Fire extinguisher service life

superheat6k

superheat6k

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Yesterday I found someone had dumped two HFC227A engine room fire extinguishers in the boat yard bins.

Nothing wrong with them with date marks - Tested 2011, retest due 2021.

These are now earmarked to replace my out of date engine bay fire extinguishers.

Is it an Insurance company requirement to hold in date fire extinguishers and how is date established, or is a fire extinguisher accepted as OK if it has a gauge with the needle in the green ?

I am quite chuffed with this skip find.
 
From memory the requirement is for the fire extinguishers to be maintained in accordance with manufacturers requirements, which I think in practical terms means an inspection once a year, and periodic servicing (iirc 5 years for handheld and 10 years for fixed installation). I just put the annual inspections in the log, although I know some people have labels on their fire extinguishers which they initial and date on inspection.
 
As used in data centres. A good find, but after the fire is out, don't go anywhere near the engine room till it's well ventilated as heptafluoropropane can have effects on the heart.

It's unlikely you will want to go near anyway, as the gas when fighting a fire produces a very bitter smell like burning vinegar.
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
From memory the requirement is for the fire extinguishers to be maintained in accordance with manufacturers requirements, which I think in practical terms means an inspection once a year, and periodic servicing (iirc 5 years for handheld and 10 years for fixed installation).
Click to expand...

What does manufacturer servicing actually amount to?

I ask because my 'new' boat has several good sized extinguishers; probably at least 15 years old, possibly significantly more, but I couldn't see a date on them; in visually very good condition and with gauges all showing green.
 
I checked the labels and the weight, which is the same as when they were new.

I have filled out the inspection chart and I am quite satisfied they are good to go.
 
LittleSister said:
What does manufacturer servicing actually amount to?

I ask because my 'new' boat has several good sized extinguishers; probably at least 15 years old, possibly significantly more, but I couldn't see a date on them; in visually very good condition and with gauges all showing green.
Click to expand...

For the handhelds it isn't worth servicing them, I just replaced them. The engine room extinguisher went back to the manufacturer, degassed, pressure tested and recertified, new valve and regassed.
 
That's something I would never cut corners on, all safety equipment would need to be professionaly tested and certified for me, just filling in the service card because I thought it looked OK is not really right thing to do IMHO unless of course you are qualified to do so, wouldn't like to be in arguments with insurance company in case of the un expected and not be able to produce a cert that says all was in order beforehand, also would expect they were dumped for a reason, best to know
 
whilst on this topic, can anyone recommend a local firm (to Poole/South Coast) who can do the test & refill for mine? - 10yrs old now, but of Italian origin - not sure of the actual brand. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Phildorset said:
whilst on this topic, can anyone recommend a local firm (to Poole/South Coast) who can do the test & refill for mine? - 10yrs old now, but of Italian origin - not sure of the actual brand. Thanks for any suggestions.
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When I was 'in command' in Southampton we used this guy, I don't know if he is still around and can't comment on recent service but ? maybe 6 years ago was great and very helpful - 07958252391.

W.
 
When I took out our insurance with Traffords, I had to obtain a change to the conditions on where the manual fuel tank shut-offs were located. That was fine, but I took the opportunity to ask about servicing the extinguishers and was advised I needed to provide proof they'd been serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by an 'accredited' company. 'So what accreditation?' I asked. To cut a long saga short, the company I used was verified as OK. But it all seemed a potential 'get out of jail free' card for the insurers.
 
thank you chaps, I'll contact both and surely one or other will be able to get my system serviced and passed as fit. cheers.
 
LittleSister said:
What does manufacturer servicing actually amount to?

I ask because my 'new' boat has several good sized extinguishers; probably at least 15 years old, possibly significantly more, but I couldn't see a date on them; in visually very good condition and with gauges all showing green.
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Powder, weigh & shake vigorously to loosen the contents
 
There's a lot of chatter on the actual date of the "gas " canister --but really chaps think about it ----
Fuel shut off valves ? -- what else is flammable ?
Flaps to shut off the engine room air intake ?

And lastly gas to remove the O 2 ----- Or -and put it out !

