Good Dad

 

[Kevin]

^ attached to the floor anchor points.

 

[taza]

Until reading this thread I never even thought of having one in my car.

Mr Turbo does that cargo barrier right behind your front seats stay there permanently? Im guessing you don't have passengers in the rear then, would be more like a paddy wagon than car. haha

 

[mr turbo]

Mr Turbo does that cargo barrier right behind your front seats stay there permanently?

Yes it does
I've had it there (forward position) ever since I bought the Forry, apart from the first week or so :iconwink:
I often have my 2x large dogs (German & Belgian Shepherds) travel in the car with me, so it just made sense to leave it that way.

Im guessing you don't have passengers in the rear then,

If I do have passengers, it's usually just the one anyway :ebiggrin:

would be more like a paddy wagon than car. haha

You could say it's like a paddy wagon/dog box. The difference being that this one doesn't have the flashing red & blue disco lights :lol:

Until reading this thread I never even thought of having one in my car.

I've only ever had to use it once & hopefully I'll never have to do that again.
But having a fire extinguisher in the car is a great idea, it just gives you that piece of mind, knowing it's there, should the occasion ever arrive

Regards
Mr Turbo