Fire Protection: Extinguishers: Dry, Halotron, CO2, Element Stick, Blankets, etc... what are you carrying?

[the poacher]

Add on... another product I was examining. These are new but have appeal, especially if not present when a fire starts in exp: engine bay.

Ferosticker, stick on, self activated:

https://ferosticker.com/products/fe...zVYPYiGMFGT8GCPBdcvotAuzF0RhWdS4aAjIXEALw_wcB

Now that looks like an excellent solution to engine bay fires. I like that it is an install and forget it. Often engine bay fires will start when you are not by your vehicle. This takes care of that.

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[dougcjohn]

Now that looks like an excellent solution to engine bay fires. I like that it is an install and forget it. Often engine bay fires will start when you are not by your vehicle. This takes care of that.

Agreed… several engine bay fires start after you leave the truck!

also the Smaller unit… could place it up under dash in high point for same thought path… circuit gets hot and gets little carried away on heating up to point of fire. Nice thing, they don’t have to be aimed at any certain point. Like a Halotron… fogs the area for suppression.

 

[CalvinT]

Now that looks like an excellent solution to engine bay fires. I like that it is an install and forget it. Often engine bay fires will start when you are not by your vehicle. This takes care of that.

I'd like to know how well it would work if the source of the flames is sheltered from the extinguisher. They use a lot of science talk to explain (free radicals, etc) but they don't really tell you anything. Halon works by interfering with the combustion process, it takes fuel away from the fire. CO2 works by smothering, taking air away and to a lesser extent cooling, dry chemical smothers, water smothers and cools. How does this work? They say aerosol, which implies a gas that floods the compartment. Is that an accurate interpretation?

Don't get me wrong, this seems like a good idea. But I was excited about the Element extinguisher until I found out it wasn't rated for Class A fires and realized you have to be able to stand above the fire. I have one stuck to my refrigerator.

 

[timhood]

What are you carrying for fire? Or not a concern?

I've always installed quick disconnects and ABC Dry Extinguishers.
I've been rethinking that after seeing a few fires put out (not mine): Interior under dash, engine bay. Both incidents saved but expensive problematic repairs. The clean up and repair due to 1) Fire, 2) Dry Chemical. The Dry chemical can be very damaging to Under dash electronics, and Engine bay electronics.

The Halotron option is clean, quick and no damage other than the fire damage. So much easier to recover, especially interior with Halotron.
But the Halotron 10lb is $600-800 per bottle, 5lb $400-500... very pricey to carry.
I considered CO2, but tank weight & size isn't practical for vehicle.

In my F450, I normally carry 2 ABC Dry 10lb: 3-A,40-BC: 1 mounted in box near tailgate and cab mounted on floor in ft of Rear seat on quick release.
I've been rethinking the Dry Chemical: leaning to get 2 Halotron, mount in both Cabs (F450 & Bronco), and mount the 2 ABC Dry in F450's Box & Bronco's 2nd Roll bar mount. That would handle the spread... could use Dry on exterior (camp site, etc), under chassis, engine bay... and Halotron Interior & engine bay.
But that's a big investment in fire protection to ride along and expire out in time.

I looked at the Element Sticks.. those are questionable in performance to me.
Recently took a harder look at Fire Blankets, those have an appeal for several uses: engine bay, camp, etc.
These can be reusable to, if not overly damaged. Exp: Throwing over an out of control camp fire doesn't damage the blanket.

Fire Blankets seem to be a good option to carry in vehicles and store in home kitchen. They're quick to deploy, effective and can be used as a fire wrap to escape (House or RV).

I'm also a believer in quality Medic Paks; I carry Field Medic Paks with extra tourniquets, chest patch & bleed stop wraps & bags. The Molly panels on back of Seats are great to mount a grab-no-go medic pak. Not a useless bandaid & tape first aid kit, Medic Paks for true injury. Maybe little overboard, probably a little carry over from Military days to be prepared.

What's being used and how/where mounted in the community?

I admire your efforts. I just keep a $100 comprehensive insurance deductible.

 

[mwkeating]

Just purchased a ‘21 Badlands 2-Door. In the process of building it out. Set up a 5lb ABC on the back of the driver seat on a quick release, immediately above my med kit. Both are attached to the seatback molle panel.

Have never considered the longer term implications of using the extinguisher on anything (electronics or otherwise) - as I always thought to myself the fire will do worse damage. Reading this thread has been thought provoking!

(Sorry for the poor quality pic, it‘s cropped from a larger one that was focused on the recently installed electric cooler / side)

 

[dougcjohn]

I admire your efforts. I just keep a $100 comprehensive insurance deductible.

