Engine space fire extiguishers.

[ccscott49]

Looking for 2 x 2kg halon replacement automatic extinguishers, anybody any pointers on where to get them cheapest, £150 each is the cheapest I've found so far, with £37 for shipping to Spain. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[steve_cronin]

Isn\'t...

Halon currently disapproved of, even banned, in extinguishers as being a greenhouse/ozone hole creator?

Pity as it makes an ideal smothering agent for a fire like one which might break out in an engine compartment. Dry Powder is so messy.

Steve Cronin

 

[Shanty]

Halon extinguishers are illegal in the Uk, and have been illegal for the past 3 - 4 years. Dunno about Spain.

As an alternative, have a look at Pyrogen. Cheaper than many of the alternatives, and used by the MCA on at least one of their workboats.

 

[ccscott49]

I think I said in my initial post, halon replacement extinguishers, not replacement halon extinguishers. I know that halon is illegal in the EU since 2003. Oh! never mind, I'll find some!

 

[Shanty]

Apologies if I misread your original post. However, my suggestion of Pyrogen still stands. They are automatic halon replacement extinguishers.

 

[dickh]

I bought a middle sized one from I believe Firemaster - Halon replacement type, they do them in 3 sizes - but they say you must ONLY use ONE extingusher per engine compartment. Mine was 1kg if I remember correctly, about £80 from the Boat Show.

 

[ms1]

If this for engine space then Fire experts will tell you that you should not have 2 extinguishers. They say you should have one extinguisher capable of dealing with the fire as with 2 , if one is nearer th heat source and goes off before the other activates they may not necessarily deal with the fire. Engine space needs to be measured approximately to get correct size of extinguisher.

 

[jb2006]

Agree with one or two of the other posts - you should only use one extinguisher. Firemaster do 3 sizes I think, we have either the smallest or the middle size in a 10 metre yacht. There is a system which could probably control multiple cylinders but you are in the £400 - 500 bracket rather than the £80 - 200 bracket.

 

[Bajansailor]

A simple CO2 system would be effective (altho I think not as good as halon) - provided that you can easily shut (either manually or by remote) the dampers / flaps on the vents in the event of a fire.

 

[ccscott49]

I've contacted pyrogen, thanks.

 

[rogerthebodger]

A number of years ago when I was in the UK I had an automatic fire extiguisher go off due to an over heating engine but no fire.

On my new yacht I plan to have a heat/smoke alarm and a 2 remote operated manual extiguishers each sized for the engine space.

The theory is that when the alarm goes off you can determin the extent of the fire and shut off the engine and any vents brfore operting the extiguisher/s manualy from a safe place. If the extiguishers goes off eith the engine running the engine will ingest the gas and it will be less effective and could damage the engine.

On the fire fighting cause I did it was indicated that CO2 was best for enclosed spaces but you may have better info from youe jod training

 

[ccscott49]

I like the idea of fire alarms and manual jobbies (x2) fit with my belt and braces approach. I definitely like the idea of engines off first and assess.
I Will see what's available along though lines, but I pefer (halon) type for fire extiguishing, best there is. IMHO for that job anyway.
Thanks for your input.