Overview - upper refer vent area	Closer look showing heat scorched marks	Close-up of burn damage to wood wall	New heat shield added by MH mfg.	Note air gap between new heat shield and wood wall.

[ Click on pic for larger image ]

Note - These pics came from my '04 MH but based on a dealer/factory survey, this problem did not exist on all models with slide mounted refers.  It only existed on certain floor plan and year models.

If you find ANY HEAT DAMAGE, contact your MH mfg. IMMEDIATELY before you have a fire!

Posted 8-10-07

Fire Safety Reminder

Two MHs burned in Oregon recently. . .

While in Oregon recently attending a RV Rally, not one, but TWO motor homes burned in the same week!  One (pictured above) was in a small town, the fire started in the engine compartment.  The fire department was able to get the fire out, but the coach was heavily damaged. Fortunately everyone got out safely...all TEN people!  A family from California with some neighbor's kids along on vacation. Let's see...how many seat belts does one MH have anyway, duh?

05 Safari Panther

August 2007

What can YOU do to increase your fire safety?  Keep reading on this page.

Updated 8-31-07

Posted 8-08-07

April '05 - Mountainaire

Don't let this happen to You!

Or This. . .

Fire started in engine compartment while driving	Owners got out safely	Rig quickly became totally involved	Propane tank did not explode, but pops off as shown here	Toad could not be saved. Total elapsed time ~1 hour.

August '05 - Tradewinds Motorhome

[Click on pics for a larger image]

Quote from the owner -

Engine Fires can be deadly!

Did you know. . .Antifreeze will burn?

(50/50 Ethylene Glycol & water will burn at 748F)

Consider an Engine Fire Suppression System

Cold Fire Systems Foam Extinguisher - '04 Vectra	3 Heat Plug Nozzles - melt at ~286F	Nozzles aimed by rotating bottle

[ Click on photos for larger image ]

Installation - self installed, comes with mounting plate, straps & screws.

Bottle can be mounted up to 45 deg. from vertical

Newer type extinguisher bottles

For more info...contact Mac 'The Fire Guy' McCoy

McCoy Enterprises, Inc.

581 Lancaster Dr. SE, PMB #17

Salem, Or. 97301

503-559-7623

http://www.macthefireguy.com/

[ Note...I do not have any $ interest in this business or fire extinguishers ]

For details see CAT RV Club Yahoo Group

Starting with message 2103. . .See especially #2107

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/CATRVCLUB/message/2103?threaded=1

Fire Extinguisher Alert!

Upgrade your fire extinguishers today...that small 10BC extinguisher that came in your RV as recommended by the RVIA, is too Small & will NOT PUT OUT a Class A fire!

If you had a cooking fire on the stove involving grease (Class B), your OEM small extinguisher might put the fire out if you get to it very quickly...however, if delayed and the fire spread to your walls, furniture, curtains, etc. (Class A), your OEM extinguisher WILL NOT put out the fire!

The best type extinguisher are the new Foam extinguishers...available from

McCoy Enterprises

or

Home Depot for ~$28

You need at least an A:B:C class extinguisher...available at Home Depot and Lowes building stores as well as Wal-Mart.

Home Depot

Kidde 3A:40BC Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher

~$25

[Note - I do not work for, or have any financial interest in Home Depot]

Emergency Steps for Fire in a Motorhome

1. Get all people & animals out of the vehicle - ASAP (may have only 30 seconds!)

2. Get safe distance away

3. Call 911 - get the FD notified

4. Fight the fire with your extinguishers, IF you feel it is safe to do so

5. Call your insurance company. . .

you can replace your MH, you can't replace people!

911 Emergency Information 

If you had a medical emergency and called 911 on your cell phone...do you know where you are?

In a panic, could you tell the 911 operator your exact location, address and site number?

You need an emergency info form posted in a prominent, easy-to-find location, like on your refrigerator door, etc.

Here is a MS Word.doc & PDF version with a form you can print out or use as an example to make your own.

Click Here - Word doc    Click Here - PDF

Emergency Contact Information

In addition, you should consider carrying a slip of Emergency Contact info in your wallet or purse while you are traveling in your rig or locally in your car. In case of an accident your drivers license will probably be out of state, but your Emergency Contact info will have family names and phone numbers authorities can contact if needed.

Here is a MS Word.doc & PDF version with a form you can print out or use as an example to make your own.

Click Here - Word doc    Click Here - PDF

FIRE

SAFETY BULLETIN

Source - RVAA as reported in MH magazine Sept. 2004