Fired

E

emerystora

New member
Apr 6, 1999
14,608
2
1
>In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

>
> I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an engine
> fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the Registry,
> my cell phone and bolt for the door!

Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles
from home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started
the engine and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I
tried to start it again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the
corner of the engine cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire
extinguisher from the wall by the refrigerator and then opened the
engine cover with one hand and had the extinguisher in the other
hand. There were flames about 1 foot high and I quickly put them
out. The backfire had blown out the gasket under the air cleaner and
sprayed gasoline back onto the distributor. The engine cover was
charred on the bottom, the distributor cap, rotor, coil, module,
pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses, speedometer cable, cruise
control bellows and several electrical wires were burned.

Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the next
day except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able
to replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest
of the 4 week vacation we had planned.

Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative
of just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total
loss of my GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000
miles from home.

If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course
burn, and can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened
again I would do the same thing but only if I have a fire
extinguisher in hand.

I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile I
now have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the
drivers seat and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
 
Seems we come around to a discussion about fires and fire suppression system
every few months or so. Perhaps we've added some new blood to the list with
some new and inovative ideas on a GMC fire extinguishing system?

I'd sure like to get something, but between hopefully reduced travel this
summer and not having a 'standard' solution available it keeps getting
shoved to the bottom of the project list.

This is one of those "should'a bought it when is available" times.
(referencing the Halon system that used to be sold).

Falling behind on my project list :-)

Heinz
'76 Transmode
www.my-gmc.com

> >
> > > I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an engine
> > fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the Registry,
> > my cell phone and bolt for the door!
>
> Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
> issue.

 
Just to bring attention to Justin Hill's GMC Fire Suppression System at:
http://www.gmcclassics.com/tech/fire-ext/fire-ext.htm

hth
bdub

>>In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

>>
>>> I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an engine
>> fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the Registry,
>> my cell phone and bolt for the door!
>
>Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
>issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles from
>home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started the engine
>and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I tried to start it
>again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the corner of the engine
>cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire extinguisher from the
>wall by the refrigerator and then opened the engine cover with one hand
>and had the extinguisher in the other hand. There were flames about 1
>foot high and I quickly put them out. The backfire had blown out the
>gasket under the air cleaner and sprayed gasoline back onto the
>distributor. The engine cover was charred on the bottom, the distributor
>cap, rotor, coil, module, pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses,
>speedometer cable, cruise control bellows and several electrical wires
>were burned.
>
>Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the next day
>except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able to
>replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest of the
>4 week vacation we had planned.
>
>Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative of
>just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total loss of my
>GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000 miles from home.
>
>If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
>gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course burn, and
>can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened again I would do
>the same thing but only if I have a fire extinguisher in hand.
>
>I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile I now
>have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the drivers seat
>and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.
>
>Emery Stora
>77 Kingsley
>Santa Fe, NM
 
Excellent.

Thanks bdub.

Now all we need is for someone to "package" it to make it easier sourcing
all the pieces :-)

( I know.... bitch, bitch, bitch )

Thanks again

Heinz

> Just to bring attention to Justin Hill's GMC Fire Suppression System at:
> http://www.gmcclassics.com/tech/fire-ext/fire-ext.htm
>
> hth
> bdub
>
>

> >>In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> >>
> >> >> I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an
engine
> >> fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the
Registry,
> >> my cell phone and bolt for the door!
> >
> >Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
> >issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles
from
> >home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started the engine
> >and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I tried to start it
> >again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the corner of the engine
> >cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire extinguisher from the
> >wall by the refrigerator and then opened the engine cover with one hand
> >and had the extinguisher in the other hand. There were flames about 1
> >foot high and I quickly put them out. The backfire had blown out the
> >gasket under the air cleaner and sprayed gasoline back onto the
> >distributor. The engine cover was charred on the bottom, the distributor
> >cap, rotor, coil, module, pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses,
> >speedometer cable, cruise control bellows and several electrical wires
> >were burned.
> >
> >Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the next day
> >except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able to
> >replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest of the
> >4 week vacation we had planned.
> >
> >Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative of
> >just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total loss of my
> >GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000 miles from home.
> >
> >If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
> >gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course burn,
and
> >can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened again I would
do
> >the same thing but only if I have a fire extinguisher in hand.
> >
> >I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile I now
> >have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the drivers
seat
> >and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.
> >
> >Emery Stora
> >77 Kingsley
> >Santa Fe, NM
>
>
 
This is a very interesting subject.

