The second most common reason to flee a boat or abandon a ship is an on-board fire, the first reason being the inevitable sinking of the vessel. This is where the importance of fire extinguishers is realized, however many boaters tend to ignore the significance of having this safety gear on-board.

General Requirements

Everymarine fire extinguisher used on Singapore boats must be approved by the designated authorities and rated for marine use. Here is the characterization:

• Boats < 26 feet in length – at least one B-I fire extinguisher
• Boats between 26 to 40 feet – at least two B-I fire extinguishers
• Boats between 40 and 65 feet – at least two B-I fire extinguishers

A, B, C or D indicates the type of fire, and I, II, III or IV indicates the size of the marine fire extinguisher.

Marine Fire Extinguishers: Here’s what to look for

As mentioned above, you need to understand that there are different types of fires and hence different types of extinguishing agents to put them out. Understanding the causative agent of the fire will help determine what type of Marine Fire Extinguisher, Home Fire Extinguisher Singapore you need in that situation. Here’s how they’re classified:

• Class A Fires – common combustible materials, such as paper, wood, trash, cloth, etc. involved.

Extinguishing agent required: water or chemical foam.

• Class B Fires – combustible or flammable liquids involved.

Extinguishing agent required: dry chemical or aqeous film-forming foam (AFFF), carbon dioxide.

• Class C Fires – electrical equipment involved.

Extinguishing agent required: dry chemical.

• Class D Fires – combustible metals involved.

Extinguishing agent required: dry powder suitable for the metal.