Fire Extinuguishers

Dan Cullman

Dan Cullman

New member
Until I get burned out, I'll post a topic of interest every week or so........For now, it's fire extinguishers. These are my ideas from practical experience. I bought my first Bellanca in 1970, at the age of 23. I didn't know anything about Bellancas or fire extinguishers at that time. Since then, some 20,000+ hours later, I've experienced a few explosive engine fires, several carburetor fires------two including Bellancas. My personal opinion is, that all of us, operating light airplanes, should maintain a Halon extinguisher in our aircraft. The cheap, dry chemical fire extinguishers found everywhere, will put out the fire. However, your problems have just started as the fire is extinguished. You can buy 2 pound halon extinguishers at most fire extinguisher service facilities.
 
When I first got my plane I was smart enough to know a fire extinguisher is a good idea, but too dumb to get the right kind. I bought a hardware store variety for kitchen fires that I later learned were inadequate. We occasionally involve the local fire department in our airport activities for PR purposes. Our rural fire department was happy to look at my hangar and airplane and recommend fire extinguishers; Then they offered to provide them for me and any other hangar owner that wanted them from their supplier at their costs. They said this helps them long term because they see circumstances everyday where proper preparation could save lives. The 2 pounder you recommend is the right compromise. Make sure it is well secured.
 
I think the 1 1/2 pound is the smallest rechargeable-reusable Halon extinguisher you can find and it will put out carburetor or maintenance induced fires. I like to keep a larger unit in a handy spot in the hangar for bigger occasions. I had to use it on my '65 Falcon a couple years ago. It was in the hangar, too. The cheap dry chemical extinguishers will put out the fire, but wreck your avionics and instruments--as well as being corrosive. By the way, when I say 'two pound,' this is the weight of the agent. The fire extinguisher will weigh more.
 
I guess "Halon" is a hallogenated hydrocarbon (like carbon tetrachloride) and the powder left over after killing a fire will sublimate leaving no residue-it will however, then travel to the ozone layer where it will create havoc-therefore only use halon for critical aircraft fires
 
I have used halon extinguishers in the past. The agent leaves no residue, whatsoever. It will not harm any component of the aircraft. I don't think the number of halon discharges per year has much effect on the atmosphere--------compare to all the other 'stuff' the populace of the world puts in the air. Every airliner you fly in has several of these aboard. Dan
 
I don't think it is "politically incorrect" to use halon. There is an agent used in the production of strawberries that probably puts more halocarbons for one acre into the atmosphere than all the GA extinguishers put together. No recent research-just what I've heard.
 
I am in the HVAC industry and 1 Valcano puts out more ozone contamanates than man has ever produced. Dupont owned the patent to R12 and R22 for many years. The time was up. Guess who owns the Patents for R134A and the new R410A. Dupoint . Carrier has R410A but has another name for it. I believe it is all about money. :lol: :lol:
 
OK. time's about up on this topic. Interested parties have had their chance at it. Anyway, my thoughts are that many things about airplanes and hangars that can spell 'FIRE.' Be prepared!!!!!!!!!! It has happened so many times before. A 911 call to the FD will get you a response in, maybe five minutes, if you are lucky. By then, every thing has burned up in a fuel fire.
 
HEY!

Aren't you always the guy who pops into a topic and says, "I can't believe there's no interest in this," Dan? :lol:

Just kidding...there's only so much a person can say about fire extinguishers I guess....fires, though, that's another matter in these airplanes. Dan Torrey was quite...firm on this subject when we was working on my 14-19. The previous owner (the airplane had been based at Santa Paula) tried to tell Dan to pump the throttle several times before trying to start the engine (no primer in this airplane). Dan nearly lost it. No, that's not true. He did lose it. "You old-timers keep doing this and you're just shooting up a stream of avgas. A guy burned to death just last year because he did this!" Yeah, he was shouting. This was back in '01. Not saying that to suggest that the hazard no longer exists - just saying it to avoid alarm. When I could not reach Blakesburg this year a friend, who did not know I was no longer based in Texas, heard of the wreck of the 'Master in Fort Worth and worried that it had been me. Bastard is just a bit too familiar with my piloting "skills" I guess.

Jonathan
 
How do you start yours. It does not matter if you pump before or after you turn the starter, If it backfires flames will still come out the intake. What happens if it backfires is the person stops turning the engine and the fire is on. If you keep turning it over it should suck the flames back in . I have seen folks pump till fuel is running on the ground. These days that is very expensive and it helps the fire. :lol: :lol:
 
I think that was Dan's point, Randy and, I agree, it's a silly waste of fuel...if it doesn't incinerate you :)

Starting has never been a problem on my airplane....the charging system was until recently and I've needed MANY jump starts over the years (no impulse couplings thus no hand propping) and I give it, maybe, one pump. Thing is if you do a lot of pumping, say, the first time and it starts in a blade or two then chances are you'll keep doing that. This was the case with my 'Master's previous owner. The airplane was based at Santa Paula for 29 years as well, making this inflatable mattress procedure of his even more of a waste, if not an outright danger. Then again the guy did this for twenty nine damned years....

Jonathan
 
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