Things You Must Know About Your Boat Fire Extinguisher
Whether you are enjoying a balmy day, relaxed on your boat, or if you make a living off the water, a proper functioning fire safety system on-board your vessel is crucial in every situation. Though boat fire accidents are infrequent, they are quite terrible and spread out quickly. Often an electrical malfunction is the cause of the fire or a poorly maintained automatic fire suppression system. However, you can easily avoid a fire hazard using a boat fire extinguisher or a properly working marine fire suppression system. Read to know the basics of mounting fire extinguishers on your boat.
Boat Requirements
As per the marine fire safety laws in North America, you must have a fire extinguisher on board. Continue reading to know what is a requirement for fire extinguishers on a boat. However, it is still highly recommended to carry a fire extinguisher to ensure the safety of all the people on board.
It has an inboard engine.
It has closed living spaces.
There are closed compartments in the boat, where portable fuel tanks may be stored.
There are permanently installed fuel tanks.
The boat's double bottom is not sealed to the hull, not filled with flotation materials.
Location
Fire will not wait for you to smother it and reduce everything to ashes, whatever will come in its way. Therefore, you must have fire extinguishers at your fingertips to control and ultimately survive a fire hazard. Going looking for extinguishers once a fire has started will waste precious time and lose your boat and even people on-board. Instead, mount your fire extinguisher in easy-to-reach locations, preferably within an arm’s reach, in case of an emergency.
According to experts, the best locations to mount fire extinguishers in your boat are-
The cockpit area of the boat.
Outside the engine compartment, but never inside it.
In the forward of the engine compartment, which is the accommodation area.
Galley area.
Number of Extinguishers
As per the regulations of the U.S. Coast Guard (U.S.C.G.), there is a certain minimum number of fire extinguishers required according to the length of an average boat, which are-
If your boat is 40 feet and over but not over 65 feet in length, you need either three B1 extinguishers or two B2 extinguishers.
If your boat is under 40 feet but not less than 26 feet, you need either two B1 or a single B2 fire extinguisher.
A boat less than 26 feet in size must have one B1 fire extinguisher on-board.
How To Use
Often people have the required type and number of fire extinguishers on their boats but don’t know how to use one. So, remember the acronym “P.A.S.S.” to swing into action when a fire breaks out quickly.
Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire.
Squeeze or press the handle slowly.
Sweep from side to side until the fire goes out.
Also, always remember to operate your boat fire extinguisher from a safe distance by remaining several feet away from the fire, and gradually move closer towards it once the fire begins to douse.
Conclusion
Now that you know almost everything about getting fire extinguishers on-board, remember these to sail safely in the future. Fire hazards occur unannounced, and failing to tackle them can ruin your boat or business and cost lives. Also, installing fire extinguishers or marine fire suppression systems from high-quality services will serve you no better if you fail to check them and maintain them regularly.


Comments
Post a Comment