Cornwall County Fire Brigade
Small Boat Fire Safety

• DO Fit a smoke alarm
  
• DO ensure furnishings [foam] and insulation is fire retardant...
  
• DO run wiring looms through conduit to avoid chafing...
  
• DO contain and vent battery boxes.
  
• DON'T store non safety matches...vibration can ignite!
  

• DON'T carry it. - If necessary use approved containers and store on upper deck...
  
• DO use a funnel when decanting...
  
• DO ensure tanks vent directly overboard and fuel lines have a shut off valve
  THAT WORKS!!..
  
• STOP the engine when refuelling - NO SMOKING or NAKED LIGHTS...
  
• Clear any spillage and ventilate
  

• DO fit a gas detection system
  
• DO secure cylinders in a sealed container with atmospheric vent...
  
• USE approved piping...
  
• DO isolate cylinders when not in use...
  
• DO maintain adequate ventilation...
  
• DO regularly 'hand pump' bilges to remove potential low lying LPG vapours.
  

FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT Ensure you have minimum of ONE extinguisher and one fire blanket located near to the cabin exit, and readily available Water...for'solid' combustibles Foam...for'liquid' fires Dry powder/Carbon Dioxide/Halon... general purpose, but use with care in confined spaces e.g cabins Fire blanket. British Standard 6575: 1985 Specification for Fire Blankets
EC Directive - January 1997: specifies that all fire extinguishers will be Red with a colour code block. You will still find them individually colour coded.

GENERAL FIRE SAFETY RULE
Do NOT use water on liquid fires, i.e...fuels.
Water will instantly turn to steam causing a rapid 'boil' over!!!

Service your fire extinguishers annually, preferably at the start of the season...you may need them one day!!!

	If a fire occurs... GET OUT if you can... Tackle the fire if it is safe to do so... Isolate petrol and gas if possible Avoid other craft... and alert them Prepare emergency grab bag and liferaft. Remove non essencial crew... ABANDON SHIP!!!