Fire Extinguishers

[Wing Mark]

What do people regard as sensible for a 28ft yacht, diesel engine, chinasplutter heater, gas stove.
For coastal cruising if that makes any difference.

I think a fire blanket near, but not 'too near' the stove is a given.

It's easy to think: sod it, go large, but maybe the practicalities of mounting the things where they are accessible are more important than a powerful extinguisher you might have to take risks to get to?
So , maybe it needs to fit near the companionway, so can be grabbed on the way out or from the cockpit?
A second unit in the cockpit locker where the fuel tank and heater are?

Your thoughts please?

 

[Greemble]

The Boat Safety Scheme has a set of recommendations.

Even though this doesn't strictly apply to privately owned boats, it seems a good place to start

 

[chrishscorp]

We have 3 extinguishers on a 26 foot, forcabin, companionway and cockpit locker plus fireblanket. We are in the process of getting a newer to us boat and what is on board will all be replaced with the new water mist extinguishers as they can be used on anything safely. If you go down that route just be careful you dont buy a misleadingly advertised old style water extinguisher

 

[Wing Mark]

The Boat Safety Scheme has a set of recommendations.

Even though this doesn't strictly apply to privately owned boats, it seems a good place to start

anything which says extinguishers made before 1998 are Ok seems barking frankly.

 

[bitbaltic]

I’ve positioned two extinguishers where you’d want them if you needed to fight your way out (via the saloon) against a fire in the galley, so, one adjacent to the rear berth (which is directly behind the galley) and one beside the door of the forecabin. Then a third immediately in the companionway right next to the cooker, where there is also a fire blanket.

I used to carry a large extinguisher in a cockpit locker but decided it was overkill. There’s also an auto in the engine compartment.

 

[Wing Mark]

How common are engine compartment fires with small diesel engines?
Maybe electrical fire in there is possible, with alternators having a hard life?

 

[Poignard]

On my 28 footer I have two.
One near the galley and one near the Taylors paraffin heater.

 

[[70521]]

Water Mist is the way to go.

I have four onboard, one each in the rear cabin and forepeak, one under the saloon table and one above the engine. A fire blanket lives under the sink - we never deep fry.

10.1 meter boat.

 

[alan_d]

Water Mist is the way to go.

I have four onboard, one each in the rear cabin and forepeak, one under the saloon table and one above the engine. A fire blanket lives under the sink - we never deep fry.

10.1 meter boat.

Two cabin 29 footer. One just inside the companionway (accessible from the cockpit), one under the saloon table and one in the fore-cabin

 

[LooseHeadPop]

I know this is a slightly aged thread, but it seems to be the most recent one that's relevant to my current concern: what kind of extinguishers to install in a new-to-me 9m yacht.

Having seen the Yachting Monthly test boat video, I don't want powder. I understand that CO2 is not a good idea in an enclosed space. I've seen the impress video demonstration of water mist units, and am tempted by them. But they have either a low or a non-existent B rating for flammable liquids (ie diesel), making it impossible to reach any of the common standards (eg MCA charter code, not that I am chartering, or RYA recommendations which seem to be based on the Brexit version of the RCD).

I have written to two sources of water mist units in the hope of getting some light shed on the apparent contradiction between evident effectiveness on flammable liquids and B ratings that are uselessly low. Meanwhile, I thought I would see if anyone here has anything to add. Or any observations on foam, which seems to be my other option.

 

[JimC]

I have powder at the moment but, having seen the YM video I'll be changing to foam. Like the previous poster I'm put off water mist by the large number of extinguishers one would need to achieve RCD compliance.

A point to bear in mind with water mist or foam is that they can't stand freezing temperatures. It can easily get below freezing in an unoccupied boat in winter, especially if laid-up ashore. Frost proof foam extinguishers are available.

 

[Plum]

I know this is a slightly aged thread, but it seems to be the most recent one that's relevant to my current concern: what kind of extinguishers to install in a new-to-me 9m yacht.

Having seen the Yachting Monthly test boat video, I don't want powder. I understand that CO2 is not a good idea in an enclosed space. I've seen the impress video demonstration of water mist units, and am tempted by them. But they have either a low or a non-existent B rating for flammable liquids (ie diesel), making it impossible to reach any of the common standards (eg MCA charter code, not that I am chartering, or RYA recommendations which seem to be based on the Brexit version of the RCD).

I have written to two sources of water mist units in the hope of getting some light shed on the apparent contradiction between evident effectiveness on flammable liquids and B ratings that are uselessly low. Meanwhile, I thought I would see if anyone here has anything to add. Or any observations on foam, which seems to be my other option.

