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

I have foam extinguishers in saloon, clipped to the saloon table leg & in the aft cabin and an automatic Halon replacement in the engine space.
 
Fire blankets seem like a good thing to have, and I do have a couple on board, but they don't seem to be given sufficient priority when considering fire fighting equipment.

In my view the extinguishers are not necessarily to put the fire out but more to assist an escape from the boat. The spray mist type seems best and powder type seem to me okay and all that is required in the boat living accommodation. Who cares if the powder type makes a mess providing it helps get you out. The powder type are not prone to frost so perhaps the best choice where frost is a possibility.

CO type may snuff you out so not suitable for the living quarters.

Engine bay automatic or cable operated inert gas extinguishers are the best option.

Lets hope none of the above are ever required .
 
CLB said:
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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Point taken but why use anything that can cause more damage when better alternatives are available, and as said previously powder won't cool the engine and other burnt areas.
 
Thanks for the reminder of the YM Crash Test vid - the whiteout doesn't look at all appealing. At best, looks like it'd delay being able to assess what to do next and I'd always rather avoid that onboard.

I get the point that powder will put most things out - but would anyone actually buy one if, like me, you need to fully re-stock the boat and don't mind paying a few quid more for foam?

Water mist, on the other hand, is quite a bit pricier than foam/powder. And the 3L capacity seems comparatively bulky. But the YM video got me looking at videos of water mist extinguishers on various (all?) fire types and they do look very impressive:

So I'm now thinking - 1L foam for aft cabins and 2L foam in forepeak, nice 3L water mist in the saloon (maybe under the table - which was a good suggestion above), forget the CO2, and plan to fit an automatic in the engine compartment when we're ready in the future. Sound okay?
 
penberth3 said:
Never understood this. If you had an engine fire wouldn't you stop the engine before trying to put the fire out?
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Would you remember to do that? Once the red mist hits all sorts of daft things happen.

Personally, I need to stand in front of the engine to pull the stop lever, rather you than me.
 
You must also remember where you position any extinguisher. It needs to be in a position where it can be close to an exit point from the cabin. You don't want to be in a position where you to go looking for it.
 
dleroc said:
You must also remember where you position any extinguisher. It needs to be in a position where it can be close to an exit point from the cabin. You don't want to be in a position where you to go looking for it.
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That's me out then.

"Where's my keys"
"Where did you put them last?"
"On the unit"
"Have you checked your pockets?"
"THEY'RE NOT IN MY GODDAMN POckets... ?"
 
I have reservations about the FSS.


It seems to need to be within a foot or so of the fire. OK if you are brave. but there is an oil fire with smoke and noise, holding the business end near the flame source, is that really practical ?

"removes oxygen" - great for open spaces where there is free air, but inside a boat ?

Finally I can't think of any other form of extinguisher that has a heat source (like a fire work) in th ebody of the extinguisher.. Potential for re-ignition or burnt hands.

The main selling points seem to be cheapness, maintenance, and storage life.

I am seeing a friendly fireman tomorrow. I will ask.
 
penberth3 said:
Never understood this. If you had an engine fire wouldn't you stop the engine before trying to put the fire out?
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CLB said:
WIth an automatic FE, it may go off before you even know there is a fire.
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What you need is a smoke/fire detector inside the engine compartment and a remote activated fire extinguisher with the remote activation handle close to the engine shut down switch/handle, ensuring you cannot pull the wrong.

You could also have one emergency lever that will stop the engine and activate the fire extinguisher at the same time.
 
Hmm, not so sure about the fire sticks. If they’re cheap and store ok, cannot see the harm in having a few on board. But don’t think they could replace regular extinguishers. Having seen the water mist in action, reckon that would put out the demo FSS fire with a lot less time/fuss/mess.

Rogershaw said:
What you need is a smoke/fire detector inside the engine compartment and a remote activated fire extinguisher
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Interesting suggestion. A quick search turned up some Plastimo ‘gas’ extinguishers with remote activation. Couldn’t seem to find a price anywhere, though, which doesn’t bode too well for affordability/availability.

Would installing a ‘key hole’ type aperture in the companionway steps that was sized to take the horn of a CO2 (manual) extinguisher achieve the same thing? Plus the CO2 could also be on hand for use elsewhere, whereas a fancy engine room extinguisher is obviously for that space/job only.
 
dankilb said:
Hmm, not so sure about the fire sticks. If they’re cheap and store ok, cannot see the harm in having a few on board. But don’t think they could replace regular extinguishers. Having seen the water mist in action, reckon that would put out the demo FSS fire with a lot less time/fuss/mess.



Interesting suggestion. A quick search turned up some Plastimo ‘gas’ extinguishers with remote activation. Couldn’t seem to find a price anywhere, though, which doesn’t bode too well for affordability/availability.

Would installing a ‘key hole’ type aperture in the companionway steps that was sized to take the horn of a CO2 (manual) extinguisher achieve the same thing? Plus the CO2 could also be on hand for use elsewhere, whereas a fancy engine room extinguisher is obviously for that space/job only.
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Looking at the way a hand operated extinguisher is operated to me it would be quite easy to fit a remote cable cable like an engine shut down cable or a bicycle break cable. You would need to remove the safety pin to allow remote operation.
 
Rogershaw said:
Looking at the way a hand operated extinguisher is operated to me it would be quite easy to fit a remote cable cable like an engine shut down cable or a bicycle break cable. You would need to remove the safety pin to allow remote operation.
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That is exactly how many engine room extinguishers work.
 
Any experience of the fire safety sticks as sold by force4 among others they look great but I cant find them on any fire safety documents?
 
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