The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Where to put a fire extinguisher?

I just realized that I have one in each of my vintage Moostangs but not in my beloved Chebbie truck. Not that I am expecting it to catch on fire but more of a security that just in case as well as if I drive by someone else who's car is on fire, I'd like to attempt in helping.

Where do you guys and gals have yours mounted?

Under the seat. Easy to grab.

I want to get one of those nice metal clamp-in brackets for a nice small extinguisher and incorporate it in the cab corner area behind the driver. Just have to find a bracket like they used to make.

In the late 60s and early 70s, I'd often visit car/truck junk yards. I recall seeing a few extinguisher mounts attached to the inner side-cowl on the passenger side (often next to a metal-box first aid kit). These would often be in school/service trucks that had no heaters.

Here is a 1954 GMC extinguisher and mounting bracket (on Rob English's website).

The extinguisher bracket/strap (mounting) was not sophisticated - they looked like the least expensive of these.

Yep. What would be really nice is an antique looking extinguisher like that with the metal bracket. The time to spot weld that bracket in is pretty much now before I paint!

Mine is on the passenger side kick panel by the vent.

Mine too.

Mine is on the passenger side kick panel as well. If you check, many car shows do require that every vehicle entered in the show must have an extinguisher in it. The shows that I attend in my area even specify where it should be located, which is on the passenger side kick panel.

Good stuff. Thanks.

On the firewall under the dash. Clearly visible and easy to access.
Check the pressure gauge often.

Since I taint gonna haul a load of sheep, gravel or dirt in the
old gal, I use the corner of the bed. Had them ask at a few
show about an extinguisher and always got the nod with it
outside the cab, besides, I need the legroom inside.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/154196422
DG

I have a Suburban, so mine is inside the double doors on the passenger wall. Cargo area.

The 1941-43 Chevrolet military trucks had the fire extinguisher placed on the passenger side firewall (see link).

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/military/1945_46/4x4cmt002.htm

Later somewhere in 1943, GM moved the fire extinguisher to the center of the firewall.

Passenger side is a good thing. Idea being, when a fire happens, adrenalin starts pumpin' and people get a little excited. If you are on the road, running out to the drivers side, in to traffic, to get the extinguisher might not have favorable results.

Again, thanks for all the ideas. Last night I put it under the seat for now but really like the idea of mounting it on the RH kick panel that covers the vent, as long as the wife doesn't kick it.

I would still rather have it under the seat within my reach than across the cab on the passenger kick panel. Either way though.

I'm curious what shows you are entering that require a fire extinguisher?

I have literally never had a requirement that I have a fire extinguisher in my vintage vehicle to attend a show, and if they told me where it needed to be mounted they would be told where to go, as no show organizer has the right to regulate safety equipment (unless it is a race event).

any show organizer has "the right" to regulate anything they want at an event they put on, particularly if they have insurance

extinguisher requirements would be in keeping with the NSRA safety rules, and the most any time an extinguisher is 'required' it's on the pass kick panel so that other folks jumping to your rescue in an accident know where to find it, before you recover consciousness

Bill

The NSRA inspection is optional, if the owner chooses to.

What I meant was that they don't have the right to tell me that my vehicle needs something that isn't specified by the Transportation Safety Act. Sure, they can say I can't go in the show, and I wouldn't. My truck has all the safety equipment required by the Transportation Safety Act, and even some extras, but it's not the place of a show organizer to tell me what I need and don't need. That's just a personal thing, I guess. I'm not screwing a fire extinguisher to my kick panel just to make some guy with a clipboard happy.

The NSRA Regulations that you linked to also only RECOMMEND an extinguisher in the passenger compartment, AND don't specify a location. I would rather have it much closer to the driver. My fuse panel is in the middle of the truck under the dash. Having something happen while driving would make a passenger side extinguisher useless if I was by myself.

you questioned shows requiring extinguishers, you got an answer, your objections to the procedures don't need justifying, anything is 'optional' unless the particular show says otherwise

I don't carry one myself, but our local shows here suggest folks have an extinguisher, and most vehicles have them - it's common for it to be 'displayed' on the passenger side floor

myself, in the event the electrical under my dash started sparking, I wouldn't be reaching for the extinguisher, I'd have my foot on the brake and be heading for the side of the road

Bill

Nice!

You will not be able to park on the field at a a USA ATHS national show unless you have a fire extinguisher. The ATHS local shows are supposed to have the same RULE but they are often a little lax. They do not tell you where/how it has to be stored/attached.

