Community Forums

Cruzer · 08-25-2007, 06:34 AM

For quite some time I've been concerned about fires in motorhomes. If it's a small fire inside, and you can get to it quickly, you might be able to put it out. However, there's plenty of RVs that have been completely consumed by fire. RVs are loaded full of stuff that's just waiting to burn and once a fire gets started, it's extremely hard to stop. Generally the coach will burn to the ground within 15 minutes.

After checking these fires out more, several things became apparent. First, it seems that diesel pushers are the ones that most commonly burn to the ground. Second, these fires begin in the engine compartment. Third, by the time the driver notices the fire it's already well under way and there's nothing you can do.

This makes sense. DPs have a great amount of heat and combustible materials back there. Remember last year's service recall by Tiffin to have a wiring harness checked and possibly relocated so that it wouldn't catch fire on the hot exhaust? How about a few of the Cummins ISLs that have had cracked fuel lines? Spraying fuel all over a hot turbo or muffler is one way to go shopping for a new RV real quick.

So, I had decided to install some sort of system to handle this. I had been putting it off because I had more important upgrades to do - like entertainment system mods, digital tank sensors, etc.

I guess that's just human nature but with a recent rash of RV fires during this hot summer I finally got around to it. Besides, I was running out of other stuff to do.

After spending a ton of time researching this stuff, I decided to install a Cold Fire automatic fire extinguishing system in the engine bay of my 42QRP. I also installed a dash mounted remote monitoring system that would alert me when driving should the system discharge. That would give me enough time to pull over and shut down the engine. At that point hopefully the fire will be out. If not, it will at least fight a holding action until I can further attack it with a handheld unit. Last resort is we get more time to evacuate and maybe grab a few things.

This is a pretty important consideration so I documented the install on my website and also put up a web page dealing with the various fire classes, extinguishers, etc that are applicable to RVers.

Check out this link - www.RVcruzer.com/fireindex.htm for more info and pictures of the install. There's also links to some other websites that will give you better detailed information than I can.

Cruzer · 08-25-2007, 06:34 AM

For quite some time I've been concerned about fires in motorhomes. If it's a small fire inside, and you can get to it quickly, you might be able to put it out. However, there's plenty of RVs that have been completely consumed by fire. RVs are loaded full of stuff that's just waiting to burn and once a fire gets started, it's extremely hard to stop. Generally the coach will burn to the ground within 15 minutes.

After checking these fires out more, several things became apparent. First, it seems that diesel pushers are the ones that most commonly burn to the ground. Second, these fires begin in the engine compartment. Third, by the time the driver notices the fire it's already well under way and there's nothing you can do.

This makes sense. DPs have a great amount of heat and combustible materials back there. Remember last year's service recall by Tiffin to have a wiring harness checked and possibly relocated so that it wouldn't catch fire on the hot exhaust? How about a few of the Cummins ISLs that have had cracked fuel lines? Spraying fuel all over a hot turbo or muffler is one way to go shopping for a new RV real quick.

So, I had decided to install some sort of system to handle this. I had been putting it off because I had more important upgrades to do - like entertainment system mods, digital tank sensors, etc.

I guess that's just human nature but with a recent rash of RV fires during this hot summer I finally got around to it. Besides, I was running out of other stuff to do.

After spending a ton of time researching this stuff, I decided to install a Cold Fire automatic fire extinguishing system in the engine bay of my 42QRP. I also installed a dash mounted remote monitoring system that would alert me when driving should the system discharge. That would give me enough time to pull over and shut down the engine. At that point hopefully the fire will be out. If not, it will at least fight a holding action until I can further attack it with a handheld unit. Last resort is we get more time to evacuate and maybe grab a few things.

This is a pretty important consideration so I documented the install on my website and also put up a web page dealing with the various fire classes, extinguishers, etc that are applicable to RVers.

Check out this link - www.RVcruzer.com/fireindex.htm for more info and pictures of the install. There's also links to some other websites that will give you better detailed information than I can.

Jimmy Jam · 08-25-2007, 04:07 PM

Interesting....thanks for the post..

"007" · 08-26-2007, 06:50 AM

As always your the man with good info.

Has been said by some that Foam fire extinguishers work better would it be possible in this case? Excuse the question you are useing a Foam extinguisher.

Ken Roberts · 08-26-2007, 07:52 AM

Mark, three things; first, and foremost you have done a great service to your fellow RVers and hopefully some of us will take heed and do a similar installation.

Secondly, maybe you should share your article with some of the more progressive motor home manufactures whereby they might consider offering such a system as a very practical option on future models.

Thirdly, you might also consider sharing your installation with your insurance carrier whereby they should offer you a significant discount similar to what they do for we bricks and sticks owners who opt to install a home monitoring/reporting system.

In any event I for one thank you for sharing a very informative and well documented message that could be life saving to anyone of us out on the road, Ken,'04 DSDP...

Nonno · 08-26-2007, 03:36 PM

Cruzer,

Ditto's to what Ken posted.
Thank you

Cruzer · 08-27-2007, 03:42 AM

Thanks guys, I think I'll check on the insurance company discount.

acampingwewillgo · 08-27-2007, 07:16 PM

Excellent info and Great Post. I took a few minutes to check out your Website also...You have completed some fantastic looking upgrades. Nice Work!!

NeilV · 08-28-2007, 12:36 AM

Mark,

Since we lost our 95 Vectra (P32) last year we still have moments of panic when we git a wiff of smoke etc. It could be road work or a tar kettle nearby but after having to evacuate the wife, children and pets from a moving vehicle with no brakes, traveling at highway speeds, it does come back on you.

Does this unit seem appropriate for use on an F53. Almost looks like I would need two or have to mount the head remote from the bottle.

David K · 08-29-2007, 01:34 PM

Great Post !!!!!!!!! Now you have me putting on my thinking cap. Thought that I about had everything all updated on my MH -- now I have something else to look into. But don't get me wrong -- I think we should all have these in our rigs -- better to have it and not use it than to need it and not have it.

Thanks for the post !!

Cruzer · 08-30-2007, 04:30 AM

Neil, I don't see why it wouldn't work on an F53. The sprinkler head shoots in a 10' radius circle. If you can keep it high enough it should bounce off of everything and give you pretty good coverage. I'd check with MacThe FireGuy for better details. He's probably done it before and would have firsthand experience with that.