New Federal Fire Extinguisher Law - April 20th

[Clint]

Boaters - check your fire extinguisher.

There is a new federal regulation for boat owners. Beginning April 20, the new U.S. Coast Guard regulation for disposable fire extinguishers mandates a 12-year expiration date from the date of manufacture. Boaters can find the manufacture date stamped into the bottom of the bottle or near the UL label. This may be two or four digits — if it is two, as in 08, that means 2008.

Additionally, the new regulation also specifies the minimum Underwriter Laboratory (UL) classification of extinguishers to be carried aboard certain vessels — depending on the boat’s model year.

This is the result of phasing out older “B-I” and “B-II” labels for newer “5-B” “10-B” and “20-B” extinguisher classifications. The number in this new rating refers to the size in square feet of the potential fire the device is suitable to extinguish and not the exact weight of the dry chemical inside the bottle.

Vessels on the water today that are less than 26 feet and model year 2017 or older may continue to carry older, dated or undated “B-I” or “B-II” disposable extinguishers. However, when they are no longer serviceable or have reached 12 years of age since manufacture, they must be replaced with newer class “5-B” or greater extinguishers. Boats less than 26 feet and 2018 model year or newer must carry unexpired “5-B” “10-B” or “20-B” fire extinguishers. Having older “B-I” and “B-II” types do not meet the new carriage requirements.

[DockShootinJack]

It is one of those things you don't think about until you need it. When you need it you want the best you can get

[MikeF]

Received an email from US Boat about this new reg.


Fire Extinguishers : BoatUS Foundation

[Les Young]

Good info. Thanks for posting.

[Tradbow]

Need to check mine to see what the dates and type is. Don’t want something to happen and have to file insurance claim because of a fire and they deny because of an outdated and wrong type fire extinguisher. I guess you could accidentally drop it overboard if you were able to get fire put out.

[Ketchn]

one thing for certain , it gets a bit more complicated EVERY day to go ketch a fish .
we keep fire extinguishers all over the place at work ,home , the ranch , the truck and etc.
might be an item you need you need to check for sure .

[Tradbow]

I’ll do it today. I have a medical procedure tomorrow in the big city and there’s a Academy and a BPS there. I’ll leave a little early and swing by either one to see what they may have. If not I’m sure Lowes or Ace would have them.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Gotta check mine….

[dbowling]

thanks for the update/reminder just ordered 2 for pontoon.

[TheGrandPoohBah]

Good time to check extinguishers around the house and garage too, to make sure they are effective if you need 'em.