Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-16-2012, 12:26 PM   #1
Bus Crazy
 
browncrown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1,013
Year: 1976
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 6-71 Mid-Ship Mounted
Rated Cap: 79 at Birth
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Quote:
Originally Posted by richlindquist
I know we have metal instead of plywood and fiberglass but I have to wonder, as we put more and more carpet, cabinets and bedding in our Skoolies, are we risking fires similar to this? Pay attention to when the propane tanks vent.
This is an excellent point to remember. I have a great deal of wood in the interior of my skoolie and the threat of a fire is always on my mind. It is easy to forget something on the stove. This is why I did not close up or remove my emergency exits...I want people and my dogs and cat to get out in either the front or rear if something should happen. Hope it dosen't, but you need to have a Plan B. I also have two extinguishers, one in the front and one in the back. They may buy a few extra minutes to get out and save a life.

__________________
BC
My Conversion Thread: https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3065
browncrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2012, 11:14 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
syke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: from: Prescott, AZ currently: Denver, CO
Posts: 469
Year: 1992
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: All American RE
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Quote:
Originally Posted by browncrown
Quote:
Originally Posted by richlindquist
I know we have metal instead of plywood and fiberglass but I have to wonder, as we put more and more carpet, cabinets and bedding in our Skoolies, are we risking fires similar to this? Pay attention to when the propane tanks vent.
This is an excellent point to remember. I have a great deal of wood in the interior of my skoolie and the threat of a fire is always on my mind. It is easy to forget something on the stove. This is why I did not close up or remove my emergency exits...I want people and my dogs and cat to get out in either the front or rear if something should happen. Hope it dosen't, but you need to have a Plan B. I also have two extinguishers, one in the front and one in the back. They may buy a few extra minutes to get out and save a life.
I second this!

If at all possible, keep the emergency exits operational. And to the original point...yes, our skoolies are very flammable. Sure maybe the exterior won't melt down but the inside will be toast. Be careful!
__________________
Ryan
Bluebird All American RE: Great White Buffalo (gone but not forgotten)
Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10065
syke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2012, 05:53 AM   #3
Bus Nut
 
bapos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cleburne TX
Posts: 692
Year: 2001
Chassis: International Amtran RE
Engine: DT466E/MD3060
Rated Cap: 78
Re: Skoolies on fire!

I suggest this get a sticky up top. You can not be too safe. Good info there.
bapos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2012, 03:41 PM   #4
Almost There
 
usmcbay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 98
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas MVP
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Great Topic... I just reconsidered some plans I had and will include Fire Extinguishers as part of it. I have kept the Exits open for this reason.

Thanks for making me consider it.
__________________
Here's my Bus Conversion...

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12202
usmcbay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2012, 05:03 PM   #5
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 147
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TE2000 FE
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: Skoolies on fire!

I have bought several of these for hiden areas. Used them on my houseboat and they saved my life when the fuel caught fire.

http://rvcoolingunit.com/SS-30-Halon...-P1873256.aspx
Chuck
cschlessman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2012, 06:47 PM   #6
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Skoolies on fire!

At a recent race (ecors) I was there as a rig caught on fire after a hard roll(trans fluid on header)as we ran up (two folks helping driver out) I went to grab ext. Mounted on back of cage pass side...I pulled the obviuos release pin(studied mount as I was running)...ext wouldn't release...WTF?.....I pulled twice when driver said "its zip tie'd underneath"...I whipped out my knife and cut it off.
He was afraid of "losing" the xt. So he made sure it couldn't "fall" off
So make sure they are visible and easily regonised as releasable with a simple pin pull...I still have to mountmine securly.....I'm using factory plastic mounte which suck azz....atleast I have them.
So make sure you have them and know how to usethem to get out safe.....in the event of a fire*** the ride as long as everyone gets out and is safe
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2012, 07:03 PM   #7
Moderator
 
crazycal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Quote:
Originally Posted by cschlessman
I have bought several of these for hiden areas. Used them on my houseboat and they saved my life when the fuel caught fire.

http://rvcoolingunit.com/SS-30-Halon...-P1873256.aspx
Chuck

I thought halon was banned. Having a system that you could just pull the pin as you exiting he bus would be a good idea.
__________________
I'm hungry!

You Gotta Let Me Fly
crazycal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2012, 08:16 PM   #8
Moderator
 
crazycal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Quote:
Originally Posted by richlindquist
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycal
Quote:
Originally Posted by cschlessman
I have bought several of these for hiden areas. Used them on my houseboat and they saved my life when the fuel caught fire.

http://rvcoolingunit.com/SS-30-Halon...-P1873256.aspx
Chuck

I thought halon was banned. Having a system that you could just pull the pin as you exiting he bus would be a good idea.
Automatic is nice. Fire could occur in an accident that temporarily disables you or others. I would hate to need to reach a switch that is at one door while I am having to exit through another door due to a collision or roll.

Rich
True.
__________________
I'm hungry!

You Gotta Let Me Fly
crazycal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2012, 08:54 PM   #9
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 147
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TE2000 FE
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: Skoolies on fire!

only production of new halon sources was banned recycled halon is still legal for right now. But you all know the EPA given time they will ban everything to do with halon.Some where I red about critical use or something like that. As far as I'm concerned halon saved my life. There are substitutes for it a little research should find the systems used to replace halon.

Be safe
Chuck
cschlessman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2012, 02:04 PM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
Stuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,485
Re: Skoolies on fire!

that halon extinguisher would be awesome for compartments. like gen set, batteries, etc that is out of sight!
Stuff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2012, 08:42 PM   #11
Bus Crazy
 
browncrown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1,013
Year: 1976
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 6-71 Mid-Ship Mounted
Rated Cap: 79 at Birth
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
So make sure you have them and know how to usethem to get out safe.....in the event of a fire*** the ride as long as everyone gets out and is safe
That's it in a nutshell bansil!
__________________
BC
My Conversion Thread: https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3065
browncrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2012, 12:18 AM   #12
Skoolie
 
freakn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Southeast British Columbia
Posts: 106
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Talk to guys in the fire suppression business. The kind that do installations in kitchens, buildings, offroad equipment etc. They should be able to fix you up with an on board fire suppression system. There are various detections systems out there. I am gathering pieces for my bus all the time. I have the back half of my fridge sealed off from the interior and will have a dry chem nozzle there. Also planning to have a seperate system to cover my engine and trans area. Not hard to set up. Best part is the system will activate before you even realize you have a fire. System can use thermal sensors or infrared sensors that actually see the fire or a combination of the two. these systems can be set up to shut off your propane when they activate and/or shutdown your engine etc. Check out some of the bus yards, Ive seen suppression systems on city buses. Im installing it as I go, once my conversion is done, you wont know that there is a system in place. An offroad system would likely make the most sense for a bus, using its own battery power it is toally stand alone from everything else in your bus. By offroad, I mean the type of equipment used offroad like loaders, haul trucks, excavators etc.
__________________
Living the dream in the Kootenays
freakn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2012, 05:40 AM   #13
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 1,009
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Ward Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/MT643
Rated Cap: 77
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
At a recent race (ecors) I was there as a rig caught on fire after a hard roll(trans fluid on header)as we ran up (two folks helping driver out) I went to grab ext. Mounted on back of cage pass side...I pulled the obviuos release pin(studied mount as I was running)...ext wouldn't release...WTF?.....I pulled twice when driver said "its zip tie'd underneath"...I whipped out my knife and cut it off.
He was afraid of "losing" the xt. So he made sure it couldn't "fall" off
So make sure they are visible and easily regonised as releasable with a simple pin pull...I still have to mountmine securly.....I'm using factory plastic mounte which suck azz....atleast I have them.
So make sure you have them and know how to usethem to get out safe.....in the event of a fire*** the ride as long as everyone gets out and is safe
When securing an extinguisher to a rollcage, I did so by using the stock holder...it tended to fall off when bumped (which was basically every time I loaded stuff into the damn car), so I glued a decent-sized magnet to the extinguisher. No more falling off, and releases with a simple pull.
__________________
Jarlaxle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optimism is a mental disorder.
Jarlaxle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2012, 09:24 PM   #14
Bus Nut
 
Skunky Bus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Huron, South Dakota
Posts: 422
Year: 1976
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: Dodge S-600
Engine: 360 V8
Rated Cap: 66
Re: Skoolies on fire!

Quote:
Originally Posted by richlindquist
...
Skoolie on fire.. all kids safe.http://youtu.be/iMR0hNkrSTg...
I know we have metal instead of plywood and fiberglass but I have to wonder, as we put more and more carpet, cabinets and bedding in our Skoolies, are we risking fires similar to this? Pay attention to when the propane tanks vent.

Please share your fire and/or crash preparation and exit plans. On your side and in flames is not the time to start thinking about it.

Rich
Check out this ABC News video about certain Thomas/Freightliner school buses. The "skoolie on fire...all kids safe" YouTube video is one of the buses in question. The fires originate in the electrical system.

My gf doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting through the emergency exit bathroom (rear) window of my Winnie Class C. Because of the layout, an unlikely place to get trapped, but still possible. Since skoolies already have a usable door back there, one might as well keep it, as others here have already mentioned in this topic. That door probably saved lives in the above video.
__________________
Any action for which there is no logical explanation will be deemed "company policy."
- Akvol's Second Law of the Corporation
Skunky Bus is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
So I set my first bus on fire Stuff Conversion General Discussions 0 08-09-2011 10:23 AM
Bus taken by fire Wheelchairdude94 Short-Bus Conversion Projects 10 08-01-2011 10:05 PM
Fire Bus GreyEagle Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 4 05-27-2011 01:06 PM
RV Fire from propane tank lapeer20m Conversion General Discussions 2 02-03-2008 08:54 PM
Engine fire at tailgate Steve Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 6 09-14-2007 10:19 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.