Where Should Fire Extinguishers Be Stored on A Boat?

Whether you are on the land or water or enjoying leisurely weekends or at work, safety should be your main concern. Thus, it is irresponsible not to have a fire extinguisher in a boat. In fact, we sadly noticed that only a few people are aware of the importance of a fire extinguisher in the boat. They just think, “There’s enough water around me; why do I need a fire extinguisher?

But that thought can literally turn out to be a suicidal decision when firing breakouts. So, the boat must come with a fire-fighting device. But the real question is, where should fire extinguishers be stored on a boat?

The short answer is- to put the extinguisher wherever you can access it conveniently.

Well, the answer is a little bit tricky because the convenient location will depend on one individual boat to another due to their design, shape, and interior décor. Also, it mustn’t be in closed locations.

If you want to know more about the fire extinguishers’ importance and positioning on the boat, continue reading the article.

Where Is The Best Place To Store A Fire Extinguisher On A Boat

What is the Recommended Location for Fire Extinguishers on a Boat in Order to Ensure Maximum Safety?

When you store an extinguisher to fight against accidental fires in the boat, you may think you have done everything for safety assurance. But it’s not so.

Storing a fire extinguisher is only half of the safety assurance on the boat. For the safety of those on board, fire extinguishers should be securely stored in designated areas on the boat.

The other half depends on the convenient location to store the fire extinguisher. If you can’t access it in times of emergencies, it’s of no use.

You must store the device in a location where you find it suitable. Ideally, it must be not far from your arm’s reach. Also, the location should be open and easily accessible. Make sure that there’s no obstruction between you and the fire extinguisher when you need it the most. Also, the location should be easily visible from where you work, mostly on the boat.

You may follow these guidelines to store the fire extinguisher on the boat-

  1. Ask yourself about the possible locations of fire in the boat. It’s almost always near the engine, where there’s a massive amount of flammable liquids. But there’s also a twist in the plot here. Yes, the fire extinguisher should be close to such flammable positions so you can quickly put off the fire. But, also make sure that the device itself isn’t so close to the engine that you can’t reach it during the fire breakouts.
  2. Fires on the boats also occur in kitchens, especially close to the BBQ and grilling machines. Thus, kitchen and cooking appliances run the risk of fire hazards the most. So, you may consider storing a fire extinguisher nearby the kitchen in the boat. The right location can be right on the outside wall of the kitchen.
  3. If you have a passenger boat, it’s better to store the fire extinguisher close to them. Also, you should never be far away from it. We already told you that the fire extinguisher should be within your arm’s reach. So, storing it in the passage or near your working space can be a good idea for the boat’s safety.
  4. Another location can be near the gas tank if your boat has one. Gases are highly flammable and can assist in spreading the fire like anything else in the boat. Thus, placing the extinguisher close to the gas tank can be a good idea too.

Do You Need A Fire Extinguisher on A Boat?

When you are boarding over a large lake, river, or ocean, you are far away from any help when it comes to emergencies. And one such emergency is the fire breakouts in the boat.

Boats are prone to fires because it has a closed design, a constantly running motor, an endlessly driving engine, and double bottoms. Also, the bottom doesn’t contain any sealing around its hull. On top of these factors, the flammable liquids and kitchen ovens all run the risk of beginning a fire in the boat anytime and anywhere.

Thus, having a fire extinguisher will help you fight these conditions better. Also, while staying amidst the large lakes and seas, you won’t get help from firefighters straightway, which further speaks about the importance of having a fire extinguisher on the board.

But this is only about the realistic scenes. There’re also certain rules for different sizes and functions of the boat that makes having fire extinguishers on the board compulsive. Some rules regarding the fire extinguisher on the boat include the following-

  • If the boat features a closed compartment to store fuel tanks
  • A bottom deck without filling the hull of the water vessel
  • If the boat has one or multiple enclosed living spaces
  • If any boat comes with inboard engines and motors
  • In case the fuel tank has been mounted repentantly on the boat

US Federal law ensures that in all these conditions, the boat must come with at least one fire extinguisher. Otherwise, any violation of the rule may result in the cancellation of the boat license and ownership. Every type of recreational boat must have one 5-B or 20-B rated fire extinguisher with expiry date printed on them.

Also you have to ensure your fire extinguisher type according to the type of your boat and its manufacturing year.

