Battery Compartment Fire

[Dr4Film]

Glad that you are safe and your RV is intact.

Here are some suggestions regarding fire protection and extinguishers.

For various compartments, I have installed First Alert 10 Year Smoke/Fire Alarms in my Front Run Electrical Bay, the Battery Compartment and the Rear Run Electrical Bay. I also replaced the 9 VDC battery smoke/fire alarm in the coach with this same model. Now, I don't have to worry about changing batteries yearly. These alarms are VERY loud. Much louder than the one I removed from the coach that was original back in 2001.

First Alert SA340CN Smoke Alarm with Lithium Battery, Lithium Battery Smoke Detector, First Alert Smoke Detector

Some people have installed a SS-30 Halon fire extinguisher in their battery compartment depending on how confined it is.

I have two Halon extinguishers that are installed in the Inverter/Tranfer Switch compartment and Aqua-Hot compartment.

I also use Cold Fire hand fire extinguishers which are the AFFF type versus the chemical ones which require regular maintenance for them to work when needed. My chemical ones are now in my rolling garage to use for a BBQ or campfire problem.

http://www.coldfire.biz/

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Pigman1

Along the line of care for your fire extinguisher, there have been forum discussions on why people believe these units are "uesless" or too hard or dangerous to use on a coach fire. Obviously Bubba1 doesn't think that way and I applaud him for his quick thinking and action. I posted the following in an effort to help dispel the bad rep attitudes some have toward rig fire extinguishers. Hope it helps to convince those who are undecided.

"RE: How many fire extinguishers on-board?

Let me tell you a little story about that "useless" extinguisher by the door. We left San Antonio heading west in the wee hours of the AM (dark) and were in the hill country when I saw something very bright on the rear view camera at the rear of the RV. I immediately puled over and ran back to see what was going on. What I saw was flames 3 to 4 feet high both inside and outside the rear cap directly over the exhaust pipe. I ran to the front door (40' coach) and got the RV fire extinguisher, ran to the rear and hit the flames with it. The fire was immediately put out. As I looked further for the cause, I found that the rag I kept in the engine compartment for checking fluid levels had fallen from it's nitch where I usually kept it, and onto the hot exhaust stack. Further looking found that there was NO damage to the coach. Even the paint was unscorched and no wires or anything else beside the rag was burned. Obviously, I no longer kept an oily rag in the engine compartment, and got the extinguisher recharged later that day. Of course this was only possible because the "useless" extinguisher worked well. How many folks out there do a monthly check on their extinguisher(s) and agitate the powder to keep it flowable? Without a regular check and shake up, the extinguisher will be useless. If you don't know how to do this check, stop at your local fire station and they'll be happy to show you. A couple of minutes a month is all you need and you can check to be sure the emergency escape windows are free and operate correctly at the same time. And yes, we also carry 2 other extinguishers, a Purple K ABC large unit and a Carbon dioxide one. They all work well if properly cared for and are used the way they should be. "

You are one lucky guy!

[Lukeaa]

Where did you get the Purple K ABC extinguisher? I currently have two bigger foam unit I got from Mac the Fire Guy.

Currently in Tucson,
Luke

[Pigman1]

The one that contains Purple K is an ordinary dry powder extinguisher that I got charged with Purple K at an Air Force Fire Station. A Google search will show what the stuff is (Wikipedia) and where you can buy it. Purple K extinguishers are somewhat more expensive than common dry powder potassium bicarbonate ones. The one I used to kill my fire was the standard 2lb extinguisher that came with the rig, but I religiously check my extinguishers. (Retired Safety Engineer)

[Bubba1]

As Pigman1 says maintenance is the key to keeping a dry chemical extinguisher functioning properly. I have mine serviced yearly and twice a year I remove them from the coach and tap the bottom with a rubber mallet to make sure they don't pack down. I carry multiple extinguishers (7 total) of various types and sizes of both dry chemical and foam.

Is it overkill? Probably, but as I said in an earlier post after 33 years in public safety, as a police officer and a fire fighter I have seen how quickly fire can spread in an RV. The 11 year old extinguisher that came with the coach worked like it was supposed to because it was maintained. I carry so many to insure my wife and I can get out safely and to handle whatever type fuel is feeding the fire, grease, wood, propane; etc. They are basically placed from the front to the back. Friends kid me about not being able to walk in our coach without tripping on extinguisher.

For those of you that haven't been to one of Mac the Fire Guy's presentations at a rally or RV show I would highly recommend you go to one, they're eye opening, informative and educational. I have no affiliation with Mac other than we were both in public safety.

I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. A lot of good ideas and tips are always exchanged on this great forum.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by Bubba1

As Pigman1 says maintenance is the key to keeping a dry chemical extinguisher functioning properly. I have mine serviced yearly and twice a year I remove them from the coach and tap the bottom with a rubber mallet to make sure they don't pack down. I carry multiple extinguishers (7 total) of various types and sizes of both dry chemical and foam.

Is it overkill? Probably, but as I said in an earlier post after 33 years in public safety, as a police officer and a fire fighter I have seen how quickly fire can spread in an RV. The 11 year old extinguisher that came with the coach worked like it was supposed to because it was maintained. I carry so many to insure my wife and I can get out safely and to handle whatever type fuel is feeding the fire, grease, wood, propane; etc. They are basically placed from the front to the back. Friends kid me about not being able to walk in our coach without tripping on extinguisher.

For those of you that haven't been to one of Mac the Fire Guy's presentations at a rally or RV show I would highly recommend you go to one, they're eye opening, informative and educational. I have no affiliation with Mac other than we were both in public safety.

I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. A lot of good ideas and tips are always exchanged on this great forum.

We purchased the SS45 to go by the door and some of the SS20 to locate through out the coach. We also installed the SS200 in the engine compartment.
The link below says "My Business - Produts" but it is not mine but a link to Mac the Fire Guy's product page on his website. We have attended Mac's seminars but do not have any connection to his business.
My Business - Products

Bob