Bluebird Fire

[Pete Masterson]

It's good that they're safe ... I can't imagine the emotional shock of having that happen. Once a serious fire gets going in an RV, even a Blue Bird, there's not a lot that can be done to stop it -- and with up to 300 gallons of diesel and ?? of LP gas on board, the risk is pretty obvious.

I hope that they'll be able to report on the incident with some detail about the cause, if it can be determined, so the rest of us can be educated. There are certain fire risk issues in all RVs ... and I'm sure that Wanderlodges have their share of possibilities. It would be good for us to know what we all might watch out for so we can take appropriate maintenance precautions.

I've seen photos of a couple of wide body coaches that have had exhaust pipe fires -- caused by leaks in the exhaust system that runs up through the roof at the back of the coach. (Once started, the fiberglas end-cap will burn.) From the photos I've seen, the exhaust pipe fires didn't seem to have caused that much physical damage -- but the smoke damage inside the coach is usually very serious -- making a complete gutting and rebuild almost the only repair solution, if it's financially worth doing at all. The hint from those incidents it to carefully inspect the exhaust pipe/muffler for leaks as a regular part of maintenance. 

Another lesson is to ensure that the fire extinguishers on board are regularly inspected, replaced, or recharged. The common dry powder extinguishers eventually settle and compact (helped by the vibration in the coach), so become much less effective after a period of time. Even if unused, it's probably wise to replace them (or, if one of the better models, recharge them) every two or three years. CO2 or halon (or other gas) extinguishers don't have the same problem.

I note that I upgraded my in-coach extinguisher from a 2# model to a 5# model after inspecting the original, 11 year old extinguishers on board. I also replaced the 5# extinguisher located in the front, curb-side basement compartment. Costco had a reasonable price on replacement extinguishers.

I've long had good fire extinguishers in my home -- and I discovered that the 20 year-old extinguishers needed to be (expensively) pressure tested before they could be recharged. So, I simply replaced them -- I hadn't know about the settling/compacting problem until relatively recently. Try to get a model with all-metal valving, etc. Those with plastic parts are more subject to cracking and loss of pressure.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 5, 2008, at 6:47 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:

Me too. I am very happy all are safe. If I can do anything I would be happy to do so.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

sfedeli3 <"sfedeli3@comcast.net"> wrote:

That is so frightening! We just spent a few days crossing AZ, NM and
Texas in a caravan with them last week. What a shame. They had a
beautiful black coach. I hope that it was not the heat tape that Leroy
Eckert has been warning us all about. Glad that they are all OK.

[Steve Pfiffner]

The last 2-3 yearsI have seen several burned RV hulks being towed in, they ALL seemed to have a burned out hole in the side remarkably similar in size and shape to a

Dometic refrigerator!

Steve

BB Wannabee

[Rob Robinson]

Don't forget the Norcold fire fiasco. It left pretty much the same square hole.

On 06/02/2008, <b class="gmail_sendername">Steve Pfiffner[/b] <"madrone1@hughes.net"> wrote:

The last 2-3 yearsI have seen several burned RV hulks being towed in, they ALL seemed to have a burned out hole in the side remarkably similar in size and shape to a

Dometic refrigerator!

Steve

BB Wannabee

--
Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson

94 WLWB

[Kurt Achenbach]

Dear Bob and Dixi,
Sorry to hear about your loosing your coach. Glad you and your pets
are OK. I know there is very litle we can do,but please know that we
would like to offer you to stay in our home in New Hampsire (somewhat
out of the way) until you find a solution. We enjoyed the time we had
in GA and AZ and you both are special people. Anything we can do to
help, please touch base and let us know.

We mean it

Kurt & Lynn Achenbach
602 477 6162






--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rob Robinson"
wrote:
>
> With permission from Bob and Dixie Gradowski I am sad to inform the
> membership that they have lost their Bluebird in a fire. I do not
have any
> specific facts concerning cause but Bob and Dixie say it is
totalled. No one
> was hurt in the fire and they were able to save their two pets and
toad. Bob
> and Dixie are currently on the road heading home to NC and expect
to arrive
> on Thursday. Their email address seems to be non-functional
(bouncing) right
> now so anyone wishing to pass on their thoughts may add them to
this thread.
>
>
> Bob and Dixie we're pulling for you guys and are so glad you're
safe.
>
>
> --
> Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
> 94 WLWB
>

[ronmarabito2002]

