Question:
Fire Extinguisher FatalityPosted on the factory notice board. BOC From Haden Fire extinguishers. Recently a fire extingisher when being used to put out a small fire exploded due to rust within the plastic cap on the bottom of the cylinder killing the user. Maybe it is time to check the boat equipment before hugging it to your groin to direct onto your local unfriendly fire. Clogdancer on a fat boat. Abandoned the north to explore the other half before it sinks.

Answer: For 15 years, I was involved in the Fire Extinguisher industry. Fire extinguishers should be inspected by "Competent Persons" annually. All good quality appliances state that on their bodies. Unfortunately, many people buy cheap extinguishers that are not constructed to relevant British Standards, believing that the appliance will never be used in anger. It's very often the case of " It will never happen to me". Many people who buy and install extinguishers will not employ a service engineer to inspect them after purchase due to cost. It is imperative that all extinguishers are inspected by suitably qualified personnel annually, a boat safety examiner is not good enough. He is not qualified to dismantle and reassemble such equipment. He certainly cannot issue a certificate that states that the extinguisher is fit for safe and effective use. I still see many craft with extinguishers on board that are in excess of ten years old and have never been serviced. That just proves to me that many boat safety examiners know nothing about the subject. If anyone is concerned about the safety or effectiveness of the extinguishers on their boat, then they need to contact a firm such as "Chubb", "Nu Swift" or indeed ""Southern Fire Security" of Trowbridge in Wiltshire, have a word with the boss, Alan Price. Follow their recommendations. www.southernfire.co.uk Don't take chances. Fire kills, so could the extinguisher on your boat.