Fire suppression in racing should be considered as being in layers of coverage and protection. The two most basic approaches involve the use of hand-held extinguishers and larger, vehicle-based systems.
I must confess, I have a prejudice toward water-based extinguishing agents. While it is the only water additive I have used recently, I have developed a great deal of confidence in Cold Fire. Mixed in various ratios with tap water, it dramatically increases water's ability to absorb heat and when dispersed on a fuel spill, it chemically interferes with the fuels ability to burn. I think that water-based agents decrease contamination, prevent re-ignition by removing heat sources, and in cases where the driver is actually involved in the fire, it can reduce burn injuries by using the agent to pull heat out of their uniform/clothing. I personally know of a driver who incurred additonal burns from rescuers unavoidable pressing his hot firesuit and FR underwear against his skin while removing him from his car...water would likely reduce if not eliminate that type injury. Water based agents also improve visibility and breathability...if you have been involved in discharging dry chemical, you know what I am talking about! I can not imagine using dry chem in a cockpit around a driver who likely is hypoxic and scared...I like breathing...breathing dry chemical is bad...been there, done that.
Whether your hand-helds are dry chemical or water-based, they are the backbone of your attack. Having hand-helds deployed around the track in non-vehicle responses can dramatically decrease response time to incidents. Getting folks to the scene quickly and, of course, safely, is huge. Decreasing the time from first ignition to first agent generally decreases the issues getting it extinguished. The longer it burns, the hotter it gets, the harder it is to get it out.
We need to also focus on training for responders with hand-held bottles. I believe there is no replacing live fire training. It does not need to be a conflagration...and it does need to use appropriate safety measures throughout. Annual skill training and periodic refreshers go a long way to make every bit of effort and resources meaningful.
The second layer of suppression, and I actually consider it as secondary, it a vehicle-based suppression system. This system is your "trump card"...what you go to when it gets tough. It does not mean that you do not think of deploying your "big gun" until it is beyond hope. On the contrary, I am a firm believer in pulling the hand line from your vehicle-based system any time you arrive at a crash scene and the driver is not out of the car or is not making his/her way out of the car. It is much easier to re-roll a line than to explain how a driver was endangered while you have a great fire system unused on your truck.
What should that vehicle-based system consist of...an interesting question...and one to be considered in another column. Any feedback you have on vehicle-based fire systems would be appreciated. Either leave it here or email to: racesafe@gmail.com.
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