Add to that, the fact that, many through the roof exhaust systems had
the wrong kind of tip on them and allowed the rain to get into the
exhaust system. Mine was one of them and the system rusted out
completely. I just totally re-built mine. It isn't a fun job.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> It's good that they're safe ... I can't imagine the emotional shock
> of having that happen. Once a serious fire gets going in an RV, even
> a Blue Bird, there's not a lot that can be done to stop it -- and
> with up to 300 gallons of diesel and ?? of LP gas on board, the risk
> is pretty obvious.
>
> I hope that they'll be able to report on the incident with some
> detail about the cause, if it can be determined, so the rest of us
> can be educated. There are certain fire risk issues in all RVs ...
> and I'm sure that Wanderlodges have their share of possibilities. It
> would be good for us to know what we all might watch out for so we
> can take appropriate maintenance precautions.
>
> I've seen photos of a couple of wide body coaches that have had
> exhaust pipe fires -- caused by leaks in the exhaust system that runs
> up through the roof at the back of the coach. (Once started, the
> fiberglas end-cap will burn.) From the photos I've seen, the exhaust
> pipe fires didn't seem to have caused that much physical damage --
> but the smoke damage inside the coach is usually very serious --
> making a complete gutting and rebuild almost the only repair
> solution, if it's financially worth doing at all. The hint from those
> incidents it to carefully inspect the exhaust pipe/muffler for leaks
> as a regular part of maintenance.
>
> Another lesson is to ensure that the fire extinguishers on board are
> regularly inspected, replaced, or recharged. The common dry powder
> extinguishers eventually settle and compact (helped by the vibration
> in the coach), so become much less effective after a period of time.
> Even if unused, it's probably wise to replace them (or, if one of the
> better models, recharge them) every two or three years. CO2 or halon
> (or other gas) extinguishers don't have the same problem.
>
> I note that I upgraded my in-coach extinguisher from a 2# model to a
> 5# model after inspecting the original, 11 year old extinguishers on
> board. I also replaced the 5# extinguisher located in the front, curb-
> side basement compartment. Costco had a reasonable price on
> replacement extinguishers.
>
> I've long had good fire extinguishers in my home -- and I discovered
> that the 20 year-old extinguishers needed to be (expensively)
> pressure tested before they could be recharged. So, I simply replaced
> them -- I hadn't know about the settling/compacting problem until
> relatively recently. Try to get a model with all-metal valving, etc.
> Those with plastic parts are more subject to cracking and loss of
> pressure.
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>
>
>
> On Feb 5, 2008, at 6:47 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>
> > Me too. I am very happy all are safe. If I can do anything I would
> > be happy to do so.
> > Leroy Eckert
> > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > Dahlonega, GA
> > Royale Conversion
> >
> > sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@...> wrote:
> > That is so frightening! We just spent a few days crossing AZ, NM and
> > Texas in a caravan with them last week. What a shame. They had a
> > beautiful black coach. I hope that it was not the heat tape that Leroy
> > Eckert has been warning us all about. Glad that they are all OK.
> >
>

[Tom McCarthy]

Based on Ron's story told to me at Quartzite, I ordered the new 90
degree exhaust extension this week and it should be on top soon.

Tom McCarthy
Pretty Penny
Poway CA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
> Add to that, the fact that, many through the roof exhaust systems
had
> the wrong kind of tip on them and allowed the rain to get into the
> exhaust system. Mine was one of them and the system rusted out
> completely. I just totally re-built mine. It isn't a fun job.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> wrote:
> >
> > It's good that they're safe ... I can't imagine the emotional
shock
> > of having that happen. Once a serious fire gets going in an RV,
even
> > a Blue Bird, there's not a lot that can be done to stop it --
and
> > with up to 300 gallons of diesel and ?? of LP gas on board, the
risk
> > is pretty obvious.
> >
> > I hope that they'll be able to report on the incident with some
> > detail about the cause, if it can be determined, so the rest of
us
> > can be educated. There are certain fire risk issues in all
RVs ...
> > and I'm sure that Wanderlodges have their share of possibilities.
It
> > would be good for us to know what we all might watch out for so
we
> > can take appropriate maintenance precautions.
> >
> > I've seen photos of a couple of wide body coaches that have had
> > exhaust pipe fires -- caused by leaks in the exhaust system that
runs
> > up through the roof at the back of the coach. (Once started, the
> > fiberglas end-cap will burn.) From the photos I've seen, the
exhaust
> > pipe fires didn't seem to have caused that much physical damage --

