- Action: To Do List item A0019 – Obtain three USCG approved type B-1 fire extinguishers.
- Completed: 7 January 2017
- Cost: $221.66
Indra's currently installed three fire extinguishers were unserviceable and needed replacement.
Per 46 CFR table 25.30-20(a)(1) for Indra at length of 34 feet, this table stipulated two 5-B portable fire extinguishers were required. We opted to procure three new fire extinguishers instead of the minimum requirement of two. Fire extinguishers were available locally in the Philippines, except they were not certified by USCG standards [46CFR 162.028-4]. In the interim, until USCG approved fire extinguishers could be purchased from the USA, we bought four extinguishers to have on hand while working on the boat. We bought one BFI Fire Extinguisher 1.0kg ABC - P2,011.00 (US $44.69) and three Kapper Fire Extinguisher 1.5kg ABC - P1,170.00 (US $26.00) each.
Internet research revealed that Kidde Mariner 110 Portable Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher rated at 1-A,10-B:C would fulfill the USCG requirement and a reasonable price was found at Defender's website at $32.99 each. These were ordered on 17 October 2016 and shipped to our balikbayan box consolidator and forwarder Manila Forwarder in Los Angles, California and received there on 25 October 2016. We received them in Naga City, Cebu on 7 January 2017.
All three fire extinguishers arrived with no damage and the pressure indicator was still in the green band. Each was equipped with a plastic bracket with strap for mounting. Two screws are needed for mounting the plastic bracket and are not included with the fire extinguisher. On the bottom of each fire extinguisher was stamped 2015, indicating year of manufacture.
The fire extinguisher label and owner's manual indicated that the fire extinguisher must be removed from service 12 years after date of manufacture per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 10 requirements. With 2015 indicated as year of manufacture, then in year 2027 these fire extinguishers need to be replaced - this was added to the master tracking list of Due Dates. Based on this requirement of a service life of 12 years, it would be prudent to verify the date of manufacture before purchasing a fire extinguisher.
Additionally per NFPA 10 paragraph 7.2.1.2.1, the fire extinguisher label, and the owner's manual, monthly inspections are required - this was added to the master tracking list of Due Dates. Also it is required per NFPA 10 paragraph 7.2.4.1 that inspections be documented on a tag or label indicating month, year, and initials of inspector. The Kiddie fire extinguisher owner's manual had a thin paper tag attached for this purpose, but it is not robust enough to last in a boat environment. We ordered more robust inspection tags for this purpose.
The monthly inspection is a relatively very easy task. Verify the fire extinguisher pressure indicator is in the green band, no obstruction in the nozzle, safety lock pin in place, and check of overall exterior condition. Based on internet discussion about the dry power in the fire extinguisher possibly "caking up" or clumping together at the bottom of the extinguisher due to being stationary over long periods of time, we added the advice we discovered on these discussions to our inspections. Each monthly inspection, remove fire extinguisher from bracket, turn it upside down and verify dry powder is felt to fall downward, roll it in a horizontal position to mix up the dry powder, then remount it back in it's bracket. Then document the inspection on the tag.
