Fire Extinguishers - What's in your galley?

[Parsons]

What fire extinguisher do you have mounted next to your galley as the "first to grab" when the fried chicken turns into chicken flambé? Fire is my number one fear, and I expect that the galley is the most likely place for that to start. We cruise, so cooking is not just reheating beanie-weenie and opening a beer. We do have a fire blanket (step one for a small pan fire), but what is the next step. What do you have on your boats, and have you ever had to use one 'in anger'?

Choices:

1. ABC marine dry chemical - sticky, but effective; cheap so you can have several
2. Clean agent powder, like Purple K - great for grease fires; cleanup?
3. Clean agent liquid, like Halotron - great for electronics or enclosed areas; effective?
4. Prayer - easy cleanup; effective?

 

[dlochner]

Prayer - easy cleanup; effective?

Very affective once the fire reaches the waterline.

We have a fire blanket within easy reach of the galley and in the direction one would move if the a fire started. Also a dry chemical in the same location.

Have been considering other options, but haven't made a decision yet.

 

[kappykaplan]

Dry chemical in my galley.

 

[jssailem]

Dry Chemical and a FIRE BLANKET.

If most fires are oil or gas, then you need to be able to "TURN OFF THE GAS" and "SMOTHER THE OIL FIRE".

 

[BigEasy]

Just did a fire webinar on Saturday AM.
Following is a listing of on board fire sources from highest to lowest:
12 VDC
120 AC
Engine, transmission including fuel, oil, & accessories
Cooking appliances & fuel sources

I have a fire blanket & dry chem extinguisher in the galley area.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

What fire extinguisher do you have mounted next to your galley as the "first to grab" when the fried chicken turns into chicken flambé?

But chicken flambé is my hands down favorite .

In addition to two ABC's conveniently mounted below deck, I carry a 5 lb. CO2 extinguisher in an above deck lazarette. After seeing a training session with ABC dry chemicals, I know I would would never hesitate for a second to use a CO2 extinguisher but would need to be in a state of almost well done before using a dry chemical. They spread everywhere. They get into all electrical and electronic gear and, finité.

Dry chemical IF the fire is out of control. Before it gets out of control, CO2 for me.

 

[JamesG161]

My Boat has 3 Dry Chemical.
1) In cockpit
2) Captains Cabin
3) In main salon [Galley area] , but in reach of Front Berth.

Boat size matters...

Safety Officer
Jim...

 

[Leeward Rail]

30 foot boat:

1) Cockpit lazarette = co2
2) Galley and main cabin = blanket with abc close to companionway
3) Bulkhead between head and v-berth = ABC

Exiting out the v-berth hatch has been tested and is easy.

Companionway ladder has a hole with removable cover for shoving an extinguisher nozzle to douse the inboard without removing the ladder and thereby adding oxygen.

Battery disconnect is easy to reach beside the companionway

I will be investigating something better for the lazarettes/engine.
Fire risk is biggest there and opening the lazarette for access adds oxygen. Not ideal at all.

Strongly suggest that everyone actually try using an extinguisher Often people use them wrong in their panic, and the extinguisher runs out of powder/liquid/CO2 before the fire is out.
Bigger is better, but some practice goes a long way. My dad trained fire fighting crews as an equipment vendor, and drilled it into me.

 

[Parsons]

Following is a listing of on board fire sources from highest to lowest:
12 VDC
120 AC
Engine, transmission including fuel, oil, & accessories
Cooking appliances & fuel sources

I've seen similar lists. BoatUS puts one out every so often. I expect this is for all boats, and wonder what this would look like if the population was limited to just sailboats over 30 ft with inboard diesel engines.

BTW: This is a great article on this subject: Dealing with Fires : BoatUS Foundation

 

[JBP-PA]

Boat size matters...

On my wee little boat, I have 3 small ABC, on our previous 38 footer, we had fully automatic Halon system in the engine compartment.

 

[RoyS]

With regard to 12 VDC electrical fires: Many boats have poor to non-existent fusing on their batteries. All of your batteries should have a fuse within a few inches of their location. A short circuit on a battery cable will likely produce a fire. A simple fuse on that battery cable will result in a blown fuse and no other damage. You can buy main battery fuses that attach right at the battery positive terminal and they are probably less expensive than a fire extinguisher.

 

[JBP-PA]

Strongly suggest that everyone actually try using an extinguisher Often people use them wrong in their panic, and the extinguisher runs out of powder/liquid/CO2 before the fire is out.
Bigger is better, but some practice goes a long way. My dad trained fire fighting crews as an equipment vendor, and drilled it into me.

That is excellent advice. Where should one test fire extinguishers? It feels like a bad idea to discharge it into the water. Someone might get miffed if you spray it onto their nice lawn.

 

[BigEasy]

What CO2 extinguishers are you using? Quick search reveals prices over $200 for a 5 lb CO2 model.

 

[Parsons]

That is excellent advice. Where should one test fire extinguishers? It feels like a bad idea to discharge it into the water. Someone might get miffed if you spray it onto their nice lawn.

