CD-36 Engine Compartment Volume?

[Ken Coit]

I am in the process of updating and upgrading the automatic fire extinguisher system on Parfait from Halon (obsolete and bad for the ozone layer) to either FM-200 or FE-241 extinguishant. Has anyone measured the volume of the CD-36 engine compartment? I am guessing about 100 cubic feet, but that is a rough guess at best.

I understand that FM-200 is somewhat more expensive but less toxic to human beings than FE-241 and approved for use around the world. FE-241 is approved for use in the US; is it safe to use in this application?

I also understand that an automatic engine shutoff is necessary in a diesel installation as the engine will not die when the automatic extinguisher discharges; instead it will simply remove the FM-200 or FE-241 from the compartment before it can extinguish a fire. Does anyone know how these work? Is it an automatic fuel valve?

Thanks,

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC



parfait@nc.rr.com

[Ken Coit]

Following up on my own question, the CD-36 engine compartment measurements are about 2.5 ft wide by 3 ft. high by 7.5 ft. long. That is a volume of 56.25 cubic ft. Of course, the comparment tapers severely, so the actual volume is quite a bit less. Parfait's Fireboy Halon 1301 sytem is sized at 35 cubic ft. which is probably about right.

I will be working with the Fireboy people to see how we can upgrade the system to a modern extinguishant, probably with a manual actuator and with an automatic engine shut down. I will post what I find.

Fair winds,

Ken Coit

I am in the process of updating and upgrading the automatic fire extinguisher system on Parfait from Halon (obsolete and bad for the ozone layer) to either FM-200 or FE-241 extinguishant. Has anyone measured the volume of the CD-36 engine compartment? I am guessing about 100 cubic feet, but that is a rough guess at best.

I understand that FM-200 is somewhat more expensive but less toxic to human beings than FE-241 and approved for use around the world. FE-241 is approved for use in the US; is it safe to use in this application?

I also understand that an automatic engine shutoff is necessary in a diesel installation as the engine will not die when the automatic extinguisher discharges; instead it will simply remove the FM-200 or FE-241 from the compartment before it can extinguish a fire. Does anyone know how these work? Is it an automatic fuel valve?

Thanks,

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

parfait@nc.rr.com