John's message has triggered a prior question I've had...  What is the best
type of on board fire extinguisher?

My limited understanding is that Halon (and/or Halon substitutes) work by
absorbing/consuming oxygen - which makes them effective at extinguishing
fires.  However, it seems perhaps that isn't something that I'd want to
trigger when I'm still in the (sealed) cabin (since I need the O2 as well).

Thoughts/comments???

Rick,

 

This may not be appropriate for pressurized aircraft, but....... I carry a small halon extinguisher in the cockpit mounted on the longeron behind the passenger seat and easily reachable with my right hand.  It sits right next to the carbon monoxide detector.  Halon was chosen for two reasons:

 

1. I was familiar with its use in computer rooms as being not overly toxic to occupants and non damaging to electrical components.

2. There is no other method that could be used in a cockpit that is effective or safe - especially without wearing a smoke hood.

3. The air is rapidly changed in my unpressurized cockpit so there are no long term concerns if the fire is actually extinguished quickly.

4. The only cockpit fire I am worried about is electrical.  These are easily managed by shutting off components and dousing any fire in progress - once.

5. I can't put an engine fire out with a cockpit extinguisher - Some risks are always present.

 

Uh, OK, there were more than two reasons.

 

Do not consider an ABC extinguisher.  Don't have one in your hangar either.  The penetrating residue is corrosive to aluminum and electrical components and cannot be completely cleaned up.  You should have water (A) and a BC extinguisher available in your hangar since the chemical used in the ABC extinguisher is not used in the BC extinguisher. 

 

One of the advantages of demand pulse O2 systems (I.E. MH), especially O2 supplied thru a mask, is that they are not releasing extra O2 into the cockpit to assist the burn.

 

In any event, read: