Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

Fire Extinguishers
Chapter 17: Gearing Up for Safety
Federal law also requires a fire extinguisher aboard any boat over 26 feet, and aboard
those 26 feet and less where flammable gases can be entrapped below decks. In general,
you are required to carry an extinguisher if …
◆ You have inboard or inboard/outboard engines.
◆ You have closed compartments where fuel is stored. (This includes portable fuel
tanks.)
◆ You have permanently installed fuel tanks.
◆ Your boat has a double bottom not sealed to the hull with foam.
◆ Your boat has enclosed living spaces.
◆ The boat has closed compartments where flammables are stored.
In short, pretty much any powerboat beyond a
jon boat is required to carry an extinguisher.
Sailboats with gas or diesel power must also
have them.
Like everything else required by federal regulations,
there are classes of fire extinguishers. No
need for us to labor through them all—the type of
extinguisher that recreational boaters need is the
B-I, which can be foam, CO2, dry chemicals, or
inflammable gas, all designed to put out fuel and
oil fires.
Boats to 26 feet need one B-I, those 26 to 40 feet
need two B-Is, and those over 40 feet need three
B-Is. In the larger two classes, you can substitute
a single larger B-II type, which contains
the same fire-quenching substances but more of
them.
Fire extinguishers should be stored where you can
get to them quickly, just like PFDs. Upright
clamp brackets that mount on the lower part of
the console just to one side of the wheel are probably
best. An extinguisher mounted here is always
within reach of the skipper.
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Boat Bytes
Fire extinguishers must be
checked regularly to make
sure they’re maintaining a
full charge. Some are recommended
for recharge
every 6 months, some every 12
months. Most have a gauge on
top indicating the charge level—
check it often, but be aware that
it may not be accurate. Weighing
the extinguisher is the best
way to check it for a full charge.
Look Out!
Never store your extinguisher
in an aft compartment,
where fuel and batteries are
often found. Any fire is likely to
start there, and you won’t be
able to get to your extinguisher
for the flames.