New Fire Extinguisher Regs
- Thread starter kloudie1
- Start date
Yes - just went through all the fire extinguishers on my boat and have ordered new ones. Mine were all 13 years old and although they'd been serviced and had valid stickers, they no longer qualify under the new coast guard regs. So my house now has great fire protection!
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,406
jviss... It looks like you need two 5B extinguishers at a minimum. If code dated New in 2017 you meet the 12 year date.
I think you qualify within this vessel minimum requirement.
175.320 Fire extinguishing equipment required.
(a) Recreational vessels 65 feet or less in length. (1) A recreational vessel 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 1 to § 175.320(a)(1). A vessel less than 26 feet in length, propelled by an outboard motor, is not required to carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the vessel will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.
I think you qualify within this vessel minimum requirement.
For boats 26 feet or greater, however, having one “10-B” aboard does not equal two 5-Bs. Only a “20-B” classification meets the requirement to carry two “5-B” extinguishers. For a look at how many and what type of fire extinguishers are needed aboard all recreational boats up to 65 feet
175.320 Fire extinguishing equipment required.
(a) Recreational vessels 65 feet or less in length. (1) A recreational vessel 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 1 to § 175.320(a)(1). A vessel less than 26 feet in length, propelled by an outboard motor, is not required to carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the vessel will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.
Good post. I did not know this, because it is new. But I replace them more often that that anyway.
I wonder if the massive recall pushed this.
I wonder if the massive recall pushed this.
Good article. I actually ordered new extinguishers for the boat back in December. The old ones will stay on the boat as back ups for now. The gauges are still on green but I had lost track of their age. I like that the new ones have the year of manufacture stamped on the bottom.
Additionally, when I was on line doing that, I came across these stick-on compact automatic extinguishers that leave no harmful residue and ordered three of them: one for the engine compartment, one for behind the electrical panel and one for the battery bank locker. I fear electrical fires more than engine fires because electrical fires can happen anytime. These give me sort of a budget automatic fire suppression system. Hopefully never need them, but they‘ll add a level of comfort. My insurance company likes them. They knocked a few bucks off my premium. Just had to send them the receipt and photos of the installed units.
Additionally, when I was on line doing that, I came across these stick-on compact automatic extinguishers that leave no harmful residue and ordered three of them: one for the engine compartment, one for behind the electrical panel and one for the battery bank locker. I fear electrical fires more than engine fires because electrical fires can happen anytime. These give me sort of a budget automatic fire suppression system. Hopefully never need them, but they‘ll add a level of comfort. My insurance company likes them. They knocked a few bucks off my premium. Just had to send them the receipt and photos of the installed units.
If it's diesel, unless it's pressurized/atomized, it's not going to ignite. Just saying.
Where do you keep your fire extinguishers? I have one in the closet of each cabin, one under the nav seat for fighting a galley fire, and one in the lazarette in case I need one while on deck. The nav station one is a 1.5 lb. unit, the others are 5 lb. I didn't mount the brackets, and didn't placard the locations, but I might someday. I just don't want to put signs and labels on that nice, teak interior.
Old extinguishers will stay where they are; in the aft lazarette and in the galley. New will be on brackets under the nav station and forward either in the v-berth or the head. I am not aware of any coast guard requirement for fire extinguisher placards, only for trash and engine oil. Is that something new or just for extinguishers that are stored out of sight. I also would really hate to put placards on my teak.
No, no regulation, just my concern that if I wasn't on the boat, or had guests, or I was incapacitated, that no one would be able to find the extinguishers.
On my Catalina 36 I had nice labels and little plaques for where the life vests, extinguishers, and flares were located.
Maybe I'll have some nice, engraved brass plaques made.
I’m curious as to whether there’s any testing of whether fine mist extinguishers are safe for electronics in high salt environments like boats. As I understand it the mist is deionozed water, which makes it non-conductive and so less likely to short electronics. But if the electronics are already contaminated with years of marine air salt does that negate the benefits of the deionized water, or does the fine mist just vaporize quickly enough to not settle on the components anyway? The National Fire Protection Association says “Typical applications include operating rooms, museums, and book collections”. Obviously that’s not a comprehensive list, but those are pretty different environments from a boat.
Forward cabin, under the chart table (within reach of the galley and engine compartment), aft cabin, and aft lazarette. Hopefully that gives enough options to find an accessible one quickly enough.
I looked into fire extinguishers that won't damage electronics, but they were so much more expensive that I figure I will just use my insurance to replace electronics after a fire. Getting the fire out is important; saving the electronics, which might need cleaning anyway, not so much.
flame and smoke go up, fresh air might be found down low. prolly on your hands and knees just to breath. mount all extinguishers down low, out in the open where all can see.
hidden away safety gear is unacceptable, bad seamanship
owners, crew, guests, visitors, workers, ........should be able to see all safety gear at a glance at all times without ever needing to ask.
before a sail, all safety gear is reviewed with those on board to refresh the sense of safety and good seamanship.
never up high
never in a locker
never under a seat
never in a chest
never out of plain sight
never under a lid
your up at the helm trying to navi-guess in a storm ain't the time to explain where you hid the safety gear cause you thought it clashed with the decor.
seamanship boys, some of you need to tighten up your game
that's right, i said it!
hidden away safety gear is unacceptable, bad seamanship
owners, crew, guests, visitors, workers, ........should be able to see all safety gear at a glance at all times without ever needing to ask.
before a sail, all safety gear is reviewed with those on board to refresh the sense of safety and good seamanship.
never up high
never in a locker
never under a seat
never in a chest
never out of plain sight
never under a lid
your up at the helm trying to navi-guess in a storm ain't the time to explain where you hid the safety gear cause you thought it clashed with the decor.
seamanship boys, some of you need to tighten up your game
that's right, i said it!
Thanks for the lecture.seamanship boys, some of you need to tighten up your game
I always give a safety briefing, including what to do in a fire, and where the extinguishers are, and how to use them.
Who are you to tell us we need to 'tighten up our game?' Arrogant.
By the way, there's this thing called punctuation, and one is supposed to capitalize the first work of sentences. It makes things more readable. And, it's "you're," not "your" in "your [sic] up at the helm...."
Do you suppose every yacht has all of the fire extinguishers "in plain sight," mounted to bulkheads, etc.? Have you ever been on a fine yacht? They are not ferries or fishing boats.
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i was certified at the national maritime firefighting school. and you? where were you trained in firefighting?
No, they don't!
I don't care if you have a PhD in firefighting, that's no excuse to be rude and arrogant.
I have been on many fine yachts, and while many, but not all, have had placards or labels indicating that there was a fire extinguisher within a closet or locker, most did not have any extinguishers in plain sight, as in mounted to bulkheads, etc.
Let's see yours!