View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
journeyon1
Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 City/Region: Valley Center
State or Province: CA
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:49 pm Post subject: Fire Extinguisher Installation |
|
|
Does anybody have a comment on installing a fire extinguisher in a horizontal position? I want to put the extinguisher by the back door, and horizontally, over the door is the only place it would fit. Note that this is a C-25.
Any suggestions?
Boris |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Captains Cat
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 7313 City/Region: Cod Creek>Potomac River>Chesapeake Bay
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Captain's Choice II
Photos: Captain's Cat
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Boris, typically, they are installed upright, primarily because the dry powder in an all purpose extinguisher tends to cake up and could clog/block the discharge. I would think if you remove it frequently and give it a good shake, a horizontal stowage should work just fine.
I'm not sure how a USCG inspection would view it though. I think they just want them there and the mounting may not be part of their checklist. Any USCG Aux current inspectors want to comment?
Charlie _________________ CHARLIE and PENNY CBRAT #100
Captain's Cat II 2005 22 Cruiser
Thataway (2006 TC255 - Sold Aug 2013)
Captain's Cat (2006 TC255 - Sold January 2012)
Captain's Kitten (1995 CD 16 Angler- Sold June 2010)
Captain's Choice (1994 CD 22 Cruiser- Sold Jun 2007)
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay
K4KBA |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20814 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There should be enough room to install one vertically between the door and port aft window, or on the inside bulkhead of the head aft. See my installation in the Thataway Album (on page 11, #47 photo)--mag light right below the fire extinguisher. (this is a TC 255, but the room in the 25 looks to be about the same. If necessary you can make a starboard block to bring it 1/2" off the surface for better clearance. I am not sure I would mount in horizonatlly above the dooor. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Salty Dog
Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 104 City/Region: Traverse City
State or Province: MI
Photos: Salty Dog
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Fairbro
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 313 City/Region: Prescott
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2001
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Minnie Swann
Photos: Minnie Swann
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Why not just use the existing screw from the window frame as in my album? Vertical is best according to my fire extinguisher servicing company at work. Also shake or pound with a rubber hammer every season to loosen things up. _________________ Gary & Gerrie former Minnie Swann owners
It's something in the water! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sea Angel
Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 736 City/Region: Virginia Beach, VA
State or Province: VA
Photos: Sea Angel
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Boris,
I carry 3 fire extinguishers at this time on Sea Angel (CD25). Similar to THATAWAY, my first is placed to the port side of the door as pictured in my pix album, page 2 of 3, pix #34, centered by the window frame, and with the supplied hardware, screwed into the bulkhead between the window and door frames..
The second is on the head bulkhead, outside forward, toward the keel line, above Wallas/Galley cabinet, centered with the inside head window.
The third is presently not mounted, but plan to place it near the helm, outside of the V-berth, on one of the bulkheads. All extinguishers are 2# units.
These three positions should give me immediate access to cover a galley or electrical fire inside and out. I choose to have my extinguishers mounted upright for two primary reasons. First is the speed of having my hands and extinguisher in the proper position when I grab it. Second is the possibility of having some of the soda/agent clog the discharge port if stored horizontally. And, yes do shake them several times a year - I try to do this at time changes, around July 4th and News Years. By setting a schedule like this I am sure to get it right at least a couple times a year; like changing the smoke alarm batteries. I also note this in my log book and 'things-to-do' note book. _________________ Art ka1rx
CBRAT #208
2005 CD25 #075 SEA ANGEL (SOLD)
USCGAUX (RET), USN(RET)
Broadcast TV ENG(RET)
ka1rx@verizon.net
SKYPE: Art.Bartlett4 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Chris Bulovsky
Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 358 City/Region: Washburn
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 1998
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SCOUT
Photos: SCOUT
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Horizontal instillation shouldn't alter the extinguisher performance. However the brackets are usually engineered for vertical mounting.
Ask yourself if the bracket will hold under a repeated jarring shock. Do Mount it near an exit.
Keep in mind all a portable extinguisher does is keeps small fires small.
I have been on a couple boats that were burning with me in it. Each were a result of poor wiring. Keep your electrical stuff tip top and prevent the most common cause of small boat fires.
Breakers and fuses are good.
Chris Bulovsky |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sam Walker
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 196 City/Region: Wherever the RV is today
State or Province: SD
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Boris, I used to service fire extinguishers for a living. I presume that you are using a standard good quality (not Kidde) dry chemical extinguisher w/ a pressure gauge. If you are, the mounting position will not matter.
All stored pressure extinguishers have a tube that goes to the bottom of the inside of the unit. The dry chemical inside of any unit will pack with gravity and pounding (like making way through waves). When the extinguisher is mounted vertically, the chemical will pack to the bottom. When mounted horizontally, the chemical will pack on the side. When mounted vertically and the chemical is packed, the stored pressure will have to overcome all of that upon initial activation. Even when packed, the chemical will discharge evenly and without incident, unless the unit was improperly serviced or moisture was introduced to the chemical.
