Fire Extinguishers

(1) All motorboats carrying passengers for hire must carry the correct number and type of fire extinguishers for a vessel of its size. (2) All motorboats 26 feet in length or longer shall carry the correct number and type of fire extinguisher for a vessel of its size. (3) Fire extinguishers are required on all motorboats which have compartments wherein explosive or flammable gases or vapors can be entrapped, such as: (a) Closed compartments under thwarts and seats wherein fuel tanks may be stored; (b) Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation material; (c) Closed living spaces; (d) Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stowed; (e) Permanently installed fuel tanks which are defined as: 1. When the tank is secured to the deck so that tools are required to remove it; 2. When the fill tube is connected to the boat and tank so that screws or bolts must be loosened to remove the tank; 3. When the filled tank cannot be easily or readily handled by one person on board. (4) Any vessel may substitute one BII hand portable fire extinguisher for two BI hand portable fire extinguishers. (5) Recreational vessels 65 feet or less in length. (a) Recreational vessels 65 feet or less in length shall carry at least the minimum number of hand portable fire extinguishers as set forth below, except that motorboats less than 26 feet in length, propelled by outboard motors and not carrying passengers for hire need not carry such portable fire extinguishers if the construction of such motorboat will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors. Minimum Number of BI/5-B Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers Needed No fixed fire With fixed fire extinguishing extinguishing system in system in machinery spaces machinery spaces Length of Motorboat __________________________________________________________________ Less than 16’ 16’ to less than 26’ 26’ to less than 40’ RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ON CHAPTER 1660-02-03 VESSELS AND NAVIGATION RULES Greater than 40’ but no more than 65’ *One B-II/20-B portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two B-I/5-B portable fire extinguishers. (6) Recreational vessels more than 65 feet in length. (a) A recreational vessel more than 65 feet in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers specified for its tonnage as set forth in Table 4 to 33 CFR § 175.320(b)(1), as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations, which is reproduced below: Table 4 to 33 CFR § 175.320(b)(1) Gross tonnage -- Minimum Number of 20-B portable fire extinguishers More than Not more than 1,000 1,000 (b) In addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by Table 4 to 33 CFR § 175.320(b)(1), as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations, the following fire extinguishing equipment must be fitted in the machinery space: 1. One 20-B fire extinguisher must be carried for each 1,000 brake horsepower of the main engines or fraction. However, not more than six such extinguishers are required to be carried. 2. On recreational vessels of more than 300 gross tons, either one 160-B semi- portable fire extinguishing system must be fitted, or alternatively, a fixed fire extinguishing system must be fitted in the machinery space. (c) The frame or support of each 160-B semi-portable fire extinguisher required by paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a bulkhead or deck. (d) If an approved semi-portable fire extinguisher has wheels, it must be securely stowed when not in use to prevent it from rolling out of control under heavy sea conditions. (e) Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used to meet the requirements of Table 1 to 33 CFR § 175.320(a)(1) and Table 4 to 33 CFR § 175.320(b)(1), as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ON CHAPTER 1660-02-03 VESSELS AND NAVIGATION RULES (7) Portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems. (a) All portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers must 1. Be on board the vessel and readily accessible; 2. Be of an approved type; 3. Not be expired or appear to have been previously used; and 4. Be maintained in good and serviceable working condition, meaning: (i) If the extinguisher has a pressure gauge reading or indicator it must be in the operable range or position; (ii) The lock pin is firmly in place; (iii) The discharge nozzle is clean and free of obstruction; and (iv) The extinguisher does not show visible signs of significant corrosion or damage. (b) Vaporizing-liquid fire extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride, chlorobromomethane, or other toxic vaporizing liquids, are not acceptable. (c) Portable or semi-portable extinguishers that are required by their name plates to be protected from freezing must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected. (d) The use of dry chemical stored pressure fire extinguishers not fitted with pressure gauges or indicating devices, manufactured prior to January 1, 1965, is permitted on board recreational vessels if such fire extinguishers are maintained in good and serviceable condition. The following maintenance and inspections are required for such extinguishers: 1. When the date on the inspection record tag on the extinguishers shows that 6 months have elapsed since the last weight check ashore, then such extinguishers are no longer accepted as meeting required maintenance conditions until they are reweighted ashore, found to be in a serviceable condition, and within required weight conditions. 2. If the weight of the container is ¼ ounce less than that stamped on the container, it must be serviced. 3. If the outer seal or seals (which indicate tampering or use when broken) are not intact, the boarding officer or marine inspector will inspect such extinguishers to see that the frangible disc in the neck of the container is intact; and, if such disc is not intact, the container must be serviced. 4. If there is evidence of damage, use or leakage, such dry chemical powder observed in the nozzle or elsewhere on the extinguisher, the extinguisher must be serviced or replaced. (e) Dry chemical powder extinguishers, stored pressured extinguishers, and fire extinguishers without pressure gauges or indicating devices, manufactured after RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ON CHAPTER 1660-02-03 VESSELS AND NAVIGATION RULES January 1, 1965, cannot be labeled with the marine type label described in 46 CFR § 162.028-4, as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. These extinguishers may be carried onboard recreational vessels as excess equipment, subject to subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this section. (f) Semi-portable extinguishers must be fitted with a suitable hose and nozzle, or other practicable means, so that all portions of the space concerned may be covered. (8) Fixed fire extinguishing systems. (a) A fixed fire extinguishing system must be of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard under 46 CFR Part 162, as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. (b) A carbon dioxide system must be designed and installed in accordance with 46 CFR Part 76, Subpart § 76.15, as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. (c) An automatic sprinkler system must be designed and installed in accordance with 46 CFR Part § 25.30-15(c), as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. (9) Condition and number of fire extinguishers required for recreational vessels built model year 2017 or earlier. (a) Recreational vessels with a model year between 1953 and 2017 must meet the following requirements: 1. Previously installed fire extinguishers with extinguishing capacities that are less than what is required in Table 1 to 33 CFR § 175.320(a)(1), as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations, or Table 2 to 33 CFR § 175.320(b)(1), need not be replaced but must be maintained in good and serviceable condition. 2. All extinguishers installed after August 12, 2016, must meet the applicable requirements in 33 CFR §§ 175.305 through 175.320, as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. (b) Condition and number of fire extinguishers required for recreational vessels built before model year 1953. A recreational vessel built before year 1953 must meet the applicable number and general type of equipment provisions of 33 CFR §§ 175.305 through 175.320, as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations. Existing items of equipment and installations previously approved but not meeting the applicable requirements for type approval may be continued in service provided they are in good condition. All new installations must meet the requirements of 33 CFR §§ 175.305 through 175.320.