New U.S. Coast Guard Fire Extinguisher Regulation Effective April 20

[Mauler34Rod]

I’m sure most of you have seen or heard about the new USCG Fire Extinguisher Regulation, however if not, here is a link to BOATUS’ release on the change.
https://www.boatus.com/news-room/release/boatus-new-us-coast-guard-fire-extinguisher-r

Effective April 20th.

 

[Stee6043]

I thought we discussed previously that the expiration date "requirement" isn't new but the labeling requirements have changed? Either way...always good to brush up on the reg's.

While we're on the topic, I can't quite understand why every stinking article on the fire extinguisher requirements has to use so many dang words. They make it confusing, almost seemingly intentionally. A simple chart with 10 words wold be good

The highlighted parts below are what I believe actually changed this year? Prior to 2022 we had different labels like B-I and B-II.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Looking at West Marine's website, none of those designations appear. I see 5BC, 10, 110, Pro 5MP etc.

 

[GnrlPatton]

I just went through all of my extinguishers and flares. ALL of them had just expired! I just bought 2x 5lb ABC and 2x 1lb ABC to replace the expired ones (they'll come home and live in my kitchen and garage). I also have a fixed system of 7lb Halon, however looking at the tag, it was manufactured in April 1998 (same as the boat) and it doesn't have any updated inspection tag.

Curious if anyone knows if that can be inspected and certified, or if I need to find a replacement for it? If it is no longer good/certifiable, I would assume I fall under the requirements in the table above of "No Fixed System" and would then not have enough coverage with my new extinguishers (Boat is over 40' LOA), correct?

 

[mquiet]

Looking at West Marine's website, none of those designations appear. I see 5BC, 10, 110, Pro 5MP etc.

So the 5 is the lbs and B/C is they classification of fire they are used for. Type A is extinguished by water. So when they want 3 5B/C that means 3 extinguishers weighing 5 lbs that put out type B and C fires.

 

[spikedaddy99]

So the 5 is the lbs and B/C is they classification of fire they are used for. Type A is extinguished by water. So when they want 3 5B/C that means 3 extinguishers weighing 5 lbs that put out type B and C fires.

Thanks. What is MP?

 

[Stee6043]

So the 5 is the lbs and B/C is they classification of fire they are used for. Type A is extinguished by water. So when they want 3 5B/C that means 3 extinguishers weighing 5 lbs that put out type B and C fires.

No, the new requirement says that the number is to indicate the size (in square feet) of the fire that extinguisher can be useful in fighting. So a 5B is a class B extinguisher sized to fight a 5 sq.ft. fire...

 

[GnrlPatton]

I just went through all of my extinguishers and flares. ALL of them had just expired! I just bought 2x 5lb ABC and 2x 1lb ABC to replace the expired ones (they'll come home and live in my kitchen and garage)....

Just looked closer at my new extinguisher's classification. The 2x 5lb ones are "2A 10BC" and the 2x 1lb ones are "1A 10BC". I think given that, regardless of the status of my Fixed System, I'm covered, since I'll have 4x 10-B on the boat when only 3 are required. I still want to get that Fixed System certified/working for additional safety.

 

[Stee6043]

Thanks. What is MP?

You have to look at the specs. West Marine makes it as hard as Boat US (not surprising). The MP (like the 110) are some kind of hybrid rating. Looks like the 110 is a 1-A but also a 10-BC. But A ratings aren't even relevant to marine ratings?

The other kicker is that I think this whole thing only applies to boats 2018 and newer. It's confusing in the link above because the language is limited to boats "26 feet and shorter" but I'm assuming the age requirement also applies to us. So...all of this...and it only impacts 2018 and newer and it's only a label change. Insanity

 

[Mauler34Rod]

I just went through all of my extinguishers and flares. ALL of them had just expired! I just bought 2x 5lb ABC and 2x 1lb ABC to replace the expired ones (they'll come home and live in my kitchen and garage). I also have a fixed system of 7lb Halon, however looking at the tag, it was manufactured in April 1998 (same as the boat) and it doesn't have any updated inspection tag.

Curious if anyone knows if that can be inspected and certified, or if I need to find a replacement for it? If it is no longer good/certifiable, I would assume I fall under the requirements in the table above of "No Fixed System" and would then not have enough coverage with my new extinguishers (Boat is over 40' LOA), correct?

View attachment 124762

View attachment 124763

So I just went through this on my 2001. Sea Ray Dealer/Marina said because of age and what it is loaded with (Halon) it cannot be re-certified. It would need to be replaced and that would require all new hardware etc. They took it out and weighed it to confirm it was full (7 lbs) and with mine the green light is lit, so they said I should be good to go. The keyword here is “should.” I am thinking I may move in the direction to replace at some point.
I have 2x5BC Size 1 and they are 11” tall.
I am going to replace both with 10’s

 

[techmitch]

Wondering about the recert. thing. I would check around. Here's a start, Hope this helps.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/...near+lake+michigan/@43.1547675,-87.1653619,7z

 

[ttmott]

I also have a fixed system of 7lb Halon, however looking at the tag, it was manufactured in April 1998 (same as the boat) and it doesn't have any updated inspection tag.