That works at times!
As I’m sure all of us carry as well, I look at Insurance as a last resort.

Let the Insurance arguments and value discussions begin…. Plus all the additional mods and adds. Finding the acceptable replacement, etc.
Not to mention the DIY hours invested.

It’s a passion to build and make it your own… Insurance rarely gets you back to same place.

 

[dougcjohn]

Just purchased a ‘21 Badlands 2-Door. In the process of building it out. Set up a 5lb ABC on the back of the driver seat on a quick release, immediately above my med kit. Both are attached to the seatback molle panel.

Have never considered the longer term implications of using the extinguisher on anything (electronics or otherwise) - as I always thought to myself the fire will do worse damage. Reading this thread has been thought provoking!

(Sorry for the poor quality pic, it‘s cropped from a larger one that was focused on the recently installed electric cooler / side)

You’re on the right path… again like seeing the Med Kits! The more on the road, the better for those injured.

The Dry Chemicals if shot up under dash can destroy the circuits and components more than a quick electrical wire melt that was minimal. Similar damage in engine bay.
Insurance will either half repair or total it fully.

 

[Z because X was taken]

in the very rare event that my truck goes sparky and it bursts into flames I am bailing out and calling my insurance. Chances are I am never saving the truck and a little fire extinguisher ain’t gonna help much. That’s what 911 is for. Now if I cause. Little brush fire from my vehicle, which is astronomically unlikely, I do carry an old surplus entrenching tool. Mostly used if I need to dig myself out of the sh@t I got myself into. I am all into being prepared, within reason...

 

[Smocaine]

Consider carrying or adding a Purple K type extinguisher. Knocks down Class B like no other - won't help much at camp but might save lives on the road.

 

[EasternSierra]

I've been rethinking the Dry Chemical: leaning to get 2 Halotron, mount in both Cabs (F450 & Bronco), and mount the 2 ABC Dry in F450's Box & Bronco's 2nd Roll bar mount. That would handle the spread... could use Dry on exterior (camp site, etc), under chassis, engine bay... and Halotron Interior & engine bay.
But that's a big investment in fire protection to ride along and expire out in time.

That's what I ended up deciding on - Halotron up front and ABC in back.

 

[SeaVee]

I carry an Element in my 77. What don’t you like about them?
Just rebuilt and rewired it so I did the idea that it won’t trash the wiring in case of fire is appealing for sure

 

[dougcjohn]

I carry an Element in my 77. What don’t you like about them?
Just rebuilt and rewired it so I did the idea that it won’t trash the wiring in case of fire is appealing for sure

They do work, but rather weak. Several independent reviews showed you need to be basically on the fire.

I too considered them when I first learned about them… and was discouraged with their performance.

 

[DeanL]

I have an element hanging on the molle behind the passenger seat. Look hard enough and you can find negative reviews on just about anything. Here's a positive review by a firefighter and off road enthusiast.

I hope I never have to find out how effective it really is.

 

[Jakob1972]

I carry an ABC extinguisher and a fire blanket. You never know. The ABC is mounted on my tailgate molle.

 

[dougcjohn]

I have an element hanging on the molle behind the passenger seat. Look hard enough and you can find negative reviews on just about anything. Here's a positive review by a firefighter and off road enthusiast.

I hope I never have to find out how effective it really is.

I saw that one before… it shows it’s weak but does work if held over it or on top of it. There are several Fireman reviews and tests that indicate it’s not probably a good option. Still, it does work and may be a good option in some situations.

As mentioned above, I was hopeful for the Element. Looked like the idea solution for In cab electrical fires which are the most common cab fires. I excitedly purchased their 2 pak. Since it was relatively low cost and new technology… kinda wanted to play with it. I did diesel and gas tests… worked pretty good but you had to be very close to source.

Setup a mock scenario for a dash electrical & plastic fire. Shorting small gauge wires in a piece of trash can (farm burn barrel) upside down and propped up with a brick. I added several pieces of scrap wire, old plastic parts and a few leaves to help ignite into the mix. Shorted the wires and got a small electrical fire.

The “element” struggled to snuff the plastic / vinyl insulation and scraps, and little wood piece. Keep reigniting… if it had been any larger or more intense… it wouldn’t have worked.

The tests where they hold over a fuel… and it snuffs out flame shows it does work. But fuel goes out relatively easy since it’s the vapors burning. Most reviews are kitchen stoves with oils or fuels. A fire blanket beats that easily.

But it does work! I’d suggest you do your own tests. It’s a technique to learn and practice using the extinguisher is helpful.

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