fire extinguisher

[WotEver]

My understanding is that if they're in the green they're good. That was certainly my last examiner's approach.

[Alan de Enfield]

You can either be 'risk averse' and replace them all, you can have them serviced, you can just hope they will work, or you can ask the BSS bods what they require to pass the next inspection.

 

Personally I'd forget the BSS requirement and service or replace them anyway.

You only get one life.

 

Anchor, Fire extinguishers, lifejackets etc etc are the last call and need to work when asked.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Alan de Enfield

[WotEver]

 

Don't believe that the date of manufacture has any particular relevance.

[bigcol]

So replace lot?

Wonder how much they be worth on eBay, with the holders.

 

If you bought new, you get another 5 years?

Have then serviced, would that turn out yearly?

 

Question to the BSS bod in CRT office I think?

[Alan de Enfield]

4 x £16 inclusive of brackets & delivery - not worth considering the options.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-KG-DRY-POWDER-ABC-FIRE-EXTINGUISHER-HOME-OFFICE-CAR-VANS-KITCHEN-CE-marked-/221976071265?hash=item33aece0c61:g:LpMAAOSwCQNWcqyW

[bigcol]

4 x £16 inclusive of brackets & delivery - not worth considering the options.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-KG-DRY-POWDER-ABC-FIRE-EXTINGUISHER-HOME-OFFICE-CAR-VANS-KITCHEN-CE-marked-/221976071265?hash=item33aece0c61:g:LpMAAOSwCQNWcqyW

Hi Alan thanks for the link, to be fair their cheaper than I thought, so best to buy new

 

I have sent a email to Graham Watts BSS safety manager, including this link to forum

Asking him the question

 

 

 

T

[Murflynn]

 

 

Personally I'd forget the BSS requirement and service or replace them anyway.

You only get one life.

 

Anchor, Fire extinguishers, lifejackets etc etc are the last call and need to work when asked.

the fire professionals I have worked with would not agree that extinguishers are there to save lives.

the first rule was always to get out, fast.

if an extinguisher was available you may then attempt to fight the fire from outside the affected area.

[Alan de Enfield]

the fire professionals I have worked with would not agree that extinguishers are there to save lives.

the first rule was always to get out, fast.

if an extinguisher was available you may then attempt to fight the fire from outside the affected area.

 

I am not, nor ever have been a 'fire professional' but was trained by the RAF in the use of extinguishers - agree - use them to knock back the flames whilst you get out safely but they do need to work to be able to do that.

 

There are not many fires (that have taken hold) that you can put out with a 2kg dry powder extinguisher.

[DHutch]

They are certainly there to get you out, not save the boat. Although if you can use them for the later safely (ie, are there when a small fire breaks out) obviously no real reason not to.

 

Daniel

[ditchcrawler]

 

I am not, nor ever have been a 'fire professional' but was trained by the RAF in the use of extinguishers - agree - use them to knock back the flames whilst you get out safely but they do need to work to be able to do that.

 

There are not many fires (that have taken hold) that you can put out with a 2kg dry powder extinguisher.

That is why the requirement for 3 X 1Kg is a joke, The most use they would be, would to smash a window with to climb out.

[Graham Davis]

the fire professionals I have worked with would not agree that extinguishers are there to save lives.

the first rule was always to get out, fast.

if an extinguisher was available you may then attempt to fight the fire from outside the affected area.

 

Fire extinguishers of the size found in canal boats or vehicles are only there to provide enough "power" to knock back the fire to allow escape.

To fight the fire you need a big red thing with lots of power.

[Sea Dog]

That is why the requirement for 3 X 1Kg is a joke, The most use they would be, would to smash a window with to climb out.

Maybe a bit harsh there DC?

 

Fire extinguishers are first aid firefighting appliances. The requirement at least ensures a minimum standard, which is a sensible starting point rather than a joke. More or larger ones are available should you prefer to exceed the minimum standard.

[Graham.m]

Maybe a bit harsh there DC?

 

Fire extinguishers are first aid firefighting appliances. The requirement at least ensures a minimum standard, which is a sensible starting point rather than a joke. More or larger ones are available should you prefer to exceed the minimum standard.

 

Not sure he is. The extinguisher give a sense of confidence. Think you will find the total is less than a small shop is supposed to have.

[Sea Dog]

Not sure he is. The extinguisher give a sense of confidence. Think you will find the total is less than a small shop is supposed to have.

Well, strictly speaking, extinguishers are designed and tested to suppress a small fire in an emergency situation, and that may or may not instil some confidence. As a piece of first aid firefighting equipment, it serves a purpose, particularly if well matched to the risk.

 

Whether the BSS should be based on the requirements of a small shop isn't really my call, but I think I'd still prefer to use a boat as my model. What would you prefer? A local petrol station? Marks & Spencer?

 

 

Edit: auto correct!

Edited December 29, 2015 by Sea Dog

[Graham.m]

Well, strictly speaking, extinguishers are designed and tested to suppress a small fire in an emergency situation, and that may or may not instil some confidence. As a piece of first aid firefighting equipment, it serves a purpose, particularly if well matched to the risk.