Any dry chemical fire extinguisher that is discharged, even a tiny bit, must be serviced. The chemical gets into the valve assembly and allows all of the pressure to leak out.
The bottom line really is to get a good quality unit (Amerex, Ansul, Sentry) and make sure that the unit has not been tampered with, is well secured in the approved vehicle bracket and the gauge is in the green. Mount it where ever and however you want and Check it early and often. _________________ Sam on C's The Day or maybe Marinauty (Someday)
It does not matter how many moments that you take a breath, It is how many moments take your breath away. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
journeyon1
Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 City/Region: Valley Center
State or Province: CA
|
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Goodness gracious, thanks for the replies. I 'll go down to the boat and look at everything again with the comments above (and I'm sure that they'll be some below.)
One thing about C-Dories (and their owners.) A lot of them are willing to give opinions. And that's good.
Thanks, the southern Boris |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Captains Cat
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 7313 City/Region: Cod Creek>Potomac River>Chesapeake Bay
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Captain's Choice II
Photos: Captain's Cat
|
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Show me someone that's not willing to give you an opinion, and I'll show you someone that doesn't have a C-Dory (yet). He if he/she doesn't have one now and is on this site, he/she soon will....
Hope everyone appreciates the he/she part. It's PC these days....
Charlie (with a Sally oversight) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oldgrowth
Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 2196 City/Region: Rochester
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 16 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Voyager
Photos: C-Voyager
|
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Boris – some of us are willing to give our opinion, even if we don’t know what we are talking about... By the way, what is the topic of this thread?
________
Dave
Last edited by oldgrowth on Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Fairbro
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 313 City/Region: Prescott
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2001
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Minnie Swann
Photos: Minnie Swann
|
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think the biggest thing is just purchasing the extinguisher and having it aboard. This almost guarantees you will never need it! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20814 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sam Walker,
OK, I'll fess up--I think that all of my extinguishers (exept one automatic FC 227 which I had for a large boat's engine room) are Kiddie.
Kiddie is what WM, WalMart, Boaters World, Pep Boys etc sell.
What do you recommend?--and what is wrong with Kiddie (I'll have to ask my fire chief friend in the AM). |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sam Walker
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 196 City/Region: Wherever the RV is today
State or Province: SD
|
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Bob, In addition to having been a fire extinguisher technician, I am currently a Fire Captain with the California Department of Forestry (CDF) in California. I have also been a CA State Fire Marshal Deputy and a local jurisdiction Fire Inspector.
Kidde Fire Extinguishers are the cheapest quality. The reason that they are sold at retail outlets is because of their cost. However, like most things, the initial price is only the beginning unless you are going to use them once then throw them away or replace them when a service is needed.
The Kidde units have serviceability problems when recharged. The cheap components like the plastic siphon tube on the interior break. This can cause the unit to not work properly when needed. I had the gauge assembly on an older unit fly off during recharging. The flimsy retaining clip failed. Fortunately, the gauge which separated from the unit at over 100 psi missed my face and all I got was a face full of dry chemical agent.
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends that every portable fire extinguisher be inspected once per year and serviced internally every 6 years. Bob, you would know better if the USCG has a more frequent requirement.
You folks should take a look at what brand of extinguishers the larger commercial establishments in your area are using. I would be surprised to find very many companies that have to have the units serviced regularly using the Kidde.
I myself prefer Amerex brand. If I remember correctly they are headquarted in the South somewhere. Alabama, I think. Amerex has better quality and are still reasonably priced. They make several different vehicle type brackets for their units. Sentry (a division of Ansul) are also good quality. They used to be more expensive than Amerex. The top of the line is Ansul. They are heavily used in the oil industry. Ansul units are very rugged and durable. They do have the sticker shock price tag however.
One more point. In Kidde's defense, there is a case to be made for the "buy it cheap, use it once and replace it" idealogy. I think the last time that I saw it on this site was a battery comparo. As always, it comes down to personal choice and comfort level.
Having said all of what is above, I would not own a Kidde Fire Extinguisher and I sure would not have one on my boat where my life might hang in the balance. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20814 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you!
I have been one of those who buys a new one every year or so. I have not considered them as rechargable units. I remember we used to have a truck which came to the Long Beach Marina every 6 months and we used to get the FE serviced--I don't know if that sort of thing still happens or not.
Interestingly surveyors will accept a fire extinguisher which has a tag which says it has been inspected--or a new cheap fire extinguisher.
I'll have to admit I have never had to use a fire extinguisher on any of my boats...and Hope I never have to!
My Friend has long ago retired--but he was with Anaheim CA. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|