Fire suppression systems poll. Foam or Halon?

[Larry Callahan]

I'm kicking around fire systems for MotiV8r.

While the cleanup is more work if it were accidentally actuated what would you run? A foam based or a Halon based system in the interior and under the hood.

[1969CamaroRS]

I think whatever is easier to cleanup assuming that is in the budget. If the fire doesn't cause a total loss I would assume one would try to repair / fix whatever damage was caused, so easy cleanup could be a good thing.

Is there a big price difference?

[Nessumsar]

I would use a Halon "type" system. There is a new chemical that does the same thing as Halon, but still allows the oxygen to be absorbed by the body. I forget what it is called off hand.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

I had the Halon go off in the engine compartment of my boat a few years back. It cleaned up pretty well...

[Larry Callahan]

I'm leaning towards a foam system due to the fact that it sticks and may help prevent something from re-igniting. They say it washes off with water, I can re-charge it at the track with a $60 kit and tap water. It's also approved by SCCA, PRO-SCCA, Trans Am, World Speed Challenge, American LeMans, NASA, and others. While I don't think I will be running any events that need it I would hate to get myself in a situation where I need to swap out the system because I saved $150.



http://www.essfire.com/5_0_liter.php

[Yelcamino]

They say it washes off with water, I can re-charge it at the track with a $60 kit and tap water. It's also approved by SCCA, PRO-SCCA, Trans Am, World Speed Challenge, American LeMans, NASA, and others.

Those are some of the reasons I went with a foam system in my Chevelle.

[NOT A TA]

After reviewing as much info as I could find, going through the rulebooks of the sanction bodies I have/will run with, and discussing fire systems with anyone I knew who already had one as well as some tech folks from sanctioning bodies I decided on 2 Firefox foam systems. While the Halon systems are clean, the sanctioning bodies seem to be leaning toward foam for the future requirements as rules are updated. I had originally thought I'd be using Halon because of the lack of cleaning necessary if the systems are ever activated however after my research I decided on the Firefox setup for my application. http://firefoxind.com/firefox.html

The Firefox systems I installed use a bladder type system using Fire X Plus/Gem Foam. I have 2 systems in the car. A 6.5 lb. 2 nozzle takes care of the passenger compartment (Kinda overkill) and a 10 lb. 4 nozzle system for the engine compartment and fuel tank/pump area. I use 2 separate pull type activators located within easy reach while harnessed in. Pull type activators are less likely to be accidently operated than push types.

If the car ever catches fire and I activate the foam systems I'll be thinking about how it may have reduced my injuries, saved my life, or preserved my car while complaining about cleaning up the mess. As far as continued operations after a fire occurs and the system needs to be activated? Well, if my car catches fire, and it doesn't burn to the ground, I'm gonna just gonna call it a day and head home!

[Yelcamino]

Well said John; and I went with a 10lb Firefox system w/ 2 nozzles under the dash and 2 in the engine compartment.

[Larry Callahan]

OMP, ESS, SMP, Firefox... Who's foam system to buy. I am leaning towards ESS

[NOT A TA]

ummmmm...... Whoever you can strike an advertising deal with???? Just a thought!

[Larry Callahan]

LOL! I'm just going to buy the best match for me and it's looking like ESS

[NOT A TA]

I didn't care for the piggy back deal on those. I kept thinking "what if" something hit the bottles during a crash and swiped off the rider. My cars more of a track car so I wanted the weight as low and central as possible and protected as much as possible to assure functions after a wreck. So I mounted my bottles in the rear seat area since no one can go back there anyway.

[Larry Callahan]

Interesting thought.

Looks nice!

[Larry Callahan]

Is it just me or does this seem scary pathetic? This can't be normal for a decent system is it?

[Flash68]

Pathetic how?

[Larry Callahan]

Sorry, I thought there would be a lot more foam then that.

[Flash68]

Yeah I would have thought the same... but they seemed pretty content in the video with how it worked? So maybe that is normal?

[clay johnson]

Well said John; and I went with a 10lb Firefox system w/ 2 nozzles under the dash and 2 in the engine compartment.

Herb...Clear out your PM inbox. I've been trying to send you a message, but you inbox is full.

[Yelcamino]

Herb...Clear out your PM inbox. I've been trying to send you a message, but you inbox is full.

It's cleared! Sorry 'bout that.

[Flash68]

I am getting ready to do this mod this year and glad this thread got bumped up.

I am looking at this kit because it

1 - has 6 nozzles
2 - is well priced
3 - is foam based and non-toxic

http://www.ogracing.com/spa-fire-sys...fff-mechanical


Larry - did you ever install anything?