Need a new engine bay fire extinguisher.

BritLady

BritLady

Active Member
Jul 30, 2011
2,424
FL West Coast
Boat Info
2006 - 340 SeaRay Sundancer, Garmin 840XS GPS & Garmin 7401XS GPS
2019- Zodiac 300 RIB Dink 10'- 5"
Engines
Inboard 8.1 Horizon Mercruiser & 2015 6HP Tohatsu O/B.
Hi everyone,
Apparently, we need a new engine bay fire extinguisher and not sure which one to buy. Our boat is a 2006 SeaRay 340 and the current one we have I think is a Halon automatic which I don't believe is used any more. Does anyone have any ideas please? Really appreciate any help and thanks in advance.
 
Halon was banned in the mid 1990s. What is wrong with the current system? Most likely it can be recharged for little $$. Call a local fire extinguisher service company.
 
BritLady said:
Hi everyone,
Apparently, we need a new engine bay fire extinguisher and not sure which one to buy. Our boat is a 2006 SeaRay 340 and the current one we have I think is a Halon automatic which I don't believe is used any more. Does anyone have any ideas please? Really appreciate any help and thanks in advance.
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I would question who or why you were told you need a "new" extinguisher. As mentioned they can often be recharged and recertified. There should be a contractor in your area that can take care of it for you.
 
We had a survey done and that was what they recommended. I tried to get someone local to recharge it but they said they don't do them anymore, so not sure what to do now..................
 
Oh gosh, we thought that was what they said it was, if banned in the mid 1990's it can't be.... Back to the drawing board! Thx for the info!
 
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/product/product-detail/13033

fireboy_extinguishers-1000x-1000.jpg
 
BritLady said:
Oh gosh, we thought that was what they said it was, if banned in the mid 1990's it can't be.... Back to the drawing board! Thx for the info!
Click to expand...

It's true that manufacture of new Halon extinguishers was banned, but there are modern replacement products. FireBoy and SeaFire are both popular in recreational marine applications. But you really need to find a local business that specializes in these systems. They will evaluate your current system to see if it's serviceable or they can help install and certify a suitable replacement.

https://allfloridafire.com/marine-fire-systems/
 
Surveyors will just look at it and notice an expired tag. Most likely you just need it re-certified. Before you buy replacement, you should search your area to see if anyone can re-certify it.
 
Halon is not manufactured anymore by law, effective 1994. At one time there was enough inventory floating around that you could get a refill. But it seems to be pretty much gone now. The replacement chemical takes about three times as much volume to get the same effect. So a replacement tank will be bigger. If you call Sea-Fire and they will inform you of all your options.
 
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The Op's boat is a 2006 so it should not have a Halon System. The OEM system should be serviceable locally for modest cost.
 

Update on extinguisher saga: The survey report states, "renew or recertify all fire extinguishers". We can't find anyone in our immediate area to check or recertify so thought we would buy new. However, can't find anyone who knows what number to replace it with:-( I even called SeaRay who checked our HIN # and said our cruiser didn't come with one from new, which we find hard to digest! SeaRay gave me the number of SeaFire (Metalcraft) but they don't carry the number they suggested.

In the mean time took her for bottom painting and their mechanics checked out the extinguisher and said it's fully charged, weight okay and can't see a problem. So suppose we are kicking the can down the road for a bit....but at least until we can find out what to replace it with. Thanks for everyone's help!
 
Find a local dealer who services boats that are large enough to have fixed extinguishers. They will likely have a relationship with a company that services these. You are not in a unique situation.
 
BritLady said:
Update on extinguisher saga: The survey report states, "renew or recertify all fire extinguishers". We can't find anyone in our immediate area to check or recertify so thought we would buy new. However, can't find anyone who knows what number to replace it with:-( I even called SeaRay who checked our HIN # and said our cruiser didn't come with one from new, which we find hard to digest! SeaRay gave me the number of SeaFire (Metalcraft) but they don't carry the number they suggested.

In the mean time took her for bottom painting and their mechanics checked out the extinguisher and said it's fully charged, weight okay and can't see a problem. So suppose we are kicking the can down the road for a bit....but at least until we can find out what to replace it with. Thanks for everyone's help!
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I had CINTAS out to the boat several months ago to recertify the boat in general. They weighed the HALON bottle and said it is borderline and will require replacement probably the next time. The pressure needle may register ok but the amount of suppressant may be low (it's a weight thing).... So, I found out, that I can have the bottle recharged by a third party (CINTAS will not recharge HALON) but the cost of the recharge is more than upgrading the entire system to a Fireboy fixed system (around $2500). So, I'd like to sell the existing HALON to a dealer then upgrade to new.... This will be the system - https://www.defender.com/product.js...bic-ft&path=-1|135|2290089|2290091&id=2660508

BTW as an edit - I believe that both the manual pull and discharge alarm has to be changed also.
 
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BritLady said:
Update on extinguisher saga: The survey report states, "renew or recertify all fire extinguishers". We can't find anyone in our immediate area to check or recertify so thought we would buy new. However, can't find anyone who knows what number to replace it with:-( I even called SeaRay who checked our HIN # and said our cruiser didn't come with one from new, which we find hard to digest! SeaRay gave me the number of SeaFire (Metalcraft) but they don't carry the number they suggested.

In the mean time took her for bottom painting and their mechanics checked out the extinguisher and said it's fully charged, weight okay and can't see a problem. So suppose we are kicking the can down the road for a bit....but at least until we can find out what to replace it with. Thanks for everyone's help!
Click to expand...

Portable extinguishers have a gauge and can be weighed if less than 12 years old.
They have a finite life of twelve years from manufacture, date should be stamped on the bottom of the cylinder.
This is due to the fact DOT does not allow for hydro-static testing of the cylinders any longer (throw away design).

The fixed system as has been stated Halon is no longer manufactured, but if serviceable is no problem and is a very effective agent. I have two, one OEM and I added a second bottle bought used in the opposite corner of my ER.

If you have sufficient portables to meet the minimum legal requirements for extinguishers on board there is no law that says you must replace the Halon system or must have it inspected proffesionally. I simply weigh mine each year and keep them. I have well more than the minimums in portables.
 
hughespat57 said:
Portable extinguishers have a gauge and can be weighed if less than 12 years old.
They have a finite life of twelve years from manufacture, date should be stamped on the bottom of the cylinder.
This is due to the fact DOT does not allow for hydro-static testing of the cylinders any longer (throw away design).

The fixed system as has been stated Halon is no longer manufactured, but if serviceable is no problem and is a very effective agent. I have two, one OEM and I added a second bottle bought used in the opposite corner of my ER.

If you have sufficient portables to meet the minimum legal requirements for extinguishers on board there is no law that says you must replace the Halon system or must have it inspected proffesionally. I simply weigh mine each year and keep them. I have well more than the minimums in portables.
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Thanks for the info! Do you know the number of portables you are supposed to have please? We have a few, but may need a few more for good measure.
 
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