Best extinguisher type?

[codprawn]

I thought the air intakes were pretty convoluted to stop water getting in?

Also if the engine isn't running wouldn't it be difficult to get the gas in if it can't be displaced?

[chewy]

Thats why we leave them running. If it can suck the air in it'll suck CO2 in.

[neilda]

A couple of Tesco foam jobbies to supplement my powder extinguisher sounds the answer.

Quite a heated debate.

See what I did there? Fire? Heat?

I'm here all week.

Try the chicken.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by neilda

Quite a heated debate.

barely even warm! You want to ask the best way to drill a whole in a console - now thats a debate!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by chewy

Why would you have to create a port to fire a CO2 extinguisher into, whats wrong with the air intake.

Because I would think that on most boats accessing the engine port (normally on the far side of the engine) and being able to fire a CO2 extinguisher nozzle into it (normally 30+ cm long) will be tricky from within the boat without leaning on the engine - probably not a good idea if its on fire!

[Cypman]

I support the large foam extinguisher group, powder jobbies work well but they are liable to compaction of the powder over time and may then not operate efficiently. Probably 1 foam and 1 powder would be a good compromise.

[BrAinZ]

Has anyone thought of carying a bucket of water to help put out any fires?

[chewy]

I've used a CO2 one and its relatively easy laying on the tubes.

[Heart-trouble]

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

Has anyone thought of carying a bucket of water to help put out any fires?

no, fuel and water dont mix well, water will spread any fuel fire.

[Heart-trouble]

Originally Posted by Cypman

I support the large foam extinguisher group, powder jobbies work well but they are liable to compaction of the powder over time and may then not operate efficiently. Probably 1 foam and 1 powder would be a good compromise.

shake your powder extinguishers regularly so no compaction, even better, store them sideways instead of upright so that the powder wont settle as quick

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Heart-trouble

no, fuel and water dont mix well, water will spread any fuel fire.

Now this will provoke a "heated" debate!!!

Most engine fires are electrical - if there is a fuel fire in an engine it will be a small amount.

And what do the firebrigade use on burning cars? Or fire ships on oil tankers? Good old fashioned h2o!!!

[Heart-trouble]

Originally Posted by codprawn

And what do the firebrigade use on burning cars? Or fire ships on oil tankers? Good old fashioned h2o!!!

you sure?

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Heart-trouble

you sure?

YUP!!!

Living in Swansea you used to get to see lots of car fires - until immobilisers arrived in force.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpNu57MwrlQ

Not in Swansea but you get the idea - just plain water from a big hose.

And a nice video of a fire fighting tug escorting the Queen Victoria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5mFw...eature=related

[chewy]

I think the tugs will have big foam tanks the same as what fire engines over here have.
I know on the rig I'm commissioning it has two foam tanks fitted that inject a small amount (about 3%) of foam (AFFF) in with the water.

My choice on a boat would be a foam and a CO2. In reality I'll have a CO2 and a bucket, if that doesn't do it I'm swimming home.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by chewy

I think the tugs will have big foam tanks the same as what fire engines over here have.
I know on the rig I'm commissioning it has two foam tanks fitted that inject a small amount (about 3%) of foam (AFFF) in with the water.

My choice on a boat would be a foam and a CO2. In reality I'll have a CO2 and a bucket, if that doesn't do it I'm swimming home.

Yes they all have the ability to use foam but often they don't need to use it.

Funnily enough I have about 300 litres of the stuff - the old stuff was made from animal protein - from hooves and horns etc - yuch!!!

[Steve Waters]

I bet that smells goood when it gets hot......

[m chappelow]

regardless what type of extiguisher you all decide to use make sure its big enough for the job,with some of the smaller types ,one squirt all gone or you only get a couple of seconds out of it ,,especially with people not used to using them they could misss the target and not have chance then for another go , and with using a bucket for putting out fires ok as long as no fuel oil involved ,boats no matter what size should have a bucket onboard , as well as for bailing out its somewhere to put the hi line into if doing a helicopter transfer ,and swilling spew off the decks .

[codprawn]

Those small Tesco multi purpose foam ones last for 45 seconds apparently.

[neilda]

So foam then?

No, wait.

Foam, powder and CO2?

And water.

[BrAinZ]

Don't forget your bucket as well....