Regal LS4C Owner's Manual page 25

U. S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers are
required on all Regal boats. Besides the minimum
Coast Guard requirements always check state
and local agencies for additional requirements and
equipment.
Coast Guard approved extinguishers are hand-
portable, either B-I or B-II classification. U. S. Coast
Guard approved hand-portable and semi-portable
extinguishers contain a metal plate that shows the
manufacturers name and extinguisher type, capac-
ity and operating instructions. They have a special
marine type mounting bracket which keeps the ex-
tinguisher secure until needed. The extinguisher
needs to be mounted in a readily accessible loca-
tion but one that will not be bumped by people
while underway. All approved extinguishers shall
have an indication gauge.
U.S.C.G Approved Fire Extinguisher Types
& Features:
The dry chemical agent is
widely used because of its
convenience and low cost.
The extinguisher canister is
filled with a white dry chemi-
cal powder along with a pres-
surized gas. It is a good idea to shake this type
periodically because they tend to "pack" on the
canister bottom.
The foam type uses a chemi-
cal foaming agent plus water
and is best when used for
fires involving flammable liq-
uids- solvents, gasoline, oil,
grease and various paints. It will work on fires in-
volving rubber, plastics, cloth, wood, and paper. It
leaves a messy residue. Not for electrical fires.
The carbon dioxide unit uses
CO
with a funnel discharge hose
usually swivel mounted. This
extinguisher leaves no residue
and does not cause interior engine harm. To en-
sure workability, weigh the unit annually. A 10%
maximum weight variance is allowed.
Another type of liquefied gas used today is FE-241.
This gas is colorless and odorless, heavier than
air and sinks to the lower bilge to extinguish fires.
Since the year 2000 ingredients have changed to
a more environmental friendly formula (Chlorotet-
rafluoroethane or FE-241). FE-241 is used in por-
table-hand units along with making up the majority
of boat automatic fire extinguishing systems. The
canister needs to be weighed once a year. These
clean agent units feature a dash mount indicator.
Refer to the information regarding fire prevention
in this manual.
Fire Blanket:
A fire blanket is a safety device designed as extin-
guish incipient (starting) fires. It features a sheet
of fire retardant material which is placed over a
fire to smother it. It is sometimes made of fiber-
glass or may be kevilar. Normally it is folded into
a quick release device for ease of storage. They
are available in various sizes. The non-flamma-
ble blankets are useful in fire temperatures up to
900 degrees and smother fires by removing ox-
ygen from the fire. They usually are not used for
fat and oil fires. Read the instructions accompa-
nying the fire blanket as many feature two exter-
nal pull down tails that protect the hands from
fire while the blanket is placed over the fire area.
gas under high pressure,
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