Need advice--Fire suppression system

[raspritz]

Folks,

With almost 50 views and no replies on the 912 registry, somebody suggested I repost here. I'm switching over to vintage car racing as a high-excitement sport that is a bit safer than extreme ski mountaineering, which I do at a fairly high level and would prefer to survive (obviously, there's a story there...). I'm planning to install a fire suppression system in my 912 racecar. Any pro or con thoughts on types/manufacturers?

Thanks in advance,

Rich

[mike curnow]

I am not sure that racing a vintage 912 is what I would call high excitement? Even an all out sprint engine is about 150 hp.

[raspritz]

I am not sure that racing a vintage 912 is what I would call high excitement? Even an all out sprint engine is about 150 hp.

Thanks. I have a 911 also.

Rich

[mike curnow]

Just kidding on the other post, I raced an E- Production Speedster back in the day. At any rate Pegasus, I believe sells modern day systems you might want to look into. I believe Haylon is a problem to get recharged these days?

[chris_seven]

Halon is wonderful and does put out fires but has been banned in Europe since 2003 - apart from in Aircraft, Military applications and in some Road/Rail Tunnels -If you turn up at FIA events with Halon extinguishers you won't get to start!! It is now illegal to own or discharge Halon Extiguishers and they can only be disposed of by licensed contractors. - Typical EEC muddle.

Virtually all Motorsport Governing Bodies specify minimum extinguisher systems and in Europe this means an AFFF system.

There are several manufacturers in Europe - Lifeline, SPA Design, Sparco and OMP.

AFFF allows you to compete and has the lowest cost. There is only one problem - it just doesn't put out fires.

It is really poor and offers no comparison to Halon. Clearly it is much better for the environment to burn cars rather than to discharge a couple of kilos of Halon.

The latest generation of extinguishers use a new material Novec 1230 which is much more effective but significantly more costly - I have seen a demo of this type of extinguisher and it is nearly as good as Halon.

I don't know what specific regs you have in the USA but it is worth checking with your Governing Bodies Handbook and making sure your system complies with the regs, other than that it is just down to cost.

If you are concerned about fires I would use the Novec and avoid the AFFF.