I did it at work at a very safety conscious company where even the office workers got a chance. I then did the same for my family with an expired ABC in our fire pit in the yard. Even watching one go off you learned a few things: (1) you only get about 10 seconds of discharge time for a smaller 2.5 lb extinguisher, (2) I did not realize what a mess they made! (3) they are really effective at knocking down a wood fire.

 

[Tin Kicker]

Observations from investigating a lot of car and airplane fires over the years and looking at a few boats:

1. Don't be afraid to smash, grab, and tear out panels to get to smoke and potential fires behind them. It's no time to pussy foot around.

2. ABC may leave a mess later but it works and can stop the fire now. You want one within fast reach of the galley, one in the lid of a cockpit locker, and one in the sleeping area to keep from being trapped. (Think about what it'd be like to be in the aft cabin if there is a galley fire between you and the exit.)

3. Fire blankets are probably the most under-appreciated and under-utilized tool out there. Get them cheap on Amazon.
If you have a stove fire a small one can keep from lighting the woodwork or curtains above the stove.
If you have are charging a battery which starts to smoke or burn a small blanket gives you the fastest way to control the flames or at least wrap it to pick up and throw it overboard.

4. Burning cushions give off cyanide gas and while water can be effective, they can be almost impossible to put out easily. Throw them overboard right away.

5. Don't consider using water if there is any type of flammable fuel, including stove oil or gas/diesel. It'll just spread the fire.
Most car fires are related to fuel lines and it's not uncommon in boats and airplanes. If a fuel line is open you're fighting a losing battle.

6. Boat fires tend to burn themselves out before the boat sinks, so get in the dinghy and stay upwind if you can't put out the fire.

7. Don't hesitate to protect the people - including yourself - because the insurance company owns the car/boat/airplane.

8. Outdated fire extinguishers exist for practicing on a piece of concrete somewhere. If nowhere else, most fire stations will have an area you can practice at.

 

[jssailem]

With all the interest in Lithium Batteries, perhaps a hi-tech fire blanket should be considered.
Here is a link to one manufacture...

Lithium | EV Fire Blankets

www.bridgehill.com

 

[Tin Kicker]

Starting at $12.95 and you can have one tomorrow. Put one where you charge batteries at home, ESPECIALLY if you have an e-bike.

https://www.amazon.com/Glow-Dark-Fire-Blanket-Suppression/dp/B09B3CPCVQ/ref=sr_1_27?crid=3905MHGYTB5QG&keywords=fire%2Bblanket&qid=1675185069&sprefix=fire%2Bblanket%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-27&th=1

The less expensive ones ($10.99) work just as well but I see delivery is not delayed.

https://www.amazon.com/Suppression-Fireplace-Retardant-Emergency-Fiberglass/dp/B07YHNB5X5/ref=sr_1_24?crid=3905MHGYTB5QG&keywords=fire+blanket&qid=1675185069&sprefix=fire+blanket%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-24

 

[Leeward Rail]

Some very good replies here.

Where should one test fire extinguishers?

Open area where you can light a fire and make a mess.

A large concrete area like a driveway works well.
You can sweep up dry powder easily on concrete.

If you want to test putting out fuel fires,.like cooling oil, diesel etc. put it into a metal pan of some type. It not only keeps the fire in a contained area, it won't allows the fuel to soak into the ground and contaminate.

Some fire departments have community safety training.
Organizing them to do one for your marina would be good.
Doing one for your local neighbourhood would also be a good idea.

You really don't want to use an extinguisher for the first time, when you are trying to save your house or boat.

I then did the same for my family with an expired ABC in our fire pit in the yard

First time I did it my dad had dug a hole and put diesel in it. The extinguisher petered out before it had a chance to smother it.

He had a couple others as backup.
Technique is everything.

 

[Leeward Rail]

What CO2 extinguishers are you using? Quick search reveals prices over $200 for a 5 lb CO2 model.

Yeah, they aren't cheap.

I picked almost every extinguisher we own, used. Auctions getting rid of commercial equipment are a good source. Much better quality, and larger, than the home ones, and often sell cheap.

I then have them serviced at a fire safety supply company The better ones can test and recertify the pressure vessels.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

What CO2 extinguishers are you using? Quick search reveals prices over $200 for a 5 lb CO2 model.

Finally dug this up. It's an AMEREX and if memory serves me right, it was well over $200.00 CAN when I bought it 13 years ago.

I keep a check on the weight semi-annually (when I remember) to avoid the cost of taking it into the supplier for a weigh-in at some obscene cost. Only lost an ounce since 2015 and holding steady so not too worried.

At the steep cost of these, this gives you an idea how much I am against releasing a dry chemical ext. on board. I wouldn't hesitate a second to discharge a CO2 at some small fire but without it, I'd rather try to beat out a fire using the body of a dry chemical ext. rather than discharge it on board. The CO2 is always kept in a dry location and is presently in as new condition. Not sure if they require recharging and too lazy to look it up. It does eliminate the need to have the dry chemical recharged every 6 years (Transport Canada).