> > but the smoke damage inside the coach is usually very serious --
> > making a complete gutting and rebuild almost the only repair
> > solution, if it's financially worth doing at all. The hint from
those
> > incidents it to carefully inspect the exhaust pipe/muffler for
leaks
> > as a regular part of maintenance.
> >
> > Another lesson is to ensure that the fire extinguishers on board
are
> > regularly inspected, replaced, or recharged. The common dry
powder
> > extinguishers eventually settle and compact (helped by the
vibration
> > in the coach), so become much less effective after a period of
time.
> > Even if unused, it's probably wise to replace them (or, if one of
the
> > better models, recharge them) every two or three years. CO2 or
halon
> > (or other gas) extinguishers don't have the same problem.
> >
> > I note that I upgraded my in-coach extinguisher from a 2# model
to a
> > 5# model after inspecting the original, 11 year old extinguishers
on
> > board. I also replaced the 5# extinguisher located in the front,
curb-
> > side basement compartment. Costco had a reasonable price on
> > replacement extinguishers.
> >
> > I've long had good fire extinguishers in my home -- and I
discovered
> > that the 20 year-old extinguishers needed to be (expensively)
> > pressure tested before they could be recharged. So, I simply
replaced
> > them -- I hadn't know about the settling/compacting problem
until
> > relatively recently. Try to get a model with all-metal valving,
etc.
> > Those with plastic parts are more subject to cracking and loss
of
> > pressure.
> >
> > Pete Masterson
> > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > El Sobrante CA
> > aeonix1@
> >
> >
> >
> > On Feb 5, 2008, at 6:47 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
> >
> > > Me too. I am very happy all are safe. If I can do anything I
would
> > > be happy to do so.
> > > Leroy Eckert
> > > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > > Dahlonega, GA
> > > Royale Conversion
> > >
> > > sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@> wrote:
> > > That is so frightening! We just spent a few days crossing AZ,
NM and
> > > Texas in a caravan with them last week. What a shame. They had a
> > > beautiful black coach. I hope that it was not the heat tape
that Leroy
> > > Eckert has been warning us all about. Glad that they are all OK.
> > >
> >
>

[iwander_85pt40]

I posted a few pix of Bob and Dixie's BB on our website:

http://www.southwest-bluebirds.org/2008_...rd_quartz/

Scroll down, and click on the blue "Bob and Dixie Gradowski" title.
Click on the magnifying glass icon to enlarge the sidebar photos.

I'll be uploading the pix from our Flying Flags and 'Q' rallies to the
Flickr site, soon. It will take some time. There are about 900
photos to upload, and I have to take it easy on the HughesNet FAP.

Phil
'iWander' 86PT40
Left Coast
http://www.southwest-bluebirds.org






--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> this is a link to a pic that EmailPhil took of the Gradowski bus two
> years ago in Anaheim rally #1.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/99065229@N0...-bluebirds
>
> this site hold about 800 photos of Soutwest BB rallies Phil and DonB
> posted some good pics there
>
> GregoryO'Connor
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rob Robinson"
> wrote:
> >
> > With permission from Bob and Dixie Gradowski I am sad to inform the
> > membership that they have lost their Bluebird in a fire. I do not
> have any
> > specific facts concerning cause but Bob and Dixie say it is
> totalled. No one
> > was hurt in the fire and they were able to save their two pets and
> toad. Bob
> > and Dixie are currently on the road heading home to NC and expect
> to arrive
> > on Thursday. Their email address seems to be non-functional
> (bouncing) right
> > now so anyone wishing to pass on their thoughts may add them to
> this thread.
> >
> >
> > Bob and Dixie we're pulling for you guys and are so glad you're
> safe.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
> > 94 WLWB
> >
>

[Pete Masterson]

Where did you order it from? (As I look out the window and notice that my exhaust pipe is sitting there ready to fill up with rain water.)

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 6, 2008, at 10:10 PM, Tom McCarthy wrote:

Based on Ron's story told to me at Quartzite, I ordered the new 90 

degree exhaust extension this week and it should be on top soon.

