Built-in Fire Extinguisher in Engine Compartment

[SeaRay]

My boat has a built-in fire extinguisher in the engine compartment.

The gauge is in the green. The boat will beep after I turn the key, before I start it.

Is there any other maintenance / testing I should do?

The boat is 10 years old and as far as I know it has never been on.

Thanks

 

[JV II]

My boat has a built-in fire extinguisher in the engine compartment.

The gauge is in the green. The boat will beep after I turn the key, before I start it.

Is there any other maintenance / testing I should do?

The boat is 10 years old and as far as I know it has never been on.

Thanks

The boat has never been on?

 

[fwebster]

The correct way to check the Halon cylinder is to have a licensed fire extinguisher servicer remove the cylinder and weigh it to determine its actual content then recertify it for continued use.

 

[JeffM]

Frank, is there a recommended/required frequency for the recertification?

 

[fwebster]

This is from the USCG/Homeland Security site concerning vessel checks:


Though NOT required by law,
the weight of the unit(s){Halon cylinder} should be
checked annually. Excessive high or low
readings are cause for disqualification.

Honestly, I thought you were supposed to have the cylinders weighed and the pressure checked annually, but I guess I was wrong.....again!

 

[SeaRay]

I seen some other post where this was discussed. They mentioned something about quick disconnects to make the removal easier.

If I don't have these, how big of a deal is it to remove the tank?

 

[mmcguire2002]

Mine came up as a point to be done in my survey, when I bought the boat. I believe I paid between $75 and $125 to have it removed, inspected and reinstalled.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

How do you know it is Halon? Mine is not and requires shaking once a year to get the powder from settling to a hard pack at the bottom.

 

[Summer Fun II]

requires shaking once a year to get the powder from settling to a hard pack at the bottom.

I shake mine also. :smt001. I also shake the other 8 of my fire extinguishers once a year too.

 

[hack4alivin]

I shake mine also. :smt001.

Not sure I would admit to that :grin:

 

[Redhook98]

I guess the best test would be to light a match under it and see what happens. :-D

Barring that, the weight test is what is recommended. The bottle has a static weight stamped on the side from when it was new. Add whatever that static weight is to whatever the charge is supposed to be and that is your figure. The static weight does take into account the nozzle and all parts physically attached to the bottle.

As for shaking it up, the only type extinguisher I have ever heard of where that is mandatory is with PKP. (Purple K Powder). That settles hard in a year or so. Probably a good idea anyway. At least you can get that comforting sound of something sloshing or moving around in there, besides unpacking it.

The automatic system in your bilge has a distinctive look to the nozzle. If it is one way, it has been damaged and/or discharged. They other way, you are good. I believe the bottle itself, or a placard next to it will show that.

 

[SeaRay]

OK, it is Halon - it says that right on the bottle.

After closer inspection, it doesn't really look like it is connected to anything. There is one wire harness connection. And the bottle is physically held in place by a hose clamp.

The "heat sensor" (the thing that looks like what you would see on a office or department store ceiling) is attached directly to the bottle.

Can I just unplug the wire harness, loosen the clamp, pull it out of there and then weigh it on a postal scale? (hopefully I find a weight stamped on it to compare to when I pull it out).

 

[270SLX]

If the gauge is in the green, I wouldn't worry about it. Annual inspections might be required if the boat was for hire or something. The main thing to remember that, if it ever goes off automatically or manually, keep the engine hatch closed and the vent fan OFF. Halon must maintain a certain concentration of halon gas for a certain period of time, like 20 minutes or so, for the system to be effective in controlling a fire. If your Halon system does get used some time, don't plan on getting it refilled. Halon is taboo these days as it is said to poke holes in the ozone layer. You'll find yourself getting a system with a different "clean agent" like CO2 or HCF-125.

Dennis