Fire Extinguishers

comsnark

comsnark

New Member
Apr 10, 2007
4,106
NJ Shore
Boat Info
SeaRay SunSport
Engines
5.7LX
Question: How long do extinguishers last?

The hand held on my SeaRay looks fine. Pressure reads fine. But it has been on the boat at least since I bought it a few years ago. I suspect it is now 11 years old (i.e. original to the boat).
 
I wouldn't go more than about 3 years. For fire safety inspections (both home/foster care/adoption and businesses) we require them to be serviced or replaced yearly. I replace all of mine every two to three years. I also either tape the receipt to them or write on the bottom the purchase date.
 
As long as you can shake them once in a while and get the agent off the bottom (the agent settles) and your gauge reads in the green its good, the extinguisher is fine... If you have no gauge, replace 5 to 15 years is recommended... by the manufacturer depending on the make and model.
 
11 years is way too long.

What I do is tip it over and rap on the bottom with a rubber mallet. Tip it back upright. Then sake it up and down, if you can then feel the powder inside moving, you should be OK.

Every 3 years they get replaced, even if the above still works. I also write a date on the bottom.
 
Did an online search. . .found nothing.

Eleven years just "sounds" too long.
Come to think of it. . how old are the extinguishers in your house?
 
And. .. how would you "service" a portable fire extinguisher?

Is that not just the "inspection"?

And thanks H2Onut for that link to the manual. The manual states a 6 year *warrenty* for this brand of extinguisher, with some models having 10 or 12 year warrenties. Wouldn't the the service life be longer than the warrenty? No mention of "replacement" interval.

So I guess I won't fret over the "over three year -> possibly 11 year old" extinguisher on my SeaRay. I won't admit to the age of the one on my sailboat :smt119
 
I know this post started with the handheld extinguishers, but if no one objects, could we expand this to cover the halon engine compartment systems?

If so are these a DIY service? or do we need to contact a pro? and if so where do you find such a person? and when do these need to be switched out/replaced?

Thanks

Henry
 
dpvandy01 said:
I wouldn't go more than about 3 years. For fire safety inspections (both home/foster care/adoption and businesses) we require them to be serviced or replaced yearly. I replace all of mine every two to three years. I also either tape the receipt to them or write on the bottom the purchase date.
Click to expand...

Interesting. We just had a safety inspection done on our boat and I asked the same question. Inspector said they are good if the gauge says they are good, no need to replace them. So now what?
 
You do want to put a fire out dont you?

3 years in ct. businesses. So I do the same thing on the boat.

Dom, need to call the fire boy people for a local dealer or technician.
 
anyone know where to get a fairly inexpensive one? I just got my boat and the ones on there are dated....also, I have one in the engine compartment with a sprinkler head on it. I need to replace/refill it but I cant find anywhere to buy a new one online, can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
The portable ones are cheap. Probably best to replace them after a few years just to be safe. Save the old ones and keep them handy in the garage or basement.
If you've never used one before it might be a good idea to take an old one and find a safe place to get the feel of spraying one.
Same thing with old flares. If you have never had to light one before it might be a good idea to take an outdated one to a safe place and practice with it.
 
Thechamper,

The one in the engine room with the 'sprinkler head' is a halon system. Halon is a heavier than air gas that puts out fire by smothering it. By the way it will smother you as well if you are down there and it goes off!

The small ones you can get at a boat supply house like West, or home centers like home depot, if you know what you are buying. There is a table in your owner's manual (Minimum Required Equipment) that lists the number and type of extinguishers you need for the size boat you have.

Henry
 
I believe fire extinguishers should be inspected every year (gauge full and shake up the powder - the rubber mallet trick works). They need to be serviced every 6 years (internal & external inspection), and have a hydrostatic test every 12 years. The halons and CO2's are weighed (there should be a full weight listed on the side) since they do not have a gauge. According to the National Fire Protection Assoc. (which sets the standards) NFPA 10, 2007 edition states “Dry chemical stored pressure extinguishers manufactured prior to October 1984 shall be removed from service at the next 6-year maintenance interval or the next hydrotest interval, whichever comes first.” I hope this keeps you safe!
 
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