Engine Room Fire Systems - The Hull Truth

Dry Rot · 07-20-2007, 05:09 PM

A little unrelated to boating but friends that have a motorhome like mine recently experienced a fire and total loss:
http://www.katu.com:80/news/local/8496952.html
My Pursuit has a simple system consisting of a self contained bottle and heat activated trigger that would be an easy install in my coach.

Anybody have any ideas where to get a simple syetem?
Dry

makosteve66 · 07-20-2007, 05:21 PM

Had a Halon Fireboy system in my engine room of my twin diesel express - looked similar to this

probably illegal and definitely ill-advised for motor home use as they extinguish the fire by removing the oxygen. Not meant to be used in a living space such as a motor home, Would cause suffocation, and they don't have on/off switches for when they are in use vs. vacant

Dry Rot · 07-20-2007, 05:35 PM

Thanks makosteve66,
These are 450-500 hp diesel pushers with the engines in the back. They sit in an insulated steel box under the bed so it wouldn't be exposed to the passengers. And as an after market product, legality might not be a big issue.
Good idea!
Dry

lcosta01 · 07-20-2007, 05:41 PM

I have a halon system in my engine room. Hope I never have to use them, but I feel safer that it's there.

Bulls I · 07-20-2007, 05:56 PM

Halon is safe to breath and doesn't displace the oxygen. It's not recommended for people to breath it though. We had an accidental halon discharge in our computer room while people were testing sprinklers which was a very bad day.

gd · 07-20-2007, 06:42 PM

If halon is sucked into a running engine, what comes out the exhaust is quite toxic

inetmug · 11-20-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makosteve66

Had a Halon Fireboy system in my engine room of my twin diesel express - looked similar to this

probably illegal and definitely ill-advised for motor home use as they extinguish the fire by removing the oxygen. Not meant to be used in a living space such as a motor home, Would cause suffocation, and they don't have on/off switches for when they are in use vs. vacant

Make sure you have the diesel shutdown. They make an agent that can be used in occupied spaces.

rwidman · 11-20-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dry Rot

.........

Anybody have any ideas where to get a simple syetem?

I'm going to just answer the question:

West Marine sells them.

Also, if you're in or near a town of any size, there will be a business that sells, installs, and services fire extinguishers and systems. You could check with them.

One4Water · 11-20-2009, 07:39 PM

There are a lot of different types out there for that application. From remote cannister to smaller units that are a pancake style cannister with the "sprinkler" head attached to it. Those can be mounted almost anywhere. Something that you can fire off from the helm or another remote location are best though. Automatic with a manual backup is what I recommend. Google is your friend for this one.