Fire Extinguishers

[Yeager]

Well I'm getting close to getting my boat in the water (next week?):D. Is there a specific size requirement for fire extinguishers? Any sugesstions? (I'm in California)



Oh, and what size paddle should I buy? 3', 4' or 5' ? - 72 Sanger Flat


Thanks,
Mark

[Flatmvn]

Where I am at we never really get hasseled for those Items unless you are doing something really stupid.

I don't think there is a size requirement in Cali. Here is a link to the ones that Rex Marine sells so I would think they are sufficent for your needs does not give any sizes other than Large and Small.

http://www.rexmar.com/page37.html

As for the paddle a 3' should do there is not a lot of room so you want to keep your required gear to a minimum size.

Louis

[Flatmvn]

Don't forget you need a Coast Guard approved Life vest for each person ( Lifeline Jackets ) are not approved. Also you will need a seperate Coast Guard approved flotation device and a sound device. This is all to comply with regulations of course.

Louis

[Fooshizn1x]

http://www.puddledockers.com/Telescoping_Paddle_p/lm-canoe-paddle.htm

Heres a link similar to the paddle I bought. Worked good the 2 times I've used it.

As far as fire ext. if you dont get one big enough to be useful its not worth getting at all. I have 2, one that is about 18 inches long mounted just in front of my seat and a larger one mounted to the kick board...

We all pray it wont happen, but you never know... I had a car catch on fire once which is pretty scary, also had a girlfriend get trapped in a car that caught on fire, although different situations I'd rather be safe than sorry. (girlfriend got out safely luckily)

[AquaCraft]

Well I'm getting close to getting my boat in the water (next week?):D. Is there a specific size requirement for fire extinguishers? Any sugesstions? (I'm in California)



Oh, and what size paddle should I buy? 3', 4' or 5' ? - 72 Sanger Flat


Thanks,
Mark

Hi Mark,

Without looking at the USCG regs for a recreational boat; a safe bet is they require a minimum 10 BC rating.

Fire extinguishers are designed for specific types of fires and amount of fire-fighting ability...

"A" refers to common combustibles like your boat's upholstery.

"B" refers to flammable liquids like the fuel your boat runs on.

"C" refers to electrical fires like your boats wiring harnesses.

"D" refers to metals fires like magnesium. You won't see many of these fire extinguishers and you won't need one unless you have some exotic metals like magnesium in your boat. If that stuff IS burning in a boat, you might as well get out and start running anyway; metals fires and water don't get along too well.

The number designation refers to the "amount" of fire a particular extinguisher is capable of handling.

A "10BC" fire extinguisher is supposed to handle "10 units" of fire involving flammable liquids or electrical.

The "units" are defined in code books like those produced by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

I fought and investigated fires for a living for 30 years. To give you a handle on what a particular size fire extinguisher can do; if you are lucky; a 10BC might be good for a carburator fire and that's about it.

You can use anybody's fire extinguishers from the marine store to the box store, what is important is the rating from UL; it's in the fine print on the label.

The marine store will have nice chrome one's with beefy brackets to keep your fire extinguisher where it's supposed to be.

The box stores will have painted ones with plastic mounts.

Wherever you buy; look for fire extinguishers with metal valves and handles and a pressure gauge to tell you if you have pressure.

Some folks like Halon, it's a trick clear gas originally intended for computers because it leaves no messy residue. It will work 'bitchen in a confined space; you will be screwed if your bouncing around in the middle of the lake with an engine fire with the wind blowing.

'Wanna please the USCG and most lake police? 'Get a 10BC rated extinguisher, have good insurance and don't hang around once you have dumped it in seconds on a fire that is not going out.

If you want to fight some fire in a 16-20' open boat, get a 2A30BC or 2A40BC rated dry chemical fire extinguisher. You can do some serious fire fighting and make a serious mess but with a little skill and luck you will knock down the fire and not be swimming.

'Don't forget to kill all the electronics the instant you have a fire problem on-board; those electric fuel pumps are just as happy to feed a fire as feed a 1000 CFM Dominator.

As always, the best situation is to be well prepared to fight a fire and never have one...

AquaCraft

[George1301]

Amen...
My friend lost his last season... The sad part... could have been avoided...
He was complaining of a oil leak for the last few times he was out...
I kept telling him oil is just as bad as a gasoline fire; if not worse.
He was on the other side of the lake when I saw a smoke plume... Came across to see who it was... was his boat burning down to the water line.
Anywho...
I agree... Get the largest you feel comfortable having, and BE SAFE..!
Even when I lite the motor on the trailer... My wife is standing closeby with the bottle... You just never know.

GS

[Yeager]

Thank you for the info! I'll be bolting one (or two) in this week.

Thanks!:)