How to Use a Fire Extinguisher on a Boat

In an emergency onboard, do you know how to use a fire extinguisher? Don’t be so sure. Panic can clear your brain of everything you know. The key to dealing with a boat fire is to

• have fire extinguishers (and other tools) in all important locations,
• know how to remove them from the mounting bracket, and
• know how the extinguisher itself works.

Finally, practice the proper technique so it’s second nature when you need to suppress a fire. Let’s start with having the right number of fire extinguishers.

How Many Fire Extinguishers Do You Need?

Consider two things: legal requirements and how many extinguishers you need to stay safe. I suggest having more than the law requires. Ask yourself where you need to keep extinguishers so no one gets trapped by flames. I suggest the following places as a starting point:

• each sleeping area
• the engine compartment or just outside it. If you can access the engine from two sides, such as the lazarette and the saloon, place one on each side.
• the galley,
• and any major areas.

You should have an extinguisher within reach anywhere you’re likely to be when a fire breaks out.

Know How The Mounting Brackets Work

Then, make sure you know how each mounting bracket works. Don’t just look at it; actually take the extinguisher out and replace it.  We discovered that several of our brackets worked extremely hard and needed some lubrication. Had we not taken them out, we wouldn’t have known.

How Do Your Fire Extinguishers Work?

Most fire extinguishers work the same. Check the instructions on yours to be sure. And yes, do it now. Do you really want to be reaching for your glasses to read the tiny print on the side of your extinguisher while flames are burning their way through your boat?

I chose not to include photos since your fire extinguishers are likely to be different from mine. And each of mine was slightly different from the others.

• Pull the pin. You almost always have to break a seal so the chemicals don’t accidentally come out. The pin can be hard to pull, so keep a good grip on the extinguisher so it doesn’t slip out of your hand and into an inaccessible place.
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames. Put out what’s burning; don’t spray the flames. Try to get the foam within six inches of the burning material. You can stand farther back if needed, but get the foam as directly on the flaming material as possible.
• Squeeze the handle to spray the foam.
• Sweep back and forth over the fire to cover the entire burning surface.

A regular-size fire extinguisher only has about 10 seconds of spray, so have it close to the correct spot before squeezing the handle so you don’t waste any of it. If possible, take extinguishers from other locations or even other boats if needed to put out the fire completely. Most people are shocked at how quickly a fire extinguisher empties!

Other Fire Extinguisher Tips

Three other tips: 

• try to always keep an exit at your back in case the fire becomes too large, and you have to evacuate;
• even if the fire appears to be out, keep a close eye on it as you’re cleaning up and for several hours afterwards in case it reignites; and
• have the extinguishers recharged or buy new ones as soon as possible.

Of course, you’re keeping an eye on your extinguishers, right? Search for recalls periodically and make sure your equipment hasn’t expired. It may need replacing. The good news is that you can practice your technique on expired gear. Several cruisers have told me that they were glad for the opportunity to practice using their extinguisher before an emergency.

In addition, reader Craig S., who is a training officer for the Canadian Sail and Power Squadron, provides some helpful details for putting out a boat fire with an extinguisher. “When using the fire extinguisher for the first time, especially one you have never used before, do not point it at the fire and pull the trigger. Do a test blast away from the fire to see how forceful the blast may be and the reaction of the extinguisher in your hands. Then sneak up on the fire by pointing the blast just below the base of the fire, and wave the extinguisher back and forth until you reach the base. If it has spread, continue to wave the blast back and forth until the fire is out. Never point the blast directly at an oil pan fire, as the oil will be forced out. Always sneak up on it, waving the blast back and forth until you reach the pan; that way the oil doesn’t jump out of the pan.

Good advice, Craig. Thank you.

How Will You Respond to a Fire

In 2004, we were in a marina in La Paz when all of a sudden the man on the boat next to us yelled out, “Do you have a fire extinguisher?  I need it fast!!”  He had an electrical fire and was so flustered that he couldn’t remember how to use his. Turns out, he forgot to pull the pin and thought it wasn’t working.

Anyone can lose their head in a crisis. But it’s less likely to happen when you prepare and practice in advance.

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