Again I’ve come up against a wall with my plumbed-in fire extinguisher system!! It’s an RRS Ecofire 4.25 litre system with only 4 nozzles (2 cockpit, 2 engine). Installed in 2015 it was never serviced every two years as recommended. It has missed 2 services so would not be generally considered suitable for servicing. A service would have cost £110.
However it’s technically a new build having never officially raced, so I will err on the safe side and get the new standard. I also want to relocate it from the front footwell into the rear footwell as I’ll have a passenger seat fitted for track days. The difference in cost is £154 for the new system compared to having the old one serviced. A small price to pay considering the safety aspects with doubling the nozzles. Ive settled on the Lifeline Firemarshal Mechanical 4.0 Ltr Steel Bottle Fire Extinguisher Kit from Demon Tweeks at £264. Also Lifeline are a UK company based in Coventry so it helps that they have lots of local servicing outlets. It’s technical list No 16 compliant.
Motorsport Regulation Changes TB20
TB041 – FIA TL 16 – Kit Content and Spares REV 1 – 31-10-2017
Installation Guide REV 1 – 13-10-2017
Here’s the rules:
The blue book states:
“Fire Extinguishers
Existing vehicles competing prior to 1st January 2019
may comply with the following until 1st January 2022. New build vehicles from 1st January 2019 must comply with Appendix 3.”
And Appendix 3 states:
“Appendix 3
Recommended for all vehicles. Mandatory for new build vehicles from 1st January 2019 and all vehicles from 1st January 2022.
3.1. Plumbed-In Fire Extinguisher Systems
3.1.1. Where a plumbed-in fire extinguisher system is required the vehicle must be equipped with an extinguishing system in compliance with FIA Standard for plumbed-in Fire Extinguisher Systems in Competition Cars (1999) or with FIA Standard 8865- 2015.
The system must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and with FIA Technical Lists n°16 or n°52.”