Fire extinguisher pin in or out?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted User YDKXO
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Deleted User YDKXO

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Here is a pic of the auto fire extinguisher in my engine bay. Somebody suggested to me the other day that the extinguisher would not operate automatically nor could it be operated remotely with the pin (arrowed) in place. Not wishing to test the hypothesis, I thought I'd ask you lot first. Any ideas?

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Absolutely, removing the pin of the automatic fire extinguisher is the first thing you do on a new boat
 
Bouba said:
Absolutely, removing the pin of the automatic fire extinguisher is the first thing you do on a new boat
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So you are saying that the pin should be removed at all times?
 
Deleted User said:
So you are saying that the pin should be removed at all times?
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yes. the pin is for transit and when you're working in engine room (to stop it operating while you're in there).

Fwiw, I don't usually bother to put the pin in for short duration visits to engine room
 
Bouba said:
All times you use the boat
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Sorry to be thick but are you saying that the pin should be re-inserted when I'm not using the boat? Under what other circumstances should the pin be re-inserted?
 
jfm said:
yes. the pin is for transit and when you're working in engine room (to stop it operating while you're in there).

Fwiw, I don't usually bother to put the pin in for short duration visits to engine room
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OK my last post crossed with yours. Sounds like I should take the pin out then.
 
Yes I deliberately omitted to say when to replace the pin because I couldn't think of any. As usual jfm saves the day, working in an enclosed engine room would be a sensible time to replace the pin.
 
It will still operate automatically with the pin in but can't be operated manually. Pin should be in when working in engine room.
 
Bouba said:
Yes I deliberately omitted to say when to replace the pin because I couldn't think of any. As usual jfm saves the day, working in an enclosed engine room would be a sensible time to replace the pin.
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My friend was in the engine bag of a Princess V40. Bashed the cylinder accidentally. Went off. Basically like a knife to his finger ( and i assume the risk of suffocation). Doubt any of us do it but his name is Stefan and it really happened!

PS remember the cylinder has to be pressure tested every 10 years. Insurance may not pay out of not done. I have just had it done. Expensive ( E950)
 
I spotted the pin left in on mates boat, dealer must have missed it during PDI. How many boats out there with a false sense of security they have a working fire suppression system?
 
Anders_P42 said:
I spotted the pin left in on mates boat, dealer must have missed it during PDI. How many boats out there with a false sense of security they have a working fire suppression system?
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A hell of a lot I suspect. I've owned boats for 26yrs and it never occurred to me to check this until a delivery skipper pointed this out to me last weekend. I've looked at the pin before and assumed (wrongly) that it only had to be removed for manual activation of the extinguisher. I'm glad I posted this thread because I've learnt something important today. Thanks for everybody's input
 
Deleted User said:
A hell of a lot I suspect. I've owned boats for 26yrs and it never occurred to me to check this until a delivery skipper pointed this out to me last weekend. I've looked at the pin before and assumed (wrongly) that it only had to be removed for manual activation of the extinguisher. I'm glad I posted this thread because I've learnt something important today. Thanks for everybody's input
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YBW should write a 'check ur pins' article in the magazine, may help save someone's pride and joy, or even a life.
 
aquatom said:
It does only stop the manual opperation. Automatic will always work with pin in or out.
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Depends on the type of system. On my boat there's a wire that goes to a handle by lower helm. I have to manually pull handle to activate system, useless with pin left in...
 
You'd be amazed how many boats I've serviced in the last 20 yrs here the pin was still in when fitted with a remote operating system, at least 30%. I always pulled the pin so the hapless owner doesn' t one day find himself frantically pulling a handle that won' t move.
 
Pin aside, you might wish to consider a replacement of the thing, M.
In fact, the label tells that it's loaded with powder - a system which would leave a total mess in your e/r if it should go off, requiring ages to clean. Still much better than a burned boat obviously, but the even better alternative is a similar tank loaded with gas instead (HFC227, aka FM-200).
On top of being faster in its fire containment action, it dissolves naturally afterwards.
That's one of the things I'm replacing in the DP (actually she was already factory fitted, back in 2004, with a gas tank rather than powder, but it was by now at borderline level of pressure), and btw I also ordered a 12kg size tank like yours.
Not cheap (1k Eur ballpark, just about double than the same version loaded with powder), but worth the peace of mind, imho.
Incidentally, after being confirmed in this thread that gas is better, I also spoke with a former colleague who is H&S officer in a chemical industry, and he told me that if we were talking of his boat, he would not want powder anywhere near her e/r.
 
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