Water is no excuse for carelessness, and even a small inflatable boat requires a serious approach to fire safety. Many boat owners mistakenly believe that the risk of PVC fire is minimal due to the lack of powerful internal combustion engines, but statistics suggest the opposite.
Well-chosen fire-extinguisher It's not just a formal inspection requirement, it's a real chance to save the lives of the crew and expensive property. Unlike cars, you can't leave the danger zone quickly on the water, so you have to have fire extinguishers on hand at any second. It's important to consider the specifics of the inflatable side, which can be affected by a jet of extinguishing agent or temperature changes.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of choosing a device suitable for small-sized boats made of polyvinyl chloride. You will learn about the permissible types of charge, legal requirements and the right methods for fixing a balloon on a boat. Proper preparation for the season begins with equipment testing, and fire safety is the first place here.
GIMS requirements and legislation
The issue of equipping small craft with fire extinguishing equipment is strictly regulated by the government. Under current regulations, every boat equipped with an engine (even an electric one of a certain power) must be equipped with a serviceable fire extinguisher.
The main document that owners should rely on is the “Rules for equipping small craft with life-saving equipment”, which clearly states that the volume of the fire extinguisher must correspond to the size and type of the vessel. For most PVC boats with outboard motors, a volume of 2 liters or 2 kilograms of charge is considered the minimum permissible, although for small forms, the exception is often made to 1 liter.
⚠️ Attention: The GIMS inspector has every right to prohibit the water from going out if the fire extinguisher is expired, has mechanical damage or its pressure gauge shows insufficient pressure. Always check the date of the next maintenance before each season.
It is worth noting that requirements can vary depending on the region and complexity of the waterway. Some navigable rivers are more stringent than closed water bodies or lakes, so it is useful to clarify the local features of your office inspection before buying equipment.
Not only must the cylinder be on board, but also the documentation for it; the product passport and the tag with the last check must be readable and up-to-date; electronic copies of documents may not be accepted on the phone, so it is better to store the paper version in a sealed bag together with the boat's ticket.
Types of fire extinguishers: what to choose for PVC
The market offers several types of firefighting devices, but not all of them are suitable for use on inflatable boats. The main criterion for choosing here is not only efficiency, but also safety for the hull material and people in confined spaces. The wrong choice can lead to the fact that when you try to put out the fire, you damage the cylinders or poison the crew.
The most common option is considered powder fire extinguishers (OP)They're versatile, inexpensive, and effective against most types of fires, including electrics and gasoline. But they have a serious drawback: the fine powder, when sprayed, creates a cloud that dramatically reduces visibility and makes breathing difficult. And the powder penetrates everywhere, and it's extremely difficult to wash it off the peyols and seats.
The second popular option is Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers (CF)They're good at not leaving traces or conducting electricity. But for a small PVC boat, they're often too heavy and bulky. The main danger of OU is that if you cut the tube, you get a sharp cooling to minus 60 or 70 degrees. If you accidentally hit the jet on your skin, you get a severe burn, and if you come into contact with the heated metal of the motor or the side, you can get thermal shock and the material collapses.
The most modern and convenient alternative is spray-extinguishers They take up minimal space, are lightweight and often have a comfortable attachment, and the fire extinguisher is less aggressive to the airways than the powder and does not create such a dense cloud. For small and medium sized PVC boats, this is often the best choice for size and efficiency.
Why are water extinguishers banned?
Water extinguishers are not suitable for boats with electric equipment and fuel. Water conducts electricity, which can lead to electric shock when extinguishing the wiring, and also useless when burning gasoline, which simply floats up and continues to burn on the surface of the water.
Comparison of specifications and efficiency
To make the final choice, you need to compare the key parameters of different types of devices. It is important to understand the classes of fires that you may encounter: Class A (solids), Class B (liquids) and Class E (electrical equipment), the most likely fires on the boat are Class B (fuel) and E (wiring, battery).
Below is a comparison table to help determine the type of charge for your boat. Pay attention to the temperature range of operation, as storage on the street or in an unheated garage in winter can affect the performance of the device.
| Type of fire extinguisher | Weight (roughly) | Post-extinguishment marks | Safety for PVC | Temperature conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder (OP) | 1.0 - 4.0 kg | Plenty, hard to wash off | Medium (abrasive) | -40...+50 °C |
| Carbon dioxide (OC) | 2.0 - 5.0 kg | Absent. | Low (risk of cold burn) | -20...+50 °C |
| aerosol | 0.3 - 0.7 kg | Minimum | High. | -20...+50 °C |
| foamy | 1.0 - 9.0 kg | Requires flushing | Low (corrosion, weight) | +5...+50 °C |
As you can see from the table, foam extinguishers are almost not used on small craft due to the risk of corrosion of metal elements and high weight. Powder models remain a workhorse due to their low price and reliability, but require caution when used in cokpite. Aerosol cylinders are better at ergonomics, but have a lower charge volume.
