Fire Safety Information

Fire safety advice, information, articles, and videos for businesses and homes.

  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Delivery
Call Us FreePhone
0800 321 3145
Every Call Answered
  • Fire Extinguishers
    • Shop by Type
      • Water Fire Extinguishers
      • CO2 Fire Extinguishers
      • Powder Fire Extinguishers
      • Foam Fire Extinguishers
      • Fluorine-Free Fire Extinguishers
      • Firexo Fires Extinguishers
      • View All
    • Shop by Application
      • Car Fire Extinguishers
      • Boat Fire Extinguishers
      • Construction Site Fire Safety
      • Petrol Forecourt Fire Safety
      • Home Fire Extinguishers
    • Accessories
      • Extinguisher Stands
      • Extinguisher Trolleys
      • Extinguisher Boxes & Cabinets
      • Wall Brackets & Holders
      • Extinguisher Covers
      • View All
    • Specialised Extinguishers
      • Self-Service P50 Fire Extinguishers
      • Chrome Extinguishers
      • Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers
      • Lithium-ion Battery Fire Extinguishers
      • Automatic Fire Extinguishers
      • Anti-Freeze Fire Extinguishers
      • Wheeled Fire Extinguishers
    • Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
      • Extinguisher Servicing
      • Extinguisher Disposal
      • Extinguisher Site Survey
    • Savings & Offers
      • Budget Extinguishers
      • Fire Extinguisher Packs
  • Fire Alarms & Detection
    • Smoke Alarms
      • Battery Smoke Alarms
      • Wireless Smoke Alarms
      • 230V Smoke and Heat Alarms
      • Kidde Smoke Alarms
      • Firex Smoke Alarms
      • 2022 Scottish Regulation Alarms
      • Optical Smoke Alarms
      • View All
    • Fire Alarm Systems
      • Fire Alarm Kits
      • Fire Alarm Panels
      • Manual Call Points
      • Smoke Detectors & Bases
      • Sounders & Beacons
      • View All
    • Alarm System Accessories
      • Power Supply Units
      • Fire Alarm Batteries
      • STI Vandalism Stoppers
      • Cables and Fittings
      • Emergency Lighting
      • Alarm & Lighting Servicing
      • Megaphones
    • Standalone Site Alarms
      • Rotary Fire Bell
      • Temporary Fire Alarm
      • Interlinking Fire Alarm
      • Fire Gas Horn
      • View All
    • Carbon Monoxide Detectors
      • Portable Carbon Monoxide Alarm
      • View All
  • Fire Blankets & Welding
    • Fire Blankets
      • Lithium Battery Fire Blankets
      • Economy Fire Blanket
      • Kitchen Fire Blanket
      • View All
    • Popular Fire Blanket Sizes
      • 1.m x 1.m Fire Blanket
      • 1.2m x 1.2m Fire Blanket
      • 1.8m x 1.2m Fire Blanket
      • 1.8m x 1.8m Fire Blanket
    • Welding Blankets
      • Medium-Duty Welding Blankets
      • Extra Heavy-Duty Welding Blankets
      • Extra Heavy-Duty Drape Roll
      • View All
  • Fireproofing & Escape
    • Fire Stopping
      • Intumescent Fire Stopping
      • All Fire and Smoke Seals
      • Fire Stopping for Pipes
      • Fire Stopping for Ducting & Cables
      • Fire Door & Window Products
      • Fire-Rated Sealants & Foams
      • Fire Rated Access Panels & Boxes
    • Door Furniture
      • Fire Door Hardware
      • Door Closers
      • Fire Door Holders
      • Push Bars
      • Panic Bolts
      • Door & Window Hardware
      • Fire Door Signs
      • View All
    • Fire Escape & Routes
      • Fire Exit Signs
      • Keys & Padlocks
      • Fire Escape Ladders
      • Fire-Rated Loft Hatches & Ladders
      • Evacuation Chairs
      • Home Safety Equipment
      • Car Safety Equipment
  • Fire Brigade Hoses & Fittings
    • Fire Hose Equipment
      • Fire Hoses
