The Fundamentals: Learning Your ABCs of Fire Classification
Not all fires should be treated alike. The source and location of a fire will determine which extinguishing agent
should be used for maximum effect. Many people learn at home, for example, that throwing water on a stove-top
grease fire (Class B) will cause a violent spattering reaction and spread the burning grease elsewhere. Matching
the agent to the fire begins with an understanding of how fires are classified:
- Class A fires consist of all combustible solid materials, such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and many
plastics including the fiberglass reinforced plastic used for decks and hulls.
- Class B fires consist of all flammable liquids, including stove alcohol, grease, gasoline, diesel, kerosene,
oil, oil based paint, teak oil, paint thinners, acetone, varnishes, and flammable gases or fumes.
- Class C fires consist of energized electrical equipment. Class C fires are identified for their potential to
electrocute or shock personnel if conducting water-base extinguishing agents are applied. Turning
off the electricity will change the status of a Class C fire to a Class A and/or B fire.
- Note that Class A, B, and C categories are not subdivided any further, so it may be easier to think of
them as (A) solids, (B) liquids, and (C) electrical fires; there's no need, for example, to waste time
distinguishing between alcohol or kerosene when your stove's on fire.
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All fire extinguishers are rated according to the extinguishing agent's effectiveness in controlling one or more classes of fire. For example, ABC-rated extinguishers, commonly called multi-purpose or tri-class extinguishers, are capable of fighting all three classes of fire. Numbers preceding the letters (on portable units only) indicate an agent's relative effectiveness in extinguishing that particular class of fire. For instance, a 10 BC dry chemical extinguisher is twice as effective in putting out a fire as a 5 BC unit. Multi-purpose 1A-10 BC dry chemical extinguishers are becoming more popular as an alternative to the common 10 BC extinguishers because of the additional Class A rating, especially since the additional cost is minimal (less than $5).
In general, dry chemical extinguishers, which use a chemical powder to smoother the source of the fire, are the favored choice in the boat's cabin. Not only is a dry chemical extinguisher more effective, it is easier for an inexperienced user to direct the discharge plume to the base of the flame from a safe distance.
Conversely, extinguishers with gaseous agents ( CO2, Halon, and Halon replacements FE-241 and FM-200), which react with the surrounding oxygen, aren't as effective in a cabin because the gases are often dissipated before the fire is extinguished.
The ABC units have the drawback of often ruining equipment, but because the priority is on safety and the overall effectiveness of the extinguishing agent, the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) recommends that ABC multi-purpose extinguishers be used in most instances on boats under 65'. The ABC extinguishers not only reduces any confusion about what to use and where (saving time), but also covers the possibility that, for example, any Class B fire that spreads from the stove to the curtains (Class A) can be fought with the same extinguisher.
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United States Coast Guard Minimum Equipment Requirements
Coast Guard minimum equipment requirements vary with the size of the boat, type of propulsion, whether operated at night or in periods of reduced visibility, and in some cases, the body of water on which it is used. Boats carrying passengers for hire have additional equipment requirements.
For more details on how many and what types
of equipment you must have aboard your boat, request a copy of the free brochure,
"Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats", from your BoatU.S. Marine Center, the BoatU.S. Foundation, or from the Coast Guard Consumer Hotline, 800-368-5647.
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U.S. Coast Guard Minimum Requirements:
- All Fire Extinguishers must be Coast Guard Approved.
- Fire extinguishers must be in serviceable condition.
- All fire extinguishers must be READILY AVAILABLE for immediate use.
- Boats less than 26 feet in length - At least one 2 pound hand-portable extinguisher (assuming no fixed-fire extinguishing system is installed). When an approved fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery spaces, no extinguisher is required. If construction of the boat does not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors, no fire extinguisher is required. (Boat must be under 26 feet long and outboard powered)
- Boats 26 feet to less than 40 feet in length - At least two 2 pound portables, OR at least one 2.5 pound extinguisher. When an approved fire extinguisher is installed, one less 2-pound extinguisher is required.
- Boats 40 feet to not more than 65 feet in length - At least three 2 pound portables, or at least one 2 pound and one 2.5 pound extinguisher. When an approved fixed-fire extinguisher is installed, one less 2 pounder is required.
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For
marine use, all required hand-portable fire extinguishers, semi-portable
and fixed fire extinguishing systems must be USCG approved. |
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MARINE FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLASSIFICATION |
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Classes |
Foam (Gals) |
CO2(Lbs.) |
Dry. Chem (Lbs.) |
Halon |
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B-1
B-2 |
1.25
2.5 |
4
15 |
5
10 |
2.5
10 |
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