AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE 

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE A NECESSITY ONBOARD

We all know that preventing fires aboard the boat is much easier and more cost-efficient than repairing the damage caused by them.  With that in mind, choosing the right fire protection for your craft is crucial to its survival and that of the crew and passengers. 
Portable fire extinguishers are a necessity.  They can be mounted nearly anywhere for quick access and are most effective on oil, grease and electrical fires, such as in the galley or the accommodating areas.

    Sea-Fire's C-50 and C-100 portable extinguishers are available with 5.75 and 10.75 pounds of FM-200.  They recently received USCG B-1 type approval and the Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) marine listing mark.  They comply with all US government regulations, and American Boating and Yachting Council and National Fire Protection Association standards.  The C-50 and C-100 include a USCG marine mounting bracket, and meet rigorous physical performance standards for equipment exposed to excessive vibration, salt-spray and other harsh marine elements. 

    For areas such as bow thrusters, generator and small electrical enclosures, consoles and fuel storage spaces, Sea-Fire offers its Stinger FT systems.  They incorporate high-tech polymer tubing that ruptures when the proximal temperatures rises above 175°F.  The rupture forms a small nozzle that directs the FM-200 agent at the source of the fire.  All systems include cylinder mounting brackets, two bulkhead adapters, six tubing mounting brackets and an installation manual.

    Sea-Fire also offers the FD 500 model extinguishers, which are designed to protect engine compartments up to 150 cubic feet.  They operate automatically through heat activation.  However, they can also be manually operated, which means the operator has the option of pulling a discharge cable that activates the fire system.  The pre-engineered FD systems protect spaces up to 1,500 cubic feet and are designed to reach maximum agent concentration in 10 seconds. 

An important element of fire protection is the extinguishant.  For many years, halon was the preferred choice for marine fire protection because it was residue-free, clean and very effective as an extinguishant. However, its use has been banned in many countries. 

    Currently, the United States permits the use of recycled halon.  Recycled halon is halon that is extracted from decommissioned extinguishing systems, cleansed and recycled to industry standards.  It is an environmentally responsible and practical means of using existing halon. 

    HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are available as a replacement for halon.  HCFCs are not as damaging to ozone as halon is, but they still cause harm.  HCFCs are banned in Europe and have restrictions on applications in the US. 

Using carbon dioxide as an extinguishant is another option.  However, it is a high-pressure gas that can be difficult to store.  A sudden release of carbon dioxide may cause thermal shock and damage equipment.  It is also unsafe and not acceptable for use in occupied areas.

FM-200 is an extinguishant that is safe for use in occupied spaces and is accepted in over 70 countries throughout the world.  It works by removing the heat energy from a fire and offers quick, effective, clean extinguishing performance.  FM-200 causes no stratospheric ozone depletion and does not cause damage to sensitive equipment.

Contact Sea-Fire Marine, 9331-A Philadelphia Rd., Baltimore, MD  21237.  Phone:  800-445-7680.  Website: www.sea-fire.com.

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