Marine Fire Extinguisher Standards
Safety Standards for Onboard Portable and Fixed Extinguishers
Basic information on the classification, minimum number, recommended location, and inspection of marine fire extinguishers
The United States Coast Guard requires the carriage of approved fire extinguishers on vessels equipped with mechanical propulsion equipment, closed compartments where fuel is stored or enclosed living spaces. Regardless of regulations, it is prudent for mariners to carry adequate numbers of fire extinguishers for their own sense of wellbeing. Good fire extinguishers are relatively inexpensive and skippers that have experienced a shipboard fire can't find enough of them to keep onboard.
Fire Extinguisher Classification - Fire extinguishers are classified by size and extinguishing agent. Letters relate the kind of fire to be extinguished:
- A - Wood or Paper
- B - Flammable Liquids
- C - Electrical
- D - Metal
Numerals like an I or II indicate the relative size of an extinguisher. A size II extinguisher will handle a fire roughly twice as big as a size I unit. Fire extinguishers on a boat can either be hand-portable units mounted in quick release brackets or permanently installed fix extinguishers.
USCG Classifications - There are three Coast Guard size classes for extinguishers. These are the equivalent amounts of extinguishing agent required for each size:
- BI - 2.5 pounds of halon or 5 of pounds CO2 or 2 pounds of dry chemical
- BII - 10 pounds of halon or 15 of pounds CO2 or 10 pounds of dry chemical
- BIII - 35 pounds of CO2 or 20 pounds of dry chemical
Recommended Numbers of Extinguishers for Vessels Less Than 65 Feet Long - These are some suggested extinguisher numbers and good locations for installation. These recommendations exceed the Coast Guard minimums. Additional extinguishers can be always be carried onboard.
- Open Boats Under 16 Feet Long: 1 USCG BI extinguisher located near the steering station
- Open Boats From 16 to 25 Feet Long: 2 USCG BI extinguishers located near the steering station and galley or passenger cockpit
- Boats From 26 to 39 Feet Long: 3 USCG BI extinguishers located near the steering station, outside the engine compartment, and galley or passenger cockpit
- Boats From 40 to 65 Feet Long: 4 USCG BI extinguishers located near the steering station, outside the engine compartment, crew quarters, and galley or passenger compartment
Fire Extinguisher Inspections - Boaters should make periodic monthly inspections of their fire extinguishers to ensure they are available in case of a fire emergency. It is a good idea to have all extinguishers onboard inspected by a professional servicing company each year. Here are some things to look for with your fire extinguishers:
- Seals and tamper indicators are intact
- Look for signs of accidental discharge like powder in the nozzle
- Pressure gauges and indicators are in the green
- There is no rust, corrosion or damage visible to the extinguisher
- Extinguisher is securely mounted in an USCG approved bracket
- Extinguishers should have a dated service tag attached during their annual inspection
- Record your monthly inspections on the serving tag
- Rotate dry chemical extinguishers periodically to prevent packing
- Carbon dioxide and halon extinguishers need to weighed as part of their annual maintenance
- Don't test or dry fire extinguishers to see if they work