I currently have 2 extinguishers aboard:
#1 is a big 2 liter Kidde "advanced foam fire Extinguisher" and it's installed
on the wall of the closet. It's too big to hang on a wall anywhere else. I
think Arch has one like it between his desk and the driver's seat. Since I
have a couch there, it would interfere with sitting.

#2 is a small 2 lb dry extinguisher and I have it laying between the driver's
seat and the outside wall.

I might be buying #3 this afternoon if I can find one that will fit upright in
the dinette locker next to the door. #2 is just a bit too tall for that
compartment.

Maybe I'll get a #4 and have that in the propane compartment??

They are so cheap to buy, there is really no reason to not have more then 2 or
3 extinguishers.

I guess the real problem is to know when to bail out and when to try to fight
the fire as Roger Black so sadly pointed out earlier.

I think if I have an engine fire all may be lost and I best get all souls out
of the coach and let the insurance company worry about the coach. Which
reminds me that I better get agreed value insurance.

Maybe a cooking fire would be more suitable for fire fighting but the operator
of the GMC.

I threw out the extinguisher that was in the vac compartment because I figured
it was 25 years old and wouldn't work if needed. Also, my vac compartment
isn't a very good place for an extinguisher. By the time I got it open the
coach would be done for. There are 3 latches to undo on mine. I don't know
if
that was the stock arrangement or something added by the PO.

I really don't know if I should even bother with a small access hole to the
engine. It sounds like a good idea, but in reality it might be a killer to
stay in the coach long enough to try to put a fire out through a small hole.
It would be really better have a fire suppression system like they have in
some airplanes. See smoke, pull something as you evacuate the vehicle.
Hopefully the fire goes out.

Richard Waters

> >In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> >
> > > I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an engine
> > fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the Registry,
> > my cell phone and bolt for the door!
>
> Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
> issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles
> from home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started
> the engine and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I
> tried to start it again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the
> corner of the engine cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire
> extinguisher from the wall by the refrigerator and then opened the
> engine cover with one hand and had the extinguisher in the other
> hand. There were flames about 1 foot high and I quickly put them
> out. The backfire had blown out the gasket under the air cleaner and
> sprayed gasoline back onto the distributor. The engine cover was
> charred on the bottom, the distributor cap, rotor, coil, module,
> pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses, speedometer cable, cruise
> control bellows and several electrical wires were burned.
>
> Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the next
> day except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able
> to replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest
> of the 4 week vacation we had planned.
>
> Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative
> of just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total
> loss of my GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000
> miles from home.
>
> If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
> gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course
> burn, and can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened
> again I would do the same thing but only if I have a fire
> extinguisher in hand.
>
> I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile I
> now have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the
> drivers seat and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM
 
Mmmmmm. Darren

> Excellent.
>
> Thanks bdub.
>
> Now all we need is for someone to "package" it to make it easier sourcing
> all the pieces :-)
>
> ( I know.... bitch, bitch, bitch )
>
> Thanks again
>
> Heinz
>
> > Just to bring attention to Justin Hill's GMC Fire Suppression System at:
> > http://www.gmcclassics.com/tech/fire-ext/fire-ext.htm
> >
> > hth
> > bdub
> >
> >

> > >>In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > >>
> > >> > >> I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an
> engine
> > >> fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the
> Registry,
> > >> my cell phone and bolt for the door!
> > >
> > >Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
> > >issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles
> from
> > >home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started the engine
> > >and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I tried to start it
> > >again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the corner of the engine
> > >cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire extinguisher from the
> > >wall by the refrigerator and then opened the engine cover with one hand
> > >and had the extinguisher in the other hand. There were flames about 1
> > >foot high and I quickly put them out. The backfire had blown out the
> > >gasket under the air cleaner and sprayed gasoline back onto the
> > >distributor. The engine cover was charred on the bottom, the distributor
> > >cap, rotor, coil, module, pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses,
> > >speedometer cable, cruise control bellows and several electrical wires
> > >were burned.
> > >
> > >Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the next day
> > >except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able to
> > >replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest of the
> > >4 week vacation we had planned.
> > >
> > >Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative of
> > >just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total loss of my
> > >GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000 miles from home.
> > >
> > >If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
> > >gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course burn,
> and
> > >can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened again I would
> do
> > >the same thing but only if I have a fire extinguisher in hand.
> > >
> > >I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile I now
> > >have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the drivers
> seat
> > >and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.
> > >
> > >Emery Stora
> > >77 Kingsley
> > >Santa Fe, NM
> >
> >

- --
Darren Paget
76 Experimental
Another Fab Day
http://www.TZEplus.com
 
Huh!? Well, don't look at me. :-)

Hey, Darren! That's your department. Let's see what you can come up with.

