Fire extinguisher inspection

[sowwaninii]

Do you have your fire extinguishers professionally inspected? If yes, how often?

[Joh.Ghurt]

Originally Posted by sowwaninii

Do you have your fire extinguishers professionally inspected? If yes, how often?

At least in the EU the fire-extinguisher will have a sticker stating until when the current inspection is valid. If you're required by your registration country to have fire-extinguisher on board, they need to inside this period, otherwise they don't count.

Working back from this, you'll know how often you have to have them inspected.

I have no idea whether on the American side these kind of regulations exist or whether it's enough to carry a red magic tube with the letters fire-extinguisher on them.

[GordMay]

"Guide to Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Testing and Maintenance” ~ by Brian O’Connor [NFPA]
➥ https://www.nfpa.org/news-and-resear...nd-maintenance

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by sowwaninii

Do you have your fire extinguishers professionally inspected? If yes, how often?

Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements - USCG Boating Safety
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...=1616757331227

Here is the link to the United States Coast Guard Guidelines pdf which you can download. You'll find the Fire Extinguisher section starting on p. 21.

Basically, though, it advises visual inspections monthly (by you), annual weight check (also by you to ensure amount of retardant is maintained) and then, as stated above, the Fire Extinguisher manufacturer will have a notation on their label recommending (i.e. 3-year/5-year official inspections and recert).

Handy additional item: a fire blanket stored above the stove in the galley. It may be a DoT requirement in the UK, as all the boats there seem to have them. Haven't seen them much in North America...

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

[Joh.Ghurt]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Handy additional item: a fire blanket stored above the stove in the galley.

That was what we've been taught at the basic fire drill too. A fire-blanket can deal with most kitchen-fires better than an extinguisher, is very cheap and can be reused. It was the #1 recommendation to invest into, before anything else.

However were advised not to mount it over the stove, better mount it a little away. If you have a good frying oil fire going, retrieving the blanket through the smoke and flames might be a hot affair. Better have it on the other side of the galley / kitchen. On my boat, it's mounted on the side of the navigation seat.

[CapnCuervo]

We are live aboards on a cat, and we visually inspect ours every month. We’ve just made it a part of our regular maintenance, and it’s quick and easy. If you have a fancier setup or you take on paying customers, the requirements go up. Carbon dioxide extinguishers have to be weighed annually, and dry-chemical extinguishers (PKP) have to be tested monthly.

If you simply pull out your extinguishers and visually make sure the needle is in the green once each month you’ll be ahead of most cruisers. As an added benefit, the more times you do that, the more familiar you become with their locations so that if you needed one in an emergency, it should be second nature.

[dfelsent]

My insurance requires an annual inspection. Either the yard brings in a company to do the entire yards worth (my yard does that for all customers without asking) or I take them to a local shop for weigh and tag. Usually overnight service and not expensive.
Btw I am pleased my yard does that. Inexpensive and worthwhile. It’s not for them, but for their customers.