I thought I'd start a new topic, as the one on the Origo stove accident has wandered around a bit!
I've just been at the boat show and seen a new type of extinguisher on sale. I was wondering what the fire aficionados here think of it. The outfit selling it is here: www.boatsearch.earth/fire/, you need to go to the Shop link to see the range.
It's non-pressurised, works by a chemical reaction triggered by a piezoelectric spark button that emits a gas, claimed non-toxic and non-contaminating. They had videos on the stand that looked impressive, similar to the water mist video.
The basic cannister is about the size of a caulking tube, claimed to be equivalent to 2kg powder. The largest is essentially 3 of these strapped together. They have a discharge time of 12 secs, once triggered you can't stop them.
They appear to have various certifications, but I don't think the full class approval; I don't really understand how all that works.
Any opinions?
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
There are various vapourising liquid extinguishers (FM200, FE36 are the more common ones). They tend to be expensive for general use but are good.
These JE50, JE150 units do not appear to have EN3 approval (legally required for fire extinguishers in the EU) so they could not be used for commercial/ professional / statutory uses. I don't think they will be able to get EN3 as they lack a controlled discharge (once started they don't stop). This matters as some fires (especially burning liquids) can re-ignite after the initial fire appears out. I thought EN3 was required for ALL fire extinguishers to get CE approval and be legal for sale but they claim to have CE (but CE is normally a self declaration by the manufacturer, so it frankly isn't worth the paper!).
The JE50 looks about 0.5 litre so it is a very small unit and at £45 seems costly.
If you watch the video closely it demonstrates the big problem with high pressure extinguishers when fired at a burning liquid, initially they can propel the burning material further and spread the fire. In their test there was nothing to spread the fire to. The correct technique is to blanket the liquid by allowing the extinguishing medium to drop down onto the burning surface but you can't really do this with these type (or CO2).
Without A and B ratings they won't comply with the requirements of the BSS (Boat safety scheme).
I looked for a comprehensive extinguisher chart but couldn't find one that included all the types you might expect to encounter, so I've done my own:
Dave.
Extinguisher Chart
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
For an 8m boat with petrol outboard and a gas or spirit cooking appliance (Most Macs) the BSS (Boat safety scheme) recommends a Fire Blanket plus two extinguishers each rated at least 5A, 34B and totalling 13A 89B. (e.g. one 8A, 55B, one 5A, 34B).
The following types can meet these requirements:
(Manufacturers do vary, these are typical ratings)
1kg ABC Dry Powder 8A, 34B, C
2kg ABC Dry Powder 13A, 70B, C
(not recommended for confined spaces, e.g.cabins, or use on engines while running)
2litre AFFF Foam 5A, 55B
3litre AFFF Foam 13A, 70B
2litre Wet chemical 8A, 34B, 25F
3litre Wet chemical 8A, 55B, 75F
I hope this is of some help.
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Hi Dave
Thanks for the comments. Sorry I didn't acknowledge earlier, my thoughts were sidetracked by other things!
The JE units seemed expensive to me too for what they are. I hadn't appreciated the importance of being able to stop and start an extinguisher. Being aware that an extinguisher once even partly used has to be discarded, it didn't seem important that it would fully discharge in one go. But clearly being able to stop once the fire appears to be out, but be able to apply again if it restarts is important.
My Mac 19 is under 6m LOA, and looking at the BSS site the requirements are only 10A 68B total (i.e. simply 2x 5A 34B). However, I don't keep the boat on inland waterways, and only occasionally sail on them, so adherence to BSS isn't mandatory (although I recognise it represents good practice).
I currently only have one small dry powder unit, I will have another look at water mist devices.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight