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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - UK Racing regs - Fire extinguishers

Hi can anyone in the know tell me the fire extinguisher requirements for RACMSA National B racing in the UK in a midget? Hand held or Plumbed in ? (i'm hoping hand held!)

thanks

Danny
d cusworth

IIRC it depends on age - Historic I.E. pre-65 is handheld, all later is plumbed in *I think*
David Smith

Mines a '69. Talking to a friend today he thought his was still legal with a hand held. I have a single outlet plumbed in unit, but i think if a plumbed in system is mandatory it has to be engine and driver.

the more i look in the bluebook the more unsure i am!
d cusworth

Iirc, you'll need a 2.25ltr plumbed in system. Not sure on whether the outlets have to be engine/driver. My system is set up engine/fuel tank. Don't recall scrutineers checking nozzle numbers/locations. Strapped into a race seat, I can't imagine a hand held unit would be easily reached.
Steve Collinson

2009 blue book page 278 and para 130 on that page.

Page 62, bottom left upwards.

Page 164, para 55.

Page 171, table 56, ref b

So, what David and Steve said + cockpit and engine compartment. Hi Steve .... Hi to Danny's friend ....

When the scrutineer is nosing around your car under the engine bay and cockpit what are they looking for?




Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

I always thought they were looking for loose change.
John Collinson

Or looking to make sure your paint work is up to scratch.....


Jim Mackie

LMAO!
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Daniel,

So to clarify,

In my '69 Midget I need a 2.25kg AFFF or Zero2000 extinguisher, plumbed in with two outlets one pointing at the weber and one pointing at my legs?

Is my existing single outlet 2.25 AFF no good?

i'm going to race retro tommorrow, so I would like to know what to buy!

Thanks

Danny.
d cusworth

Danny,

The minimum and most likely cheapest requirement is as per the regs - you can go bigger if you want to. The reputable brands are SPA, Lifeline and others (buy British). AFFF is foam and I think Zero 2000 is also foam. I see the regulation I quoted does not mention Zero 360 gas so it appears I've some further research to do.

The big choice is whether to have a cable pull or electronic via a battery. Personally I've never seen the advantage of the electronic and I've seen one fired off in the garage and another in the bay - both unintentionally.

I'd have the underbonnet nozzle pointing in the general direction of the carb. I'd have the cockpit nozzle aimed to spray on the 'crown jewels'.

If your existing extinguisher is handheld I personally don't recommend converting it to cable release though some people do. It's also not always possible to fit tubing for 2 nozzles to a hand held either.

Assuming the condition of your existing extinguisher is good and in date you might be able to sell it on to a competitor whose type of event or age of car is such that hand held is ok. Or keep it for the garage or daily driver.

Finally, don't forget the external pull for the fire X has to be adjacent the external circuit breaker switch/pull and marked with the E sticker. I'd mark the pull as well to prevent you/your assistant/a marshall firing off the bottle when they wanted to cut the power/stop the engine.

I thought there was something else but I've forgotten it.

These are my personal opinions.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Pretty sure I have spare pipe, T piece and nozzles. let me know if it's any use to you.
Steve Collinson

I found the regs on gas systems and a pile of stuff on FIA homologation on page 164.

I also remembered not 1 but 2 things.

If you're going to compete abroad make sure whatever you buy now will be legal their.

Don't forget to remove the pin to a plumbed in system or to arm it if electronic in the assembly area.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

if racing abroad - or to FIA regs in this country - then you need a 4 litre system. Lifeline are mega-efficient for odd bits and pieces.
David Smith

Thanks guys, my system , which is 2nd hand does not have any cable pulls, so after a service, 2 cable pulls & nozzles I may aswell get this :-

http://www.peterlloydrallying.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_58_74&products_id=108

I don't think i will be seeing europe any time soon!

Thanks again for the responses

Danny




d cusworth

you might save a bob or two
http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=1_3&products_id=45
David Smith

This thread was discussed between 11/03/2009 and 13/03/2009

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