Fireproof Engine Compartment

[howardclark]

When I bought this boat last year, there was a well out of date automatic extinguisher which I threw away and then... forgot to do anything more. The compartment is underneath the pilot cabin, very well soundproofed and I suspect could hide a small inferno until too late!
An article in one of the mags has reminded me to do something.
I don't want an automatic extinguisher if it doesn't warn me what's happening but I'm vulnerable to a fire and the plastic piping running from the seacock burning through. I don't want sticky corrosive powder.
(Gas automatics are now extremely expensive anyway)
I'd like to rig a heat detector - I have identified a stainless steel thermostat from RS for about £3- you can choose the model to set the the temperature at which the circuit is made - the article suggests 80degrees I think. I could easily rig a buzzer to this.

So here are the questions.
If I use a thermostat, where should I put it to get the best effect?
Are there better devices?
How should I protect the plastic pipe(it is looped over the waterline so I only need to protect the first part)?
Is a CO2 extinguisher viable? - I don't want sticky corrosive powder on the engine - I can rig an access hole from the cockpit locker and fasten the extinguisher in there ready to go. If not any other low cost options?
Anyone got a better low cost set-up?

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[aztec]

don't worry about the "sticky corrosive powder on the engine" 'cos if you don't extinguish that fire quickly, you can use it as a mooring.

i read so many posts like this, go and try the various types of extinguisher when you do your training (ooh there's a thought) and you will draw your own conclusions... then you'll fit an automatic powder, honest.

sorry to be glib, but i'd rather have to clean and repaint the engine room than have to wait for the sea to put my boat out, which it does... eventually.

hope it never comes to thet, steve.

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[dickh]

The latest automatic 'non-Halon' extiunguishers are now available from approx. £100 for the smallest. There was a thread on this a few weeks ago. Other chandleries sell it, like Compass but they are EXPENSIVE!!

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[AndrewB]

Regarding the plastic hose ...

You might think of replacing it with armoured hose (which need special terminals) or exhaust hose (wire reinforced, and inflexible). It is also possible to get fire retardant GRP bandaging and sleeving, either of which may be used to protect a pipe. (Try a racing car specialist for these, also I think there is a company called Aquaflex).

But it would be far better to reorganise your engine compartment so there is no plastic pipe below water level.

Incidentally, I bought a 1kg automatic powder extinguisher last weekend for £36 at my local chandler - no other cheap alternative seemed available. I let the old one off as a test. The powder is very messy but not sticky and was cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner. Not a serious consideration given what we are protecting against.

 

[duncan]

firm based in Caterham Surrey were doing them at LBS - 145 big enough for most single engine compartments.
More including delivery
Can't find their name but have mental note to purchase and fit before season gets going......

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[aztec]

could have been pyrogen. good properties, but hav'nt used/seen one work first hand.

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[iris]

Here is a suggestion:
to fireproof the hose, fit a glass fibre fireproof webbing (I purchased mine from ASAP supplies in Beccles (http://www.asap-supplies.com/) with prices from LAGGING GLASS WEBBING 40mm x3mm P/mtr £1.24. I then wrapped it in an aluminium tape from Screwfix direct.
As for the auto fire extinguisher, the best prices I have seen is from Gael Force Marine - approx £47 for a 2kg unit!

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