FIRE SAFETY
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If you own or run a pleasure boat for Charter or as a Sea School then FIRE SAFETY is controlled by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Local Authorities. There is a Code of Practice laid down by the Agency that must be followed.
EXTRACT FROM STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
MERCHANT SHIPPING The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for
Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998
FIRE SAFETY & TRAINING SERVICES offer advice and guidance to Charter Boat owners, Sea Schools and Sailing Clubs based in and around the Solent area.
All our extinguishers meet Maritime and Coastguard Agency standards. We can provide the correct fire extinguishers at the most competitive of prices. We also offer (our Customers only), the benefit
of our extinguisher servicing facility at a very nominal cost with rapid turn round. To meet the Maritime and Coastguard Agency requirements, all extinguishers on-board must be in date or serviced to BS5306 and Certificated. To have an extinguisher inspected and serviced to
BS5306 it must have been serviced to this standard at least within 18 months prior to last inspection otherwise it will be necessary to discharge test which
increased the cost of service unnecessarily.
Fire Safety is worth considering - don't think this could'nt happen to you!
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Know where Fire Extinguishers are located.
Check regularly they are intact and ready for use. Check Pressure gauges (if they have them) are
in the green. Dry powder extinguishers should be regularly shaken to ensure content is loose.
Extinguishers with an expiry date should be replaced on expiry, serviceable extinguishers should
be inspected and serviced by a competent person to BS5306 each season.
IN THE EVENT OF FIRE If a build-up of petrol or gas vapour is suspected you can usually smell it particularly
when examining bilges take immediate action as an explosion could be imminent.
Some owners will have automatic Halon extinguishers fixed in the engine compartment or handhelds outside (the most effective unit ever), when you have
to remove these there are replacement alternatives. The only direct alternatives are Chemical gas extinguishers such as FM200 which are fairly expensive automatic systems (costing £-three figures+) and should be installed by the supplier to guarantee acceptance by your insurer. The drawback is these are not being manufactured in handheld form there are simple glass bubble type units as was with Halon but again very expensive.
Always be prepared, remember and know what to do in an emergency.
Always warn everyone and stop the engine. Extinguish all naked flames cigarettes, pipes,
cookers, lights and heaters).
If able, turn off all fuel, gas bottles and batteries. Open up the space affected as much
as possible to induce through ventilation, open doors, hatches and portholes.
Tackle the fire immediately with an extinguisher. Dry Powder will knock down the fire
quickly by disrupting the oxygen supply - AFFF Foam will suppress it by removing the heat
and smothering it. Foam or Dry Powder will smother fuel that may be floating in the bilges,
but remember Dry Powder will not remove heat (so the fire may restart) also the powder
may impair vision and affect breathing.
Depending on your location and position, tie up or anchor keeping a safe distance
from other craft - try and notify the coastguard as to your situation warn others in the
vicinity. If in a Marina or tied up on land call the Fire Brigade.
Get everyone on deck with the life raft at the bow of the boat to avoid smoke (the boat
points into wind).
Remember, smoke is the biggest killer it is often toxic especially involving plastic,
foams glass fibre etc.
If gas bottles are at immediate risk it may prudent to drop them overboard to avoid an explosion.
DONT PUT YOUR LIFE OR THE LIVES OF YOUR CREW AT RISK
BE PREPARED TO ABANDON SHIP
Fire risks are fairly low in the average diesel auxiliary sailing boat as batteries are normally stored outside of the engine compartment, the area a good number of fires first start.
It is carelessness that leads to fire in a number of cases, check your wiring is sound especially to the alternator and starter, damp can
play havoc with joints. Make sure there is no chance of HT leads rubbing on flywheels or other areas that may cause wear
or fracture to the cable that may cause a spark or ignition. Check injectors are fitted correctly and there are no leaks.
Insurers only tend to insist on automatics extinguishers in fast or petrol driven boats or those with large fuel capacities, the average family sailing yacht does not necessarily
come into this category (check with your insurer).
Dry Powder is the only workable handheld type automatic, the problem is, if it accidentally discharges whilst
your engine is running there is a high risk you could end up replacing your engine. If you have fitted this type of extinguisher on your own desire rather than on
instruction or advice of your insurer you could be in for a shock when you try to claim. Some Insurers are not in a hurry to recommend them in this form.
Until a cheaper clean alternative arrives we suggest you
ensure you have adequate in date handheld fire extinguishers onboard but also take a good
look at your safety procedures, particularly leaving unattended battery chargers, humidifiers and heaters plugged in when you leave the boat.
For those who have the large fast boats where an automatic engine system is demanded
you would be advised to look at the FM200 system, a clean gas similar to halon in action. The drawback is the cost but against the value of your boat and the lives onboard a small price to pay.