I've already ruled out water mist types. I sail from time to time during the winter and I certainly don't want to take them home between times in case they freeze.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[dankilb]

I did a lot of research into this when we bought Christina in 2019 as I wasn't happy with powder all round. The threads are on here, somewhere...!

I was very keen on water mist, but decided against because of freezing (especially the risk that it renders them inop in future).

I then found out that many AFFF foams also freeze (or risk freezing). With this in mind, in the end, I opted for a 'motorsport' spec AFFF extinguisher with antifreeze qualities from here: Motorsport Fire Extinguishers – PD Extinguishers

They're UK made and with good support. They're not cheap, but you get very pretty polished stainless. This is what they said about freezing:

"Our Foam is an aircraft grade AFFF which is certified to -20 c. Unlike some manufacturers who add an antifreeze to the foam, we use a foam designed to work at very low temperatures. If you require lower it is possible by special order."

 

[dankilb]

I have written to two sources of water mist units in the hope of getting some light shed on the apparent contradiction between evident effectiveness on flammable liquids and B ratings that are uselessly low.

...when I inquired about this (couple of years ago now), I was told it was because the certifying/testing authorities hadn't caught up yet. This is, of course, a ready excuse for almost anything. But the countless YouTube demos showing water mist putting out all types of fire provide some reassurance!

 

[sarabande]

It looks as if this company has experience of adding their anti-freeeze to water mist extinguishers.

Apex Industrial Chemicals - Anti-Freeze (apex-chemicals.co.uk)

I have an email waiting for an answer as I have water mist on the boat.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

3 plus a fire blanket on my 28fter. Placed so I could use them to get out but as it's so small that also means 2 are within arms reach of both the galley and engine box.

 

[BabaYaga]

I know this is a slightly aged thread, but it seems to be the most recent one that's relevant to my current concern: what kind of extinguishers to install in a new-to-me 9m yacht.

Having seen the Yachting Monthly test boat video, I don't want powder. I understand that CO2 is not a good idea in an enclosed space. I've seen the impress video demonstration of water mist units, and am tempted by them. But they have either a low or a non-existent B rating for flammable liquids (ie diesel), making it impossible to reach any of the common standards (eg MCA charter code, not that I am chartering, or RYA recommendations which seem to be based on the Brexit version of the RCD).

I have written to two sources of water mist units in the hope of getting some light shed on the apparent contradiction between evident effectiveness on flammable liquids and B ratings that are uselessly low. Meanwhile, I thought I would see if anyone here has anything to add. Or any observations on foam, which seems to be my other option.

I have recently become aware of this (new?) technology
Fire Extinguishers for Domestic and Commercial Use | Firexo
which seems to be based om water with addition of ammonium sulphate.
Much more efficient on B fires compared to water mist and still an easy clean up after use. Also said to work well on lithium battery fires.
Still the problem that the extinguisher must be protected from frost, though.
Cannot see that it has been discussed on the forum. Anyone familiar with this type of extinguisher?

 

[dankilb]

I have recently become aware of this (new?) technology
Fire Extinguishers for Domestic and Commercial Use | Firexo
which seems to be based om water with addition of ammonium sulphate.
Much more efficient on B fires compared to water mist and still an easy clean up after use. Also said to work well on lithium battery fires.
Still the problem that the extinguisher must be protected from frost, though.
Cannot see that it has been discussed on the forum. Anyone familiar with this type of extinguisher?

Interesting - many thanks for sharing.

On the frost/freezing question, the data sheet does say -15°C / +60°C. The suggestion that they're suitable for vehicles/work vans also suggests they can tolerate sub-zero temps (one of the issues with some AFFFs sold for cars, inc. in motorsport, is that they don't survive freezing!).

Then again, this is specified as 'operating temp', which perhaps could mean it'll work if carried into a -15°C environment from the warm - but wouldn't if that was the environment in which it was stored long term.

I'm very keen not to have powder on the boat!

 

[jwilson]

I let off various extinguishers under controlled test conditions about 45+ years ago - in those days halon was impressively effective compared to everything else, but now banned. Powder worked reasonably but created a truly horrible mess, and if an engine is running may cause serious damage. It is however pretty much "all-purpose".

On own boat now have a Pyrogen auto engine extinguisher as just not enough space to put in a FE type (halon replacement) above the engine. Unusual and expensive but very compact and the RNLI uses some. Plus 5 other powder types in the cabins that I cross my fingers will never get used.

I once worked in a basement level area with an automatic Halon extinguisher system - and a very loud "get out quick" alarm prior to going off.

 

[dankilb]

Even more impressed with the prospect of Firexo having found the range is available via Screwfix!

I think an email is in order asking whether they can be stored below freezing.