Fixed Fire Extinguisher System?

[Bob Owens]

As my insurance policy has come up for renewal this year, the company (ACE Recreational Marine) says that I must install a "fixed fire fighting system" for the engine compartment. My CD 27 has had no modifications from the factory design, and still has the tough little original YSB8 one-cylinder diesel. I carry three fire extinguishers, properly placed. Quick phone calls to a couple of marine fire-extinguisher dealers have yielded a "You've got to be kidding!" reponse. They say such a thing is normally only for larger boats, especially with gas engines, and involves custom installation. That sounds like huge money. Before I get into this with the agent, does anybody have advice/experience with such a requirement? Thanks.
Bob

[Mike Raehl]

I also have marine insurance from ACE and received the same "recommendation" two years ago. At that time ACE was satisfied with the installation of a fire port that allows discharge of a fire extinguisher directly into the "engine room". I believe that on a CD27, the top step of the companionway meets this requirement. A dedicated fire port could be installed under the top step on the engine cover panel. ACE also strongly recommended a Halotron extinguisher since CO2 extinguishers leave a bad residue on engine parts, electrical and electronic components.
ACE had "requirements" and "recommendations". A phone call to the contact phone number on their survey letter was helpful in sorting it out.

[Joe CD MS 300]

Bob,

ACE is also my insurance company. I was asked to complete a self survey this past spring which involved in taking a list specific pictures of the boat (with a disposable camera provided by ACE) and answering a list of questions. They later sent out a list of recommendations one of which included adding a fire port or fixed extinguisher system for the engine compartment. As I had a false alarm in the engine compartment at the start of the season (a refrigeration compressor meltdown) I was already thinking about adding a fire port into the engine compartment. Seeing smoke coming from the engine compartment was a little scary.

I looked into a fixed system but they are really expensive and I'm not sure that I would have room for it in the engine compartment. Another down side to a fixed system is that you also need to instal an automatic engine shout down system as a running diesel will ingest an agent like Halotron. I'd also like to make the decision as to weather to kill the engine or not. The auto kill systems about double the cost. The whole system would probably run about $1,500 without installation.

Instead, I just purchased the fireport from marineeast.com for about $15 including shipping. Still need to get a Halotron extinguisher. Probably will go with the 15,5 lb size which runs about $400. I'm waiting for a sale at West Maine, Hamilton or Defender before I get the extinguisher.

If you can find a cheaper source for the extinguishers on line let me know. I did a lot of searching without finding anyone cheaper than West Marine. I'll probably have it shipped to my local store to eliminate the shipping cost which is significant as they consider it a hazardous material.

I don't think the problem with a CO2 extinguisher is any residue as it dissapates without any but because of thermal shock issues with a hot diesel engin block.

Joe

[Sea Hunt]

Bob:

In this month's issue of Cruising World (Nov. 2009), there is a very good article on different types of fire suppression systems. Not sure if the article will help solve your problem, but I found the article informative.

If you want me to mail you a copy of the article, send me a PM with your mailing address.

Good luck with your insurance co.

[Joe CD MS 300]

Bob these were the recommendations after the self survey and the response I sent to ACE:

1. Engine Compartment Fire Extinguisher - I will likely be adding a fire port and halotron fire extinguisher rather than an automated system.
2. Third Fire Extinguisher – The new halotron extinguisher (item 1 above) will be added as the third extinguisher.
3. High Water Bilge Alarm - Do you have any recommendations as to the type or manufacturer of a suitable strobe light? I haven’t yet identified a strobe unit. (They did not have any specific suggestions)
4. Throwable Device – The vessel has a “LifeSlingâ€

[Mike Raehl]

I re-read the letter from ACE and it says: "A portable extinguisher..... and the extinguisher is a gaseous extinguisher employing a clean agent like a Halocarbon or CO2." So CO2 is OK. It is the other stuff that leaves a residue and a significant cleaning problem.

[Bob Owens]

Thanks for the helpful replies. It turns out that ACE will allow me to go the portal route, and that is what I will do.
Bob