Curious if anyone knows if that can be inspected and certified, or if I need to find a replacement for it? If it is no longer good/certifiable, I would assume I fall under the requirements in the table above of "No Fixed System" and would then not have enough coverage with my new extinguishers (Boat is over 40' LOA), correct?

You can have it inspected and the certification updated. You should keep the system in cert for insurance reasons. Cintas can do it. They will remove the tank and weigh it; the pressure gauge means nothing other than if it is completely discharged. Part of the certification is they will verify the pull cable operation and verify the engine shutdown and alarm is functional.
Mine is low on weight but still within the certification range; next year replacement will be in the cards because Halon systems cannot be recharged due to the CFC designation. $$$

 

[mquiet]

No, the new requirement says that the number is to indicate the size (in square feet) of the fire that extinguisher can be useful in fighting. So a 5B is a class B extinguisher sized to fight a 5 sq.ft. fire...

Oh man. So much for what I used to know. Sorry for misleading. The changes are now just dang confusing. Bless the government for messing up something as simple as the weight and type of fire to something else. Now I know why boaters drink.

 

[Stee6043]

Oh man. So much for what I used to know. Sorry for misleading. The changes are now just dang confusing. Bless the government for messing up something as simple as the weight and type of fire to something else. Now I know why boaters drink.

Hah. No doubt. I'm sure this was some kind of successful lobbying effort by a fire extinguisher manufacturer to "enhance safety" or, more likley, provide churn of extinguishers and better sales

I have no doubt there are droves of us boaters out there buying new ones this year that don't need them...

 

[TTG]

You can have it inspected and the certification updated. You should keep the system in cert for insurance reasons. Cintas can do it. They will remove the tank and weigh it; the pressure gauge means nothing other than if it is completely discharged. Part of the certification is they will verify the pull cable operation and verify the engine shutdown and alarm is functional.
Mine is low on weight but still within the certification range; next year replacement will be in the cards because Halon systems cannot be recharged due to the CFC designation. $$$

However, while that is certainly good practice the new regulation still states it must be replaced 12 years after manufacture. So in my case on my 2003 360 I see the date on the halon system is from 2003 but still is within spec (indicator on dash is green, indicator on the extinguisher is in green). So in my case I need to make sure I have Two 5B or Two 10B on board since my fixed system is out of date even though still good?

So glad they made this easy to decipher

 

[Stee6043]

However, while that is certainly good practice the new regulation still states it must be replaced 12 years after manufacture. So in my case on my 2003 360 I see the date on the halon system is from 2003 but still is within spec (indicator on dash is green, indicator on the extinguisher is in green). So in my case I need to make sure I have Two 5B or Two 10B on board since my fixed system is out of date even though still good?

So glad they made this easy to decipher

Those regulations do not apply to fixed systems.

The regulation for fixed system is that they get tested and/or inspected once every 12 months...I believe:

 

[Blueone]

I think all this Fire extinguisher/Flare expiration crap is Hog wash. I found flares in the attic from two boats ago...probably 15years old. I took them out to the fire pit all 10 and lit them up...all worked perfect... I have a probably 20 year old Fire extinguisher in the garage....a big one....lit the damn front garden on fire....used it to put it out....worked perfect
How do you sell more flares and fire extinguishers if you dont expire them ?

 

[Stee6043]

I think all this Fire extinguisher/Flare expiration crap is Hog wash. I found flares in the attic from two boats ago...probably 15years old. I took them out to the fire pit all 10 and lit them up...all worked perfect... I have a probably 20 year old Fire extinguisher in the garage....a big one....lit the damn front garden on fire....used it to put it out....worked perfect
How do you sell more flares and fire extinguishers if you dont expire them ?

Hah. I had the exact opposite experience last summer. I grabbed an old fire extinguisher from my basement, just barely in the "red" (no idea how old), grabbed my kids and went outside to show them how to use it. Nothin'...nada...not even a small poof of the white stuff...

 

[ttmott]

However, while that is certainly good practice the new regulation still states it must be replaced 12 years after manufacture. So in my case on my 2003 360 I see the date on the halon system is from 2003 but still is within spec (indicator on dash is green, indicator on the extinguisher is in green). So in my case I need to make sure I have Two 5B or Two 10B on board since my fixed system is out of date even though still good?

So glad they made this easy to decipher

Like I said the gauge on the bottle and light on the dash doesn't mean the bottle is fully charged, only weighing can verify it is charged.
Propellant fire systems are stored as a liquid and discharged as a gas. The liquid has a very low vapor pressure; in other words, it is self pressurizing. Exactly like the propane tank on your BBQ. As long as there is liquid (could be full could be half full or could be almost empty) the gauge and dash indicator will indicate in the green. It's a pressure gauge not a liquid level gauge.
Don't expect the system showing green is capable of doing it's job; only the periodic inspections can.

 

[mrsrobinson]

My head is spinning. When the coast guard boards my boat and asks about this, I plan to show them this on my phone: