I recently learned that KIDDE no longer produces a portable AFFF foam extinguisher. For anyone who has ever discharged a dry chemical unit, they soon discover the resulting damage is almost as bad as the fire, with regard to contamination of
electrical and electronic systems, as well as upholstery, etc. For that reason I replaced all extinguishers with Halotron units. With one exception: At the time I was able to obtain the KIDDE 8A/70B foam unit from WEST
Marine. These units are not for use with
electrical fires, but if one has a fuel-based (including that foam mattress) fire, nothing else aboard will shut it down as quickly as foam. They are not included in your Coast Guard required items, so one must
purchase them as an additional option. Trouble is, I can't find a US supplier - only from
Europe. Does anyone have a source? They cost about $130 each and are fairly large. I keep mine in the
cockpit locker in case of last resort.
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