Fire Extinguisher installation: where/how?

Doryman

I need to mount a couple of fire extinguishers in my Tom Cat and would appreciate tips on:

1. What make and model of extinguisher did you buy? (For lack of a better idea, I am planning to buy the 2-pack of Marine Kidde extinguishers from West Marine.)

2. Where (and why) did you mount your extinguisher(s)? I am considering mounting one on the aft helm station and one somewhere by the Wallas.

3. What kind of hardware & technique) did you use? I am assuming I would use a short SS bolt with a decorative nut or end cap, on an interior bulkhead. Is there a sealant or goop that should be used? Any special techniques or caveats when drilling through a bulkhead?

Thanks,
Warren

Fairbro · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject:

If you re-drill the mounting bracket on certain models it is possible to use the window frame screws to mount them near the Wallas. I have pictures in my album of this.

thataway · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 4:42 pm Post subject:

I have one of the white Kiddie Marine 1A 10BC extinguishers by the aft bulkhead on the port side, between the door and window. (See Thataway Album) My reason not to put a fire extinguisher over the stove, is that if you have a fire there, you may not be able to get to it because of flames. I have a second fire extinguisher 3A 40 BC under the floor boards foreward of the passanger foreward facing seat. I have a small Halon extinguisher in the drawer in front of the stove (over the water heater)--(All American Safety Fore stop.

The one which is on the bracket (to satisfy CG requirements) is screwed into the aft bulkhead with #12 screws, and 4200 sealant. The aft bulkhead is cored and can be screwed to easily--the side and front of the cabin are only fiberglass, slightly under 1/4" thick--you can drill very carefully into them, but if I do, I put the screw in with epoxy, or better yet, epoxy a wooden block or starboard block to screw into.

I would not thru bolt the fire extinguisher over the stove, but that is a personal decision. Incidently that bulkhead between the head and galley is also cored and can be screwed into.

The other question is why not have fire extinguishers aft--and that certaily is an option. However, there is substantial risk of spray and corrosion, plus if you have a fire there, you want to have the extinguisher in a place you can get to it. I have both the washdown pump hose and cockpit shower which will pump water on a fire which was aft also. In the inboard boats I always mounted an automatic Halon subsititue extinguisher in the engine room, which could also be remotely operated and would shut down the engine. Fires are relitatively rare on outboard boats--but you are correct in preparing for the possibility. Also consider a fire blanket. A smoke alarm along with the CO alarm is a good idea.

colobear · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 6:31 pm Post subject:

I have two five pound ABC fire extinguishers in my 22'. I gave location quite a bit of thought. One is mounted horizontally above the cockpit door on the inside of the cockpit, the second is mounted vertically by my right knee when I am at sitting at the helm and is attached to the instrument panel bulkhead. My reasoning goes like this: the one over the door is at my emergency exit, is far enough from the stove so that I could actually reach it and is close to the stern in case of fire there. The one by my knee is right there so I can immediately get suppressant on a fire in the instruments or sleeping area. It also allows me to slow down a fire if I have to use the forward hatch as an emergency exit. I have read a number of cases where an extinguisher was mounted behind or close to the stove and could not be reached because of the fire. I may even put a third extinguisher up in the sleeping area. These extinguishers are so small they'll only suppress a fire if they are immediately used. I think, (Dave on Sea-Shift will know), that they will be used up after just a few seconds.

DaveS · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 6:50 pm Post subject:

I agree with Barry. I have one at the back door, one next to my engine controls at the helm, and one next to the port front windshield for the 1st Mate. It doesn't take much to extinguish a fire in its' earliest stages!

Here's a thought.....where is your fire extinguisher in your car?....are you able to reach it if you are trapped inside after a collision?