Considering a fire suppression system and wondering what size is required. Would a hand held extinguisher be enough and if so what size?

 

I use a halon suppression device with jets for engine bay and two for driver.

 

I use a 5 liter AFFF system with 2 nozzles in the engine bay, one at driver and one in trunk at fuel cell. With an open cockpit car like mine, halon will not help much there.

While a handheld fire extinguisher may be better than nothing. You may not be able to spray it under the hood or trunk lid if in a crash.

Grassroots Motorsports previously had on online article about a Miata fire. Worth reading it if it is still available. Better to be over protected when it comes to fire. You should also practice exiting the car in a hurry.

 

Disclaimer:
I know next to nothing about fire suppressant systems.

ChumpCar has a sponsor that has a few fire suppressant systems:
http://forum.chumpcar.com/index.php?...ire-systems%2F

$325 for 4 liter seems like a good deal.

I've been tempted to put a system in my semi-street, semi-track car.

 

Here is the link to the GRM article about the Miata fire.

GRM Miata Fire Link

 

I bought this 5 lb. system for my MGA. 15 feet aluminium hose was a little too short. System parts for two spray nozzle locations. I scrounged a third and ran a line to the fuel tank. It has the FIA-3 rating (hence the cost) and needs to be re-certified every 18 months or so. Send back to factory for recertification.

http://www.lindseyracing.com/LR/Pors...SFCLT5HAA.html

Previously I had a 5 lb. extinguisher mounted to my petty bar with a quick release. The tech guy kept telling me the extinguisher would kill me getting thrown around the car before the fire did. And that I would never get the tank loose while I was hanging upside down.

The best choice if you can afford it is to get a certified system with automatic spray nozzles that function like sprinkler system nozzles.

The halon and the FE 36 fire systems are supposed to leave no residue. I was afraid halon systems may be eventually outlawed. Plenty of halon available, I'm told, but the gov't has apparently outlawed its future manufacture.



It just so happens that on the weekend that I installed the new system, I got under the car to time the engine. The car has SU carbs with overflow pipes. I'm down there, the car is hot and running and fuel is gushing out of the overflow pipe right onto the hot exhaust. It scared the wits out of me!

 

Actually, now that I looked a little more carefully my system is an AFFF as well, not Halon.