Fire Suppression & Visual Distress Signals Introduce the topic Boating Safety USF/MOCC Course Ben Meister

If you remove one element from the triangle, you have NO fire Fire Prevention Fire Precaution If you remove one element from the triangle, you have NO fire

Fire Prevention Be cautious and take safeguards to prevent completing the fire triangle. Always perform a sniff test Complete routine inspection of electrical systems Make sure batteries have a cover over the terminals. Sniff test!

Fire Classes Class C Class A Electrical Combustible solids like wood Class D Combustible metals like magnesium Class A Combustible solids like wood Class B Flammable liquids like gasoline

Fire Extinguishers Required on motorboats if there is any space where flammable materials or vapors can present a fire hazard. Closed compartments Areas where portable fuel tanks may be stored Permanently installed fuel tanks Closed living spaces This one can be awkward to go through. The take home point is that you need an extinguisher anytime there’s a space on your boat where fuel fumes can get trapped. Point out that fuel fumes are heavier than air. 5

Types of Extinguishers-Must be USCG Approved Fire Extinguishers Types of Extinguishers-Must be USCG Approved Fire Extinguisher Classification (size, minimum extinguishing agent weight): B-I Boats less than 26 feet must carry at least one B-I extinguisher B-II Boats 26 to 40 feet must carry two B-I or one B-II extinguisher Boats 40 to 65 feet must carry three B-I or one B-I and one B-II A fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery spaces will replace one B-I portable extinguisher

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Example Label: Type of Fire(s) Extinguishing Agent Size of Extinguisher USCG Approval # Servicing Requirements Visual Inspection Weight, Pressure Dry Chem Packing Bracket Requirements Mounted and readily accessible Illustration only. 7

Agents and Sizes Extinguisher Type Class of Fire Size / Lbs Rationale: B-I B-II CO2 B,C 4 15 High pressure gas agent, cools and displaces oxygen, ideal for extinguishing electrical fires Halon or Halotron or FM-200, INERGEN, and FE-13 A,B,C 2.5 10 High pressure gas that displaces oxygen and vaporizes quickly. (Typically fixed/installed in enclosed machinery spaces) Dry Chemical Sodium/Potassium Bicarbonate or Mono Ammonium Phosphate 2 Pressurized powder agent, smothers fuel base. Highly corrosive on marine parts and electronics. Foam- AFFF Aqueous Form Filming Foam A,B 1.2 Water based agent, quenches, cools, blankets and smothers, can separate the vapor layer in class ‘B’ fires. DO NOT use water on gasoline, oil, or electrical fires DO NOT use CO2 on Class A fires

Fixed Fire Suppression Systems Custom engineered systems – engineered for the specific vessel it is found in Pre-engineered systems - intended to be an "off the shelf" for “after market” installation Alternative – use of a portable or semi-portable fire extinguisher used as an exception to the “fixed” system aboard a small vessel

Fire Extinguishers The PASS technique : 9/1/2012

Fire Fire Suppression : If faced with a fire on board, save lives first Fire fighting should be done to contain a small fire to enable safe exit of operator and crew Fuel and fuel vapors are the two leading ingredients in all boat fires and explosions

Fire Firefighting Strategies:

Fire Priority of Response : Head boat into wind so flames blow overboard, stop boat, turn off motor, blower, and main electrical circuit Notify and give location – FIRE, FIRE, FIRE If burning material is not attached, throw overboard Make radio distress call Move crew to safe area, don PFD Use appropriate fire extinguisher to fight fire Abandon ship if necessary- Flotation, EPIRB, Supplies, VDS, Communication, Exposure protection

Visual Distress Signals Purpose: 1. Attract Attention 2. Pinpoint Location for rescue vessel to serve as a guide

Types of VDS

Visual Distress Signals Vessels less than 16’: required to carry approved VDS for night time use. Vessels 16’ – 65’: required to carry approved VDS for both day time and night time use. Standard minimum Requirement: - 3 Day & 3 Night Pyrotechnic - Non-Pyro can also be used Cover the points. This will be reiterated in the VDS demo. 19

Visual Distress Signal (VDS) Required Equipment Visual Distress Signal (VDS) For use in coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and the high seas

Visual Distress Signals When to use – Be prepared to use the different types of VDS when 1. You are in distress and in need of assistance 2. There is assistance within the area that will likely see the VDS. When NOT to use - DO NOT randomly ignite VDS if you do not feel a sighting will be made by others. VDS is likely limited. Wasteful use will reduce chances of rescue. VDS must be USCG Approved, readily attainable, dry-stored, current within date of expiration. The USCG prohibits use of VDS unless there is an actual distress or prior approval is obtained.

VDS USE General Use -Follow Directions -Hold at angle, down wind, over rail -Do not waive over head -Do not point at crew -Do not hold above indication line -Do not allow discharge to drop down hand