FMCA GEAR, Mac McCoy and Fire Safety

[nodine]

Hi everyone,

We have been here at the FMCA GEAR rally in Winston-Salem, NC since Tuesday and having a good time. We have already met a few folks we know from online. If you are here you will find our coach facing the entrance to the arch just past the display units. Look in the window for a poster with pictures of our two wheaten terriers, Buffy and Bo.

Yesterday we attended Mac McCoy's Fire and Life Safety seminar and it was outstanding and very informative. If you ever have a chance to attend this seminar I highly recommend it, even if you are familiar with fire fighting. Chances are you will still learn some things you did not know about fire safety and motorhomes. The seminar is two hours with a 30 minute live fire demonstration outside. You will also learn something very shocking about your absorption frig and why they catch fire so often. If you don't already have a halon fire extinguisher installed in your outside frig compartment please put one in. (If you have a residential frig ignore this)

Bob

[wa8yxm]

I have seen Mac's demonstration.. And a few others like it but MAC.. Well his is the best, that man clearly knows what he is talking about and talks about it very well.

I have some training and expierence (Nothing at all compared to Mac) Just enough to know the man knows his stuff.

Ok, I'll stop saying nice things about Mac for this post

I'm running a bit late today internet wise.. I sat down and was just getting started today here in the internet/e-mail room when the park Assistant Manager came in and apologized for the inconvenience but could you please leave the building. We have fire dept. on the way.

Turns out where there is SMOKE, there is not always Fire, This was one of those times., thankfully.. When I got back to the computer I made a sign for them.

Background is a nice fire.. Text "Come to our Fire Sale"

[wkdwitch]

Small world after all - we are going to see MAC this afternoon! Will look for your coach soon, it is always nice to meet a forum member.

[djhinds]

Nodine, would you please tell me about the extinguiser that goes in the fridg outside compartment? That really interests me.

Thanks

Dave

[Mike Canter]

Not to scare anybody but I thought these two articles were eye openers as to what actually causes fires in motorhomes. According to the insurance companies the number one claim is due to tire damage and the number two claim is refrigerator fires and the number three claim is hitting the top of the motorhome on low bridges or gas stations overheads.

http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/Updated%20fire%20article.pdf
http://www.cvsa.org/publications/guardian_4q07_supplement.pdf

I always check around my turbocharger for leaking oil. The turbocharger seems to be a real cause of a lot of engine fires. The other area I check is the brakes to make sure that no seals are leaking that will result in oil or grease causing a brake fire. Engine fires and brake fires are real hard to put out and really should be left to the fire department to fight.

[nodine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by djhinds Nodine, would you please tell me about the extinguisher that goes in the frig outside compartment? That really interests me. Thanks Dave

It is a halon gas automatic fire extinguisher and goes off at about 185 degrees F. You mount it in the outside compartment of the frig and depending on your frig, you will use either a straight head or a right angle head. The installation is quite simple, the price is around $180, and the peace of mind is priceless. I don't know about you, but my frig is between me and the front door when I am sleeping.

Mac will be glad to answer any questions you have and can help with the type of head you will need. Go here to get more information:
www.macthefireguy.com

Another thing we learned is that the standard extinguisher that comes with most coaches has toxic powder that does permanent damage to your coach and if your pets walk on it they most likely will die. You should replace it with a modern foam type and put the original in an outside compartment.

Bob