Fire Protection; Fire Extinguishers - Bella 530 HT Owner's Manual

12. Fire protection

Ensure that any load in the boat does not interfere with access to fire-fighting equipment.
Inform all members of the crew about the location and operation of fire-fighting equipment, the location
of discharge openings into the engine space, and the location of emergency routes and exits.
Keep the bilges clean and regularly check for fuel and gas vapours or fuel leaks.
Do not fit free-hanging curtains or other fabrics in the vicinity of, or above, the stove. Do not stow
inflammable material in the engine compartment. If materials are stowed in the engine compartment,
they must be secured to prevent them from falling into machinery. They should not obstruct access into
or from the compartment.
Exits other than the main companionway doors or hatches with permanently fixed ladders are identified
by a symbol.
Never:
- obstruct passageways to exits and hatches,
- obstruct access to safety devices, e.g. fuel valves, electrical switches,
- leave the craft unattended when cooking and/or heating appliances are in use,
- modify any craft system (especially the electrical or fuel system) or allow unqualified personnel to
modify any craft system,
- fill any fuel tank or replace gas bottles when machinery is running, or when cooking or heating
appliances are in use,
- smoke while handling fuel,
- obstruct access to the portable fire extinguisher located in the locker.

12.1 Fire extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers should be serviced annually. After ten years the original extinguishers are out
of date, unless pressure tested. Replace portable fire extinguishers only with extinguishers of identical
fire-fighting capacity. Make sure that fixed systems are refilled or replaced when they expire or are used.
When replacing parts of the fire-fighting installation, use only matching components with equivalent
technical features and fire-fighting capability.
When in service, this boat shall be equipped with portable extinguishers, the effects and locations of
which are shown in sections 19. Technical specifications, 21. Equipment and 22. Location of the
equipment.
A warning plate attached near to the release device of the fixed extinguishing system:
Figure 4. A warning plate about shutting down engine and blowers before discharging the fixed
extinguishing system.
Before discharging shut down engines and blowers.
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CAUTION!