Which Fire Extinguishers agents belong on the yacht?
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Which Fire Extinguishers agents belong on the yacht?
Everyone who owns a boat fears the worst: a fire on board. Ship fires spread quickly, making them one of the most dangerous accidents at sea. It is harder to put out fires at sea than on land because there aren’t any escape paths, and people are usually on board. Acting quickly is essential, and the boat should have the proper fire extinguishers on board.
Some ships and boats do not have to carry fire extinguishers. For the most part, only ships with an internal engine of more than six horsepower or an exterior engine of more than ten horsepower are required to have fire extinguishers. This is also true if there are places to cook and heat the food.
The Maritime Ordinance, the Inland Waterways Inspection Regulations, and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) all have rules about how to keep big ships in Germany safe from fire.
It depends on what is on fire to decide which fire extinguisher to use.
Different types of fire extinguishers should be used for the best fire safety in shipping. Putting out a fire in the best way and with the right stuff depends on what is on fire. This is why fire extinguishers show what kind of fire they are for.
Ashes like wood are in Class A, flammable liquids like gasoline and diesel are in Class B, and burning fats (like oil that has been cooked too much in a frying pan) are in Class F. A fire blanket is the best way to get rid of fats because water doesn’t work.
The so-called ABC fire extinguishers are suitable for many fires, cheap, and long-lasting.
All other fires can be put out with ABC (powder) fire extinguishers. The good things about universal fire extinguishers are that they last a long time, are cheap, and work well when used correctly.
Cons: When sprayed, the fine powder gets into every crack, no matter how small; after the fire is put out, there is often damage that wasn’t caused by the fire but happened later, which can be considerable. It’s also important to know that the powder can damage metals because it has salts that can damage the electronics or electrical system on the boat.
Using a foam fire extinguisher inside is recommended to minimize subsequent damage.
Because of this, a foam fire extinguisher is suggested, especially for the inside of the ship. With this fire extinguisher, the agent that puts out the fire can be directly applied to the source of the fire, unlike powder, which can get into all the cracks. This indicates that it is still possible to repair the damage from putting out the fire.
You can wipe off the foam, which protects the inside of the boat. In contrast, the ABC powder fire extinguisher works well on the deck.
ABC-made fire extinguishers are rechargeable and always functional. The good thing about them is that they can handle frost up to -30 degrees and cover fire protection class C. In other words, powder fire extinguishers can usually be used in outdoor places on board, even if it’s freezing outside.
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Grease extinguishers are primarily used in the kitchen.
Grease extinguishers are also essential for fire protection in shipping. Grease extinguishers are necessary for the galley, especially on large ships with onboard restaurants or cruise ships.
It is also mandatory under SOLAS to have a class F fire extinguisher in engine rooms. This area is usually limited to the galley stove on sports yachts where too hot oil can catch fire. But even here, the fire can spread quickly, for example, to curtains or towels.
CO2 fire extinguishers leave no residue and protect technical systems
Also, a CO2 fire extinguisher is a good idea, especially for boats with a lot of technology. This fire extinguisher’s agent doesn’t conduct electricity and puts out the fire without leaving any waste, which protects technical systems.
On the other hand, the CO2 fire extinguisher shouldn’t be used in small rooms because it takes air away from breathing. Be careful here. So-called “fire holes” in buildings that can be used to put out fires with gas have been helpful. Not so good: CO2 doesn’t cool down the fire source.
MED fire extinguisher certification is recommended when sailing in international waters
In principle, all presented fire extinguishers represent a reasonable basis for fire protection in shipping. If navigating international waters, fire extinguishers should be MED-certified. These fire extinguishers meet the design and quality requirements of the Marine Equipment Directive (MED).
They are recognized throughout the EU and, based on an agreement with the USA, also in American waters. However, these fire extinguishers’ declarations of conformity should be carried out to avoid possible fines. You can quickly tell if a fire extinguisher is MED-approved because it is marked with a symbol.
Statistically, according to research by SeaHelp, the most common fire is in the kitchen
The German Federal Office for Transport and Digital Infrastructure recommends carrying at least two ABC portable fire extinguishers – in addition to the minimum equipment. On larger ships, installing a fire extinguisher in the forecastle, cockpit, and galley is also advisable to minimize the required distances. The fire blanket also serves as an effective tool for extinguishing small and incipient fires.
“Statistically, the most common causes of fires are kitchen fires and faulty wiring,” says SeaHelp operations manager Marko Orlic. A fire blanket should, therefore, always be ready for use and within reach in the kitchen. Ship heaters also caused fires during winter, followed by engine compartment fires.
Caution is required with smoke from the engine compartment – there is a risk of ignition.
“If there is smoke from the engine compartment, the crew should not make the mistake of opening the room immediately,” advises the rescuer; a rapid supply of oxygen could lead to explosive ignition. Regarding the electrical system, yachts are often retrofitted with electrical equipment; however, even though other cables would be required, The wires could also rust over time.
“If a fire breaks out on a yacht, you first need to quickly clarify what (substances) are burning so that you can select and use a suitable fire extinguisher,” says Marko Orlic. The speed of intervention is often decisive in whether a fire can spread.
If help is needed in the event of a fire, the SeaHelp app is recommended
Marko Orlic from SeaHelp advises: “The next step is to stop the fuel supply, close the gas bottles, and turn off the electrical (main) switches. Emergency services should be alerted immediately if the fire threatens to get out of control. This is where the SeaHelp app helps and saves valuable time”.
In the event of a fire on board, it is important not to panic, to quickly call for professional help, first to try to extinguish the fire yourself (if the flames are small or there is little smoke) and to be able to evacuate the crew immediately if necessary.
The highest principle is self-preservation; in the event of a total fire, the yacht should be isolated if possible.
The most important thing is to stay out of harm’s way. If you only call for help and don’t do anything else, Orlic said, “a fire on board can spread very quickly in some situations.” By then, it may be too late for help. So that the fire doesn’t spread to other ships or port buildings, moving the boat on purpose to open water might make sense.
The captain and staff should get to know the fire extinguishers on board ahead of time; the labels on the containers will tell them what they are for. Manipulation needs to be practiced before there is a problem. Many businesses, groups, and fire departments offer “firefighting courses.” In some offshore regattas, part of the crew must take these courses to compete.
Pay attention: the fire extinguisher only works for a short time. First aim, then fire is the rule.
A: If a fire extinguisher is used to put out a fire, it’s essential to know that a standard fire extinguisher usually has a very short “run time” (often just a few seconds). This means that as soon as it starts to work, it should immediately find the target.
SeaHelp says that fire extinguishers should be repaired or checked once a year. Every bedroom should have at least one fire extinguisher, and the ship’s register or flag should always be looked at carefully.
Source info: www.seahelp.eu
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