Good Luck
bdub

>Mmmmmm. Darren
>

>
> > Excellent.
> >
> > Thanks bdub.
> >
> > Now all we need is for someone to "package" it to make it easier sourcing
> > all the pieces :-)
> >
> > ( I know.... bitch, bitch, bitch )
> >
> > Thanks again
> >
> > Heinz
> >
> > > Just to bring attention to Justin Hill's GMC Fire Suppression System at:
> > > http://www.gmcclassics.com/tech/fire-ext/fire-ext.htm
> > >
> > > hth
> > > bdub
> > >
> > >

> > > >>In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > > >>
> > > >> > > >> I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an
> > engine
> > > >> fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the
> > Registry,
> > > >> my cell phone and bolt for the door!
> > > >
> > > >Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
> > > >issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles
> > from
> > > >home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started the engine
> > > >and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I tried to start it
> > > >again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the corner of the engine
> > > >cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire extinguisher from the
> > > >wall by the refrigerator and then opened the engine cover with one hand
> > > >and had the extinguisher in the other hand. There were flames about 1
> > > >foot high and I quickly put them out. The backfire had blown out the
> > > >gasket under the air cleaner and sprayed gasoline back onto the
> > > >distributor. The engine cover was charred on the bottom, the
> distributor
> > > >cap, rotor, coil, module, pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses,
> > > >speedometer cable, cruise control bellows and several electrical wires
> > > >were burned.
> > > >
> > > >Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the
> next day
> > > >except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able to
> > > >replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest
> of the
> > > >4 week vacation we had planned.
> > > >
> > > >Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative of
> > > >just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total loss
> of my
> > > >GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000 miles from home.
> > > >
> > > >If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
> > > >gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course burn,
> > and
> > > >can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened again I would
> > do
> > > >the same thing but only if I have a fire extinguisher in hand.
> > > >
> > > >I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile
> I now
> > > >have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the drivers
> > seat
> > > >and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.
> > > >
> > > >Emery Stora
> > > >77 Kingsley
> > > >Santa Fe, NM
> > >
> > >
>
>--
> Darren Paget
> 76 Experimental
> Another Fab Day
> http://www.TZEplus.com
 
That's right, Darren.
Put your thinking cap on.

The disadvantage of the cold-fire is that it's in a spraybomb, i.e. has to
be handsprayed... unless I missed something

I definately would want to keep the "lid" closed, aside from the fact
that I'd have a lot of junk to move off the hatch in a hurry before I could
even open the hatch :-)

Heinz

> Mmmmmm. Darren
>

>
> > Excellent.
> >
> > Thanks bdub.
> >
> > Now all we need is for someone to "package" it to make it easier
sourcing
> > all the pieces :-)
> >
> > ( I know.... bitch, bitch, bitch )
> >
> > Thanks again
> >
> > Heinz
> >
> > > Just to bring attention to Justin Hill's GMC Fire Suppression System
at:
> > > http://www.gmcclassics.com/tech/fire-ext/fire-ext.htm
> > >
> > > hth
> > > bdub
> > >
> > >

> > > >>In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > > >>
> > > >> > > >> I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an
> > engine
> > > >> fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the
> > Registry,
> > > >> my cell phone and bolt for the door!
> > > >
> > > >Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
> > > >issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles
> > from
> > > >home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started the
engine
> > > >and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I tried to start
it
> > > >again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the corner of the engine
> > > >cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire extinguisher from
the
> > > >wall by the refrigerator and then opened the engine cover with one
hand
> > > >and had the extinguisher in the other hand. There were flames about
1
> > > >foot high and I quickly put them out. The backfire had blown out the
> > > >gasket under the air cleaner and sprayed gasoline back onto the
> > > >distributor. The engine cover was charred on the bottom, the
distributor
> > > >cap, rotor, coil, module, pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses,
> > > >speedometer cable, cruise control bellows and several electrical
wires
> > > >were burned.
> > > >
> > > >Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the next
day
> > > >except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able to
> > > >replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest of
the
> > > >4 week vacation we had planned.
> > > >
> > > >Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative
of
> > > >just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total loss
of my
> > > >GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000 miles from
home.
> > > >
> > > >If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
> > > >gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course
burn,
> > and
> > > >can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened again I
would
> > do
> > > >the same thing but only if I have a fire extinguisher in hand.
> > > >
> > > >I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile I
now
> > > >have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the drivers
> > seat
> > > >and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.
> > > >
> > > >Emery Stora
> > > >77 Kingsley
> > > >Santa Fe, NM
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Darren Paget
> 76 Experimental
> Another Fab Day
> http://www.TZEplus.com
>
>
>
 
