Engine bay fire extinguishers

[dog]

Advice please, 2x diesel engines- should I have one automatic extinguisher per lump or is one sufficient? The halon replacent that I bought says it will cover 1.7m3 which is more than sufficient for the engine bay. I was horrified at how expensive they are at £100 each!!!

 

[hlb]

Well I've always seen two fitted.

 

[Gludy]

You are far better off having ONE fitted.
Two that do not do the whole engine compartment can go off at different times and never put the fire out. Always fit one that can do the whole job in one go.

 

[hlb]

If it works?

 

[jimg]

You are both right! Two is better than one, but each should be capable of flooding the area completely and killing any fire.

 

[Gludy]

I have no argument with that - my extinguisher cost well over £2000 to do a one hit proper job so most folks could not afford two but two logically must be better than one, as you say, providing that nay of the two can do the whole job all by itself.

 

[gonfishing]

How much do you value your own life and family and that of the crew?? How much did your boat cost??? a lot more than a hundred quid that's for sure!!!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gludy]

I would also point out that the engine bay volume calculation should be based on the vokume of the bay less any fuel tanks or othert anks but not less engines. So the volume of 1.7 cu. m is not very much ... about 1.25m by 1.25m by 1.25m. - just check that voulme again to make sure it covers the whole engine space.

 

[dickh]

I was looking at these at the LBS - it says only use ONE per compartment. My engine compartment is 1 x 1 x 1.2 = 1.2m³. Don't include engine volume. So I could get away with the smallest Firemaster Halon replacement one.
If you are that woried about the cost, get the dry powder one, but it will make a terrible mess.
Cheapest price I found is:- http://www.safety-marine.com/sm/product.asp?dept_id=10&pf_id=SM04211

 

[Gludy]

You mean you are 1.2 cu M including the engine volume? in that case the small one will do. You must include the engine in the volume only tanks are excluded.

 

[Piers]

I would choose one.

Size-wise, you need to calculate the bottle size, which is based on the engine room volume.

I have always used the guys from Fireguard - 01425 616 139.