Fire prevention

[Fin]

Because it would be downright rude (and messy) to walk into a shop and test the fire extinguishers they have..... Does anyone have any good recommendations for types/makes that they have on board. I seen to remember an article a while ago in one of the sailing mags (that I can't find) saying that some they had tested were not that impressive. If my boat ever caught fire I'd be unhappy to find that the fire extiguishers I'd bought were only good for a couple of Marlboro Kingsize.

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[pvb]

YM did a test...

YM did a test in Nov 2003. Basic conclusions (greatly paraphrased) were carry several extinguishers, dry powder seemed to be more effective than foam, but best to have both. Dry powder "Best Buy" was Draper PD1GA. Foam "recommended" was Firemaster FSP2000/LT.

Now, what on earth made you think your boat might catch fire?

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[webcraft]

Re: YM did a test...

Screwfix do a very good value for money dry powder extinguisher <font size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>http://www.bluemoment.com</font size=1>

 

[pvb]

Re: YM did a test...

The Screwfix one looks identical to the YM "Best Buy".

Many local councils will dispose of halon extinguishers through their recycling facilities. If not, there's supposed to be a Halon Hotline (unfortunate phrase) on 0800 010 106.

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[webcraft]

Re: YM \'best buy\'

I believe it IS identical . . .

And so even better value . . . I've just ordered two, cost including handling and delivery is £37.95 - not bad.

- Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>http://www.bluemoment.com</A></font size=1>

 

[Trevethan]

Re: YM did a test...

give it to me!

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[Robin]

Safe disposal of Halon extingishers

I intend to store my Halon automatic extinguisher in a safe mounting in the engine space until such time as someone properly EU certified to handle it and dispose of it safely comes to collect it. It would be highly irresponsible of me to attempt to remove this myself, all work on pleasure vessels should only be done by suitably qualified professionals, and even worse contemplate transporting it elsewhere unless it could be packaged (by a fully EU qualified person) in a suitable CE approved container that would withstand an attack with a WMD or dropping from an aircraft. Of course if in the meantime the engine catches fire (probably from some diabolical 12v overload resulting in diode meltdown) then the Halon will be dispersed whilst performing the task it was purchased for. The resulting rise in temperatures will result in water levels on the south coast rising to a point where my keel will not find bottom in my berth on big spring tides, the costs saved by not having to dredge will mean my annual berthing bill will drop by at least 50%, to French levels.

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[supermalc]

Argos have 1k extinguishers A,B,C fires for £9.99 at the minute.

I bought 2 on Saturday, as I'm readying my boat for BW boat safety certifictate.
Looks the same as Screwfix for £15.

<hr width=100% size=1>Malcolm.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/malcsworld/>http://www.angelfire.com/malcsworld/</A>
Take a look at my boating pages.

 

[steve_cronin]

You havn\'t....

been taking the odd snort of Halon have you?

But it is something that needs looking at.

Personally I think it's a shame that halon turned out to be a "grenhouse gas". It is excellent at putting out fires and with no mess. The fumes are easily vented out too..

Steve Cronin

BTW, isn't creosote now eco-banned too? I spotted several cans of it in a "well known" local depot the other day.

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I have Kidde 1kg extinguishers on board. I had to use one in anger last year; They were new in September 2002. It was a little difficult to remove the seal prior to firing, but that was more my panic than a fault of the unit.

It fired without problem and was very easy to aim. The fire went out in seconds, I was most impressed, it was an electrical fire btw.

I replaced rather than refilled; £14.99 for two at Costco. Both (they are different types in the twin pack) have pressure indicators and clamps to mount them. I have no problems recommending them.


<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Top Cat Homepage</A>

 

[Robin]

Re: You havn\'t....

I looked at the price of a replacement (gas not dry powder) and SWMBO would not forego her 2 meals out per year to pay for it.

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[Novice]

Re: You havn\'t....

Steve, Halon hasn't been phased out for its greenhouse gas/ global warming properties, but because it is an ozone depleting chemical. Pity, as halon is an extremely effective fire extinguishant.

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: You havn\'t....

This might be a stupid question, but why change a habit of a lifetime. While in the cans the halon is not depleting anything.

Will a fuel fire not do as much damage to the ozone as the halon used to extinguish it? Surely an extinguishent that puts out the fire in seconds is better than trying to fight a fire for 10's of minutes with handheld equipment?

Is this another mad green rule, all about image?

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Top Cat Homepage</A>

 

[Robin]

Re: You havn\'t....

I think that was my misconception actually not poor old Steve's. I assume it has only become an ozone depleter this year, since last year it was still legal to use it! I will therefore set my on-board calendar to read 2003, UGT (Universal Groundhog Time).

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Robin on 09/02/2004 18:55 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Novice]

Re: You havn\'t....

Yes and no! Halons were used for many other things aside from fire extinguishing, including the major use as propellants in aerosol cans, and as the foaming agent in packaging manufacture (McDonalds boxes). The more beneficial uses such as fire fighting, refrigeration plant, and propellants in asthma inhalers were swamped by aerosols and plastic foam. The original legislation was designed to stop manufacture, and just assumed that anything already out there will be lost from the systems eventually. However, this was successively tightened up to include the recovery and destruction of the material.

The average car or boat fire is an extremely toxic fire, producing dioxins, cyanides and other nice goodies, but these tend to be dispersed in the lower atmosphere, whereas the halons go into the upper atmosphere and react with the ozone, creating holes. Had something not been done, I believe that the levels of UV radiation entering the lower atmosphere would be going up and up.

Overall, IMHO, it was the right thing to stop the wholesale manufacture of halons, but its a shame that they couldn't have retained some manufacturing to allow continued use in beneficial applications. Of course the problem comes when you go to define beneficial use....

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[Robin]

A touch of sanity?

Is that allowed?

Will there be a rotting & leaking extinguisher mountain I wonder to rival the fridge one?

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[Novice]

Re: A touch of sanity?

The fridge mountain was caused by the same regulations which are enforcing the phase out of halon systems. The issue with fridges was that the insulating foam between the casing and the interior was foamed using.... CFC's!! So not only is there a need to drain the fridge circuit, but also recover the foam and squeeze the halons out. It was the lack of suitable processing plant which caused the back up.

Robin, if I were you, I'd keep quiet about your system and just ensure that it hasn't emptied itself from a small leak from time to time. You may run into problems if you ever sell the boat, as the survey should pick up on this, but for the time being keep shtum. ;-)

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[brianrunyard]

Re: You havn\'t....

My thoughts exactly, if they want me to change mine, they need to bring the price down.
In the mean time I'll do the same as you, store in a nice warm engine compartment so it doesn't corrode.

<hr width=100% size=1>Brian
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brunyard

 

[Fin]

Fire

Having read a couple of nightmare stories recently about how quick boat fires spread I just thought try to close the door before the horse bolts. The boat we've just bought was built in 1986 so another thing I am also checking is how flammable the foam cushions are by cutting a small corner off and trying to burn it to see if it goes up like an Iraqi oil well.... Getting replacment foam can't be that hard if required and might just give a few more minutes if the worst happens.

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: Fire

just wait until you cost all your foam up! YIKES!

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Top Cat Homepage</A>