What: I want to locate my dry powder extinguisher permanently in the boot then remote the operation from the dash on a great big red handle (I have this already and it looks pretty cool, plus I’ve figured out how to remote operate it)
Question 1: can I then run a length of tubing (I thought of a bit of brass brake line?) from the bottle’s nozzle to the engine bay to a piece of perforated hose so that the powder disperses around the engine bay?
Question 2: would a standard 2kg bottle of dry powder have the ‘oomph’ to push the contents along about 3m of tubing and then would it disperse sufficiently once at the other end?
Question 3: is there an ‘off the shelf’ system that will be far better than my DIY option?
Why? because if I manage to put my engine back together and if it passes the MOT and if it subsequently catches fire I’d like to be able to quickly and efficiently put out said fire without opening the bonnet before the thousands of pounds worth of ‘stuff’ I’ve done to the car over the years goes up in smoke…
So, ideas please
Cheers
P72
PS. Am I thinking worst case? Yep, but only because I have zero faith in my mechanical and driving ability and I’m bound to have a few nuts and bolts left over once I complete my engine overhaul…
It is an interesting series of questions, it is making me (an ex-RAF Fireman, now a MOD Firefighter) scratch his head.
Q1, Will the brass brake line be screwed onto the FAFA and how will you keep condensation etc. from entering the line, and road debris etc. from blocking up those little perforations, hopefully the discharge of fire fighting media will clear those, though a more rigid nozzle than a bit of perforated hose may be required to achieve the desired result.
Q2, It should do and will be a interesting experiment.
Q3, Off the shelf system available?, ex-military Auto-Fire Suppression System (do your Choppers have such a system, hopefully if I got it right you are AAC.) I know that some systems work on the Bi-metal switch and other work on a heat sensor, the rise in the engine compartment etc. temperature triggering a warning light. Do F1 race cars, NASCARs, Rally Cars have such built in systems.
Firstly, a confession. I’m not any sort of engineer.
To the best of my knowledge, the top-of-the-range extinguisher systems are permanently pressurised with flexible tubing fitted around the engine compartment. In the event of a fire, the tubing melts and the extinguishant discharges directly onto the seat of the fire. There’s also a backup system controlled by an inertia switch and a Great Big Red Handle, the idea being that the driver may not be aware that there is a fire (tubing melts) or may be incapacitated (inertia switch).
That said, I love the idea of a Great Big Red Handle. Presumably it’s there to reassure your passenger while at the same time inducing just a hint of apprehension.
Also, have you considered mounting two smaller extinguishers under the bonnet? This would cut down on the plumbing and introduce an element of system redundancy.
Finally, if I were in a burning car, I would get the hell out of it as quickly as possible. Then again, I earn my living at a desk in my office at home, and not in the right-hand seat of a helicopter in a war zone, so I guess it’s all relative!
Cheers all for your replies chaps, I did consider a fire-wire like our aircraft have but with zero elctrical experience I’m not sure where I would start wiring this into a permanently pressurised automated system…knowing my abilities it would ‘go off’ all of its own accord half way down the A1! My good lady did point out to me “would you honestly be able to sit there in the car with a big red handle in front of you and NOT pull it?” She knows me too well!
I once set about rearranging the boot of my work car to get rid of an annoying rattle and pushed a box up against the rear bulkhead where the dry powder fire extinguisher was mounted (unknown to me the pin had vibrated loose). Suddenly a cloud of pink powder started to fill the boot. I thought the best thing to do was to shut the boot lid to contain the cloud whereupon it started to fill the cabin (it was a saloon car !). An hour later the upholstery had been hoovered and all the boot contents brushed down but everything had a coating of fine pink dust which coverered my hands and clothes everytime I touched anything from the boot.
Just come across your query. 30 years in the Fire Service would lead me to suggest that dry powder has a tendency to compact, I think you would need large bore tube to enable it to be blown any distance. I would go for B.C.F. liquid. A lesser size container and able to self propel . The old C.T.C.,Bromine etc. were lethal but the new halons are not toxic.
I’ve seen car engines and other expensive machinery protected by a BCF container mounted above , sealed by a Quartzoid bulb, as used on fire sprinkler systems The BCF evaporates leaving no residue, dry powder stays , gets in everywhere and can therefore be harmful.
Some modern alternatives that have similar properties to halon are Halocarbon Gases (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons), Inert Gases (various combinations of nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide) and Inert Gas Generators (solid material that quickly oxidises to produce lots of carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen).
If you goole “Fire Extinguishers” there are unit available of the type to protect an engine bay.
I’ve found nozzles and t-pieces through Merlin Motorsport and Demon Tweeks (my plan being to fit two nozzles into the firewall behind the engine bay, one either side of the engine), now researching bottles and contents as I was hoping to use my current dry powder bottle that’s already fitted to the panel in the boot that hides the fuel tank…TBH its job no 437 at the mo…five years in and more to do now than I’ve ever had…these cars are so damn addictive!
There is also the controlled explosion route Ha Ha, as per oil rig fires.
Back to what I said before ,I don’t think you can push DP far in narrow pipe, it back up and solidifies, it settles and can fail to eject in hand held extinguishers. I’m sure your specialists will steer you correctly.
I think it’s a good idea to have a fire suppresion system, as well as protecting your hard work, we have all seen some horrific motor race fires, not a pleasant point but true.
The index above led me to FEV extinguishant, to Uphill Racers web site. There is a totally complete system for sale, 1.8Kg, 2 nozzles for cockpit and two for engine, all fittings, brackets, internal and external operation-£450.
Just spoken to our Fire Service here at work, got them interested and they are going to ‘trial’ some different suppresants for me! If it keeps them busy I suppose…
and if it passes the MOT 
I’d like to be able to quickly and efficiently put out said fire without opening the bonnet before the thousands of pounds worth of ‘stuff’ I’ve done to the car over the years goes up in smoke…
one of those Father Ted moments…
