In article , DSK
wrote:

Peter Wiley wrote:

Not more than once....

I've had the pleasure of putting out a fire from a 45kg cylinder when
the pressure release valve had triggered, and one from a 4" main with a
pipe flange rupture. Both under controlled conditions as part of my
training. It takes 2 people to snuff one of these, you can't do it
alone and you definitely can't do it with a fire extinguisher. Takes a
full sized fire hose.

It's also crucial to shut off the source of fuel for the fire.

That's why it takes 2 people. One to keep the fire hose aimed at the
LPG leak to suppress the fire, the 2nd to go forward and shut off the
valve near the supply. The training has the leak at the valve flange to
simulate a 'worst case' approach. you need to know that you can trust
your partner which is why fire fighting people train in teams.

Few people
realize
how well most fiberglass burns. Once a fire gets started on a small boat, the
only
hope is to put it out FAST.




Fires on ships are one of the worst things that can happen.

Yes indeed. I once had the dubious pleasure of putting out a class C fire in a
ships laundry, which was located just above the helo fuel storage & pumping
room.
I was careful to not show anybody else in the fire party the DC diagrams,
didn't
want to start a panic! Much more fun than training.

Gets the adrenaline going that's for sure. The toy fire extinguishers
most people have are a waste of space, they might snuff a cigarette
lighter on a good day but a spilt pan of fat that's flashed - probably
not. OTOH the fire blankets are surprisingly (to me when I first used
one) effective on contained fires.

PDW

Peter Wiley wrote:

.... The toy fire extinguishers
most people have are a waste of space, they might snuff a cigarette
lighter on a good day but a spilt pan of fat that's flashed - probably
not.

Some of them are definitely toys, the smallest ones I have are dry chemical about
3kg and rated "8-10-12 A-B-C." I'm not sure what the numbers mean but they will put
out all three types of fire. I don't expect them to do more than put out a cupful of
fuel, and would hate like hell to have to clean the crud out of any electrical
components. We also carry three much bigger A-B-C rated dry chem extinguishers. I'd
prefer CO2 for electrical fires but don't want to have to remember which type I'm
grabbing when something catches fire.

Most people get the smallest cheapest fire extinguishers. Big mistake if you ever
need them. Anything that's not rated A-B-C is a waste of space.


OTOH the fire blankets are surprisingly (to me when I first used
one) effective on contained fires.

Yes and they totally prevent reflash. Thanks for mentioning them, I will get a
couple for our boat this weekend (scribbling on to-do list).

Fresh Breezes- Doug King