Fire extinguishers — types, ratings, requirements

USCG Boatswain Manual Ch. 6 §6.1

Firefighting Shipboard fire is classified by fuel: A (combustibles), B (flammable liquids/gas), C (energised electrical), D (combustible metals — rare on small vessels), K (cooking oils — galley fires). Use the correct extinguisher class for the fuel.

33 CFR §175.305

General provisions. Where fire extinguishing equipment in this subpart is required to be of an approved type, such equipment must be approved as provided in 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter Q. A listing of current and formerly approved equipment and materials may be found on the internet at: https://cgmix.uscg.mil/equipment. Each OCMI may be contacted for information concerning approved equipment.

33 CFR §175.310

Portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems. (a) All portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers must— (1) Be on board 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 type fire extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride, chlorobromomethane, or other toxic vaporizing liquids, are not acceptable a…

33 CFR §175.315

Fixed fire extinguishing systems. (a) A fixed fire extinguishing system must be of a type approved by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR part 162. (b) A carbon dioxide system must be designed and installed in accordance with 46 CFR part 76, subpart 76.15. (c) An automatic sprinkler system must be designed and installed in accordance with 46 CFR 25.30-15(c).

33 CFR §175.320

Fire extinguishing equipment required. (a) Recreational vessels 65 feet or less in length. (1) A recreational vessel 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 1 to § 175.320(a)(1). A vessel less than 26 feet in length, propelled by an outboard motor, is not required to carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the vessel will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors. Table 1 to § 175.320(a)(1) Length (feet) | Minimum number of 5-B portablefire extinguishers required 1 If no fixed fireextinguishingsystem inmachinery space | If fixed fireextinguishingsystem inmachinery space Under 16 | 1 | 0 16 or more, but less than 26 | 1 | 0 26 or more, but less than 40 | 2 | 1 40 or …

33 CFR §175.380

Condition and number of fire extinguishers required for recreational vessels built model year 2017 or earlier. Recreational vessels with a model year between 1953 and 2017 must meet the following requirements: (a) Previously installed extinguishers with extinguishing capacities that are less than what is required in table 1 to § 175.320(a)(1) or Table 4 to § 175.320(b)(1) need not be replaced but must be maintained in good condition. (b) All extinguishers installed after August 22, 2016, must meet the applicable requirements in §§ 175.305 through 175.320. [USCG-2018-0099, 86 FR 58571, Oct. 22, 2021, as amended at Docket No. USCG-2023-0759, 89 FR 22948, Apr. 3, 2024]