European Fire Extinguishers
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So what does everyone do when it comes time to recertify European fire extinguishers in the United States? The CO2 extinguisher for the engine room appears to be the original unit installed in 2003. So far three fire extinguisher service companies have refused to certify it because it is not a DOT approved bottle. I like the way it is mounted and the fact that it is a manual release. Has anyone come across another bottle that fits in this space?
-- Dave Kurtz SM2 #380 S/V Celtic Cross Detroit, Michigan
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You can probably get a replacement in Martinique, if that is in your plans.
With best regards,
Mark
Skipper Sailing Vessel - Cream Puff - SM2K - #275 Currently cruising - Tahiti, French Polynesia www.creampuff.us
From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
[mailto:main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io] On Behalf Of David Kurtz via
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Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2021 7:14 AM To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] European Fire Extinguishers
So what does everyone do when it comes time to recertify European fire extinguishers in the United States? The CO2 extinguisher for the engine room appears to be the original unit installed in 2003. So far three fire extinguisher service companies have refused to certify it because it is not a DOT approved bottle. I like the way it is mounted and the fact that it is a manual release. Has anyone come across another bottle that fits in this space?
Detroit, Michigan
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At that age you won’t find anyone re-certify those things anymore. I’m on Saint Martin and the fire guy there did not even look twice at those things and I had them replaced with new versions of the same.
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Arno,
Any chance you have a vendor and part number from where you replaced the extinguishers? Could be on a receipt or a photo of the bottle. I am looking at mine right now and was referred to a bigger company that can do grand automated systems for engine rooms but I am hesitant to change the Amel original setup. And, has anyone given any thought to procedure for putting out a fire. I was recently told the OEM bottle is a bit small for the engine room and beside, there better not be any air moving in there when you discharge...as in, better thinking about killing the engine and any other electronics that are live down there before discharging a bottle into it. -- Richard May SM 477 Avogato
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Bill Kinney
Richard,
Before discharging the CO2, it is critical that you shut down the engine, generator, and blowers. In a perfect world, this would be done automatically as part of the discharge process. If the engines and blowers are running, they will very quickly remove the CO2. With the fire location still hot, even if it was initially put out, it will likely re-ignite right away. This is just as important for boats with the older halon systems. If you DO extinguish a fire with a CO2 or halon discharge, it is important NOT to open the engine room hatch for 20 or 30 minutes to allow things to cool off before reintroducing oxygen. And before going down inside, be sure to run the ventilating blowers to be sure there is enough oxygen to breath. Bill Kinney Sm160, Harmonie Annapolis, MD, USA
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Michael Winand
We installed the fireboy system, it is safe for the engine, as if it were to go off it won't destroy the interior of the engine, the system has a auto shut down of the blowers and the engine. It has override in case you need to start the engine again. Michael Nebo sm251
On Fri, 22 Oct 2021, 5:08 am Bill Kinney, <cruisingconsulting@...> wrote: Richard,
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Ian Park
I replaced all my extinguishers last year and went for ‘water mist’ extinguishers, including the engine room. They operate by obliterating any space for oxygen. They can be used on cooking fat fires instead of a blanket. Three main criteria were that they don’t leave powder residue, just water, they don’t damage electrics and they are easier to recharge.
I have no evidence from real time situations, but the principles seem sound. Ian. ‘Ocean Hobo’ SN96. UK
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