When choosing, you should also pay attention to the marking. The case should have clear information about the class of fire, for example, 2A 10B C or 34B CIt's critical for a boat to have a letter. C or E in the old markings, indicating the possibility of extinguishing electrical installations under voltage.
Rules for accommodation and anchorage on board
It's not enough to buy a suitable fire extinguisher, it needs to be properly placed, it needs to be available instantly, but it needs to be securely fixed so that it doesn't fall overboard on a wave or during a sharp maneuver, and a balloon thrown randomly into a hazelnut is useless in an emergency when the count goes on for seconds.
The optimal place to attach is in the cockpit area, near the driver, but not where fuel can spill or a direct stream of water from the engine compartment can hit him. Often special plastic or metal brackets are used that are fastened to a transom or on-board cylinder (through a soft pad), fastened to stainless steel or high-quality plastic resistant to ultrafilter.
☑️ Verification of fire extinguisher attachment
There is a common mistake when a fire extinguisher is hidden in a waterproof sealed box "just in case." At a critical moment, it will be almost impossible to open a tightly closed lid with wet hands. If you use a sun and splash cover, it must be unbuttoned in one motion or be made of a mesh material that allows air to pass, but protects from direct rays.
The use of clamps without rubber pads can cause microcracks on the hull from vibration, which can depressurize, and you can not attach the fire extinguisher to the soft elements of inflatable tubes without a rigid base, because when pumping the boat pressure can deform the mounting system.
Off-season maintenance and storage
The life of a fire extinguisher is not only the date stamped on the bottom of the cylinder, it is a complex concept that includes operating and storage conditions. Aggressive marine environment, salt, constant vibration and temperature changes accelerate the wear of the shell and shut-off valves. Regular visual inspection is mandatory before each trip.
In winter, fire extinguisher storage requires special attention. Powder models are generally more resistant to frost, but the pressure in the cylinder can fall. Carbon dioxide and aerosol options are sensitive to fluctuations. It is risky to optimally bring the device into a room with a temperature of 0 to +25 degrees Celsius. Leaving the fire extinguisher in an unheated garage or barn where the temperature drops below -30 ° C.
Once a year, it is recommended to recharge or replace the device, even if it was not used. The powder in the fire extinguisher has the ability to track and clump, turning into a monolith that cannot be blown through the socket. You can check the condition of the powder by gently tapping on the cylinder - the sound must be ringing, without blank areas.
Before a long boat stop, remove the fire extinguisher from the side and store it at room temperature at home, which will prolong the life of the seals and pressure gauge, and protect the device from theft.
Algorithm of actions in case of fire on water
Knowledge of theory is useless without understanding the practical actions. If a boat is on fire, panic is the main enemy. A clear algorithm of actions will help to keep your cool and use the available means effectively. The first thing to do is to assess the scale of the disaster and the source of the fire.
If the engine or wiring catches fire, immediately shut the engine down, which will cut off the fuel and electricity supply, which often stops the fire from developing early, then quickly, but without sudden movements, take a fire extinguisher, rip the seal and pull out the check, point the pipe or jet at the base of the flame, not at the top of it.
When extinguishing powder, try to stand downwind so that a cloud of dust does not cover you. If the fire covers more than 30-40% of the area of the boat or spread to people's clothes, extinguishing yourself can be dangerous, in which case the priority becomes evacuation and calling the rescuers to the number. 112 or 101.
⚠️ Attention: Never extinguish burning gasoline in a high-pressure direct jet, which can splash fuel and increase the area of the fire. Use a sprayed jet or cover movements.
After using a fire extinguisher, even a partial one, it must be immediately recharged. The remaining pressure can leak through the broken seals, and the next time the device will be empty. Don't skimp on safety - it costs less to restore performance than a new boat or treatment.
The main principle of safety on the water: it is better to have a fire extinguisher and not use it, than to need it and not find it at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a fire extinguisher for a boat?
Technically, it can be done if it meets the requirements for volume (usually 2 liters) and type of charge. However, car fire extinguishers are often inconveniently shaped for boat attachment and can be heavier than specialized marine models.
How often should I change the fire extinguisher on the boat?
The life of the case is usually 10 years, but recharge is required every 1-2 years (for powder) or 5 years (for some aerosols). The exact frequency is indicated in the product passport. Visual inspection and pressure check of the pressure gauge are carried out before each release.
What to do if the fire extinguisher freezes in winter?
You can't use a frozen fire extinguisher, because the mechanism may not work, and the powder may sinter, and the device needs to be slowly heated at room temperature, and it's forbidden to heat it sharply at a fire or battery, because it can cause the balloon to explode.
Do you need a fire extinguisher for a boat without a motor?
Officially, according to the rules of GIMS for rowing boats and kayaks, a fire extinguisher is not required, however, the presence of a small aerosol cylinder will not be superfluous, since on the shore or when using open fire (bonfires, gas burners) the risk of fire remains.