Fire Extinguishers for race cars

[London GT3]

I have a Caterham R500 which I am going to race in the forthcoming Birkett 6 hour race at Silverstone. The plumbed in extinguisher has never been changed or refilled (it dates back to 2000). Can it be refilled by the manufacturer with the latest spec extinguishant or does it have to be renewed with a completely new new bottle?

Help appreciated.

[hman]

Ring the manufacturer?

[HustleRussell]

If the extinguisher has not been serviced for a certain number of years (5, I think!?) Lifeline will refuse to service it and your only option is a new bottle. FWIW I wouldn't trust a 10-year old extinguisher with my life anyway. Aqueous foam settles over time causing them not to discharge properly.

[London GT3]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am not proposing to use my current extinguisher but I want to know if I can reuse the bottle to avoid having to replace the cradle etc.

I can't tell you what is in it at the moment, or who makes it, because the car is in a garage about 22 miles away!

[hman]

to comply with TPED all pressurised cylinders must be stretch tested at 10 years of age. it will cost more to stretch test a fire extinguisher than it will to replace it so you typically discharge them and throw the can in the recycle bin after 10 years.

[Graham]

After 10 years I'd be replacing the bottle and all the lines etc.

The lines get dust in them which when you pull the extinguisher gets wet and blocks the lines. Not what you want when your sat in a burning car trust me...

Just change the lot!

[The Wookie]

Worth pointing out that you don't need to use the manufacturer to get extinguishers refilled. You'll likely find a local company that does extinguisher maintenance. Last time I had my extinguisher refilled the bloke came to my house in a van filled with kit and refilled it and relabelled it while we were standing in front of my garage.

I'd suggest that that sort of company would be able to provide advice on whether you need to replace the bottle or not after that long.

[hman]

Speaking as a manufacturer of fire protection equipment - get the manufacturer (or their representatives) to do any work on your fire systems.

We come across so many bad practices and bodged repairs performed by others (that simply want your moeny). A lot just dont give a fk about whether it will ever work again afterwards.

[Rude-boy]

Listen to hman.

Forget frying yourself (massively unlikely at any UK track these days the facilities at even the most basic car event as lightyears ahead of the days of Mr Procter), think of the fire damage you'd be able to prevent.