Automatic Fire Extinguishers
 

In my redue of the boat I plan on adding halon fire extinguishers into the engine bay. I want Halon as it is the cleanest if there ever is a fire. I have been checking around and I know that you can still get Halon fire extinguishers but also noticed a new "Halon Alternative" fire extinguisher by Fireboy and a few others. Anyone know anything about how well this stuff works?

Jon

Jon- unfortunately not as well as Halon. You can still buy the real thing both 1211 and 1311. It is being recycled, just like Freon R-12 is. It just costs considerably more than it used to.
I would only trust Halon myself- we are still using it exclusively on the jets, but we are also still using a lot of R12 too- so far we have been exempt in having to change it out.
Check with your local fire extinguishing gurus- they can hook you up with hand-helds, and can probably recharge/recertify an engine compt. auto setup for you as well. Maybe you can find one used or as a takeout from a damaged boat?

Ya I have been looking for them but so far no luck

Jon

So you do not think that they other stuff is ok for a boat? Can it be any worse then a ABC extinguisher?

Jon

It's OK, and completely USCG approved. It just isn't as aggressive an extinguishing agent. The big reason for all of this was EPA- environmentally friendly.
I would encourage you to buy a larger unit than you would have if it were Halon. I still carry a hand-held Halon in the truck and boat, and encourage anyone else to do the same, even though they cost more. They just plain work better, and the cleanup is a helluva lot less.
Jim

So with the new stuff you still have clean up?

Jon

Jon , You had me worried with this post....With the luck you've been having all you need would be a fire!! Glad it was a tech question!!!:D

Why not Co2?

Yeah, C02 I was thinking the same thing. No extinguisher clean up just fire debris.

I used to carry a 5lb Co2 extinguisher. The plan was to always use it so I wouldn't have to clean up a mess (and gaud, do the dry chem extinguishers make a mess). The problem was that it wasn't CG approved. Now I have 2 (don't ask me why I need 2) 2.5lb cheapie throw away dry chem extinguishers. My new plan is to throw these into the fire, get on the radio, and jump overboard. :rolleyes:

Jon,

The new Halon alternatives are clean agents also. They are stored as a liquid and when they hit the atmosphere they are a gas. No residue!!!

The FE241 agent works primarily the same as Halon 1301. You just need more agent. Seafire and FireBoy are 2 manufactures of the units they have a chart available which gives the max cubic footage covered by the system.

Remember you can only put one bottle in the engine compartment. That is the way they are designed. There is no guarentee that a second bottle will go off the same time as the first one. Therefore you would not have the proper concentration.

We have installed many Fire Suppression system in high tech facilities using the replacement agents and there is no problem.

CO2 is not good for and engine compartment. If you are in there working and it goes off we will have a death to mourn over. CO2 displaces the oxygen. FE241 and the likes are people safe at the designed concentrations. It breaks up the chain of the fire.

I've designed an installed systems for 17 years in the commercial and industrial industries the Chicago area.

Fireboys number is 616-454-8337 Grand Rapids Mi.
Seafires number is 410-687-5500 Baltimore, Maryland

Any questions please let me know

Mark

So you are saying just go a little large then they recommend or do they take that into account when they factor their cubic feet of coverage? This is one of those things that ya hope that you never need but if you do........

Jon

NO you can go by what they say on the chart. Remember the motors displace a fair amount of the volume of the engine bay. The coverage is figured as an empty volume so you will have plenty of extra gas.

Mark

Now this is a damn worthwile and informative thread. I had some of the same questions. This kind of stuff should be kept at the top for 24 hrs or so. Thanks :)

Mr Cig is correct in all his statements
In addition
CO2 puts the fire out by depleting the O2, fiberglass or fuel will re-ignite if not completely smothered and thats hard to do.
A CO2 cylinder is also very heavy and would be much more difficult to mount on a boat.

I remember reading a letter to the editor of 'Hot Boat' magazine many years ago from a guy who had just picked up his new Eliminator and was heading to Havasu with it. On the way, someone from an oncoming vehicle flicked a cigarette butt into his boat, it started on fire, and he got off to the side of the road to watch his new ride burn to the ground on the trailer.
Know where his fire extinguisher was?
In the boat.:rolleyes:

Carry one in your truck. It may save you a lot of headache.

Mr. Cigs comments are right on, but I've seen all the agents in action, new and old on all kinds of fires.
As long as Halon is available, my investments are going to be protected by it, not some EPA approved alternative that does 'nearly' as good a job. Same scenario as 134 vs. R-12- acceptable, but not as good.
Jim