Pissing in the wind springs to mind --sorry to say this -but there's a lot more than the canister service to proper ER fire security
Assuming your boats made to a classification
If not then then your are in the "wild west" of min (due to cost ,what little we can get away with !) of fire in the ER protection
 
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I am not current on UK environmental laws. Regarding the disposal of various types of rubbish. But I seriously doubt chucking Full HFC cylinders in a skip is considered kosher disposal method. So I suspect the OP is inadvertently doing the fly tipper. A big favour by retrieving them.
Weight is correct they are full. Most pressure cylinders are date stamped for hydrostatic test every 5 or 10 years. So in date probably OK.

Are they hand held extinguishers or are they intended to be part of a fixed system?

I am not familiar with HFC extinguishers. I would expect if it is similar in designe to a Co2 extinguisher.The inspection routine would be similar.

The annual inspection routine for a Co2 extinguisher.
Check the weight is within the limits stamped on cylinder for full, The Date of Hydro test also stamped on cylinder, General condition(no rust), Release Pin secure,
The Diffuser condition OK(not cracked or broken).
Apply Tag with date of inspection.

Testing a fixed system is a bit more complicated.
 
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Portofino said:
There's a lot of chatter on the actual date of the "gas " canister --but really chaps think about it ----
Fuel shut off valves ? -- what else is flammable ?
Flaps to shut off the engine room air intake ?

And lastly gas to remove the O 2 ----- Or -and put it out !

Pissing in the wind springs to mind --sorry to say this -but there's a lot more than the canister service to proper ER fire security
Assuming your boats made to a classification
If not then then your are in the "wild west" of min (due to cost ,what little we can get away with !) of fire in the ER protection
Click to expand...

Why not ask your insurers what they need, and either argue it away with an exception, or comply?
 
I can tell you what my insurance require. It is for a small Yanmar GMF 30 on a sailboat rather than a 60ft Princess. The insurance for my small motor boat with 50hp outboard said nothing. I think its only fully coverd when its on a trailer and I'm towing it.

It was an upgrade from the original mid 80s design and equipment.

Either a fixed approved and certified system. Or a small hole with a fitting (about 5 bucks) through which and ABC fire extinguisher can be fired without opening the compartment. Along with more modern USCG approved fuel hoses.
The fuel hoses according to mechanic are perfectly acceptable and rated for the engine often used in industrial applications jus lacking the USCG stamp and price tag. Insurance accepted mechanics statement they met manufacturers requirement.

Old boat Insurance required a survey.
Insurance just required surveyors comments regarding required modifications.
The wording was actually the surveyors.

I went with the 5 dollar hole cover.

(ABC North American terminology for Class A, B &C fires) Most common type small consumer dry chem. Cheep, Disposable, really messy. Put diesel fires out though.
Small 5lb dry chem's there is no real maintenance you can do. Check its not rusty, The pressure gauge is reading full (Green)
Pin secure. Hose on good condition.
They are prone to the dry chem powder becoming compacted and failure to function when required. Particularly if subject to vibration.
It is often recommended they be given a shake every so often and or a rubber mallet tapping the base. I have often heard it recommend turning upside down and shaking. Some types have a tendency to get plugged in the internal discharge pipe if turned upside down.
They are cheep, best to replace them than need one and find it doesn't work. If you have never fired one off. Its worth while testing your old ones.
 
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Portofino said:
There's a lot of chatter on the actual date of the "gas " canister --but really chaps think about it ----
Fuel shut off valves ? -- what else is flammable ?
Flaps to shut off the engine room air intake ?

And lastly gas to remove the O 2 ----- Or -and put it out !

Pissing in the wind springs to mind --sorry to say this -but there's a lot more than the canister service to proper ER fire security
Assuming your boats made to a classification
If not then then your are in the "wild west" of min (due to cost ,what little we can get away with !) of fire in the ER protection
Click to expand...

My boats are pretty small. GRP,I think the whole damn thing is flammable? It doesn't have an engine room. Law here (In the wild west) requires me to carry 2 fire extinguishers. Bigger boats require a bit more.
If you have a bigger more modern more complex boat the designers probably have put in a sensible level of equipment. Appropriate to the type of use.
 
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Even though I still have a normal 2 kg fire extinguisher , I am moving over to the newer PFE-1 non serviceable types that have a life of 5 years.
They are smaller and lighter hence easier to find space or hide away (about the size of a flashlight).
They more effective than traditional extinguishers and cover more types of fires.
They discharge longer
The after residues is easier to clean and leaves no damage on contact.

 
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