Fire Extinguishers On A Boat

[Biggles]

Following on from a previous thread...........

 

We all know that the BSS has rules about fire extinguishers, but has anyone ever used one in a real fire situation on a boat or even know (really know not urban legend) someone that has.

 

If so did it prevent further damage/loss?

 

Just interested, no agenda.

 

 

Biggles

[carlt]

Following on from a previous thread...........

 

We all know that the BSS has rules about fire extinguishers, but has anyone ever used one in a real fire situation on a boat or even know (really know not urban legend) someone that has.

 

If so did it prevent further damage/loss?

 

Just interested, no agenda.

 

 

Biggles

Swmbo emptied all 4 extinguishers onto a boat fire which kept it under control until I'd set up my 3" water pump. which I used to put out the fire then sink the boat.

 

If I hadn't had the pump, though, we'd have lost the boat so I would never use them to fight a fire, ordinarily, merely as a means of escape.

 

They are very effective at temporarily quenching a fire, to make a path to safety but it is very temporary, if the blaze is established.

[Ange]

Following on from a previous thread...........

 

We all know that the BSS has rules about fire extinguishers, but has anyone ever used one in a real fire situation on a boat or even know (really know not urban legend) someone that has.

 

If so did it prevent further damage/loss?

 

Just interested, no agenda.

 

 

Biggles

The issue of fire extinguishers has crossed my mind as well - not so much what good they'd do but whether I'd be able to figure them out in the heat (scuse pun) of the moment. It'd be all very well someone saying it's easy but if you haven't used something before and you're scared and panicky it all becomes different (slightly off topic but same concept - a lot of air crash passengers have survived the impact but subsequently died because they couldn't work their lap belts - in their panic trying to operate them like car seat belts. The point being that, in an emergency you need to be well drilled.)

 

We have the required number in all the right places, but I've never used one in my life. The trouble is you can't test it out without ruining it can you? Maybe we should sacrifice one for practice. How much do they cost? (ours came with the boat)

[andy the hammer]

I have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers and have used them in anger all be it not on a boat, it is not just knowing how to use them but what type of extinguisher to use on certain fires.

 

Also how many boaters have their extinguishers checked every year by the proper expert.

 

Regards

 

Andy

[Mac of Cygnet]

Yes, I have used a fire extinguisher on a hire boat, when the alternator beneath my feet on the cruiser stern burst into flames. (How often has this happened?). Yes, I did take just enough time to read that it was suitable for electrical fires, and yes it did put out the fire, leaving the whole engine hole covered in white powder, which the next Anglo-Welsh base simply hosed off. An exciting introduction to boating for my 80-year old father-in-law!

 

Mac

[DHutch]

...but what type of extinguisher to use on certain fires.

Exactly.

- All ours are dry power, as are most, but there very messy (cant see/breath/etc)

- Foam is my choice to carry in the kitcar, but i have to take it indoors in winter to keep it from freezing.

 

 

Daniel

[Roger Gunkel]

My neighbour on the Marina here banged on my roof when his boat caught fire, having already used 2 extinguishers on it, he managed to keep it from spreading with another extinguisher while I managed to finally put it out with with copious buckets of water.

 

The problem with the extinguishers was that they starved the fire of oxygen, killing the flames, but as soon as they ran out, the fire was reigniting from the heat built up in the burning material, in this case, wood and MDF used for cupboards and ceiling. As mentioned above, they will help to suppress the flames and give a means of escape or possibly extinguish a fire where heat build up is not causing reignition.

 

I would say don't attempt to fight any fire where there is even the slightest risk of explosion, and not without a clear exit close to you. Smoke and fumes are also the biggest killer.

 

The first rule though is get out!

 

Roger

[Radiomariner]

My neighbour on the Marina here banged on my roof when his boat caught fire, having already used 2 extinguishers on it, he managed to keep it from spreading with another extinguisher while I managed to finally put it out with with copious buckets of water.

 

The problem with the extinguishers was that they starved the fire of oxygen, killing the flames, but as soon as they ran out, the fire was reigniting from the heat built up in the burning material, in this case, wood and MDF used for cupboards and ceiling. As mentioned above, they will help to suppress the flames and give a means of escape or possibly extinguish a fire where heat build up is not causing reignition.

 

I would say don't attempt to fight any fire where there is even the slightest risk of explosion, and not without a clear exit close to you. Smoke and fumes are also the biggest killer.

 

The first rule though is get out!

 

Roger

 

Quite!

