Fire Suppression

[Goosesdad]

I've looked into a few different systems and of course there are a ton of options for each, below is the layout I think works and has the most flexibility.

This SafeCraft system comes with (2) automatic release heads, seems to me putting them in the engine bay and at the fuel tank makes the most sense. There are also (2-3) manual release heads, I'm thinking 1 in the engine, 1 under the dash(pointed at the driver). Not sure about putting the third at the fuel tank because the auto should take care of that area and that extra head would reduce the extinguishing time in the engine/cockpit.

Please offer any thoughts or advice, thanks in advance.

[z28cp]

One of the better racecar setups I've seen recommends the following:

10lb system - Manual
1 nozzle in the engine compartment
1 nozzle in front of the driver
1 nozzle behind the driver

5lb system - Automatic
Fuel tank/cell area

They came up with this system after suffering through a pretty bad fire.

[Goosesdad]

Originally Posted by z28cp

One of the better racecar setups I've seen recommends the following:

10lb system - Manual
1 nozzle in the engine compartment
1 nozzle in front of the driver
1 nozzle behind the driver

5lb system - Automatic
Fuel tank/cell area

They came up with this system after suffering through a pretty bad fire.

Thanks Dave, appreciate the input. I was originally thinking 2 systems like this as well but 3 different manufactures talked me out of it but still like the idea . The nozzle behind the driver is interesting, I will definitely consider it.

I've seen a few photos of cars on track with a fuel fire and I wonder if the automatic head (likely placed in front of the fuel tank) would activate while driving?....I'm thinking the air might push the flames away from it and out the back of the car.

Have any thoughts? Thanks.

[SSLance]

I"ve had the 10# manual system above sitting on the shelf for a year now...waiting for me to decide how to install it. This project is next on my list so this thread is very timely.

I like the two system setup Dave posted, looks better than trying to make what I currently have cover everything.

[z28cp]

The race team found that the one system setup ran out of suppression material too fast. During their fire, the fuel fire kept reigniting.

The other thing they emphasized heavily was to be damn sure any and all holes between the cockpit and the engine and fuel cell areas were sealed. The burns received by the driver (not bad, fortunately) were almost all caused by fire breaching the firewalls and floor via uncovered holes.

[NOT A TA]

I put 2 systems in my car. 10# 3 nozzle with 2 in engine compartment and one on fuel pump area by tank. 6.5# 2 nozzle with one nozzle at the base of each A pillar faced up toward firewall.

Can see details in my safety upgrades thread here https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...ghlight=safety

[Goosesdad]

Thanks for the responses!
Does anyone know the details behind the fuel fire that Chris Smith had at the 2018 Super Chevy Muscle Car Challenge? The Super Chevy article said that his fire suppression system put the fire out but the pictures in the article show the flames coming out of the back of the car pretty hard which begs the question that if an Automatic nozzle was placed in front of the tank....would the flames get to it in enough to set if off?

Of course, maybe his was a manual system. But I'm wondering if the automatic head would be better placed in a different location than the front of the tank?

[Goosesdad]

The Safecraft Automatic system arrived. It's a very nice piece and the people at Safecraft were great to work with and were very helpful in the customization of the layout. Shipped quickly and was packaged very well.
I ordered the system I originally posted about but have since decided to separate the systems and add an independent manual system for the cockpit. Might be overkill...though it might not be! $400 and about 15lbs extra seems a small price to pay for the added security and flexibility should things go bad. Fortunately I've never been in a fire but there always seems to be the "I wish I'd have done....." story after one happens.

They do have really nice bottle mounts that attach to the roll bar (without hose clamps). I want to mount mine flat, in the rear seat area so these mounts are needed, hose clamps are not ideal in my opinion. I think I will get at least one more of these so there are 3 holding the bottle down.

Thanks for the feedback and I hope mine helps.

[SSLance]

Hey John... Will you end up with just one manual pull handle with this setup or one for each bottle?

Looks good, I like your plan.

[Goosesdad]

Originally Posted by SSLance

Hey John... Will you end up with just one manual pull handle with this setup or one for each bottle?

Looks good, I like your plan.

Hey Lance. 2 pull handles. Totally independent systems.