Are you prepared for a fire?
- Thread starter Justin_NSA
- Start date
On the C36, in the lazarette, which is quite roomy. On the Tartan 3800, haven't figure that out, yet, but the huge, port side cockpit locker is the likely candidate. And, yes, they should be somewhere you can ge to if you can't go below.
They are not that big, in their storage bags, smaller than a 10x26" fender.
Myth#33 or so says Amerex FireI hate impaction
Do you leave them upside down a while? Shake them?
http://www.amerex-fire.com/upl/down...-with-a-rubber-mallet-to-fluff-the-chemic.pdf
Never thought of that. Now that you mentioned it, it makes prefect sense. Thanks for highlighting.
I saw that too, although one of their reasons for it being a myth is “the extinguisher will still discharge the agent – even after sitting ... for a year.” I’m not sure what that means for extinguishers that sit for a decade rather than a year.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary also used to advise against shaking or striking them, but their bulletin about that has been taken down. I don’t know whether it was removed for inaccuracies or just normal server cleanup.
Who said "turn them upside down and hit them with a rubber mallet?" Nobody here.
If you have a fire and you've put it out with your trusty fire extinguisher, always remember rule #1 about fires.
#1. NEVER EVER turn your back to the fire! Until you can touch it barehanded, it's a fire. Waiting to reignite.
Here's what OSHA has to say about fires and extinguishers... https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_use.html
As a retired refinery worker and ex-volunteer firefighter, I've seen the practice fires reignite. You're standing right there with a partially used extinguisher and suddenly you have a whole new event. (Plus the one in the back of your pants.)
I've got three extinguishers on my boat. The one on the companionway stairs is likely to be unavailable during an event. But the one in the main salon is clear as is the one in the forward cabin V-berth. That last one is on the way out of the boat via the forward hatch. I figure by the time I wake up to the smoke alarm, out will probably be the only sane direction to move.
You do have a smoke alarm with good batteries? Yeah, I know. Pork chops grilled on the stove will always set it off. But you know it's working.
#1. NEVER EVER turn your back to the fire! Until you can touch it barehanded, it's a fire. Waiting to reignite.
Here's what OSHA has to say about fires and extinguishers... https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_use.html
As a retired refinery worker and ex-volunteer firefighter, I've seen the practice fires reignite. You're standing right there with a partially used extinguisher and suddenly you have a whole new event. (Plus the one in the back of your pants.)
I've got three extinguishers on my boat. The one on the companionway stairs is likely to be unavailable during an event. But the one in the main salon is clear as is the one in the forward cabin V-berth. That last one is on the way out of the boat via the forward hatch. I figure by the time I wake up to the smoke alarm, out will probably be the only sane direction to move.
You do have a smoke alarm with good batteries? Yeah, I know. Pork chops grilled on the stove will always set it off. But you know it's working.
How come no one said fire blanket for the galley fire? That is the common sense thing.
Something to remember about fire extinguishers is that once you have discharged just one, it may be impossible to enter the area because of the smoke they generate. Those, you may not have to opportunity to continue to fight the fire at a critical time.
Something to remember about fire extinguishers is that once you have discharged just one, it may be impossible to enter the area because of the smoke they generate. Those, you may not have to opportunity to continue to fight the fire at a critical time.
I like the idea of a fire blanket. So much so that I am going to look online about where to buy one. I'll pass it along when I find it.
Our Fire Marshall just told me shaking fire extinguishers can actually be harmful and don't do it. He explained that it can plug the pickup tube. Have them serviced at least every 10 years or replace them if it's cheaper.
Ken
I'm thinking about where the best place to mount it is. My galley is starboard right at the bottom of the companionway steps. We don't cook on board though.
Your fire marshal probably has stock in the fire suppression industry.
But seriously, I'll look into this.
I had a local fire extinguishing company tell me that my extinguishers needed to be fully discharged every 12 months for an inspection. The price he quoted was more than I paid for all 5 of them. After I finished laughing I found a place to weigh and tag them for a minimal fee. I now make my own tags and weigh them myself. Problem solved.
When I was working I got my extinguishers serviced at work (free). Every year we would get a gasoline fire going in a metal tray( bottom of an old dog kennel ) and have the kids put it out. It's harder then it looks in a panic situation. Great training and I don't worry about them anymore. Down side of retirement is I have to take them to town now.