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Topic: Fire Suppression Systems (Read 503 times) previous topic - next topic

Fire Suppression Systems

 The GV that recently burned in Washington state was very tragic but glad everyone got out safely. 
Frankly, it has me a little spooked.  The engine compartment is way back there so if it catches fire, might know about it very quickly.  Like the GV owners, if others were honking their horn, I would assume it was because I was going to slow for them....not that the back end was on fire!

In my mind, prevention is better than suppression, but suppression is a second layer of defense along with detection.  Since I am dealing with a 23 year old coach, that means ensuring all of the fuel lines and hydraulic hoses are replaced and possibly re-building the hydraulic motors to lessen the likelihood of a fluid release that can ignite.

I started Googling for fire suppression systems and am interested in what others are doing. 

Based on what Pierce posted and other articles, seems like a wet film type system along with an alarm is best suited for the engine bay since they reduce the heat to prevent re-ignition.  A simple solution like lining the fridge compartment with fire retardant material seem like a good option for the fridge area since the fuel source is very limited, and possible helpful in slowing spread in the engine bay.

Does anybody have experience with ColdFire or Fogmaker or similar systems?

Fogmaker was shown installed in a Foretravel in a FamilyRVing article.
 
ColdFire was discussed in RVTehMag article.
 
Both look like easy to self-install and require little routine maintenance.
40ft 1997 U320

Re: Fire Suppression Systems

Reply #1 –
I would not rebuild the pump/motors but would take a close look at the hoses. Ours had two touching and they blew out big time. They can't touch each other or they will chafe. We have single jacket hose on our coaches Double jacket is really tough stuff plus you can install your own fittings on some double jacket. Some engines have their fuel hoses wrapped so a leak runs down the hose and no straight stream can occur.

Lining the fridge compartment makes fire a non event. Very little fuel produced to burn if no combustible material close by.

Turbo blanket/pipe wrap +++

AFFF (foam) is the best choice for an engine fire. If you can catch the fire before it spreads, the foam sticks around much better than just water, especially if you don't have 500 gallons in your tank, fire hose and a pump. Check the AFFF here along with applicators.
AFFF foam applicator - Google Search  5 gallons of AFFF is not expensive. Don't get protein foam as it's made from fish and really stinks.

Heat/smoke detector in the engine compartment. If you wait until someone is honking their horn, it's too late, way too late.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Fire Suppression Systems

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DayDreamer –
Like the GV owners, if others were honking their horn, I would assume it was because I was going to slow for them....not that the back end was on fire!
I'm in no way trying to second guess the couple who lost their coach.....BUT, I'm wondering why they did not see the smoke in their rear view camera monitor.  When we are driving, I scan the rear camera display every couple minutes...mostly to assure myself that the towd is still back there and doing OK.  If we had fire going in the engine compartment and it produced any appreciable amount of smoke I'm pretty sure it would catch my attention.

That said, knowing you have a fire and doing something about it is two different things.

I would also be interested in hearing about any engine compartment fire suppression systems installed by our members.  Be sure to post lots of photos if you write up a report for the Forum!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Fire Suppression Systems

Reply #3 –
Chuck,

You think you would but Bill had not idea his PU had ground the rear tire/wheel down to the axle until he finally saw the big cloud of smoke in the rear view. The same with the U300 with the turbo work. He smelled it before he saw it in the mirror and then only had time to pull over and get out of the coach. It can be a close thing in a coach with mid entry where you have to head back toward the fire through toxic smoke. The fire could easily be at night also where you would never see the smoke even if you looked. I'm sure I would see the fire too, but probably would be like the rest and smell it first. I'm used to scanning the instrument panel and ADSB for other traffic but if there was a camera in the cockpit, I'll bet I stop for other stuff or take photos, etc.

Diesel engines won't stop just because they are on fire. They keep running until the wiring fails or fuel hose burns through. It can take a long time.

I keep snap fasteners on the tow chains and never lock the towbar.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Fire Suppression Systems

Reply #4 –
Two years ago Mt Ted one of our members was heading to Oregon and  just a few miles into his trip, they have a 92 GV with a Detroit 6v92 and a guy on a motorcycle came up next to him and pointed to the back of the bus and he look to see a bunch of white smoke coming from the back  and pull over on the freeway. Dodged a bullet he had a ruptured fuel line. No fire but it was close. Things happen you have to keep a Sharp eye on things.👍
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Fire Suppression Systems

Reply #5 –
In our Foretravel Owners Group FB group one of the members Howard Thomas Root posted this. I am not sure if it will help or not.

"So, the Article in the ForeForums with the link above is very good, in what people are saying!  It was the First Year of the Pressurized Fuel Injected Gas Engine, and a leak might have ignited perhaps?  I have spent over $1,500 in Equipment alone to put Automatic Operated Heads and Bottles in the Engine/Transmission area, the Fridge Compartment, and the Generator Compartment, with 3 Hand Held Front, Middle (Kitchen) and Bedroom area's!  Fire Consumes Quickly, as you read!  And the Extinguishing agent I chose is Expensive!  It is AFFF Foam, which IS the very best, as it does not allow for Re-Flash, for quite a long time, and does not leave residue that can't be cleaned up, easily, as well! "

Re: Fire Suppression Systems

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Andy 2 –
Two years ago Mt Ted one of our members was heading to Oregon and  just a few miles into his trip, they have a 92 GV with a Detroit 6v92 and a guy on a motorcycle came up next to him and pointed to the back of the bus and he look to see a bunch of white smoke coming from the back  and pull over on the freeway. Dodged a bullet he had a ruptured fuel line. No fire but it was close. Things happen you have to keep a Sharp eye on things.👍
And when diesel is making the white smoke, it's ready to go. One second, white smoke, the next a blow torch. No in between.

I bought a tar buggy to do a roof. The guy told me to watch the gauge as 600 degrees was the magic number. Any cooler and it does not mop on well. It gets that translucence look when perfect and ready for the poor guy to carry up the ladder. Any hotter and there are flames coming out the vent. Water and hot tar don't mix so close the vent plus a fine water spray on the buggy and it goes out. Hopefully before the fire dept comes. It it happened to catch fire as the spigot was open filling the 5 gallon bucket, that would be really bad.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Fire Suppression Systems

Reply #7 –
In addition to some previous posts above, I too would also be interested in hearing about any fire suppression systems installed by anyone on the forum. Has anyone spent the money and if so what did you buy and how do you like it? Pro's and con's? Seems like something many of us think about and hopes never happens...
Walt, Dawn, Matt & the Poodles
99 36' U320 #5515 MC #17977 "Axle"
Not All Who Wander Are Lost (not original but I like it)