mick
Well-Known Member
I need to buy some for a 29 ft. yacht. Which type and how many?
Fire extinguishers
- Thread starter mick
- Start date
alahol2
Well-Known Member
We have 3 powder ones. 1 by the companionway/engine reachable from outside. 1 by the galley. 1 in the forecabin. Plus a fireblanket again reachable from outside. Must admit I felt much better with the halon ones but they're now a no no. Have wondered about CO2 but they are usually rather large and expensive.
I have had it suggested that the powder extinguishers benefit from being mounted 'lying down' across the boat, so that the powder moves whenever the boat heels, rather than solidifying in the bottom of the extinguisher with the engine vibrations.
I have had it suggested that the powder extinguishers benefit from being mounted 'lying down' across the boat, so that the powder moves whenever the boat heels, rather than solidifying in the bottom of the extinguisher with the engine vibrations.
Pye_End
Well-Known Member
How about one of these?
http://www.firemart.co.uk/webshop/1ltr-foam-fire-extinguisher?cPath=72_95_98
http://www.firemart.co.uk/webshop/1ltr-foam-fire-extinguisher?cPath=72_95_98
sarabande
Well-Known Member
CO2 for electricals, and AAA foam for the rest. Powder can be corrosive, and is very very messy to clear up.
Playtime
Well-Known Member
Agreed.
Try these people.
I ordered three extinguishers from them a few weeks ago (on-line) and they arrived the following morning - less than 24 hours delivery - excellent. No connection with the company BTW - just praising good service.
I have been worried for some time about dry powder (I had 4 ten year old ones on the boat). I attended a fire safety demo a few years ago and well remember the mess that dry powder made and the comments that it is not especially efficient at putting out fires. It is cheap, though, hence it's popularity!
This time around I have bought 2 x 2kg Foam and one 2kg CO2 which should cover most eventualities (before we abandon ship). The whole lot, delivered including VAT, £90.
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maxi77
Well-Known Member
Current stock is halon replacement in the engine compartment, powder in the aft cabin, for'd cabin and saloon, fire blanket in the galley and small foam at the main hatch. I plan to replace at least some of the powder with foam. This is in a Moody 36.
In our last boat, a Maxi 77 we had 2 small powder, blanket and a large powder in the cockpit locker.
Having set of some old powders a while ago I was not impressed, and thus I feal happier moving to foam which is a good fire killer.
In our last boat, a Maxi 77 we had 2 small powder, blanket and a large powder in the cockpit locker.
Having set of some old powders a while ago I was not impressed, and thus I feal happier moving to foam which is a good fire killer.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
This is the true path! No choking, boat ruining powder. But CO2 has its place.
There is aboslutely no need to lash out £30 a pop when +- £10 will suffice.
3 units minimum in the obvious places - close to galley, hatch, outside locker etc.
Do have a fire planket for the galley - often overlooked!
PWG
Playtime
Well-Known Member
Don't forget VAT and shipping which will push the headline price of the small (1kg) extinguishers to over £20!
£30 a pop will buy you 2kg extinguishers (incl. VAT and delivery).
That said, Firemart do look very competitive on price.
VO5
Well-Known Member
Can I give you a tip ?
Many yachtsmen forget about the galley, where the risk of fire is most prominent, such as for example from an overheated frying pan.
This can happen easily and can be a frightening experience for SWMBO and everybody on board.
In circumstances such as this, the use of a fire extinguisher is not a good idea at all.
The best solution is a Fire Blanket. It is used effectively to smother the fire by covering the flame once the gas has been shut off and left in place for half an hour for it to cool before removing it.
As these Fire Blankets are not small, it is best to apply them folded double for greater effect.
Not intending to derail this thread but with the intent of being helpful, I will keep quiet now.
Many yachtsmen forget about the galley, where the risk of fire is most prominent, such as for example from an overheated frying pan.
This can happen easily and can be a frightening experience for SWMBO and everybody on board.
In circumstances such as this, the use of a fire extinguisher is not a good idea at all.
The best solution is a Fire Blanket. It is used effectively to smother the fire by covering the flame once the gas has been shut off and left in place for half an hour for it to cool before removing it.
As these Fire Blankets are not small, it is best to apply them folded double for greater effect.
Not intending to derail this thread but with the intent of being helpful, I will keep quiet now.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I have 2 1kg powder type which are the most useful and economical type. Mine are from Screwfix and still in date but that is where I will go for replacements. I have one in the forepeak and one by the companionway which is also close to the galley where I also have a blanket.
I shouldn't worry too much about the mess from the powder - although I have had experience of one going off accidentally in a site cabin some time ago. If its mess or total loss from fire I know which I'd choose.
I shouldn't worry too much about the mess from the powder - although I have had experience of one going off accidentally in a site cabin some time ago. If its mess or total loss from fire I know which I'd choose.
Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
The siting of the extinguishers is very important. Imagine if you were in 'x' part of the boat and there was a fire in 'y' part. Would you be able to reach the fire extinguisher safely and still have an escape route?
I have Lidle dry powder in the fore cabin, table leg in main cabin and clipped to the underside of the cockpit locker, which is also a good home for escape knife and bolt croppers. There is a fire blanket in the galley and a larger foam extinguisher over the chart table.
I am contemplating cutting a hole with a keyhole type cover in the engine box but I'm not sure if I'd just empty the extinguisher on the front of the engine when the back is on fire or overshooting the fire completely due to using it 'blind'
I have Lidle dry powder in the fore cabin, table leg in main cabin and clipped to the underside of the cockpit locker, which is also a good home for escape knife and bolt croppers. There is a fire blanket in the galley and a larger foam extinguisher over the chart table.
I am contemplating cutting a hole with a keyhole type cover in the engine box but I'm not sure if I'd just empty the extinguisher on the front of the engine when the back is on fire or overshooting the fire completely due to using it 'blind'
PCUK
Well-Known Member
Presumably the foam types are Afff unless it is something new. Afff works on electrical fires as each foam molecule is separate and they do not conduct electricity. The reason they are not recommended for electrical fires is that the foam is created from the special nozzle and if this is damaged then the foam is not formed. The auto HFC extinguishers from Firemart look pretty good value although they need to be matched to the size of compartment.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
Don't forget VAT and shipping which will push the headline price of the small (1kg) extinguishers to over £20!
£30 a pop will buy you 2kg extinguishers (incl. VAT and delivery).
That said, Firemart do look very competitive on price.
Point taken - just got a smaller replacement in, wait for it, Lidl. Has all the right wording on it. Camping shops are also a good source of gear that's right for us.
PWG
mick
Well-Known Member
Thanks, all.
prv
Well-Known Member
Yep, I've had an Aldi powder extinguisher in my shed and one in my kitchen for the last couple of years. Seem as good as any other - a powder extinguisher is not a particularly complex beast in any case.
Pete
Bobobolinsky
Well-Known Member
If your boat needs a BSC, the fire extinguishers are proscribed anyway, so you don't have a choice. As for cleaning up the powder after a fire, if you have to use a fire extinguisher, the cabin is mess anyway
alan_d
Well-Known Member
I couldn't understand for a moment why the Boat Safety Scheme would proscribe fire-extinguishers as they seemed a good idea, then I realised you meant prescribe. However, the choice of type of extinguisher is still left to you (provided it is in date, has the right markings etc.).