      • Foam Inductors & Equipments
      • Hose Reels & Spare Parts
      • Nozzles and Branch Pipes
      • Standpipes & Fittings
    • Wet & Dry Risers
      • Dry Risers
      • Breechings & Gate Valves
      • Dry Riser Cabinets
      • Riser Accessories
      • Riser Signage
    • Fire Safety Accessories
      • Fire Buckets
      • Wildfire Equipment
      • Fire Brigade Padlock
      • Fire Brigade Keys
  • Health & Safety
    • First Aid
      • Workplace First Aid Kits
      • Home & Vehicle First Aid Kits
      • Plasters & Other Supplies
      • First Aid Posters
      • First Aid Signs
      • Eye Wash Kits
      • Burns Kits
      • Body Fluid Disposal
    • PPE & Workwear
      • Hi-Vis Workwear
      • Hard Hats
      • Masks & Respirators
      • Workwear Gloves
      • Eye Protection
      • Ear Protection
      • Footwear
      • Fall Protection
      • Flame Resistant Clothing
      • Knee Pads
      • PPE Accessories
    • Workplace Safety
      • Fire Marshal & Wardens
      • Health & Safety Posters
      • Flammable Liquid Storage
      • Spill Kits
      • Anti-slip & Floor Tapes
      • Megaphones
      • Cigarette Bins
    • Safety & Security Lighting
      • Searchlights
      • Hazard Lights
      • Security Lights
      • Head Torches
      • Rechargeable Lights
      • Inspection Lights
    • Ladders
      • Fire Escape Ladders
      • Step Ladders & Work Platforms
      • Extension Ladders
      • Extension Ladders
      • Portable Warehouse Steps
      • Ladder Accessories
      • Little Giant Ladders & Accessories
  • Safety Signs
    • Fire Exit Signs
      • Fire Exit Signs
      • Double-Sided Hanging Exit Signs
      • Emergency Light Stickers
      • Assembly Point Signs
      • Safe Refuge Signs
      • Stairway Signs
    • Fire Safety Signs (Red)
      • Fire Extinguisher Signs
      • Fire Fighting Equipment Signs
      • Fireman & Riser Signs
      • Fire Point Signs
      • Do Not Use Signs
      • No Entry Signs
      • Do Not Do Sign
      • No Smoking Signs
      • View All
    • Prohibition Signs (Yellow)
      • Physical Warning Signs
      • Flammable & Gas Warning Signs
      • Mechanical Warning Signs
      • View All
    • Warning Signs (Blue)
      • Must Do Signs
      • Personal Protection Signs
    • Other Signage
      • All Other Signs
      • Fixing Tapes & Sticky Pads
      • CCTV Signs
      • Disability
      • Welsh Language Signs
      • Table Top Display Signs
      • Breathing Apparatus
  • Traffic Control
    • Shop by Type
      • Speed Bumps
      • Cable Protectors
      • Corner Guards & Wall Protectors
      • Traffic Cones & Toppers
      • EV Charging Safety
      • Traffic Mirrors
      • Car Park Equipment
    • Bestsellers
      • Cable Protector Ramp
      • Cone Chain Connector
      • Floor Cable Protector
      • Heavy-Duty Rubber Wall Guard
      • PU Foam Impact Protectors
      • Telescopic Cone Bar Barrier
      • Plastic Chain
  • Barriers
    • Permanent Barriers
      • Permanent Traffic Barriers
      • Bollards & Hoop Barriers
      • Wheel Stops
      • PU Shelf and Corner Protectors
      • Parking Posts
    • Temporary Barriers
      • Expandable Safety Barriers
      • Retractable Barriers
      • VIP Velvet Rope and Posts
      • Post & Chain Kit
      • Plastic Chain
      • Telescopic Cone Bars
      • View All
    • Temporary Fencing
      • Fencing Mesh (4 colours)
      • Steel Fence Pins
      • Reflective Fence Strips
      • Bunting
  • Clearance
FREE Next Day Delivery Orders over £60 + vat
NEVER Beaten on Price Lowest price guarantee
FREE 100-Day Returns We even collect, no quibbles
Excellent Trustpilot score

