The MED fire extinguisher (approved by Marine Equipment) is a useful device to extinguish any fire that can be caused on board the boats, through the pressure nebulization of extinguishing products. The fire regulations for pleasure boats are quite rigid, as their aim is to ensure aim to ensure the safety of passengers, even in the case of short trips close to the coast. Among the obligations dictated there is without a doubt the correct maintenance of the fire extinguisher, so as to cause no problem if necessary. In fact, there are many reasons that can lead to a fire on board: fuel or gas leaks, sparks due to a short circuit and failures at the power supply system. So, it is important to avoid behaviours that could be dangerous, such as smoking during refuelling or exposing gas cylinders or fuel tanks to heat sources. But what is the expiry date of a MED fire extinguisher? How many types are there on the market? Let's clarify this point.
The boat fire extinguisher is generally mobile, that is it can be moved to different places, if necessary. However, there are also fixed devices which are automatically activated if the sensors perceive the presence of smoke, and normally they are water or carbon dioxide devices. Furthermore, fire extinguishers can be foam-based that act on the flame thanks to the cooling power of the water, and also powder-based, which require more maintenance and are usually the most used. These devices aim to smother the flame, depriving it of the oxygen necessary to keep the combustion alive. Finally, there are inert gas extinguishers: they too include the smothering of the fire through the use of carbon dioxide or nitrogen. This solution is highly appreciated especially in the case of electrical and electronic equipment, because it leaves no residue. Another aspect to deal with is the expiry of the MED fire extinguisher. It must be made clear that these devices do not expire but lose charge, which means that they are not able to emit the extinguishing material out of the cylinder. This fact can be perceived through the pressure gauge located under the handle, whose needles move from the green to the red area. When this happens, you need to recharge them.
To comply with the current regulations regarding pleasure boats, it is sufficient to have a MED fire extinguisher approved with class 34 BC power on board. However, it is advisable to keep a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher on hand, particularly useful in the case of electrical or electronic equipment because it leaves no residue and allows you to recover things not damaged by the flames. Moreover, it is good to specify that, according to current regulations, boats that must have a fire extinguisher are those equipped with an engine. Periodic inspection is not required, but it is important that the device is kept in good condition and that the pressure gauge needle is in the green zone. The minimum number of fire extinguishers to have on board, as well as the power class, varies according to the boat, the number of rooms, the engine power and the distance of navigation from the coast. Furthermore, as far as the MED fire extinguisher is concerned, its price varies according to the type. The important thing is to choose good products, distrusting too advantageous offers.
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