 

Whether the BSS should be based on the requirements of a small shop isn't really my call, but I think I'd still prefer to use a boat as my model. What would you prefer? A local petrol station? Marks & Spencer?

 

 

Edit: auto correct!

 

Trouble is a boat is lined and fitted out with timber, plus all the inflamables that are crowded in, plus a store of diesel say 200 litres, plus the petrol generator

 

I was thinking about a 150sqft shop

 

My concern has always been that people with no training will think that little 1kg extinguisher is capable of putting the fire out and attempt to fight the fire.

[Sea Dog]

Trouble is a boat is lined and fitted out with timber, plus all the inflamables that are crowded in, plus a store of diesel say 200 litres, plus the petrol generator

 

 

Well, the diesel is, I hope, in a sealed tank at the back of the boat, thus pretty safe. The petrol generator is not in the boat or, if it is, you need a psychiatrist not a fire extinguisher. As for the rest, well, if its not fitted out, you don't yet need a BSS!

[Graham.m]

Well, the diesel is, I hope, in a sealed tank at the back of the boat, thus pretty safe. The petrol generator is not in the boat or, if it is, you need a psychiatrist not a fire extinguisher. As for the rest, well, if its not fitted out, you don't yet need a BSS!

 

 

Think you miss the point, just hope you are never involved with a boat fire

[WotEver]

The troll is getting petulant again methinks.

[John V]

This thread has made me think about fire extinguishers. I don't have a BSS on Sabina H (it's not a requirement for the areas I am on) and I have just stuck extinguishers around as I felt like, to be honest I wasn't really sure how many I had. I have just been round on a count up. there are 4 x 2Kg dry powder, 3 x 2Kg CO2, 1 x 5Kg CO2 (in the engine room) and 3 x 6 litre AFF Foam. This is on a 66' Humber barge.

 

The foam extinguishers (and the CO2) have not been tested for about 10 years but the gauges are in the centre of the green (as are the gauges on the dry powder ) (which have been occasionally shaken)

I am concerned about taking the foam and CO2 for servicing as both are the wrong colours . Does anyone know if ATFF deteriorates or if the pressure is ok that they will be?

 

 

 

eta.....just to clarify, obviously the CO2 extinguishers don't have dials

Edited December 29, 2015 by John V

[ditchcrawler]

Well I just see mine as ornaments that I have to have there. having done a bit of fire fighting in controlled conditions anything under 10Kg and a bucket of water would do more good, especially it it the woodwork that burning.

[Sea Dog]

Think you miss the point, just hope you are never involved with a boat fire

Trained by, and for, world leaders in it, as it happens. Involved at all levels, exercise and actual, from being the first bloke in with the extinguisher, fearnought suitman, officer in charge, leading the investigation, writing standard operating procedures, inspecting ships, formulating policy, et al. Admittedly the boats were rather bigger and diesel was one of the lower hazards, but the basic principles don't change. And thank you, I hope never to be involved in a boat fire either.

 

No smiley this time, just a wink

[cuthound]

I still think that a water mist based system would be best for boats.

 

See these earlier threads.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=73220&page=2

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=78195&page=2

 

Pity they aren't recognised by the BSS, if they were I am sure a manufacturer would develop a system, or we could use hand held units.

 

Edited to change most back to mist, blurry autocorrect.

Edited December 30, 2015 by cuthound

[Drayke]

I was once involved if a fire that started in the kitchens of a casino and went up the ducting over the cookers. This started from butter being melted in a pan that boiled over. We used all types of extinguishers on it, all to no good. After the fire brigade attended and put out the fire, I asked one of the firemen the best way to have tried putting the fire out, they said a water hose set to a fine jet. So yes a fine water sprayed system might be a good idea.

[Iain_S]

I still think that a water mist based system would be best for boats.

 

(snip)

 

I agree, but am a bit surprised when the "best thing since sliced bread" blurb is compared to their actual rating.

 

i.e. a http://www.safelincs.co.uk/6-litre-water-mist-fire-extinguisher/]6 litre (6Kg) extinguisher rated at 13A 21B, while a 6Kg dry powder is 27A 183B.

Edited December 30, 2015 by Iain_S

[adrianh]

If you have CO2 extinguishers then the law also requires that this item has a regular pressure test on the shell - it is a pressure vessel.

I can't remember the age limit but if you look closely at the markings on the cylinder it should tell you when this is due.

You may be in trouble with your insurance if you fail to adhere to this.

I have had to buy service exchange units several times in the passed few years at my works - not a cheap exercise!

When I asked my service company to service my smaller, more than 5 year old, powder extinguishers I was advised that the cost of having this done annually far out ways the cost of purchasing new. Leaving them to be inspected only at on a four yearly interval (for the BSS) to save a few pounds was not an option.

In my working life I have had several occasions when I have needed to use an extinguisher - so I want to know they will work!

With the larger 6Kg powder or foam extinguishers they will only service them a limited number of times before they also need a full internal rebuild or replacing.