Automatic Fire Extinguishers for Boats – How to Choose the Best One

boat automatic extinguisher

If you own a boat you will need a boat automatic fire extinguisher or marine extinguisher to ensure your safety. Fires can break out on boats and ships due to cooking, engine fires, and electrical fires.

It is hugely expensive to replace an entire boat, let alone replace an engine. By having safety equipment on board you can minimise damage caused by a fire, as well as save lives.

There are two types of automatic fire extinguishers available: gas and powder.

What Is an Automatic Fire Extinguisher for Boats?

An automatic fire extinguisher project is in place to test various heat situations on boats. The idea behind the automatic design is to provide a discharge from the extinguisher at any point where the temperature reaches above 79 degrees Celsius.

This is the temperature a fire will start at, so the extinguisher discharges, smothering the fire before it can completely destroy the boat.

Why Do Boats Need Automatic Fire Extinguishers?

An automatic extinguisher is necessary in the event that you are not on hand to put the fire out.

When cooking, you are naturally at the source and can act quickly; however, a fire in the engine compartment may take several minutes to reach.

This depends on whether the engine is right behind the captain’s chair or below a deck or two. To prevent further damage an automatic extinguisher is there to act straight away.

Aspects Of Automatic Extinguishers

A small powder fire extinguisher will have a space value of 1 or 2 kilograms. To work on an engine, a compartment is not necessary. It is compact for easy installation even in a small space near the engine, technology or computer you have on board.

This type of extinguisher is rated for class A, B and C fires. There is a larger version that works the same but it just offers more powder.

Gas Fire Extinguishers for Boats

A residue-free or pressurised inert gas fire extinguisher for marine fires uses the FE36 gas which is a clean agent.

Unlike, previous models using halon, the gas is not going to deplete the ozone or damage the environment, making it safe to use.

Options include 1, 1.5 or 2 kilogram space volume. This particular fire extinguisher is rated for class B and C fires and safe to use on electrical equipment.

Being gas, it can be mounted almost horizontally and the gas will penetrate further and deeper into a compartment.

Gas vs. Powder: Which Is the Best Fire Extinguisher for Your Boat?
 boat

In short, with the choice of gas or powder for fire suppression, gas is the most effective option. It is much more expensive, hence the reason for an alternative.

Powder works well as a fire suppressant; however, it will damage the engine if used in the engine compartment. Although, as a fire would also damage the engine, this may not concern you.

Powder covers the fire surface rather than engulfing it. Gas engulfs the fire making it successful in extinguishing all types of fires without the damage to the engine that powder risks.

Despite this, powder automatic extinguishers are a popular option and taking price into account, you may find that this type is more reasonable for you.

Protect your boat with the best automatic fire extinguishers. Browse our full selection and ensure your marine fire safety today! Shop Now.

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Related

Filed Under: Fire Extinguisher Types and Advice

While our articles are reviewed regularly, any changes made to standards or legislation will not have been considered.

If you require further advice, please do not hesitate to contact us on our freephone number 0800 321 3145.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Latest posts

Why Buying a Quality Fire Blanket Matters

Why Buying a Quality Fire Blanket Matters

A fire blanket is one of the simplest and most affordable tools you can keep in your kitchen to help … Read More

CO2 Fire Extinguisher Use: What You Need to Know

Whether you’re fitting out an office, managing a workshop, or simply brushing up on workplace fire … Read More

Wildfire Protection made easy with the Fire Beater and Rakehoe

Wildfire Protection Made Easy: Fire Beater & Rakehoe

With heath and wildfires increasing in the UK due to climate change, being prepared is crucial, … Read More

Categories

  • Fire Extinguisher Classes
  • Fire Extinguisher Types and Advice
  • Fire Safety and Product Videos
  • Fire Safety Information
  • How To Information
  • How To Use
  • Infographics
  • News Report
  • Newsletter archive
  • UK Fire Regulations

Our Address

Fire Protection Online Ltd
Merlin House, Claremont Way
Lakesview Industrial Park
Canterbury CT3 4BF

Company Reg: 05126014
VAT No: GB 901 8062 54

Help Centre

  • Contact us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Frequent questions
  • About us

Advice and Information

  • How to choose a fire extinguisher
  • Fire Regulations advice
  • General how to information
  • Fire safety info
  • Types of extinguisher

Information

  • 100-Day Free Returns
  • Lowest possible price
  • Delivery details
  • Your shopping cart

Social

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2003-2025 Fire Protection Online Ltd

Free Next Working Day Delivery
Lowest Price Guarantee
5 Year Warranty
100 Day Free Returns
We're Rated Excellent
 

Loading Comments...