Oh, they have a right to make any rules for a private show. Get over it.

Some shows require a wheel chock, or provide one. This is odd, your truck could roll in either of two directions. Why not require two wheel chocks.

An explanation would be appreciated. An argument will be ignored.

Made a corporate decision and mounted on the RH kick panel for now. Easy access and wont be kicked by the Mrs.

Fire Ext

The folks that put on shows that require fire extinguishers are looking out you. It is very likely that fires in old, original vehicles have occurred at shows, which shouldn't be shocking to anyone. My knee jerk reaction to that rule at the first show that I went to, was of displeasure. 'Who are they to tell me what to do?' Then I thought about the fire trap that was my truck, and I pulled the fire extinguisher out of my boat and put it in the ole 'rolling tinder box', where it has been ever since.

Looks good, Craig

I have a Harrison heater at that location
And a kids car seat belted in the seat, so under the cushion won't work for me right now.

Locally, it's shows put on by the Illiana Antique Auto Club and Georgetown Junkyard Dogs. Both clubs have the same requirements of having an extinguisher onboard, the IAAC is the one that has a specific location for it. The Lyons Club in Newport, Indiana, also has a similar rule for the Hill Climb, but I believe that only applies to vehicles entered in the hill climb itself and not to show cars. Goodguys and Super Chevy have similar rules for their national shows.

I don't really have an opinion about all this show/noshow crap, but to me.. after running my engine on the engine stand, and watching my roch B for no apparent reason start spewing gas all over the manifold but only every 3 or 4 runs, its just prudent to have an extinguisher handy. I can see myself driving to a show or event and during the drive having this happen. After everything is good and hot. Personally if you are reading this, and you don't have an extinguisher handy, you are really wishing for the best.

This was the sole purpose of this post. I don't care about car show requirements. I care about the rig and others around me, thus why I started this post. My truck is now a proud parent of an Halon extinguisher and loving it.

I didn't intend to cause any sort of major debate over the issue. Only passing along information from my own experiences partly for those who might enter shows, as well as a possible guideline for anyone wanting to put an extinguisher in their vehicle, whether they enter shows or not.
In any case, be it on the passenger side kick panel, under the seat, in the bed, etc, having one onboard is a great idea. Better safe than sorry.

amen brother.

Hadn't really thought about a fire extinguisher, but probably should get one. I'll have to come up with a location though. My RH kick panel already has something else fastened there.

If you have one make sure it is not a dry chemical type. That stuff makes a huge mess and corrodes the heck outa anything. As far as I know it is not allowed for use on anything aircraft.
I'd go with CO2 can you even get the halon?

the best place would be "HANDY" I keep one in the little "pocket" hole area behind/beside the seat. The dry chemical ABC is actually the one you would want to use, they provide at least some reflash protection, whereas the inert gases provide none. For those to work properly the area should be pretty much sealed off to prevent air getting to the fire. Co2 is mostly for electrical fires, and even then doesn't do much until you remove the source of the electrical problem. At which point it becomes a class A fire. I will have to agree the powder makes a mess, but fire doesn't do that much good either. The probably best would be one Co2, and one foam, but if I had to choose one, I would go with an ABC type. I have seen this referred to in the context of car shows, and as long as it is neatly/professionally done, there were to be no points lost. The judges aren't complete idiots.

How 'bout Purple K?

I keep mine under the seat on the '65 and '66 and behind the seat, passenger side on the '59 and '53. At shows they come out and are placed in front of the truck to "hold down" the placard describing the truck - in plain sight. My real reason for placing them in front of the truck is if the clown next to me / by me, hasn't spent the time and money making his ride safe, and it should catch fire someone could put it out before it damages mine.

C'mon we've all been to shows and had to park next questionable works in progress entries........

Interesting reading everyone's thoughts on this.

I'm planning on adding one to my '47 3100. It has a 3-on-the-floor transmission and a parking brake lever so the middle seat area is a bit crowded. The truck is getting a fresh air heater, so the right side kick panel will be crowded as well. I was considering getting an auto bracket and mounting the extinguisher horizontally along the floor attached to the seat box (laying across the cab, not front to rear).

As an alternate, I was thinking about using rare earth magnets to hold it in place, the thoughts being:
1) Sufficient holding force for "Stovebolt Driving", and
2) Easily removable w/o leaving a trace

I'd appreciate feedback on those ideas - many minds are better than one.

Thanks,

Bill

Magnets would worry me for the extinguishers are not light.