The Rain Light & MSA Rant Thread

[Al Weyman]

Also with the halogen thing, is it not a fact now despite doing away with aerosols (always thought that was crap) and CFC's it has had absolutely no effect on the hole in the Ozone layer that apparently is now believed to contract and expand at various times all on its own.

[GORDON STREETER]

Al ,the extinguishers should only need refilling (unless they are old Halon ones) Ask your guy that does your workshop extinguishers if he can help.
I assume you have some at work ? The chap that does mine funnily enough has an old Halon one hanging up in his premises and said he wouldn't hesitate to use it if he had to because they were/are the best to nip a fire in the bud without a hell of a mess afterwards. He's only had 40 years experience so he wouldn't know anything would he !!!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Because the label says its out end of 2007 (purchased 2005), tell me I have that wrong as well (please) as I am all ears.

You are wrong all ears. Your extinguisher only needs to be refilled if the pressure gauge is in the red. The dates are only used for FIA events not MSA National events in the UK. Mine is 3 years since the last refill and I haven't had any problems apart from going to Spa this year when I borrowed a mates extinguisher that had been recharged last year.

[JimW]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Quote:
As for the stretch thing,Schroth do some belts with a strip sown on to show if they have been stretched.

What an excellent idea. Now if that was introduced instead of just lifeing them I would whole heartedly support it.

Al, you are confusing two different things. The indicator strip is intended to show if a belt has been stretched in a shunt (and hence the belt has done its job and is now scrap).

The lifelng of the belts is to take them out of service before age weakens them beyond a certain point. (Like most of us. )

Regards

Jim

[GORDON STREETER]

I meant to say that it is mandatory to use Halon extinguishers in the aircraft industry (all airliners) and I believe different government dept, armed forces etc. Anybody would think that we are setting our car ones off every day.
I think I'll get out of bed the normal side tomorrow !!!!

[scrutineer]

Al, your belts will not snap, the only thing that will snap is your neck!!!! The point is when they have stretched they have done the job and should you have a shunt again they will not stretch (or snap) and that is the problem.
As for the fire bottles can you point to the reg that says you must change them? Or is this a new one that they havent sent to us yet, or maybe we are just doing a bit of MSA bashing
I have to agree that I would prefer haylon and yes they are permitted in certain applications (aerospace, certain offices etc) but these have special permission and the government (thats those that you vote for not the MSA).

[scrutineer]

And out of interest I know there are a few MOT people on here as well as mechanics. When a new car has a shunt and is repaired do they not need to change (or recharge) the airbag and replace the seat belt pretensioners?

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by scrutineer

And out of interest I know there are a few MOT people on here as well as mechanics. When a new car has a shunt and is repaired do they not need to change (or recharge) the airbag and replace the seat belt pretensioners?

I suppose you would only need to replace the airbags if they have gone off. If the seat belt pretensioners have been activated they don't need to be replaced for the MOT, just advise the customer, although if I was claiming on insurance I would want the pretensioners replaced if needed.

[scrutineer]

Originally Posted by falcemob

I suppose you would only need to replace the airbags if they have gone off. If the seat belt pretensioners have been activated they don't need to be replaced for the MOT, just advise the customer.

You mean a bit like the MSA are doing although as I understand there are pyrotechnic pretensioners which I would guess need replacing as they only work once. I did mean that the airbag had gone off

[Al Weyman]

All Ears is reading it all wrong then which is good news as no change of extinguishers required!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by scrutineer

You mean a bit like the MSA are doing although as I understand there are pyrotechnic pretensioners which I would guess need replacing as they only work once. I did mean that the airbag had gone off

All pretensioners would only work once afaik.

[GORDON STREETER]

Airbags dont come into the MOT (yet) and a car will pass with an airbag light on. As there isn't a foolproof way of checking pre-tensioners in an MOT they are not included.

[eclectic]

I race two different road going cars in the VSCC, both are Edwardian, I also use them on the road, a permanently wired in light would be wholly inappropriate, does anyone know if there is a self contained unit with an internal battery, I can just clip on that I can use?

At present I run with my brake lights on full time, but then no one knows when I brake, perhaps that is a good bit of psycological warfare, but probably less safe!

[GORDON STREETER]

You obviously know that you can get a "Daylight MOT) . Pusbike lights are stand alone

[paddy]

Halon extinguishers are great in confined spaces and don't make a mess. However they aren't great for the environment and not good for anyone inhaling them after they are operated. In the Fire service we would always use breathing apparatus with them.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

You obviously know that you can get a "Daylight MOT) . Pusbike lights are stand alone

Are we all supposed to be fitting FIA approved led rain lights for next season?

[Simon S]

Originally Posted by paddy

Halon extinguishers are great in confined spaces and don't make a mess. However they aren't great for the environment and not good for anyone inhaling them after they are operated. In the Fire service we would always use breathing apparatus with them.

sorry?

Halon is non-toxic.

and yes, I have been in a few confined spaces when Halon has been released (Data centres are the like).

only issue with Halon is if you displace enough air such that there is none left to breath.

Halon is effective at 2-3% (by volume), and is about the most effective fire supressent out there, by far... If you have ever seen it in operation, nothing else comes close.

Maybe you would like us all to go back to CO2? (you know, when you blanket filled rooms with it and tough if you were still in there)....

[bdwoody]

i was told once that when halon is heated as in a fire it turned into a toxic gas (phosgene i think it was) and that is one of the reasons it was banned but i may be wrong!!but agreed damn good at putting out fires..

[GORDON STREETER]

As I stated earlier,Halon extinguishers are mandatory for airliners !
And I would think that can be classed as a confined space !!!!!!
I think it was the ozone issue that got it banned for normal use.

[EdLeake]

It was banned for industrial and commercial use because of it's damaging effect on the environment, but as stated is/was excellent and stomping out fire!

[JimW]

But beware of breathing any of the fumes produced when Halon is used on a fire and gets hot. The decomposition products are very nasty. Almost as nasty as the gases produced when you burn most plastics.

Regards

Jim

[EdLeake]

...or eat dried prunes.

[GORDON STREETER]

I suppose its a catch 22 situation, if the toxic fumes of a burning interior of an airliner or road car don't get you the Halon will.
I know from experience that the old Halon jobs were pretty instant if you were quick of the mark, so in effect you only used very little.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by falcemob

Are we all supposed to be fitting FIA approved led rain lights for next season?

no..

[mexicanow]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Anyone seen Motorsports Now which dropped through the letter box? Page 45, new rule, FIA rain light mandatory w.e.f. 1/1/08. Another tax on competing.

Cheapest I can find is made by Lifeline and it costs £84.95 + VAT - one hundred quid for a freakin light?????????

It's also pug ugly. It'll look awful on an historic car.

Why the change? Was there a problem with the old rule?

Still, on the bright side I'm a Lifeline stockist On the basis that virtually every competition car in the country will have to change, hope they've got good stocks.

Midgetman, one hundred quid for a freakin light?????????

discover the art of google ! I found this one, and this isn't one hundred quid !! Rain lights