Automatic fire extinguisher - worth the money?

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tim_ber

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I am looking at this thing on ebay, item number: 251005783652

Seems a bargain if it is the same as the ones the seller links to in the advert.

At the risk of others bidding against me, I figure I will get more info about whether to buy this or not and thereby save money.

I am hoping you will say I don't need one.

I have access holes to my engine room (Ha!) I mean small cubby hole, to poke the current fire extinguishers through (different types on board), so do I really need an automatic system and if I do, can I use a car one like this one advertised on ebay?

thanks in advance.
 
Just one word of warning. I have a small seafire system fitted.

The pressure was below the green section, when I tried to get it re filled I found this was not possible. It may be different with this one, but I would check.

I had to buy a new system to replace mine.
 
tim_ber said:
I am looking at this thing on ebay, item number: 251005783652

Seems a bargain if it is the same as the ones the seller links to in the advert.

At the risk of others bidding against me, I figure I will get more info about whether to buy this or not and thereby save money.

I am hoping you will say I don't need one.

I have access holes to my engine room (Ha!) I mean small cubby hole, to poke the current fire extinguishers through (different types on board), so do I really need an automatic system and if I do, can I use a car one like this one advertised on ebay?

thanks in advance.
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On ad it sais Item condition: Used
On the tank will be a manufactueres date stamped in. You really want to know the date of that stamp.
On my automatic the manufacturer stated 5 year life, the replacement stated 10 year life. (Still serviced annually.)
 
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FE 36

These are advertised on ebay also. The FE36 2kg would seem to be an alternative to the messy dry powder type.

In youtube videos the FE36 appears to do a good job and the break glass type needs no electric to operate.

Perhaps someone has some experience?
 
Do you have a petrol or diesel engine? If the former, the more fire-extinguishing options you have available, the better. If the latter, the risk is much lower and your 'hand extinguisher plus hole' idea is fine.
Another point to consider - many fires are caused by an electrical fault - would an auto-extinguisher help that situation?
 
It would certainly be a better precaution than the automatic powder extinguishers! Powder should do the job, but the clean up is awful and important as I'm told the residue may damage the finish on many materials. Halon was very good for use in the engine bay.

Some years ago we had the exhaust fracture - flames shooting out, but the Halon extinguisher fired and the engine stopped, so no fire. Mind you, by the time we got back in the early hours with no mobile phones, the heat at home was intense. It's your choice, but it looks like a good option at the right price.

Rob.
 
If no date is available on the cylinder the firing mechanism usually has a year moulded into the body.
Personally I wouldn't touch it.
Whilst it's not been used, without a date it's scrap value only. IMHO.
 
Talulah said:
Whilst it's not been used, without a date it's scrap value only. IMHO.
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Is that something specific to automatics, then? Because for handhelds, I understood that dates were not necessary as long as there was a gauge to check that it still had good pressure. If there's something about the automatic sensor that degrades with time then an expiry date makes sense, but otherwise I can't see the problem.

Pete
 
prv said:
Is that something specific to automatics, then? Because for handhelds, I understood that dates were not necessary as long as there was a gauge to check that it still had good pressure. If there's something about the automatic sensor that degrades with time then an expiry date makes sense, but otherwise I can't see the problem.

Pete
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Yes. When I had my FE's last serviced the engineer pointed out the date on the Auto. Later models having a 10 year date. Older models only having 5 year expiry date. It was clearly marked on the bottle "Expiry Date xx.xx.xx"
(The manuals didn't have expiry dates.)
 
Maxi_10 said:
Just one word of warning. I have a small seafire system fitted.

The pressure was below the green section, when I tried to get it re filled I found this was not possible. It may be different with this one, but I would check.

I had to buy a new system to replace mine.
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Thanks for that. I just 'phoned the website that sells brand new ones and he said they could be refilled and recharged.

I will ask for the date from the seller and do a double check and then I feel a snipe may be in order. (If it turns out to be no good BEWARE you may find it in the For Sale section here... no I wouldn't do that really).

Diesel engine, but I like safety and can't resist a bargain.

"Prepare for the worst and hope for the best" or is it "hope for the best and prepare for the worst"? Anyway, I like my safety gear - I think it helps me relax - not to the point of complacency I hasten to add.
 
Couple of thoughts, if the extinguisher is triggerd by smoke a slipping fan belt will set it off. Also powder destroys electrical cables, engine fires should be put out with gas extinguishers.
 
tim_ber said:
It is foam - I thought that would be good because it would smother oil and fuel?

What do you think?

This data sheet from internet :
http://www.lifeline-fire.co.uk/content/225L SS Elec Data Sheet 2011.pdf
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Sounds okay. I thought someone might still be trying to get rid of a halon system. One thing to bear in mind is the size of the 'engine room/cupboard' and how airtight it is. The pressure of these things going off is quite considerable and in some industrial locations I have been to they require some sort of pressure relief vents. Worth asking the supplier about this.
 
dleroc said:
Sounds okay. I thought someone might still be trying to get rid of a halon system. One thing to bear in mind is the size of the 'engine room/cupboard' and how airtight it is. The pressure of these things going off is quite considerable and in some industrial locations I have been to they require some sort of pressure relief vents. Worth asking the supplier about this.
Click to expand...

That's a good point; nothing like saving the boat from fire only to blow all the companionway to bits! I'll check the pdf link for pressures etc.
 
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