Fire Extinguishers

[n3437d]

I thougth I would run this one up the flagpole - I would like input on where you have installed your f/e. I have a 1955 170B with the original seats since covered a couple of times but look as I may I have not discovered a convenient location for a f/e that is NOT in the way of normal ops and would be easy to get to. 99.9% of the time I do not have rear seat installed and therefore no one sits back there. I would like to keep it as low as possible - i.e. away from head. Going with Halon or similar chemical would the small cylinders even begin to be effective if a fire were to breakout? I know the group is creative so don't disappoint me.

Thanks in advance

Joel
N3437D

[voorheesh]

I have a small halon fire extinguisher mounted to/under the pilot seat. It is easily accessible (release a clamp) and you can check the guage on preflight. I think it needs to be weighed periodically to make sure it is still good. It does not get in the way.

[15A]

Mounted mine under the Pilots seat also. A couple of clamps secures the F.E. mount on that diagonal tube. Real quick access and out of the way.

[k0al]

I mounted one of the small Halon extinguishers on the "hump" just ahead of the end of the flap handle. Accessible by either front occupant.

Al Culbet N5455C

[GAHorn]

Most extinguisher installations use "adel" clamps to hold the fire ext. mount-bracket to the seat legs of the pilot seat. The problem I've run into is if a pilot's seat uses the sheet-metal, wrap-around "skirt" ... If so, the extinquisher will probably need to be located elsewhere.

[Paul-WI]

I mounted mine on the front "skirt" of the co-pilots seat. Easy enough for me to reach yet out of the way.

Paul

[GAHorn]

Of course, your fire ext. will have (or you'll have to fabricate) it's own mounting plate/bracket.

Here's how the Illus. Parts Cat. shows it:

fire ext.doc

[1SeventyZ]

Most extinguisher installations use "adel" clamps to hold the fire ext. mount-bracket to the seat legs of the pilot seat.

x2

Adel clamps hold a custom aluminum bracket to my co-pilot seat. It's easily reachable with my right hand, as well as for the passenger. The clasp on the extinguisher itself is very easy to operate blind as long as you know what you're dealing with.

[flat country pilot]

Which fire extinguisher, brand and/or size do any of you have?

Where did you buy it?

Bill

[1SeventyZ]

Which fire extinguisher, brand and/or size do any of you have?

Where did you buy it?

Bill

I bought the Halon A344T from Chief for ~$80. It's a tiny little guy.

[flat country pilot]

flat country pilot wrote:
Which fire extinguisher, brand and/or size do any of you have?

Where did you buy it?

Bill

I bought the Halon A344T from Chief for ~$80. It's a tiny little guy.

Thankyou

[GAHorn]

A cup of water is not much good in a fire. Buy the largest you can fit into your cabin and wallet. I suggest that the very smallest to consider should be rated at 1A:5BC. The number preceding the A multiplied by 1.25 gives the equivalent extinguishing capability in gallons of water on wood and paper fires. The number preceding the B indicates the size of flammable liquids/gases fire in square feet that an ordinary user should be able to extinguish. There is no additional rating for class C, as it only indicates that the extinguishing agent will not conduct electricity, and an extinguisher will never have a rating of just C.

Do not just assume that a Halon fire extinguisher is for you. Halon extinguishers are expensive. Very expensive. This is because Halon has been determined to be a serious threat to the world and has been banned in most countries. The U.S. has banned the mfr/import of "virgin" halon, and re-cycled halon is tightly controlled. In fact, the only source of halon is the re-cycled stocks that were created prior to Jan. 1, 1994! The threat to the environment has been recognized as so significant that Federal law now prohibits the intentional discharge of halon, even in fire training excersizes. Additionally, before you purchase a halon fire extinguisher, consider that when it comes time to dispose of the unit, federal law requires that you turn it in to an approved disposal agency. (Are you getting the idea they are serious about the danger of halon?)

Halon extinguishing systems are only allowed for certain uses, such as fire protection of expensive computer equipment rooms and certain other limited uses. Aircraft cabin hand-held extinguishers are one exception. (And one of the hazards of halon is it's penchant for tying up available oxygen. In an aircraft cabin, you may pass out unless you rapidly ventilate... and that may lead to re-ignition of the fire. One of the advantages of a dry-chemical extinguisher is it's persistence in preventing re-ignition.)

If you are not willing to pay $200-$300 for a halon extinguisher and comply with all the regulations, then it's not a bad idea to simply purchase a good quality dry-chemical extinguisher. Dry chemical extinguishers are very effective and much less expensive.... a typical 1A:10B/C dry chem. extinguisher will cost less than $40 and will protect your airplane and perhaps save your life.

Dry chemical drawback? Clean up the powder residue promptly if you wish to avoid any potential for corrosion with soap, water, and a brush. The least offensive dry chemical is potassium bicarbonate, but even the more common monammonium phosphate is a very effective and good fire extinguisher. It can save your life and your equipment. (As with all fire extinguishers, regardless of type, try to avoid direct inhalation of the extinguishant to avoid repiratory distress.)

[Jr.CubBuilder]

- I would like input on where you have installed your f/e.

I have mine attached to a rectangular inspection panel on the floor just aft of the fuel selector. There were two riv-nuts in that panel when I bought the plane, I'm guessing they aren't stock, I got an extinguisher that came with one of those wire type hanging brackets you screw to a wall. With a little persuasion the screw attach points were moved down the wires to match the riv-nuts in the floor plate. I like the location because I can reach it easy from either seat and also from outside the plane by reaching in either door. My only complaint with this location is that's where I would ideally like to have my flight bag when I'm flying without the rear seat and someone is in the passenger seat.

[futr_alaskaflyer]

Just found this thread again while searching for a good place to install my new Halon portable model. Looks like the adel clamps to the seat tubes is a good idea.

Here are the FAA circulars on portable aircraft fire extinguishers and aircraft fires...some of it is applicable to our planes. While I respect George's viewpoint on Halon vs. dry chemical in enclosed cabins, many would disagree with it including - apparently - the FAA. Personally I would really hate to have to deploy purple K in an aircraft cockpit while moving!

AC20-42C
AC120-80

[GAHorn]

...While I respect George's viewpoint on Halon vs. dry chemical in enclosed cabins, many would disagree with it including - apparently - the FAA. ...

I appreciate your polite response, but I am confused by this statement. What have I said that the FAA disagrees with in those AC's? I cannot find any disagreement. (Have I left some unintended impression?)

(I will add that typical "dry chemical" extinguishers that use ammonium phosphate can be very difficult to clean up due to it's forming a "crust" that can be corrosive, but it is very effective at saving life/equipment otherwise.)