How to Suppress a Car Fire
Driver safety is paramount at every racetrack, whether it’s NASCAR or go-karts. Installing a fire bottle or fire suppression system is the finest insurance you can get. But first, let’s discuss how the system works.
How to Suppress a Car Fire
A fire requires three elements: fuel, oxygen, and heat. These three elements constitute a “fire triangle”. Most suppression systems put out fires by breaking one leg of the fire triangle. Others, like the Cold Fire method, aim to dismantle the fire triangle’s heat and fuel components. It can also absorb heat, which helps it penetrate a fire faster and put it out without injuring the driver or car. To extinguish a fire and prevent re-ignition, Cold Fire encapsulates the vapors of the fuel and breaks down its molecular structure.
Cold Fire Extinguisher
“Cold fire suppression systems are available, and easy to install in any race car or streetcar. It can be operated manually or automatically when a fire is detected. The system is inexpensive and can be recharged and reset in minutes. It is non-toxic and non-corrosive.”
Suppression System Filling
“Now we’ll demonstrate how to install the Cold Fire Suppression System. Remove all items from their box and check that all components are present. Remove the cylinder head. Fill the 1-liter cylinder with a cold fire retardant. Hand tighten the cylinder head, then weigh the cylinder with the valve and shipment bolts fitted.”
Brackets for Fire Suppression System
“The cylinder mount bracket is flat against the strengthened metal surface and secured with four 3/16 bolts. Or use an all-in-one accessory clamp to mount the bottle bracket to a roll bar. Check that the apertures for the nozzle lines have direct sight to the cockpit where the nozzle and detection tubes will be routed. Remove the cylinder once the alignment is set.
Installation of Nozzle and Detection Tube
“These nuts are added at the factory to prevent piston movement. Replace the initial shipment bolt with a male hex plug. After installing the male hex plug, replace the second shipping bolt with the compression fitting holding the nozzle line. Assemble the compression fitting facing the cockpit. Remove the red detection tube cap from the maintenance valve, which has a red safety seal. Reinstall the cylinders so the Schrader valve is conveniently accessible, and the pressure gauge is visible. Then tighten the cylinder’s inbuilt fast clamp straps. Now the cylinder is ready for the nozzle and detection tube.”
Composite Drain Tube
“The composite discharge tubing compression fitting connects the nozzle line to the cylinder. The tubing is engineered to keep its place when bent. To shield the line from sharp edges, utilize grommets or edge molding to optimize the nozzle tube’s length. The nozzle should be positioned to shower the driver. In a fire hazard, the installer can route the flames via the dash panel or attach them to the driver’s seat.”
Calibration Tubing
The detection tube has two ends, one crimped and one fitted to the cylinder’s maintenance valve. A stainless-steel spring wraps the detecting tube. This shields it from danger. The detector tube is temperature sensitive and will explode at 175 degrees. The detecting tube might be routed throughout the cockpit, around the seat, within the engine compartment, or near the fuel cell. Use the optional tee kit for multiple placement options. Drill a hole through the cockpit wall once the positioning is selected. Protection from sharp edges with grommets or edge molding. Reconnect the detection tube to the valve. Install the tubing first using the supplied loop clamps or tie racks. To accomplish so, place the manual actuator on the tube.”
Manual Fire Suppression Actuator
“Insert the detecting tube into the manual actuator’s bore. Loosen the pinch bolt on the actuator’s bottom and extract the spring from the crimped end. Insert the crimped detection tube end into the manual actuator’s clamp horror. The manual actuator can be placed anywhere on the detecting tube. It should be easily accessible. After determining the manual actuator position, align the pinch bolt between two coils and tighten. The pinch bolt is used to ensure the plunger clears a coil when pressed. Find the manual actuator’s lanyard. Attach one end of the lanyard to the actuator housing and the other to the safety clip. The safety clip should be removed while utilizing a regulated nitrogen supply. 175 psi on the Schrader valve. Ensure full pressurization on initial fill. Verify the gauge’s Green Zone pressure. The manual actuator’s plunger is depressed, or the detecting tube detects heat above 175 degrees.”