Thread: Fire extinguisher location - passenger side only.

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

If you have the 1/3 - 2/3 seats in the rear, the extinguisher can also fit onto the front of the seat mount directly behind the driver. When you flip the seat up, the extinguisher moves with it and rolls forward and down. Yes the passenger in that seat cannot quite get their feet back as far as they used to, but they can still use the seat effectively. ( adults that is - kids probably won't even notice the difference ) The extinguisher is accessible and out of the way. Mine is a 2.5 kg dry powder.

A photo would be great!

Originally Posted by Tombie

A photo would be great!

Yes please. Can we have a photo Admiral? This sounds good.

A friend has just imported a vehicle into NZ, from Japan. As part of the Rego process, the existing fire extinguisher had to be removed from the front passenger foot well. Not sure if Oz has similar restrictions.

I got the size on the extinguisher wrong. It is 1.5 kg, not 2.5kg. I will try to upload some pics. Apologies for the light. Not good in the garage at night, and not a lot of room to move around with a camera.
The odds n sods under the seat are my storage boxes.
You can mess around a bit trying to find a good compromise on position and restriction of the seat action.

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Its gotta be OUTSIDE the vehicle....when your cars on fire the LAST place you need the extinguisher is inside WITH the fire!!
On the bull bar, roof rack, ladder, wheel arch, &tc. OR just inside the back door ( the last place to catch fire...generally!)

Originally Posted by dick180641

Its gotta be OUTSIDE the vehicle....when your cars on fire the LAST place you need the extinguisher is inside WITH the fire!!
On the bull bar, roof rack, ladder, wheel arch, &tc. OR just inside the back door ( the last place to catch fire...generally!)

I think it depends on the situation.... if trapped in a vehicle that has caught fire.... personally I'd rather have it within reach in the drivers seat than be looking out the window at it my bull bar...

I can see arguments for both....but I'll stick to inside.

Mark

Originally Posted by dick180641

Its gotta be OUTSIDE the vehicle....when your cars on fire the LAST place you need the extinguisher is inside WITH the fire!!
On the bull bar, roof rack, ladder, wheel arch, &tc. OR just inside the back door ( the last place to catch fire...generally!)

The place with the greatest chance of a fire starting, is under the bonnet.

If a hydraulic hose splits, and shoots oil onto a hot exhaust, smoke & flames will quite possibly follow shortly after.

Main type of fire inside the cabin, will be electrical, and all circuits are (or should be) protected by fuses. This, obviously, greatly reduces the chances of ignition.

So, having the extinguisher inside with you, within reach, is possibly going to save you valuable seconds.

Keep in mind that a 1.5kg is better than nothing at all, but they are a "one shot wonder" If you dont knock the fire out with it first go, then you wont have a second chance.

Originally Posted by Brad

Has anyone had cause to (effectively) use an onboard fire extinguisher and if so, could you please outline the scenario?

The RFS people I've talked to thus far have been consistent in calling it a waste of time, argument being any car fire you come across will not be put out by a portable extinguisher.

Yes in the days when you could use extinguishers that work, BCF. A VW bug with flames coming out from the engine compartment (rear) the BCF was discharged into the air intake till the flames disappeared and then the engine lid opened and the remains of the BCF discharged over the engine.

The only damage to the car were some burnt wires and scorching of the paint. More than that there was none of that burnt baked powder to clean away.

The owner's insurance company even paid for the cost of the extinguisher.

Also, IMHO, the comments from your firies is probably referring to a car already engulfed in flames. If you watch car fires ignite there is a period when there is merely a flicker of flame before catching a fuel source. It is in this period where an entinguisher can be of use. If you're out in the bush and see a flicker of flame are you going to throw your hands up in the air and say its no use the car is gone. I hardly think so.

With the radial engines in the WWII tanks, they have a habbit of flame out during initial starting, there is always a crew member with a CO2 extinguisher standing to the side. If the flame out happens it gets put out immediately, with the its no use philosophy we would have lost a $100,000 tank many times over. Same with antique aircraft.

Purnell's at Blakehurst suggest fitting the extinguisher in the drivers door with a velcro retaining strap. I use that space for my house keys so haven't taken up the idea but can see the merits.