Fire on board

Fire risks on board boats

Although fires remain relatively rare on board pleasure boats, they can spread rapidly and pose fatal risks to the crew in a very short time. Even if uncommon, this is an area in which it is preferable to be trained as part of sailing safety.

Unlike commercial vessels, fire safety standards relating to the construction of pleasure boats are very limited and largely depend on the manufacturers.

This shortcoming is undoubtedly linked to the nature of construction materials: polyester resin, a highly flammable petroleum derivative, is widely predominant in the architecture of modern sailing yachts. Given this situation, the main means available to leisure sailors to fight fires remains prevention. We offer you a brief overview of the main causes of fire on vessels, and the means to prevent them… and to extinguish them.

First of all, let us recall some basic notions that may have been forgotten since school days.

To start, a fire requires three elements:

1-a source of heat: flame, spark, engine overheating, etc.

2-a fuel: the materials that make up our boats are often very good fire conductors: composite resins, wood, and even certain metals such as aluminum, whose melting point is only 660°C.

3-an oxidizer: generally the oxygen in the air

If one of these three parameters is removed, the fire cannot occur.

Main causes of fire on pleasure boats

Fire in the engine compartment

A classic scenario, not as rare as one might think. This type of fire can be caused by an oil or diesel leak combined with engine overheating or an electrical short circuit.

Prevention

-ensure proper ventilation of the engine compartment when starting the engine, either by an electric extractor or natural ventilation

-check the engine for leaks

-ensure the engine cools properly (seawater cooling valve open, water discharged at the exhaust, check coolant level)

-monitor engine temperature during operation

-do not exceed the maximum oil level

-check the condition of the electrical system and fuses

-avoid overusing the starter motor

In case of fire

Do not open the engine compartment, in order to avoid feeding the fire with additional oxygen.

Open the access port provided for the fire extinguisher between the steps of the companionway (the boat’s staircase) and discharge the extinguisher through this opening. If necessary, use the other available extinguishers to put out the fire.

If the fire does not go out despite these measures, evacuate the boat as quickly as possible.

Galley fires

Galley fires are generally caused by the ignition of fats or oils in contact with the stove burners. These are known as “grease fires”.

Prevention

-do not use excessive quantities of oil or fats when cooking

-cover pots to avoid any risk of oil or fat splashing

-secure pots with the retaining bars fitted to boat stoves

-unlock the gimbal of the stove to prevent liquids from spilling while sailing

In case of fire

-never use a water extinguisher on a galley fire, as this may spread the fire throughout the boat by projecting burning grease.

-use a compliant fire blanket to smother the fire.

Electrical fires

Short circuits are a significant cause of fires on board boats.

They are caused by poor cable insulation, missing, faulty or incorrectly rated fuses.

Prevention

-check the condition of the cables and ensure the electrical system complies with its intended use

-ensure fuses are installed in the correct locations, are operational and properly rated for onboard equipment

-avoid drawing too much power from high-consumption circuits such as the windlass or bow thruster. If a windlass fuse blows, it is better to raise the anchor manually than to risk overheating cables that could cause a fire.

In case of fire

-use the onboard fire extinguishers

-switch off the circuit breakers

Fire spreading to a resin hull or deck

The polyester resin used to build most pleasure boats is an excellent fuel. A fire involving this type of material will therefore spread very rapidly while producing extremely toxic fumes.

Prevention

-ensure equipment likely to cause fires is kept in good condition and used correctly (electrical system, gas system and storage, proper engine ventilation, etc.)

In case of fire

-act as quickly as possible to extinguish the fire using onboard extinguishers

-if the fire does not go out, evacuate the boat immediately

-in the event of evacuation, ensure that the life raft or dinghy is positioned upwind of the boat to avoid poisoning by inhalation of burning resin fumes.

Flammable fuels

Gas

Due to its highly flammable nature, gas, like gasoline, must always be stored outside the boat in well-ventilated lockers. Butane (like propane) is heavier than air and can also accumulate in the bilges. These characteristics require close monitoring of the entire system.

Prevention

-store gas cylinders in exterior lockers fitted with openings in their lower section to ventilate potential leaks

Ensure the proper operation of the various components of the gas system:

-no corrosion on the cylinder regulator

-good condition of the rigid piping

-tightness of connections

-no corrosion on hose clamps

-check that hoses are in good condition, not expired (expiry date is indicated on gas hoses) and are not subjected to excessive mechanical stress (bending, chafing, twisting, etc.)

-check valve operation and absence of leaks when closed

-regularly ensure that the bilges are empty and clean: gas being heavier than air, it can sink and accumulate in the bilges and does not coexist well with electric bilge pumps that may generate sparks…

In case of fire

If the boat has not already exploded…

-extinguish the fire using onboard extinguishers

-cut off the gas supply as quickly as possible

Gasoline

Like gas, the highly flammable nature of gasoline requires it to be stored outside the boat in well-ventilated lockers. The use of gasoline in inboard engines has been prohibited for several decades.

Prevention

-store gasoline in suitable, sealed containers, placed in exterior, well-ventilated lockers

-avoid any source of sparks or flames near the containers

-clean up any spills or leaks during handling

In case of fire

-use onboard extinguishers

-if the fire does not go out, evacuate the boat as quickly as possible and move upwind of the fire to avoid poisoning by inhalation of toxic fumes

Regulations

On board boats with “CE” marking (boats built after 1998 and with a length less than or equal to 24 m), the list of firefighting equipment is defined by the manufacturer, in accordance with the new Division 240 (May 1, 2015) relating to the equipment of pleasure craft. This list can be found in the boat owner’s manual.

For boats without “CE” marking, the list of firefighting equipment has been defined by Division 245 since May 1, 2015.

As an indication, firefighting equipment on board pleasure boats with a length less than or equal to 24 meters is generally detailed as follows:

-1 type 34 B extinguisher located within 1 meter of the engine compartment

-1 extinguisher located within 5 meters of each cabin

-1 fire blanket to fight galley fires

Fire classes and types of extinguishers

Extinguishers can be suitable for one or more types of fires. Legislation distinguishes five classes of fire:

Class A: solid fires

Class B: liquid or liquefiable solid fires

Class C: gas fires

Class D: metal fires

Class F: cooking oil and fat fires

Most extinguishers required by pleasure boat manufacturers are multi-purpose and cover Class A, B and C fires.

Note: an extinguisher containing 1 kg of powder is discharged in less than 10 seconds. For greater safety, it may be useful to purchase extinguishers with a higher capacity than that recommended by the manufacturer.