Fire Extinguishers

[jorgefife]

Ihave a fire extinguisher on my H33, 1982 located right next to the gimbaled stove, to it's left
Just bought 2 more, and would like to know, from similar boat owners, where I should install the other 2
There are probably suitable places for them, please let me know where I should put them
Thanks
Jorge Fife

 

[Johnb]

I figured I wanted to be able to grab an extiguisher near wherever I happened to be and then go to the fire, so I have one in the cockpit (lazarette), one in the companionway, one in the main cabin and one in the vee berth.

We also have both fire and carbon monoxide alarms - you don't want to die before you get to use your extinguishers.

John Brecher

 

[sandpiper10471]

Good point re using CO alarm, John. Canadian regulations state that you must have an extinguisher in every sleeping quarter, cooking area and engine room. So on the 33, that makes quarter berth, engine, galley and V-berth, although I dare say one at the nav. table could serve the first three areas. Don't know what coast guard would think of that in an inspection, though. Any surveyors out there that would know?

 

[Benny]

Some member of parliament must have a relative that manufactures fire extinguishers. A fire extinguisher should be within reach but not too close to a possible source of fire. In most sailboats the galley is close to the engine so perhaps a good location for one would be somewhere in the cabin a step away from both. One in a cockpit lazarette would cover refueling and getting through the companionway. Don't believe the USCG requires more than a current tag on a single extinguisher. We are not talking about Mega Cruise Ships here. There is even an exeption under Federal Law which exempts vessels from carrying fire extinguisher in organized race events or on boats designed and used for racing only.

 

[Scott B]

Good point re using CO alarm, John. Canadian regulations state that you must have an extinguisher in every sleeping quarter, cooking area and engine room. So on the 33, that makes quarter berth, engine, galley and V-berth, although I dare say one at the nav. table could serve the first three areas. Don't know what coast guard would think of that in an inspection, though. Any surveyors out there that would know?

No, not exactly.... from Transport Canada Minimum Safety Requirements

Sail and Power Boats over 9 m and up to 12 m (29’6” – 39’4”)

13. One (1) 10BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a motor

14. One (1) 10BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance

Sail and Power Boats over 12 m and up to 24 m (39’4” – 78’9”)

13. One (1) 10BC fire extinguisher at all of the following locations:

at each access to any space where a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance is fitted;

at the entrance to any accommodation space; and at the entrance to the machinery space.

14. One (1) axe

15. Two (2) buckets of at least 10 L each



So, on the 33 the automatic extinguisher in the engine compartment serves as 1, and 1 other in the cooking area meets regulations. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have more as 1 may not be sufficient to put out a fire if it spreads.

 

[jorgefife]

Thank you all: will put 3 in, ( galley, V berth and by navigation table) I think that should be OK
I have a very large one, a red one, industrial size, I think I will put that in the lazarette (in case I spot another boat on fire, I will be a hero for a day if I produce a fire extinguisher of that size!)
Jorge Fife

 

[Johnb]

One other thought - although it does not address any regulations, boats I have rented in the U.K. had fire blankets in the galley area.

I did some Googling on "Kitchen Fire Blanket" and found there is such a thing as a "Marine Kitchen Fire Blanket" for $36.88, or a non marine one for $21.95.

Could be good to have handy during cooking, barbecuing, soldering, heat shrinking or any other flame involved activity.