Supply and maintenance of portable and fixed MED-SOLAS fire extinguishers

Statistically speaking, even before water, wind or rocks, the main risk for boats, whether they are for work or pleasure, are by flames. The possibility of a fire on board, in fact, is far from remote. Among the various possible triggering causes (fuel leaks and faults in the fuel system, cigarettes not completely extinguished, gas leaks from the kitchen...) the most common is related to the boat's electrical system: in most cases the flames on board break out when the boat is on the quay connected to the electrical network of the port, thanks to a possible poor maintenance of the electrical system of the boat itself. Furthermore, the outcome of the fire is often aggravated by the general unpreparedness of the crew members: the average yachtsman, in fact, beyond his experience at sea, commonly does not have the knowledge and skills to react adequately in an emergency of this type, in managing to control the flames and eliminate them promptly. Being prepared to act quickly and correctly helps to contain damage to property and people on board, as well as to prevent the boat from succumbing to the flames ahead of time, when in fact the situation would still be potentially recoverable. In this regard, it is necessary that everyone on board, not only the captain, is aware of the fire prevention plan, of their role in an emergency and, above all, of the position of the nautical fire extinguishers.

Just as on land, on board a boat, offshore or in port, the fire extinguisher continues to be the main tool for fighting a fire.

Types of fires

Fires are classified according to the fuel that it’s ignited by. The classes are divided as follows:

• class A: fires from solid materials, generally of an organic nature, whose combustion occurs with the formation of embers (eg wood);
• class B: fires from liquids or liquefied solids (eg petrol);
• class C: gas fires;
• class D: metal fires (eg magnesium, aluminum);
• class E: fires deriving from live electrical equipment. Currently not included in the UNI EN 2: 2005 standard as they can be traced back to classes A and B.
• class F: fires caused by oils and fats, vegetable or animal (e.g .: during the cooking of a food)

For each class of fire, you need to find the correct extinguishing agent, otherwise you risk worsening the situation.

Types of nautical fire extinguishers

Nautical fire extinguishers, by law, must be an integral part of the safety equipment of the boat, even in the case of navigation close to the coast. Whether fixed or mobile, fire extinguishers must be chosen on the basis of the nautical activity that will be carried out: the respective standard will define the characteristics of the device, taking into account variables such as, for example, the expected navigation distance and the power of the engine of the boat in question. Fire extinguishers must also be kept in a perfect state of maintenance.

In our shop you can buy different types of portable fire extinguishers with MED SOLAS approval for your boat, recreational or work, according to your needs.

Fire extinguishers can be divided into:

• powder extinguisher: generally the most used. Thanks to the chemical compounds it contains, it extinguishes flames by suffocating them, or by eliminating the oxygen that feeds them;
• foam extinguisher: for fire classes A, B and F, relating to liquids and solids. Not suitable for electrical installations;
• CO2 fire extinguisher: with carbon dioxide, it has the advantage of leaving no residues, making it particularly suitable for extinguishing fires affecting the electrical equipment on board or when flammable gases are present;
• fluorinated gas fire extinguisher: greenhouse effect, for whose use and maintenance a company and personnel certification is required according to EC regulation no.517 / 2014;
• Novec™ 1230 fluid extinguisher: a new generation extinguisher with minimal environmental impact. It is very suitable for class A-B fires and is used as a total saturation agent. As it is neither conductive nor corrosive, it does not cause short circuits in electrical systems or damage to delicate components due to the possible presence of residues;
• HFC 227 (FM 200) fire extinguisher: heptafluoropropane is a pure gas, i.e. not mixed, used as a total saturation extinguishing agent. It does not contain particulates, it also has a minimal environmental impact, does not damage the ozone, is dielectric, clean and safe for both people and delicate equipment;
• water mist extinguisher: uses a very fine water mist (micro-drops) as an extinguishing agent that allows the control and extinction of the flames by cooling them and the gases present by evaporation, inerting oxygen - always evaporation - and the attenuation of radiant heat;

In our shop in Olbia you will surely find the models of portable marine fire extinguishers that best suit your needs, as well as a wide range of IMHO and ISO signs for safety signs on board: everything you need to comply with nautical regulations.

Call us, fill out the form or send us an email to [email protected] to find out the costs of fire extinguishers for your boat, yacht, vessel, or ship.