Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
The Sports Car Club of BC
   
  HomeHelpSearchLoginRegister  
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
fire bottle advice needed (Read 8,481 times)
Doug F
Novice
**
Offline



Posts: 94
West Kelowna, BC
fire bottle advice needed
May 7th, 2013 at 8:24am
 
As luck would have it, I accidentally tripped the release on my Halon 1211 fire bottle, completely emptying the contents. I've been looking for someone to refill it but have come up empty. I'm hoping someone can point me to a company that will refill a Halon bottle. If that's not possible, I'd like the opinion of someone from the tech crew to comment on the suitability/legality of using the Pegasus replacements. There are two, the 0.9L (https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=9569) and the 1.3L (https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=9570). Can I get away with the less expensive but smaller 0.9L version in my 1981 Van Diemen Formula Ford? Any other sage advice from you seasoned vets would be greatly appreciated.
Back to top
 

“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.”
- Steve McQueen
 
IP Logged
 
TECHMAN
Senior Racer
***
Offline


Road racing, not street
racing! It's safer

Posts: 166
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #1 - May 7th, 2013 at 10:46am
 
From the CACC GCR:
6 - Onboard Fire Suppression Systems
This rule pertains to on board fire suppression systems where they are required by class regulations or are installed by choice.
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.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Mike_the_Oldest
International License
*****
Offline



Posts: 857
B.C.
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #2 - May 7th, 2013 at 11:56am
 
I'd recommend having a chat with Frank at Driver's Edge.

Mike
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
db
Senior Racer
***
Offline


What would Johnny Canuck
do?

Posts: 237
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #3 - May 7th, 2013 at 1:04pm
 
Halon is banned in Canada unless you've got a military vehicle or a permit from Environment Canada. 

http://www.ec.gc.ca/ozone/default.asp?lang=En&n=D90FFDBB-1
Back to top
 
WWW  
IP Logged
 
ReEntry Racer
International License
*****
Offline


If it has wheels, we'll
race it...

Posts: 727
Abbotsford BC
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #4 - May 7th, 2013 at 1:38pm
 
Check this product out:

http://www2.dupont.com/FE/en_US/products/fe36.html

DuPont FE36 is a non-ozone depleting, non-greenhose gas replacement perfectly suited to use in a race car (enclosed spaces).

I just imported a 5 lb. bottle from Fire Bottle
http://www.jegs.com/i/Fire-Bottle/386/RC-500S/10002/-1

The border guy spent 15 minutes trying to tell me I couldn't bring it into Canada, and finally agreed it is not banned, as it is not a Halon gas.

Is your car log started later than 01/01/09?

SCCA 2013:

9.3.23. FIRE SYSTEM
All cars shall be equipped with an On-Board Fire System except Touring,
Spec Miata, Super Touring and Improved Touring.
A. On-Board Fire System Requirements
Cars registered after 1/1/09 shall comply with the following onboard
fire system requirements:

Systems certified to SFI specification 17.1, or
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

Note that the SFI Spec 17.1 ONLY specifies the system and testing, NOT the fluid/gas used.  It say that it must be EPA legal, that's all.

And about the Canadian regs: the rules Dave listed for Halon extinguishers only apply on Federally controlled property or First Nations property. All other Halon systems are under the control of Provincial regulations only.
Back to top
« Last Edit: May 7th, 2013 at 3:00pm by ReEntry Racer »  

1982 Pontiac Trans Am SCCA GT1 & ITE   CACC GT1 & GTO ICSCC GT1 & SPO & ST
2001 SLP Trans Am Firehawk
2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
2017 Chevrolet Volt Premier
reentry.racer  
IP Logged
 
Mike_the_Oldest
International License
*****
Offline



Posts: 857
B.C.
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #5 - May 7th, 2013 at 3:06pm
 
Read the CACC regulation again. I don't believe that the material Larry is referring to is listed.

My own suggestion is AFFF. Easier to clean up and it doesn't leave a mess.

Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Doug F
Novice
**
Offline



Posts: 94
West Kelowna, BC
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #6 - May 7th, 2013 at 7:16pm
 
Thanks for all the great help, boys. Given that a Halon refill is out of the question, I'm going to take the advice of Bob W and Mike the oldest and visit Frank at Drivers Edge tomorrow.
Back to top
 

“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.”
- Steve McQueen
 
IP Logged
 
Bob_Williams
Pro Circuit
****
Offline


SMILE !!!!  Life is a
BLAST!!!  lUVYABYE

Posts: 406
Canada
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #7 - May 8th, 2013 at 9:16am
 
Thanks for not mixing up Bob W and Mike  Wink and good choice with Frank @ Drivers Edge. Smiley
Back to top
 

Winning isn't everything......but making the effort too, is!
WWW  
IP Logged
 
ReEntry Racer
International License
*****
Offline


If it has wheels, we'll
race it...

Posts: 727
Abbotsford BC
Re: fire bottle advice needed
Reply #8 - May 8th, 2013 at 1:13pm
 
Mike_the_Oldest wrote on May 7th, 2013 at 3:06pm:
Read the CACC regulation again. I don't believe that the material Larry is referring to is listed.

My own suggestion is AFFF. Easier to clean up and it doesn't leave a mess.



At BCIT Aerospace I have purchased and installed AFFF for two aircraft engine runup stands (350 HP Turbo Continental and Lycoming) and we also have it in the very large hangar suppression system as well.
I does have one major issue: it freezes when temps get that low in winter. We remove the bottles and store them indoors. It also has a somewhat smelly film that needs to be washed off before it dries if discharged.  I persomally use the new replacement FE36 because it leaves no residue at all, lowers temperature when activated, and will not freeze.  It is accepted by SCCA (had this conversation at L. Seca a couple of weeks ago) but I covered my butt with both hands as I have a Halon 1301 bottle plus the new FE36 both mounted in the car.
Back to top
 

1982 Pontiac Trans Am SCCA GT1 & ITE   CACC GT1 & GTO ICSCC GT1 & SPO & ST
2001 SLP Trans Am Firehawk
2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
2017 Chevrolet Volt Premier
reentry.racer  
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print