Having said the legal bindings, safety must be your primary concern when boarding on the water with a boat. And your safety from unexpected fire breakouts can only be ensured with the installation of a fire extinguisher on the boat.

Nonetheless, you can’t simply mount the extinguisher anywhere in the boat. It should follow some specific suggestions.

Read also: Do You Know Can Helium Tanks Explode Or Not? (Answered!)

What are the Regulatory Requirements for Fire Extinguishers on Boats?

When you want to get a fire extinguisher for the boat, you can’t simply get anyone that you like. There are specific rules for different boat shapes, designs, and functions for specific fire extinguishers. It includes-

  • First off, USCG must have approval for the fire extinguisher. USGC approves type B1 and B2 fire extinguishers only to be used in boats.
  • One B-1 fire extinguisher is a minimum necessary for boats under 26ft in length. You can have more if you like, you should actually.
  • At least one B2 or two B1 extinguishers for the boat’s length between 26ft to 40ft.
  • If the boat length varies from 41ft to 65ft, it requires at least two B2 or three B1-type fire extinguishers.
  • Similarly, boats over 65ft in length will need to follow federal regulations of Fire Safety and Guide for water vessels. It varies from passenger to loading boats.

What Are Fire Extinguishers Made Of?

Fire extinguishers come with fire extinguishing agents inside them to put off the fire. These agents can be of different categories.  The list includes-

checking Fire Extinguisher
  1. The most common material is a dry powder. These fire-extinguishing powders can be of various kinds. The most common of them is the ABE powder and which is made of ammonium sulfate and mono-ammonium phosphate.
  2. Some extinguishers have wet chemicals. These agents contain potassium bicarbonate and potassium acetate. Some chemicals may have potassium citrate.
  3. Many extinguishers contain highly concentrated carbon-di-oxide to put off the fire. It stops the oxygen molecules from feeding the fire to spread.
  4. The cheapest of all fire extinguishers is the water extinguisher. It, as the name suggests, has water mixed with gas propellant.
  5. Another commercial extinguisher material is foam. The foam is a combination of water, air, and foam. Also, the foam can be of different types, including corrosion inhibitors and organic or aerosol-based solvents.

What Is A Water Fire Extinguisher Used For?

Water fire extinguishers enjoy a Class A rating. So, you can use it to fight fires that occur from solid substances. It includes wood, textile, paper, iron, or other solid combustibles. However, the water fire extinguisher is only usable for small breakouts.

Also, if the source of the fire is any electric equipment, you should avoid using the water extinguisher to fight the fire at such times.

How long a fire extinguisher remain effective and can be used safely?

Fire extinguishers are pretty long-lasting. Hence, experts suggest that a fire extinguisher in a boat will remain usable for 7 to 12 years. The lifespan may vary depending on the type of fire extinguishing agent it has.

Nonetheless, you must routinely check the extinguisher to find its usability. It is important because almost no extinguisher will come with any expiration marks on it. So, it’s you who have to decide when it needs replacement.

What are the Recommended Locations for Storing Fire Extinguishers on a Boat?

When considering marine fire extinguisher options for your boat, it is crucial to identify the recommended locations for storage. These locations should be easily accessible and strategically placed to handle potential fire emergencies promptly. Commonly recommended spots include the galley, near the engine compartment, and the main cabin. Proper placement ensures quick access during critical moments, enhancing overall safety on board.

Why Have a Boat Fire Extinguisher?

Multiple reasons describe the importance of having a fire extinguisher on the boat. First off, USCG and US Coast Guard laws ensure that boats at least have one B1 fire extinguisher. Apart from the law, this has practical applications too.

The flammable liquids, gas, or the continuously running engine may catch fire anytime. Also, closed living spaces such as cabins, corridors, or kitchen appliances are vulnerable to fires in the boat. When any fire hazards happen on the water, your best friend out on the lake or sea is the fire extinguisher.

Conclusion

This guideline should help you know where fire extinguishers should be stored on a boat. Ideally, the extinguisher should be within your reach. Also, you should find no obstacles quickly to get it. Thus, check the boat set-up and place the extinguisher accordingly. Also, check the USCG rules to find how many fire extinguishers you need.

As it stands, the boat must contain at least one B1-type fire extinguisher. Also, for the best fire safety requirements, arranging yearly fire drills in the boat with crews will be a good idea.

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