Fire extinguishers

[Kerenza]

In case anyone has been tempted down the same path as me....

I need to replace some extinguishers and have been impressed with the reasonably new water mist extinguishers. (I class dry powder in the same group as pyrotechnics as far as having them on board).
However after contacting RORc I had the following response:


Apologies for the delay in coming back to you but I’ve only just heard back from our safety specialists who had this to say:

“The water mist fire extinguisher does exactly what it says on the link 1ltr option is proven but not officially rated for A,B,C, & F, whereas the 3Ltr option has all the ratings, it is another option that could be made available to meet RORC rules and regulations.
It’s not a replacement for powder type as I’m not completely convinced that water mist type would be an option for fuel or fat fires.”

In a nut shell we don’t believe that a water mist system can be considered to be the same as the Dry Powder option.

I hope this helps but please do come back to me if I can be of any further assistance.

Best regards,

Not entirely English but I think they won't approve them.

K

 

[sarabande]

Then the dear old RORC should have a chat with the makers.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=water+mist+oil


I don't know of a better extinguisher product capable of dealing with a range of fire classes, and also not leaving toxic acid residues. I have them on the boat and at home. It's a classic example of new (and sustainable) simple technology beating up ancient chemical extinguishers.

 

[bedouin]

That somewhat contradicts what the manufacturers and most of the industry say about water mist fire extinguishers - but they are not unbiased of course. I know there is a problem with getting them certified for some fires but they genuinely seem a better option that dry powder.

I have recently bought a 3ltr water mist for the boat alongside a couple of small dry powder ones. Hopefully I will never have the need to find out how well they work.

In my case I don't technically meet the RYA recommendation for fire extingusher capacity but as I am not seeking any form of coding or compliance that is not an issue.

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

Then the dear old RORC should have a chat with the makers.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=water+mist+oil


I don't know of a better extinguisher product capable of dealing with a range of fire classes, and also not leaving toxic acid residues. I have them on the boat and at home. It's a classic example of new (and sustainable) simple technology beating up ancient chemical extinguishers.

Thanks for that Sarabande.

 

[rszemeti]

Personally, I think CO2 on boats has a lot to recommend it.

It can be fed into an engine compartment, gets well into hidden areas of a bilge, up behind panels. Dry Powder is fine, if you can get to the source of the fire, but CO2 can fill a compartment and extinguish any chance of re-ignition. Same with water mist, if the fire is not easily accessible, you are going to struggle to get it out.

My engine bay used to have a Halon extinguisher, but apparently thes have been outlawed by the EU ...

 

[Pete7]

My engine bay used to have a Halon extinguisher, but apparently these have been outlawed by the EU ...

Close but its world wide after the Montreal Protocol to reduce halon apart from some very limited aircraft and military uses. An alternative replacement is available from chandlers: https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/en/gb/FX-GTFE-Halon-Replacement-Fire-Extinguisher-1kg/m-27.aspx

We also carry CO2 along with AFFF.

 

[TOKOLOSHI]

Thanks for that Sarabande.

Shown as 33$
This can be adjusted to a Water Mist would be ideal IF it could be fitted to a suitable pump on board larger yachts (close to a constant supply of water)!:encouragement::encouragement:

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

View attachment 75645
Shown as 33$
This can be adjusted to a Water Mist would be ideal IF it could be fitted to a suitable pump on board larger yachts (close to a constant supply of water)!:encouragement::encouragement:

Yes they had a few demo ones on my firefighting course, but they weren't part of the syllabus yet, good kit.

 

[Kerenza]

Don't forget the water mist we're talking about uses deionised water, making it suitable for use on live electrical fires.

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

Don't forget the water mist we're talking about uses deionised water, making it suitable for use on live electrical fires.

I didn't know that, the mist nozzles we tried just replaced ordinary Fire Service branch nozzles.
So you can't actually use tap water, or sea water for mist.. just special water from special extinguishers. Ok that's fine for yacht extinguishers anyway.

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

So how do we get to learn how to actually use water mist extinguishers in anger, without going on an expensive course? Buy one to test?

 

[Kerenza]

While any formal training is going to improve the outcome, dry mist are designed to be used in the same manner as any other hand held extinguisher.

https://www.firesafe.org.uk/types-use-and-colours-of-portable-fire-extinguishers/

Interesting notes on CO2 and dry powder, particularly the recommendations for enclosed spaces.

Firesafe is part of the manufacturers safelincs.ltd

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

While any formal training is going to improve the outcome, dry mist are designed to be used in the same manner as any other hand held extinguisher.

https://www.firesafe.org.uk/types-use-and-colours-of-portable-fire-extinguishers/


Interesting notes on CO2 and dry powder, particularly the recommendations for enclosed spaces.

Thanks for info

 

[Martin_J]

Don't forget the water mist we're talking about uses deionised water, making it suitable for use on live electrical fires.

Kerenza..

As you say, the dry mist 1l does appear to be suitable all the fire types that the dry power covers but it looks like RORC are correct in that you need to go up to the 3l version for rating....

So with RORC, we need the equivalent of the 2 kg dry powder...
How about carrying the required regulation 2kg dry powder extinguishers but also have the smaller water mist extinguishers handy for first use as well.. ?

 

[bedouin]

Kerenza..

As you say, the dry mist 1l does appear to be suitable all the fire types that the dry power covers but it looks like RORC are correct in that you need to go up to the 3l version for rating....

So with RORC, we need the equivalent of the 2 kg dry powder...
How about carrying the required regulation 2kg dry powder extinguishers but also have the smaller water mist extinguishers handy for first use as well.. ?

BTW note that the 3L version (which I have) is larger than you might expect - about the same size as a 6L conventional water extinquisher

 

[Martin_J]

BTW note that the 3L version (which I have) is larger than you might expect - about the same size as a 6L conventional water extinquisher

Indeed.. And it also looks like the 1l water mist is slightly larger in cylinder diameter than the 2kg dry powder.

15cm instead of the slim 11cm dry powder.

Still looks to be worth getting a small water mist (or two) as well, even if for RORC races we're required to carry 2kg dry powder extinguishers as a minimum.

 

[Kerenza]

My first thought was exactly that, meet the requirements and also carry dry mist for the real thing, but then I thought it's wrong from all accounts - cost, weight, storage and most importantly possible confusion in the Heat of the moment.