Fire extinguishers

[DaveandEileen]

What is everyone's opinion on fire extinguishers? Carbon dioxide or Halogen?
I have always had dry chemical powder fire extinguishers but have seen hand held carbon dioxide, recycled Halon, and Halotron and when discharged don't leave a residue. They cost more but are much cleaner.
Any thoughts?
Thank you

 

[Wee Venture]

I assume you are talking about fixed, automatic discharge extinguishers for the engine compartment. Halon used to be the go-to extinguisher for this application but is no longer manufactured because of environmental concerns. Here is a link to an article discussing alternatives. We used to have a system using Halon on our gasoline powered Sea Ray but do not feel the need for it on a diesel powered inboard.

https://www.boatingmag.com/fixed-marine ... for-boats/

 

[HookedUp]

Not sure if you meant Halon. I choose a standard Sodium Bicarbonate Dry Chemical marine fire extinguisher. The cost difference when compared to Halon is considerable. On one of my previous boats the engine compartment had an automated Halon system, but I still carried a standard marine extinguisher.

Years back all computer rooms used halon systems as this gas did not impact electronics (it does damage the ozone). It's sole purpose was to replace the oxygen in the room. I'm not sure it would be suitable except in an enclosed area.

I couldn't find anything on Halogen, but there are Halotron extinguishers. They advertise as a Halon replacement. If so, what I said for Halon would apply (good in enclosed areas).

 

[NorthernFocus]

Carbon dioxide is a bad idea in closed spaces. It is lethal. Google it. If you actually need to supress a fire onboard I can assure you that making a mess with a dry chemical extinguisher will be the last thing on your mind. :shock:

 

[Crewdog]

It's from 2009, but here's a good article on different types of fire extinguishers from BoatUS Foundation:

https://www.boatus.org/findings/46/

 

[Toucan]

There are two different chemicals that are routinely used in dry chemical extinguishers. The most commonly used chemical is mono ammonium phosphate, which is very corrosive to electronics. We do not allow this on our boat. We use sodium bicarbonate, which is much less corrosive. We keep a batch of these spread around our boat.

Barry and Lynne Thompson
TOUCAN, R-27 Classic

 

[NorthernFocus]

There are two different chemicals that are routinely used in dry chemical extinguishers. The most commonly used chemical is mono ammonium phosphate, which is very corrosive to electronics. We do not allow this on our boat. We use sodium bicarbonate, which is much less corrosive. We keep a batch of these spread around our boat.

This is a good point about the sodium bicarb. And yes a good idea to have them easily accessible in multiple places aboard including the cockpit. And have at least one large capacity. No fines for exceeding CG requirements.