Fire Extinguishers (NASA)

[Dan McGinn]

For hand-held extinguishers, is the only requirement that they have the appropriate rating and be "purchased or recharged" in the last two years? It is much cheaper for an identically rated extinguisher from Lowes than some other places.

The NASA rule does not answer my question and the reason I ask is that the the 'average' price I have seen at some rally specific suppliers is about $50 for a 1A-10B:C unit, whereas Lowes is $15, plus about $10 for decent bracket. Also, is a receipt good enough proof of the two year requirement?

Am I missing something here ?

NASA Rule:

3.14 Fire Extinguishers

3.14.1 Number
One fire extinguisher with a minimum UL rating of 10 BC or two
each with a minimum rating of 5 BC must be installed inside the
passenger compartment. During installation, consideration must be
given to quick release and security of attachment. One fire
extinguisher must be located within easy reach of the Driver or Co-
Driver when seated.
3.14.2 Extinguishers
It is strongly recommended that Halon or a similar gas be used. If a
dry powder unit is used, the unit should be shaken or rapped
sharply at frequent intervals to reduce the chance of the powder
compacting.
3.14.3 Maintenance
Evidence must be produced that the fire extinguisher has been
purchased or recharged within the preceding two years. (emphasis added)
3.14.4 Recommended Systems
It is highly recommended that all vehicles comply with the FIA
Appendix J, Article 253.7 (Extinguishers - Extinguishing Systems).

[spiwrx]

Dan, All I can tell you is I have been using the cheaper ones in my GSX for years for the same $ reason. I've only ever seen them look for dating at Tech (& appropriate type / size). NASA / CRS / RA.

I put a 'fire system' in my WRX stage rally build I'm finishing and switching to the AFFF type for the handheld(s).

[Dan McGinn]

Dan, All I can tell you is I have been using the cheaper ones in my GSX for years for the same $ reason. I've only ever seen them look for dating at Tech (& appropriate type / size). NASA / CRS / RA.

I put a 'fire system' in my WRX stage rally build I'm finishing and switching to the AFFF type for the handheld(s).


Good to know, thanks

[kturner]

there is a year stamp on the bottom of my extinguishers (kidde) indicating the manufacture year. I would think that is good enough proof.

the better extinguishers do have better mounting kits and all metal nozzles, etc. the local pepboys sells the cheaper 10BC with DOT labeled strap.

fyi, RA did check my inspection dates at TON Rally.

[subyspawn]

I believe you are right, it just needs to be proper rating and size per those rules.

I had to have mine re-certified at Rally Colorado last year, my brother just walked it down to the local fire station and paid $7 to re-tag it. Its good for another season!

[409industries]

I have the two hand held extinguishers from savedrives. Eventually i'd like to get the ESS system in addition to the handhelds.

Yeah, i too have asked myself the same thing, why not just get the Lowe's extinguishers. If they pass tech... go for it!

[Dan McGinn]

I have the two hand held extinguishers from savedrives. Eventually i'd like to get the ESS system in addition to the handhelds.

Yeah, i too have asked myself the same thing, why not just get the Lowe's extinguishers. If they pass tech... go for it!


I drool over some of those ESS systems, next raise I get.......

[thewizard]

i have regular kidde type extinguisher and never had issues, nor were dates checked. I have heard at events like STPR, people were not allowed to compete with plastic nozzle extinguishers. Nowadays, since there is no waiting lists I doubt it will be an issue...

[Dan McGinn]

i have regular kidde type extinguisher and never had issues, nor were dates checked. I have heard at events like STPR, people were not allowed to compete with plastic nozzle extinguishers. Nowadays, since there is no waiting lists I doubt it will be an issue...

Ouch on the plastic nozzle issue, was that in the rules back when?

[hoche]

There is no ruling on plastic nozzles for either RA or NASA. If a scruitineer gives you a problem about this, whip out your rulebook. Politely, though.

RA requires extinguishers to be serviced every year. For NASA it's two years. For the first time there is usually a date printed on it that's acceptible, but really what you're supposed to do is take the tag that comes with it and keep that. When it's recertified they will give it a new tag.

The Kidde ones from Lowes or HomeDepot themselves are OK, but cheapass plastic brackets they come with are not. Those mounts are meant for people hanging them in their kitchen or garage. Get a real metal bracket with real straps, please. I mean, really, let's think about this: if you roll do you really want a 5lb metal missile breaking free and ricocheting around the inside of the car with you?


You can get them pretty cheaply from a local Cintas. Online I'd order them from IOPort - they're $36.95. http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=FE-HH
Note that this is substantially cheaper than SafeDrives.


-michel
Michel Hoche-Mong
Rally-America and NASA Scruitineer

[thewizard]

I use the metal ones I bought from rallylights.com which was roughly 20 bucks.

[A1337STI]

I've ran quite a few events with 5:BC fire extinguishers plastic nozzles and plastic mounts they are legal @ nasa events.

They meet all of the rules, But i did actually have to pull out the rule book and explain to the tech that they were indeed legal. he wanting to fail me @ tech because of the plastic tops, and because of their size. Had to read the rule out loud a few times before he took the rule book and read it himself.

then after that he immediately failed me because one of my brake lights wasn't "Bright enough" :( (so make sure to be as nice and polite as possible when referring to the rules in the event you don't agree with the scrutineer) So i would just go and buy a 10 BC , Metal bracket which by the way is Required for Rally America events. Trust me you don't want to upset the scrutineers as failing tech will ruin your rally weekend! you don't want to be walking around service park consumed by despair the night before the rally starts.. . trust me on this one.. LAST thing you'll ever want to feel is that feeling.

Also hoche is right about the strength of the mounts. I've had two plastic mounts actually break on me I only replaced the broken one the first time with an other plastic mount because i had one on hand. Still have one plastic mount in my car but i'm working on replacing it with a metal one as well.

[hoche]

RA 2010 Rulebook 5.6.C.3 (p35):

The fire extinguisher(s) shall be securely mounted in the cockpit. All
mounting brackets shall be metal with a quick-type release.
Brackets shall be those designated by the manufacturer for
'vehicular' use.



But yeah, NASA doesn't say anything about it.

[Rallycarperson]

I use the Kidde fire extinguishers in my car. They came with the cheap plastic mounting brackets that could barely hold the weight of the extinguisher. Home Depot online sells metal mounts made by Kidde for people wanting a metal bracket: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100056792&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100056792&ci_src=14110944&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D25X-_-100056792&locStoreNum=928&marketID=15