Mounting an automatic fire extinguisher "Norcold Fires"

[gripper]

In regards to the Norcold recalls, my dealer signed a receipt, saying that my refrigerator was not included with the latest recall. To confirm this, I checked my SN’s against the recall and could see myself, that they were not included.

But, just to be safe, I purchased an automatic fire extinguisher, Model SS30, as suggested in a post, on this forum. It arrived yesterday, so I attempted to install it today.

My aim was to lay it down and secure it to the framework, at the bottom of the refrigerator, like I saw, in the same post that recommended the fire extinguisher. However, after I screwed the mounting bracket down and placed the extinguisher in the bracket, the outside vent door wouldn’t close. The only way it would close, was to cut away some of the backside of the door. Since the door is visible from the outside, the cut-away would show an ugly hole, as seen, from the outside. Naturally, I was not going to damage the looks of the door, this way. What to do, what to do?

I could see lots of room on the backside of the refrigerator, just inside and to the left of the vent door opening. However, the space was not deep enough for me to get an electric drill inside and make the screw holes in the metal backside of the refrigerator. So, I couldn’t mount the extinguisher bracket with screws. Could I glue it? Tape it? Would anything like that hold it up, with the vibrations of the RV?

Then it hit me! I had some “Eternabond” roofing tape! According to other RVer’s on this forum, once you stick Eternabond down, it’s nearly impossible to pull up! So, I marked the metal on the back of the fridge, as to just where I wanted to place the bracket. Cut two lengths of Eternabond tape and taped the bracket on. Mounted the extinguisher on the bracket and I’m done!

These two pictures better, explain the installation.





Maybe this will be of some help to someone doing their installation(s).

[RJEV]

Gripper,

I missed the post on this subject. I will appreciate any info, such as a web site for the automatic fire extinguisher, Model SS30, or the original post about extinguishers.
Thanks,
RJ

[gripper]

RJ,

Actually, the posts, were about the "latest Norcold recalls" but within one of those, an RV'er mentioned installing an SSS30 extinguisher as a safety measure. This post prompted me to look for automatic extinguishers. Another post on the same subject of Norcold recalls, provided the website www.firefight1.com, a division of www.globalaerotech.com. I ordered the SSS30 from them, for a total cost of $174.00, (including shipping).

I am very satisfied with the results and hope that I never have to see the extinguisher work, but I feel much better about the potential of refrigerator fires.

[Sammie]

Excellent idea gripper. I have the same clearence problems in my Journey. Thanks for the idea.

Sammie

[Nonno]

gripper,

Good thinking, eternabond should hold it.

Quote:

I screwed the mounting bracket down and placed the extinguisher in the bracket, the outside vent door wouldn’t close.

Your install should be fine but if you needed to move it, I was told by Mac the Fire Guy and I believe it's also in the installation instructions that the protective "snap bracket" can be removed if the vent door wouldn't close.

Apparently there isn't a concern of something hitting the head when installed in the refrigerator compartment like there would be elsewhere. Fortunately mine fit because I wasn't comfortable with taking the bracket off and exposing the head.

[gripper]

Nonno,

Yes, I thought about removing the metal holding strap, and positioned it so it would not be in the way. Then the guage was hitting. for some reason, I couldn't find a position that would allow the door to close. Maybe it had sometning to do with my ice maker/equipment, in the way. Anyway, as I said, I am pleased with the results.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Can someone give me the dimensions of the SS30 before I order on? I want to make sure it will fit in my compartment with standard install or using eterna-bond. Also can the unit be placed horizontally with the with the head pointing up?

[gripper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' Can someone give me the dimensions of the SS30 before I order on? I want to make sure it will fit in my compartment with standard install or using eterna-bond. Also can the unit be placed horizontally with the with the head pointing up?

The SSS30, can be ordered with the head pointed up or at right angles to the cylinder, you specify. The overall lenght of the one with head pointing up, is 13". The cylinder diameter is 3". If mounted horzontally, it reaches a heigth of 3 1/2" with the bracket installed. Of course the overall height of the one with the guard at right angles is less than 13", but not much, maybe 1/2".

The SSS30, is specifically designed for use in a refrigerator compartment, asccording to the specs.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Thanks for the dimensions...I'll order one tomorrow for horizontal install with vertical head. If I time it right it should arrive about the time I get the recall work done.

[Rex]

HEADS UP!!! There has now been a fire with the Halon unit installed and IT DID NOT GO OFF. It was installed at the bottom rear of the fridge and the fire started up behind the freezer area and the Halon did not discharge and put it out. One more coach lost but thankfully there was no one in the coach.

[Dr4Film]

Another concern I want to point out to everyone is that you cannot just install the SS-30 anywhere in the rear access frig compartment. To protect the lower portion of the compartment where over 90% of the Norcold fires have started, the tank nozzle needs to be positioned near the two 120 volt heaters and the absorber tank which will put it above the LPG burner. I initially had mine mounted horizontally on the bottom of the compartment with the head close to the LPG burner. This was not giving full protection to that part of the compartment. See first photo. Yesterday, I had the most recent Norcold recall installed and this gave me the opportunity to relocate the tank and head to where it needs to go for more protection. See second photo.

As Rex pointed out, this Halon tank position does NOT protect against from any fire that starts in the upper portion of the compartment such as what happen with the most recent Norcold fire reported.

I am working on another plan on how I will protect my coach from any fire starting in the upper portion however those have been very rare incidents with regards to Norcold fires. In that particular fire, the coolant tube running through the back of the unit between the freezer and the frig most likely had ruptured allowing hydrogen gas to escape suddenly, and then igniting, most likely from the LPG flame that was burning below and whoosh the fire began and burned from that area up.

If you look closely at my tank, you will notice a "Heat Strip" with four heat dots on it. These dots will blacken when temperatures reach #1 dot - 100F, #2 dot - 125F, #3 dot - 150F, and #4 dot - 175F, from left to right. The nozzle head opens at 165F. With regards to the Halon tank that was installed at the bottom of the compartment horizontally in the coach with the fire, none of the dots had blacken. This tells me that the high temps were all at the top of the compartment and that fresh cool air was being drawn in through the access cover where the tank was located acting like a chimney, therefore not activated the temp dots or the 165F Halon nozzle.

This is all conjecture as the final fire investigation report hasn't been issued as yet.

Dr4Film ---- Richard.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Thanks for the update...I will now do an install vertically when my unit comes. Keep updating as more info is available on the most recent fire.

[Craig P.]

Richard,

Thanks for the info. I have the same MH as gripper. I bought my refer SS30 almost two years ago and mounted it in the same area as he did. I'll be moving it this weekend.

How the heck would anyone mount one up higher in the chimney? From the roof vent?

FWIW, I bought four various units from FireFight. I have one over the genny, one over the engine and another one in the electrical bay.

Craig

[SCVJeff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex HEADS UP!!! There has now been a fire with the Halon unit installed and IT DID NOT GO OFF. It was installed at the bottom rear of the fridge and the fire started up behind the freezer area and the Halon did not discharge and put it out. One more coach lost but thankfully there was no one in the coach.

I have seen this post before and when asked for evidence, the poster was never heard from again. Where's the evidence of this?