The requirements for the BSS is to save lives, not boats.

 

Must add that faom extinguishers are not suitable for electrical fires.

Also that dry powder is very fine and not only "smothers" but also draws away heat, not as well as water of foam, but is safe where electrics are concerned.

[Naughty Cal]

Not had to use the ones in the boat, and wouldnt want to. If the boat where on fire i wouldnt be climbing into the midships to grab the extinguisher at the bottom of the bed, nor would i turn my back to the main exit to grab the one in the cabin. I suspect they have been fitted to comply with the BSC requirements but that is all. They are useless for saving lifes.

 

The automatic ones in the engine bay are probably most useful.

[alan_fincher]

Also how many boaters have their extinguishers checked every year by the proper expert.

For what it's worth, when I replaced all the extinguishers on our boat for a BSS, I discharged two of the previous dry powder ones, so I could dispose of them at a council tip that would not take them whilst pressurised.

 

Both were 13 years old, IIRC, and showed no sign of any maintenance, and both worked perfectly, and discharged more or less every last gram of powder.

 

So whilst I would in no way endorse not keeping extinguishers up to date, from my limited experience the statement that one that has sat around for years may not discharge properly wasn't actually realised on the two example I tried.

 

I decided not to let the third one off, and it's now hanging around at home. I'd certainly not now rely on it, but if faced with a small fire, I'd probably give it a try!

[WJM]

A curious little piece of BSS info for you. I have the usual spread of extinguishers on my boat, as installed when it was a professional newbuild. At work, in my factory, I obviously have a range of extinguishers which are maintained by a specialist company who inspect and certify them. After one factory inspection, the supplier gave me a 'gift' of a small extinguisher for my boat. I installed it and thought no more about it. But... during my BSS inspection the inspector pointed out that only one of my extinguishers had an inspection/maintenance log attached to it (the 'work' one). To conform with BSS I would have to either 1) Have them all inspected/certified or 2) Remove the one that was.

 

And yes, I did put it back afterwards!

Edited February 11, 2010 by WJM

[David Schweizer]

The purpose of fire exinguishers on a boat, is to secure exit, not to save the boat. if you want to do that you need to have bigger extinguiishers and more of them. We had six full size ones on the hire boat. It takes a long time to evacuate 40, possibly elderly, passengers so the fire has to be extinguished if possible, or at least held at bay for a long time.

 

As part of the Boatmaster's Licence traing we were taught by the Fire Brigade how to use Fire extinguishers, and the trick is to aim at the base of the fire, not try and smother it, something to do with denying the fire source of oxygen.

[koukouvagia]

We all know that the BSS has rules about fire extinguishers, but has anyone ever used one in a real fire situation on a boat or even know (really know not urban legend) someone that has.

 

If so did it prevent further damage/loss?

 

 

Years ago I had to use a fire extinguisher for real. I was doing a very small grinding job in the engine room and a stray spark ignited the oil in the sump under the engine. The powder extinguisher smothered the flames in seconds. Very impressive and rather a relief since there was no damage done.

I learnt three lessons that day: sparks from a grinder travel a very long way; the sump/drip tray under the engine should always be kept clean and dry; the necessity of having a fire extinguisher within easy reach when using power tools on board.

[Bobbybass]

I haven't used one on a boat....but years ago (when I was young and even more stupid)..was helping a friend weld a car floor...

Unknown to me ..he had drained the engine oil into a plastic bowl that was under the car..

THe oil ignited.....the bowl melted...the flames.( a gallon of oil or more ) ..flooded the floor......

I had a small powder extinguisher to hand...and surprisingly...it tackled the entire fire...

A lot of lessons learned that day !!!!

That small powder extinguisher was great.

 

Bob

[blackrose]

I set off a small powder extinguisher inside the boat when I had a welder doing something on the roof and a bit of sprayfoam caught light.

 

When that stuff gets into your lungs it's horrible and I was still clearing up the mess 3 days later.

 

I now have a C02 extinguisher on board in addition to the compulsory powder ones. You don't want to set off a powder extinguisher in the boat unless you really have to.

 

The issue of fire extinguishers has crossed my mind as well - not so much what good they'd do but whether I'd be able to figure them out in the heat (scuse pun) of the moment. It'd be all very well someone saying it's easy but if you haven't used something before and you're scared and panicky it all becomes different (slightly off topic but same concept - a lot of air crash passengers have survived the impact but subsequently died because they couldn't work their lap belts - in their panic trying to operate them like car seat belts. The point being that, in an emergency you need to be well drilled.)

