Date:         Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:32:17 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Built-in Fire Extinguishers
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

I see water pipe used in restaurant exhaust fire-suppression systems all the
time, including new construction. The fire code is extremely strict these
days so it must have pretty good qualities for it to be viable in that
application.
Some things come to mind, however: It isn't subject to much movement and
vibration in a restaurant hood (like it would be in a car) and if they
didn't have that to use they'd probably have to invent something just like
it.
The main thing is that the delivery system has to be able to outlive the
duration of discharge of the fire suppressant in the presence of a fire.
Obviously if the fire outlasts the suppressant it doesn't matter much what
the pipes are made of, they're going to burn along with everything else, so
aside from being able to remain viable long-term in an engine compartment
environment, your pipes need to be able to withstand the heat of an engine
compartment fire for 30-45 seconds depending on the size of your bottle,
diameter of pipe, nozzles and so on.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike" <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 6:22 PM
Subject: Re: Built-in Fire Extinguishers


>  Yes, you could use that.  Yes, you could make your own manual system, but
> if it doesn't work properly, due to improper design or materials, you only
> have yourself to blame.  Some systems use aluminum tubing;
>
> http://www.apexperformance.net/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=57&cid=7
>
> and some use stainless steel braided hose.  This AFFF system is relatively
> cheap to buy, cheap and easy to refill yourself instantly, and is a bit
> messy, but with easy cleanup.
>
>  BTW, the pressure isn't that high that copper tubing would burst upon
> discharge.  But, using copper tubing is probably the last resort, IMHO.
> I'd
> choose aluminum for its strength and resistance to becoming brittle as it
> ages like copper does.   I believe I've seen it at Home Depot, too.
>
> I think I'm gonna design and build an engine bay-mounted, manually
> cable-operated Halon system for my '87 Westy as an experimental homebuilt
> prototype.
>
> Mike B.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Geza Polony" <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 4:41 PM
> Subject: Re: Built-in Fire Extinguishers
>
>
>> Maybe standard 1/2" iron plumbing pipe? You'd have to test it in a
>> non-fire
>> condition to be sure. Just a thought.
>>