Hotrod911T wrote:... for better personal protection and hopefully preserving the car in the event of a fire. It has something to do with wanting to see my grandchildren grow up to adulthood.
[snipped]
...I really don't want to add any more weight to the car than necessary, but is it your understanding that the AFFF systems have to be the same type as would be approved by SCCA (larger bottles in the range of 4 liters)? Is there anything definitive on a specific type of an-board systems that is approved by Zone 8 for time trialing and DE's?
Rod-
There is no spec given beyond the one quoted above in the PCA Z8 rules for TT and DE events. On board systems are not addressed specifically, beyond that "
any built-in or on-board system that meets these minimums is also acceptable," which I take to mean that it must meet the specified capacity and fire-type requirements of a 2# Halatron, 2.5# Halon, or 10BC dry chem extinguisher. Even in PCA club racing, the only requirement I can find in the rule book is:
A 2-1/2 lb. or larger fire extinguisher capable of extinguishing B/C type fires, securely metal-to-metal mounted in the cockpit in a safe location convenient to the driver while seated and restrained is required. An on-board fire suppression system is strongly recommended. However, specs for any safety system in race cars by sanctioning bodies are only a minimum. There is nothing to prevent you from going beyond the minimum if you believe it is necessary or prudent. Another example of this might be using a HANS device when it is not specifically required, but just recommended.
The SCCA GCRs specify the following regarding on-board systems:
9.3.22. FIRE SYSTEM
All cars shall be equipped with an On-Board Fire System except Showroom
Stock, Touring, Spec Miata, and Improved Touring.
A. On-Board Fire System Requirements
Cars registered after 1/1/09 shall comply with the following on-
board fire system requirements:
• Systems certified to SFI specification 17.1
• Those listed by the FIA on Technical List No. 16
The following information must be visible of the unit:
• Certification label
• Capacity
• Type of extinguishing agent
• Weight, or volume, of the extinguishing agent
The following is acceptable for cars registered before 1/1/09:
On-board fire systems shall use Halon 1301 or 1211, with
a five pound minimum capacity (by weight). Alternatively,
on-board fire systems may use AFFF or equivalent surfactant
foam material, 2.25 liter minimum capacity (by volume). All
AFFF fire system bottles shall incorporate a functional pressure
gauge and shall be marked with the manufacturer’s recommended
“filled weight.” CO2 cartridge propellant fire extinguishing
systems are permitted provided that the seal of the
manufacturer specified CO2 cartridge is not punctured and the
fire bottle is equal to the weight specified by the system manufacturer.
Cars shall meet the following regardless of registration date:
1. The fire system cylinder shall be securely mounted in such
a manner that it can be checked during a technical inspection
and may be removed for weighing periodically for
compliance to full weight shown on the cylinder. (Weight
is without valve assembly.)
2. Manual or automatic release is
allowed. The release mechanism
shall be within reach of the driver
when belted in the car.
3. All on-board fire systems shall be
identified with a circle “E” decal.
a. In GT and Production cars, two circle “E” decals may
be required – one at the release location and the
second on the outside bodywork in line with or as
near to the release location as possible.
b. In Formula and Sports Racing cars, a circle “E” decal
shall be located on the outside bodywork as near to
the release location as possible.
4. There shall be a minimum of two nozzle locations – one in
the driver’s compartment and one in either the engine area
or the fuel cell area. The nozzles shall be suitable for the
type of extinguishing agent used.
5. All AFFF fire system bottles shall incorporate a functional
pressure gauge. This does not apply to non-pressurized
AFFF systems with CO2 propellant.
6. The firing safety pin(s) shall be removed from all on-board
fire systems prior to going on track. It is recommended
that a warning tag be attached to the safety pin to remind
the driver to remove the safety pin before entering the
racing surface.
7. All fire systems shall be serviced according to manufacturer’s
specifications.
B. Hand-Held Fire Extinguisher Requirements
The following are acceptable for Showroom Stock, Touring and
Improved Touring cars:
1. Halon 1301 or 1211, two (2) pound minimum capacity by
weight.
2. Dry chemical, two (2) pound minimum with a positive indicator
showing charge. Chemical: 10 BC Underwriters Laboratory
rating, potassium bicarbonate (Purple K) recommended,
1A10BC Underwriters Laboratory rating multipurpose, ammonium
phosphate and barium sulfate or Monnex.
3. The fire extinguisher shall be securely mounted in the cockpit.
All mounting brackets shall be metal and of the quick-release
type.Your decision regarding what is acceptable risk is a personal one, and I would not presume to make any recommendation in that regard. The chance of such an incident occurring is small, but if the possibility of a car fire is motivating you to protect yourself further, than you might want to go to greater lengths than simply installing a bigger, heavier fire system. Think about and visualize the possible scenarios of such an emergency ahead of time, so that you can react properly should they ever occur. Things such as live practice at deploying the extinguishing system in an emergency might avoid detrimental panic reactions, and practice at exiting the car in a hurry when seated and fully restrained while holding your breath (one of the greatest dangers is inhaling toxic smoke or super-heated air), including simulating possible damage to the car such as the door not opening (exiting through the window) and/or simulating minor injury to an arm or leg while exiting. This might prove to be a more critical component of surviving an incident than the type and size of your fire system.
Just my $0.02-- YMMV,
TT