Gloves to use with Fire Extinguisher ?

[ksechler]

I'm curious, what got you thinking about this?  

If there is something about your car that concerns you as being a fire hazard my opinion is that you should park the car until you can get it fixed.  

[TomoHawk]

I agree.  Making sure everything is in prime-operating condition, electrically and mechanically, would be better than  investing in a lot of fire suppression equipment.

[Redwing]

17 minutes ago, ksechler said:

I'm curious, what got you thinking  about this?

If there is something about your car that concerns you as being a fire hazard my opinion is that you should park the car until you can get it fixed.  

Hi,

Thank you for a valid question, and suggestion.  I am trying to stay ahead of possibillities.  Someone mentioned getting a fire extinguisher for preventative, and I agree.  That started my thinking about getting one.  I have to thank TomoHawk for suggesting a good variety of one.

To my knowledge, my RedBird has  no possible fire problems.  That Is for today, no Idea what tomorrow will bring.  Cannot forcast that.  So will try hard to stay In tune with my Z.

Thank you, 

Jai

[Mike]

Looks to me like the question should be quantified by a few conditions.

1. If you are driving the car, what would you do in case of fire?  I believe the answer was to step away and call 911 unless you can get to it from the radiator area with a dry chem extinguisher.
2. If you are working on the car, hood open, what would you do?  In this case you should always have an extinguisher nearby so you can put out the flames.

I like the idea of a fire suppression if you're really worried about it.  But, rather than investing your money into something like this, why don't you spend more money on updating your engine?

I have a boat, and there are many rules when it comes to fire protection with the Coast Guard.  A boat fire is a serious thing, but, mostly because you can never tell what is going on inside your engine room until it's too late.  In this case they recommend (but do not require) an automatic suppression system.  They do require at least 1 or 2 extinguishers on board and even 3 if you have a big enough boat.  The biggest concern is maintenance, which can never be ignored if you want to pass inspection.

Lastly, I also think there's something to be said about the difference between smoke and fire, right?  I realize the old saying is true "where there's smoke, there's fire", but, in the case of smoke, should you open your hood (with your extinguisher in hand) to investigate?

Ooops, I forgot to answer the topic of this thread about gloves.  I think it's a good idea to have a set of leather gloves handy in the car at all times, for many different tasks.  You can get a 3 pack at Costco for around 20 bucks.  I wouldn't chance it with a set of fitted maintenance gloves unless you want to have plastic melted to your skin.  In any case, the level of fire is going to be the conditional element.  Who has time to slap on a pair of gloves when there's a fire?  If they are sitting next to the extinguisher, possibly.  However, they would have to be something you can put on fast only after you pull the extinguisher pin.

[TomoHawk]

5 hours ago, Redwing said:

Hi,

Thank you for a valid question, and suggestion. 

Around here, even considering asking about  something, like in this topic, is enough to start the name-calling, so carefully consider what you ask so you don't get called "silly."

But some people think anything or everything is "silly."

OTOH, I always recommend to people with classic cars to carry a fire extinguisher, and the looks you get  suggest that I'm calling them stupid of that I think their vehicle is a fire hazard.  Certainly, any vehicle that uses a combustible fuel and is older than, say, 1 day, ought to have a fire extinguisher, if not for your own safety, but for others.

[Patcon]

I have sort of stayed out of this, but anyway. I don't think the question is "silly". If I owned #26 I would do all I could before I gave up and watched her burn on the side of the road (I am not trying to be insulting, I just don't like the idea of not trying), but that is sort of my personality. I have had fires in cars that were easily fought with a small fire extinguisher. I think a lot depends on what caused the fire,and what is feeding the fire. Is there an electric fuel pump, is it still running? Like SteveJ I have seen electrical fires that would be easy to deal with, versus a race car with a fuel or oil fire that pumps a lot of combustibles. Just my opinion but if the welding gloves help and they're not in the way take'em, if not, don't. We routinely use them in our fireplace and pick up glowing pieces of wood to adjust the fire. Easy on , easy off, still faster than waiting on first responders...

