Fire Extingushers in the trailer

It is a bad feeling when you find your battery is junk in the lanes, and the charger is at the trailer. It's a horrific feeling when there's a fire, and nothing to fight it with.

We as racers should try to standardize the location of our extinguishers. In the fire department, we told folks to mount them by the door. That way you could get to them as you retreat toward safety. I like my extinguishers (2) 2-1/2 gal. water and (1) 20 lb Dry Chemical mounted on the side door where most folks have there folding counter/oil rack. If you place your mount so that it will slide in resting in the footwell as you close the door it will take the weight off of the door hinge. The best reason for the door mount is "accessibility right now"! Also if there is ever an incident while towing (or parked), as you open the door you are shielded from any fire conditions and as you fold the door back, there they are at the ready! Also I do not lock the trailer doors while in transit. (It's tough to steel anything the way I roll anyway LOL) If you need to get in fast, or get the car out in a hurry there's no time to be fumbling with keys. NOTE: Those pressurized water cans are sweet when removing mud from your baby. (DON'T FORGET TO RECHARGE THAT CAN!)

Fire extinguishers are in four basic categories Class (A) is usually straight water under pressure in a can and used for wood, paper, fabric, grass, etc. Class (B) is a powder and used for flammable liquid fires. Class (C) is Co2 and used for charged electrical fires. Note: you can kill the power and use Class (A). Class (D) is dry powder and used for flammable metals i.e. Magnesium. Some race tracks and Fire Departments will take a water can and fill it with AFFF foam or Purple "K" agent for flammable liquid fires. There are also multi use extinguishers ABC using a powder for your car or home. Halon extinguishers are normally used where there are computers or restaurant setting and leaves very little residue.

Wade Mahaffey