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]

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/48151-The-14-Car-safety-thread-Roll-Cage-Kirkey-seats-Fire-systems?highlight=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.
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[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]

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.

[jlwdvm]

I am getting ready to install the Safecraft LT 10# pull system in my 69 Firebird and was wondering if they mentioned where to place the heads in the engine compartment? I was thinking about placing 1 on each side over the headers since I have fuel on the passenger side and oil cooler and Accusump lines on the driver's side (LS3).

[Flash68]

I am getting ready to install the Safecraft LT 10# pull system in my 69 Firebird and was wondering if they mentioned where to place the heads in the engine compartment? I was thinking about placing 1 on each side over the headers since I have fuel on the passenger side and oil cooler and Accusump lines on the driver's side (LS3).

Pretty much where my 2 engine bay nozzles are placed over my LS3. :thumbsup:

[jlwdvm]

The thought I have running around in my head is: should I place 2 nozzles in the engine bay and one near the fuel pump (since these are the most likely areas for a fire to happen; or do I get an extra nozzle and splice it into the line going to the fuel tank area and place it near my feet?

[Goosesdad]

I believe the manufactures will shy away from suggesting locations for liability reasons.
I'm going to place both an automatic head and a manual head on the firewall near the top and mostly centered. For the automatic head, higher is better of course because heat rises which should provide for the fastest trip of that head. I like the redundancy of the automatic system and the extra cost was minimal - for sure it's real purpose is for a situation that the driver is unable to set off the system.
From what I've seen in demo videos and from talking to 3 of the more prominent manufactures, the volume of retardant from a 10 lb bottle is more than enough for the engine bay, cab and fuel tank for "most fires" even with just a single head in each location. After good advice for others here, I will just let the 10lb bottle take care of the engine bay and fuel tank and add a separate 5lb system for the cab with 2 nozzles in the dash and one behind driver.

Again, I'm no expert and fortunately have never had a fire so please, the above is just my humble approach trying to combine others experience with manufactures words while stirring in some common sense and build logistics.

Thoughts?

[Flash68]

My 10 lb AFFF system has 4 nozzles... I'm running 2 in the engine bay and 2 aimed at me near the lower torso area.

[jlwdvm]

I am getting ready to install the Safecraft LT 10# pull system in my 69 Firebird and was wondering if they mentioned where to place the heads in the engine compartment? I was thinking about placing 1 on each side over the headers since I have fuel on the passenger side and oil cooler and Accusump lines on the driver's side (LS3).

My 10 lb AFFF system has 4 nozzles... I'm running 2 in the engine bay and 2 aimed at me near the lower torso area.

Nothing in the fuel cell area?

[Flash68]

Different schools of thought on this topic.... you'll definitely find a variety of solutions.

If I had 6 nozzles I would definitely put 1 in the fuel tank/cell area. But since I have only 4 we decided none in the rear. I think I saw Greg mention that these systems are intended to give time to exit the car, not necessarily put out a big fire. With the distance and firewall to the rear, we decided to focus the nozzles up front.

That said, I do plan on putting nozzles over the cell on the Camaro when we get there.

[jlwdvm]

My 10# system came with 3 nozzles. I am planning on 2 in the engine bay and one in front of the gas tank. I figure...those are the most likely places for a fire. I could run a 4th split off of the line going to the fuel tank to give coverage in my footwell area (if it is ok to add another nozzle to my system). Sorry of I high-jacked the thread, but I have my first track day in my project Firebird in 5 weeks!