Help specifying fire extinguishers (powder vs. foam/CO2/water mist)

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dankilb

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Hi all - collective wisdom sought before ordering new extinguishers throughout the boat - old ones are all powder and way out of date. Now seems a good time, as winter jobs inc. starting the engine for the first time in years, lots of wiring, and I'm wielding my new MAPP torch in anger more often!

Boat is 42ft Jeanneau with two double aft cabins (with no extra egress/escape routes) and an otherwise conventional layout. There's no dedicate engine room extinguisher (I might consider one at a later date).

I am considering purchasing the following:
  • 2 x 1L AFFF Foam for the aft cabins
  • 1 x 1L Water Mist for the saloon (mounted on the bulkhead aft of the port-side/galley)
  • 1 x 2KG CO2 - probably under the chart table (stbd side)
  • 1 x 2L AFFF Foam for the forepeak (where we sleep, and there's space, so rather have larger here!)
I do have one 2KG powder still 'in the green' on its gauge, so was thinking of keeping this in a cockpit locker, just to also have some powder on board. I've read previous forum threads on the issues with powder (damage/visibility/re-ignition/etc.), while others still argue that powder is useful for initial evacuation purposes. With this in mind, I prefer the idea of foam for 'evacuation' and then having a variety of types on board for subsequent 'fire fighting', if required. Does this sound reasonable? Or should I consider new powder extinguishers as well?

This place seem to have decent prices and free delivery >£50: Fire Safety & Fire Protection Equipment
 
coopec said:
This is what they recommend in the State of Queensland in Australia.

Firefighting equipment (Maritime Safety Queensland)
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Helpful, thanks! From their table, it sounds like I will be well covered apart for 'C' (without a dedicated powder extinguishers). I'm not sure whether flammable gases would really be 'fightable' on board, though? ?
Firefighting-equipment.jpg

(source: Firefighting equipment (Maritime Safety Queensland))
 
Where and what are your most likely sources of combustion? For me the first thing would be an auto engine compartment extinguisher - the halon replacement type. Then a large water mist somewhere close to the galley and exit. Only then look at smaller extinguishers in the cabins - I have powder, but would probably go for water mist next time. I also have a 2kg powder in a cockpit locker in case I am up top when I notice a fire. Also have a fire blanket close to the galley.
 
Sandy said:
Water mist does everything.

Having one type of extinguisher means you don't need to remember what technique to use as the excretia hits the fan.
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Yeah, very fair point there. I like the sound of water mist too. Apparently they freeze though (Water mist extinguishers - do not freeze), so one downside is potentially having to take them off the boat over winter.

I'm going to be working aboard a lot over winter, so hoping the AFFF (with its antifreeze properties) will substitute for the water mist then.
 
neil1967 said:
Where and what are your most likely sources of combustion? For me the first thing would be an auto engine compartment extinguisher - the halon replacement type. Then a large water mist somewhere close to the galley and exit. Only then look at smaller extinguishers in the cabins - I have powder, but would probably go for water mist next time. I also have a 2kg powder in a cockpit locker in case I am up top when I notice a fire. Also have a fire blanket close to the galley.
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Good question. Realistically, the next few years for us will be an ongoing refit (on the hard now - hopefully in the water from next spring). I'm most worried about setting things on fire myself (although I obviously try to avoid it!), followed by the wiring, then the engine. In contrast, our domestic gas is out of commission anyway.

I was thinking the CO2 would mainly be the 'engine' extinguisher. I'm stripping out and tidying up the engine compartment insulation and re-plumbing/wiring the engine now, but could add an automatic type before launching in spring. For now I just want to order the 'hand held' extinguishers.

Maybe I need a larger water mist for the saloon or as a 'main' extinguisher? They do seem quite bulky, physically, compared to AFFF though. Even a 3L will be a major 'feature' in the saloon (needs must, though, of course)!
 
Sandy said:
I'd be interested in the thinking there.

CO2 does not cool a HOT engine and if used in a confined space will starve you of O2.

Please, PLEASE, PLEASE read up on the use and abuse of fire extinguishers.
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Ah ok, fair enough...

I was thinking of the ‘keyhole’ method or sticking the horn through a small gap to tackle a fire inside the engine compartment.

Happy to go with no CO2 (they’re not cheap and I’ve never used one before)... then wait to fit a dedicated auto extinguisher in there.

So should I have a large AFFF extinguisher as well as the water mist in the saloon and as the ‘main’ fire fighting extinguishers??
 
There will be a tendency, if a fire takes place on board, for crew who are not completely able to identify the type of fire and its proper alphabetical treatment, to grab the nearest red cylinder and squirt (and they all have different safety and trigger mechanisms) . This is a recipe for delaying an effective response.


The new water mist will deal effectively with all fires on the boat. They are easy to check, and to refill, and unlike powder sand some chemical extinguishers, are not damaging to electronics or engines, nor are they poisonous to humans.

Water mist throughout the boat.
 
PCUK said:
Powder has no place on a boat as it will destroy a running engine and everywhere else cause more mess than the fire.
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I think that's a bit of an old wives tale, unless you don't have adequate air filters on your engine. It can damage things metallic and electrical items if left in contact long term, but if the thing is on fire, is any potential damage caused by an extinguisher really your main concern? Have you been onboard a boat after even a small fire. The mess and damage is incredible.

For me the biggest drawback of powder is the visibility issues it causes when set of in a confined space. I think many are not aware of that.
 
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