Heinz:

The "Cold Fire" is made by mixing there product with water. You can use an old
style pressurized water extingusher to do the job. The mix can be to whatever %
that you want it to be. The spray bombs are for retail sales.

The track that my engineer works at is buying in large cans and 55 gallon drums.

Marcus

> That's right, Darren.
> Put your thinking cap on.
>
> The disadvantage of the cold-fire is that it's in a spraybomb, i.e. has to
> be handsprayed... unless I missed something
>
> I definately would want to keep the "lid" closed, aside from the fact
> that I'd have a lot of junk to move off the hatch in a hurry before I could
> even open the hatch :-)
>
> Heinz
>
> > Mmmmmm. Darren
> >

> >
> > > Excellent.
> > >
> > > Thanks bdub.
> > >
> > > Now all we need is for someone to "package" it to make it easier
> sourcing
> > > all the pieces :-)
> > >
> > > ( I know.... bitch, bitch, bitch )
> > >
> > > Thanks again
> > >
> > > Heinz
> > >
> > > > Just to bring attention to Justin Hill's GMC Fire Suppression System
> at:
> > > > http://www.gmcclassics.com/tech/fire-ext/fire-ext.htm
> > > >
> > > > hth
> > > > bdub
> > > >
> > > >

> > > > >>In a message dated 6/25/00 11:58:48 AM US Eastern Standard Time,

> > > > >>
> > > > >> > > > >> I recall reading that article but I think if I sense there is an
> > > engine
> > > > >> fire I will grab my sweetie, (who carries my credit card) the
> > > Registry,
> > > > >> my cell phone and bolt for the door!
> > > > >
> > > > >Well, like everything else there is more than one side to every
> > > > >issue. About 3 years ago I was on a trip, more than a thousand miles
> > > from
> > > > >home, when I was in a shopping center parking lot. I started the
> engine
> > > > >and immediately got a backfire and the engine died. I tried to start
> it
> > > > >again and then noticed a wisp of smoke from the corner of the engine
> > > > >cover. I ran back and took my dry chemical fire extinguisher from
> the
> > > > >wall by the refrigerator and then opened the engine cover with one
> hand
> > > > >and had the extinguisher in the other hand. There were flames about
> 1
> > > > >foot high and I quickly put them out. The backfire had blown out the
> > > > >gasket under the air cleaner and sprayed gasoline back onto the
> > > > >distributor. The engine cover was charred on the bottom, the
> distributor
> > > > >cap, rotor, coil, module, pickup coil, plug wires, vacuum hoses,
> > > > >speedometer cable, cruise control bellows and several electrical
> wires
> > > > >were burned.
> > > > >
> > > > >Fortunately, I had a toad and scrounged up most of the parts the next
> day
> > > > >except for the speedometer cable and cruise bellows. I was able to
> > > > >replace the parts and get on the road within 24 hours for the rest of
> the
> > > > >4 week vacation we had planned.
> > > > >
> > > > >Now, I realize that there is a risk in doing this but my alternative
> of
> > > > >just bolting out the door would most likely have meant a total loss
> of my
> > > > >GMC and its contents and our being stranded over 1000 miles from
> home.
> > > > >
> > > > >If the engine is not running and the key is off there will be no more
> > > > >gasoline pumping. Whatever is on the engine top will, of course
> burn,
> > > and
> > > > >can create quite a fire. I believe that if this happened again I
> would
> > > do
> > > > >the same thing but only if I have a fire extinguisher in hand.
> > > > >
> > > > >I am considering some sort of fire suppression system but meanwhile I
> now
> > > > >have 2 fire extinguishers in the GMC. One by the base of the drivers
> > > seat
> > > > >and the other mounted on the wall above the refrigerator.
> > > > >
> > > > >Emery Stora
> > > > >77 Kingsley
> > > > >Santa Fe, NM
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > --
> > Darren Paget
> > 76 Experimental
> > Another Fab Day
> > http://www.TZEplus.com
> >
> >
> >
 
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