I am about to get a halon fire extinguisher and want to know what size and where is the best place to buy them. There are some chrome ones on ebay for $119 for 1-1/4# and $169 for 2-1/2# bottle. Are these good prices or are there any better prices out there. Would the 1-1/4# be enough if I had an engine fire? I also don't want to mount a huge bottle somewhere so I am leaning towards the smaller one.

Side note: please don't tell me to go to pep boys and buy a cheap one, to me the extra $100 is worth it.

 

Most groups like SCCA, NASA, ETC require a 5 lbs or larger bottle in cars that require a fire system. 5 lbs bottles are required to discharge inside with the driver, and into the trunk (fuel cell). The 10 lbs bottles are the same except the 3rd nozzle goes under the hood. Always cary both a fire system and a small hand held fire bottle for small fires. Will save you a refill on the big bottle. ($100+) A N flexable lines make an easy and quick system from your bottle to the nozzles.

 

Racer Wholesale, Jegs, Summit, all have them at $300+ for the 5lbs bottle and kit.

 

if your buying a hand held extinguisher use a 5lbs. model. if your looking for a remote activated fire system I would reccomend the newer foam type systems. it is about the same price for the system but it can be refilled by the owner for about $50. I found out the hard way that some of the most widely used systems cannot be refilled by a local extinguisher company or are so expensive to refill that you could buy a new system for less. I have also had problems with leaks on some of the halon systems and then we get into the refill problems. the foam systems are not pressurized until it is activated so it cannot leak and since it is water based it is easy to clean off after activation. it is the same foam they use for fuel fires at airports. bought mine from Bell Motorsports . it was easy to install in about 2 hours.

 

Isn't Halon being phased out???


-Ted

 

I thought Halon was illegal in the US.
I know that the big problem with it is that when the gas reaches a temperature above ~700*F it gives off poisonous fumes. Also, it DOES NOT prevent reflash, once the gas has dispersed it the stuff can catch on fire again.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is what tims was talking about, AFFF does prevent reflash, and is alot safer.

A little info:
For Bravo class fires (burning Liquid, i.e. GAS/OIL) AFFF is what you want to use, it forms a blanket isolating the fuel from the oxygen, and because its 94% water also removes heat. Halon is after that, and water is after that(but never a solid stream, use a fog instead.)

For Charlie Class fires (Electrical) CO2 is the type you want to use, it does not leave a residue, and does not damage electrical equipement. PKP is the other one that is used for electrical, but it leaves a powdery residue that corrodes electrical equipment. Water and AFFF also work, but not as a solid stream, because they can conduct the current back to the fire party (more of a problem with 440VAC).

You can get portable AFFF extenguishers, along with portable CO2 ones.

 

Yes it is. The USA is the only country I believe to still use it.( Most NASCAR) systems a Halon.( And if you interview the drivers after they use it they all say the same thing." It felt like I was suffocating when the halon went off!"

The FIA has banned it's use do to enviormental and health issues .

AFFF is the way to go. Check this system out, a Soap based liquid agent that only cost about 60-80 bucks to refill instead of 2-300!

http://firecharger.com/

 

I depends on what racing you are doing. SCCA Solo-I only requires 2 lbs or greater (I think 2.5 lbs). They only specify the two types of Halon and don't mention Halotron (the new substitute). I haven't had time to research that alternative as well as AFFF yet.

Regards,
--Ashraf