 

We have the required number in all the right places, but I've never used one in my life. The trouble is you can't test it out without ruining it can you? Maybe we should sacrifice one for practice. How much do they cost? (ours came with the boat)

 

Yes, that's a good idea. But do it outside!

Edited February 11, 2010 by blackrose

[mayalld]

I set off a small powder extinguisher inside the boat when I had a welder doing something on the roof and a bit of sprayfoam caught light.

 

When that stuff gets into your lungs it's horrible and I was still clearing up the mess 3 days later.

 

I now have a C02 extinguisher on board in addition to the compulsory powder ones. You don't want to set off a powder extinguisher in the boat unless you really have to.

 

Hmm.

 

A powder extinguisher makes a mess, and acts by smothering whatever you point it at.

 

A CO2 extinguisher makes no mess, and acts by making the air in the radius of where you point it oxygen poor.

 

It's probably a good thing that the CO2 makes little mess, because careless use inside the boat could well mean that you aren't around to clear up any mess.

[bag 'o' bones]

I've thought about setting up a fire extinquisher system based on a bottle of CO2 permaenantly fixed in the gas locker and a pipe system to run it into the cabin. Fire starts let the cylider go so the CO2 smoothers the fire. Problem is it would probably also suffocate folk inside so would have to be let off once the boat was evacuated.

 

Dunno probably a silly idea.........

[Iain_S]

However, CO2 Fire extinguishers don't count for BSS purposes, as they don't have an "A" rating. (According to my 2002 copy)

 

Iain

[Bat & Frog]

I've thought about setting up a fire extinquisher system based on a bottle of CO2 permaenantly fixed in the gas locker and a pipe system to run it into the cabin. Fire starts let the cylider go so the CO2 smoothers the fire. Problem is it would probably also suffocate folk inside so would have to be let off once the boat was evacuated.

 

Dunno probably a silly idea.........

 

I have had a similar idea but for the engine room, a co2 fire extingusher mounted inside the control stand with a small wire to fire it coming through the stand. i would hate to lift the deck boards if something started to burn as you would allow more oxygen in, but you don't really want to let things burn. Not sure if the co2 would be enough to supress a small problem as it would not be directional but may help.

[ChrisPy]

CO2 is only suitable for non-occupied spaces, like the engine bay below deck.

In industry some machine and switchgear spaces are protected by CO2 flooding systems, but there is an alarm to evacuate the location which must be heeded. Otherwise you will be extinguished, just like the fire.

[Naughty Cal]

I have had a similar idea but for the engine room, a co2 fire extingusher mounted inside the control stand with a small wire to fire it coming through the stand. i would hate to lift the deck boards if something started to burn as you would allow more oxygen in, but you don't really want to let things burn. Not sure if the co2 would be enough to supress a small problem as it would not be directional but may help.

 

I will have to check this weekend, but i am sure that the extinguishers in our engine bay are still powder ones.

[WotEver]

I will have to check this weekend, but i am sure that the extinguishers in our engine bay are still powder ones.

You could always invest in one of these.

 

No, I don't have one, nor do I have sufficient funds to get one. But they're pretty cool

 

Tony

[Naughty Cal]

You could always invest in one of these.

 

No, I don't have one, nor do I have sufficient funds to get one. But they're pretty cool

 

Tony

 

Thats what we have (almost). Maybe it isnt powder

 

Terms of the insurance policy dictate we have to have one. It was standard fit though, we didnt splash out and retrofit it.

 

The relevant insurances condition is this one:

 

"We will not pay for any claims arising from:"

 

"20: - loss, damage or liability in respect of fire or explosion where the Vessel and/or tender is fitted with inboard machinery and the maximum design speed exceeds 20m.p.h or 17 knots unless it is equipped with automatic fire extinguishing apparatus in the engine compartment."

Edited February 12, 2010 by Phylis

[Bobbybass]

I have 4 powder extinguishers down the length of the boat with one being at the stern.....I also have a 2kg CO2 at the stern as I figured I could empty it down the engine hatch and flood the compartment with gas should there be an engine fire..

I do like the idea of the automatic unit above........looks good for if you're down the front admiring the view...

 

Bob

[GeoffS]

Maybe a silly question but how do you go about testing or checking whether they are in a usable state? If it has to be by an external 'expert' how do you go about finding someone?

 

I inherited the extinguishers on my boat so have no idea about their history.