Edited July 20, 2016 by Patcon

[Zed Head]

The reality of the way the hood opens on the Z's makes any fire-fighting effort risky.  You have to lean over the gap/opening that will be created when you pop the latch from inside.  Smoke will probably be coming out as you lean over.  As soon as release the second latch and the hood rises more smoke and flame will be emitting across your upper body and in your face.  Not a good scene, besides the fact that opening the hood allows more oxygen in to feed the flames.

If you've known any burn victims you'll probably be like me and just spray the extinguisher in to any gaps/openings you can find.  Behind the tires, through the radiator, wherever you can get a spray in.  If fuel is leaking you can spray under the car to try and stop the back half from burning.

It's a good discussion but when you go through the scenarios in your head, it seems like stand back and spray is the way to go.  The main point is gloves, but if you're wearing polyester or a tank top or thin cotton you could easily get some serious flash burns or even have your clothes catch on fire.  The best result of this discussion might be to just have a plan in your head.  That includes "don't even try to open the hood from outside" if the smoke is heavy.

Another thought might be "why would I have a fire"?  I changed all of my old rubber fuel hoses after one sprung a tiny pin hole leak and shot gasoline across the sidewalk when I opened the hood, after I smelled gas while driving.  I broke a sweat just looking at that thin stream of fuel squirting across my still-running engine.  It was scary.

[TomoHawk]

I got a hot blast of air once when opening the bonnet after a long drive once.  It was not pleasant, even though there was no fire.

[Redwing]

Well well well, shall I throw into this all consuming conversation a  slightly different thought about fires in cars?  Someone mentioned it a bit, but not in the way I'm suggesting.  How about a small kill switch or two added to cut power to the engine and the fuel pump?  Isn't that a way to cut off the incteasing flow of the things that would continue to enlarge a fire? 

Now remember I am an unexperienced female in these things, but it seems  I have read that this would help in slowing down a fire?   So don't slug me, I'm just trying to think this out further for myself.  I'm trying to find a way to have some added protection in my Z, for her and myself.  This wouldn't need gloves as it could be done whilst slowing to a stop.

Any comments my friends?  How and where?  Other?

Thank you,

Jai

[Redwing]

6 hours ago, TomoHawk said:

Around here one, even considering asking about  something, like in this topic, is enough to start the name-calling, so carefully consider what you ask so you don't get called "silly."

But some people think anything or everything is "silly."

OTOH, I always recommend to people with classic cars to carry a fire extinguisher, and the looks you get  suggest that I'm calling them stupid of that I think their vehicle is a fire hazard.  Certainly, any vehicle that uses a combustible fuel and is older than, say, 1 day, ought to have a fire extinguisher, if not for your own safety, but for others.

I just wanted to add...

As a young girl In the '50's, my Dad was one of those that followed the thought of getting a new car every other year.  I saw him place a fire extingusher In each new car along with flares,  a tool kit, and a first aid kit.  He never had use of them,  he just felt more comfortable having them.  I thought a good Choice.

[TomoHawk]

In the winter, I keep all that stuff plus extra mittens and a small blanket.  Otherwise I keep a small compressor and jumper cables in ythe trunk.

[TomoHawk]

On 7/20/2016 at 7:32 PM, Redwing said:

How about a small kill switch or two added to cut power to the engine and the fuel pump?  Isn't that a way to cut off the increasing flow of the things that would continue to enlarge a fire?

Modern cars have that.  If your car gets a big enough jerk (or a hit from the back?) there is a switch near the fuel tank that stops the fuel pump.  You then need to find the hole to press a reset button to get the engine-started.   Your Zed has it too:  the ignition switch.

But on the Zed, assuming that the fuel system is working well, there is still some fuel under pressure in the tubes & hoses so a fire could possibly get a good enough start and spread from there.  The fuel pump kill switch would help some, but it's not a significant fire suppression or extinguishing method. But it might give you an extra second or so to escape, IF you remember what to do...  Someone else mentioned here that if you see smoke, you should quickly shut off the power, pull over, and get out, hopefully with your fire extinguisher in-hand.