Mounting A Fire Extinguisher - Where To Put It?

[im]

This is following on from the poor chap with the fire in his Chim (http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=8&t=526248) and Chimjunkies comment about how many people will now consider fitting a Fire Extinguisher.

Obviously some will have done this - if so where? The centre of (what equates to) the back parcel shelf perhaps?
If so - how close is the petrol tank to where you would screw into.
What fixings did you use - Self tapping screws?
Is there anywhere you certainly shouldn't fit it?
Anybody got any pics of an installed extinguisher?

I've got a small (1 foot approx) extinguisher (halfrauds type) and keep it in the boot but I think the time is right to bring it out now.

[blueyonder]

In the passenger footwell make some holes in the mat just in front of the seat and secure with cable ties. That's where I'm going to put mine.

[5yearstobuyatvr]

Mines in the boot, fitted on the shelf with heavy duty velcro,its fine.

[Meatball]

I keep mine between the drivers door and seat bolster.

[chrispitman]

There is plenty of room behind the seat even when pushed fully back mounted via 2 bolts through the floor.

[RumbleBee]

I bought two of the small size dry powder ones (come in nice brushed ally finish) and I have put one beside each seat between the seat and the door sill. Its a snug fit so doesnt move about but is easily accessible should the dreaded happen. Got them from SD Fire alarms.

[S7Paul]

chrispitman said:

There is plenty of room behind the seat even when pushed fully back mounted via 2 bolts through the floor.

That's what I did too, then you can just reach behind you & grab it.

[chrispitman]

When selecting try and go for a Foam extinguisher and not powder, if you have to use it the powder will make a hell of a mess. Also if you/passenger is stuck in the car and have to use it your probably end up breathing in and choaking on the powder.

All the rally extinguishers have to be AFFF Foam.

[The Hood]

I have mine just put behind the drivers seat (not fixed) but is wedged in well enough not to move, might now move it to between the drivers seat and the door (like previously mentioned) as although i can get to mine quite easily it's probably not the quickest accessible place.

[CLN1]

I mounted mine on the floor behind the drivers seat,in the Griff.

Colin

[chrispitman]

TVR Moneypit said:

If you can hang on a couple of weeks, then I can post some pics of my 4.25ltr plumbed in jobbie. The tank of which will be mounted to the parcel shelf.

4.25ltr thats a huge bottle, I have a lifeline fire marshall 2ltr but it's mounted in the boot on the passenger wheel arch, and the roof still fits easy. Then have a pull cord mounted just below the pass rear strut. Goes to to jets under the bonnet.

[im]

TVR Moneypit said:

If you can hang on a couple of weeks, then I can post some pics of my 4.25ltr plumbed in jobbie. The tank of which will be mounted to the parcel shelf.

Damn! To late!

I got REALLY bored last night...OH was watching some girly stuff on TV so I decided to press ahead with the instalation at about Midnight.

Having read the installation instructions supplied with the Fire Extinguisher they recommended either the Driver or Passenger footwell for quick access in the event of an emergency.

They clearly didn't appreciate the difficulty of reaching stuff in the passenger footwell from the Drivers side in a Chimaera if you were alone in the car when a fire broke out.

2 self tappers into the surprisingly thin fibre glass floor and job done and I feel a bit better now after the said Fire thread put the bejesus up me.

I've situated it directly under where my knees are.

It is a bloody tangle of wires and wot-nots in that battery compartment so a little piece of mind has been gained.

Pic:

[Zumbruk]

im said:

2 self tappers into the surprisingly thin fibre glass floor and job done

If you are in an accident, that will come adrift and fly around inside the car, causing a considerable hazard.

If you want to mount it there, use bolts and a reinforcing plate under the floor - the floor itself is way too weak, as you rightly point out.

[GreenV8S]

Sideways under the driver's knees is the best location imo. This limits the length of the extinguisher that can be fitted. In order to keep it safe in the event of a collision you need to bolt the mounting frame to the floor with penny washers or a load spreading plate to stop it pulling out (self tappers on their own are nowhere near strong enough) and I'd strongly recommend you use over-centre straps rather than relying on a simple sprung bracket. The ordinary domestic hand held units aren't designed to be stored or used on their side, you will need the fully lined automotive ones (which cost more, unfortunately).