Tom McCarthy

Pretty Penny

Poway CA

[ronmarabito2002]

Good move Tom, but make sure you check all the pipes carefully. The
bellows is not a problem because it is stainless steel. When you
remove the top tip, shine a light down into the muffler and see if you
have any guts left. They are probably the first to go

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Tom McCarthy"
wrote:
>
> Based on Ron's story told to me at Quartzite, I ordered the new 90
> degree exhaust extension this week and it should be on top soon.
>
> Tom McCarthy
> Pretty Penny
> Poway CA
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
> wrote:
> >
> > Add to that, the fact that, many through the roof exhaust systems
> had
> > the wrong kind of tip on them and allowed the rain to get into the
> > exhaust system. Mine was one of them and the system rusted out
> > completely. I just totally re-built mine. It isn't a fun job.
> >
> > R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > It's good that they're safe ... I can't imagine the emotional
> shock
> > > of having that happen. Once a serious fire gets going in an RV,
> even
> > > a Blue Bird, there's not a lot that can be done to stop it --
> and
> > > with up to 300 gallons of diesel and ?? of LP gas on board, the
> risk
> > > is pretty obvious.
> > >
> > > I hope that they'll be able to report on the incident with some
> > > detail about the cause, if it can be determined, so the rest of
> us
> > > can be educated. There are certain fire risk issues in all
> RVs ...
> > > and I'm sure that Wanderlodges have their share of possibilities.
> It
> > > would be good for us to know what we all might watch out for so
> we
> > > can take appropriate maintenance precautions.
> > >
> > > I've seen photos of a couple of wide body coaches that have had
> > > exhaust pipe fires -- caused by leaks in the exhaust system that
> runs
> > > up through the roof at the back of the coach. (Once started, the
> > > fiberglas end-cap will burn.) From the photos I've seen, the
> exhaust
> > > pipe fires didn't seem to have caused that much physical damage --
>
> > > but the smoke damage inside the coach is usually very serious --
> > > making a complete gutting and rebuild almost the only repair
> > > solution, if it's financially worth doing at all. The hint from
> those
> > > incidents it to carefully inspect the exhaust pipe/muffler for
> leaks
> > > as a regular part of maintenance.
> > >
> > > Another lesson is to ensure that the fire extinguishers on board
> are
> > > regularly inspected, replaced, or recharged. The common dry
> powder
> > > extinguishers eventually settle and compact (helped by the
> vibration
> > > in the coach), so become much less effective after a period of
> time.
> > > Even if unused, it's probably wise to replace them (or, if one of
> the
> > > better models, recharge them) every two or three years. CO2 or
> halon
> > > (or other gas) extinguishers don't have the same problem.
> > >
> > > I note that I upgraded my in-coach extinguisher from a 2# model
> to a
> > > 5# model after inspecting the original, 11 year old extinguishers
> on
> > > board. I also replaced the 5# extinguisher located in the front,
> curb-
> > > side basement compartment. Costco had a reasonable price on
> > > replacement extinguishers.
> > >
> > > I've long had good fire extinguishers in my home -- and I
> discovered
> > > that the 20 year-old extinguishers needed to be (expensively)
> > > pressure tested before they could be recharged. So, I simply
> replaced
> > > them -- I hadn't know about the settling/compacting problem
> until
> > > relatively recently. Try to get a model with all-metal valving,
> etc.
> > > Those with plastic parts are more subject to cracking and loss
> of
> > > pressure.
> > >
> > > Pete Masterson
> > > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > > El Sobrante CA
> > > aeonix1@
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Feb 5, 2008, at 6:47 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
> > >
> > > > Me too. I am very happy all are safe. If I can do anything I
> would
> > > > be happy to do so.
> > > > Leroy Eckert
> > > > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > > > Dahlonega, GA
> > > > Royale Conversion
> > > >
> > > > sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@> wrote:
> > > > That is so frightening! We just spent a few days crossing AZ,
> NM and
> > > > Texas in a caravan with them last week. What a shame. They had a
> > > > beautiful black coach. I hope that it was not the heat tape
> that Leroy
> > > > Eckert has been warning us all about. Glad that they are all OK.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[Rob Robinson]

Pete I have the short pipe and use a plastic bucket with the bottom cut out. I put the bucket up there with my wash pole and a short paint roller screwed on the end. The bucket has the bottom cut out and has a handle that lets me put it up and take it down easily. If you forget it no worries. Engine just blows if off.

On 07/02/2008, <b class="gmail_sendername">Pete Masterson[/b] <"aeonix1@mac.com"> wrote:

Where did you order it from? (As I look out the window and notice that my exhaust pipe is sitting there ready to fill up with rain water.)

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 6, 2008, at 10:10 PM, Tom McCarthy wrote:

Based on Ron's story told to me at Quartzite, I ordered the new 90

degree exhaust extension this week and it should be on top soon.

Tom McCarthy

Pretty Penny

Poway CA

--
Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson

94 WLWB