Prevention of boat fires

Most modern recreational boats are built in plastic materials. The models are getting bigger and bigger, and they are often equipped with fixtures made of flammable materials. The fire risk is not reduced by the fact that the boats often have significant amounts of fuel on board, often also propane for cooking. Fires are often caused by pure accidents during bunkering, boiling or in connection with servicing the engine, for example.

In petrol-powered boats, fuel leaks due to leaky couplings or hoses can pose a high risk of explosion and fire. Cleaning and good ventilation in the engine compartment are therefore very important. Boats with an inboard petrol engine or with a gas installation have a greater risk of fire/explosion than boats with other solutions.

Many boat fires are also caused by electrical faults in batteries and connections. Short circuits when connecting and using shore power, for example, can pose a risk. It is important to have regular maintenance and control of both the fuel system and the electrical system to prevent fires.

Fire must be fought in the initial phase

A boat fire can quickly develop into full flashover. To prevent disaster, the fire must be fought in the initial phase. In the event of a fire, it is very important to avoid panic. To be able to act correctly, you need to know how a fire develops, and have thought through in advance what you are going to do. Everyone on board must know where the fire extinguishing equipment is located and how it is used.

If a fire develops at an explosive pace, it may make more sense to evacuate than to try to extinguish.

"If you remove air, the flammable material or the heat, the fire goes out!"

Flammable material, oxygen and temperature must be present at the same time and in sufficient quantities for the fire to be maintained. You can extinguish a fire by removing one of the sides of the triangle.

Fire extinguishing equipment and smoke detectors

Have the right fire extinguishing equipment in your boat and learn how to use it. Smoke detectors should also be mandatory on board boats where one spends the night.

Hand extinguisher

Therefore, there must be at least one 2 kg ABC powder hand extinguisher in an easily accessible place for quick use on board, approved in accordance with standard NS-3910xx. The ABC powder hand extinguisher is also suitable for extinguishing fires in electrical systems. A two-kilo apparatus is emptied in a short time. Larger boats should have more equipment.

You must regularly turn the device a few times and check that the gauge pressure remains within the green range. Extinguishing embers and cooling hot objects can be carried out with water.

Fixed fire extinguishing system

A fixed fire extinguishing system with an extinguishing gas can be a good aid. Boats with inboard petrol engines should always have a fixed fire extinguishing system, and it can also be installed in boats with an inboard diesel engine. For motor power above 120 kW, a fixed system (ref. ISO 9094-fire protection) is required.

Suitable extinguishing agents in such plants are, for example, halotron, pyrogenic, inergen/argonite and water mist. Such systems can be remotely triggered or thermally operated, and the extinguishing gas is distributed directly to exposed areas in the engine compartment and tank compartment, without having to open the lid over the engine compartment. This avoids oxygen supply to the fire site.

Smoke detector

There are two types of smoke detectors on the market: ionic and optical. The most common type is ionic, which reacts most strongly to hot smoke and flames. The optical best warns of cold smoke and smoldering fires. Some smoke detectors combine both functions, and it is this category that is recommended to be installed in boats. Smoke detectors must be tested regularly and the battery replaced at least once a year, preferably at the start of the boating season.

Prevention of fire from engine and fuel

• Ventilate the engine compartment before starting the engine. Gasoline gas is about 2.8 times heavier than air. This means that gasoline gas on board will collect at the bottom of the boat. It takes very little for the gas to ignite and the boat to explode. Therefore, there must be effective ventilation in the engine compartment. The ventilation must also ensure that the temperature does not become high and thus increase the risk of ignition.
  
  
• Refuelling must take place outboard or above deck, if you have an inboard engine. If you have a loose gas tank, the tank must be ashore before you fill it. This way you avoid spills and gasoline gas in the boat.
  
  
• Keep the engine compartment tidy and clean. Oil filters and other easily flammable rubbish should not be left lying around.
  
  
• Boats with a petrol installation must have gas-tight bulkheads (walls) between the engine compartment, tank compartment and furnishings, to prevent gas and a possible fire from spreading. If you are going to buy a used boat, you should make sure that there are no holes in the bulkheads and that there is a tight seal around the grommets.

Prevention of fire in the event of leakage from hoses and pipes

• Routinely check that hoses, pipes and fittings are intact. Leaks often occur in connections and transitions.
  
  
• Make sure that the hose clamps are firmly attached and check for cracks in the hoses. Leakage can occur if a hose rubs against other material.
  
  
• Be wary of leaks where gasoline is conducted. Fuel hoses wear out over time and need to be replaced periodically.
  
  
• Be careful to only use hoses that are suitable and approved for the purpose in question.

Prevention of fire due to static electricity and sparks

Gasoline and oil that are in motion can be charged electrically in the same way as water in thunderclouds. Petrol and engine systems must be earthed to prevent sparking and ignition.

Prevention of fire in the exhaust system

• There must always be good clearance for plastic, wood and other flammable materials.
  
  
• Metal hot pipes must be insulated. Several fires have occurred because the hot exhaust gas has become free inside the boat. This can occur in particular if the cooling water for water-cooled flexible exhaust hoses is not available.
  
  
• Check at each start-up whether there is wake water coming out of the exhaust discharge.
  
  
• Install seawater cooling loss alerts and clean the seawater filter regularly.

Prevention of fires in electrical installations

Due to the fact that low voltages (12V) are usually used, the current and heat development in the wires can be high.

• All circuits must have fuses, and only multi-stranded wires with a large cross-section and extra thick insulation must be used. NEVER insert a larger fuse than recommended.
  
  
• Fittings and fixing screws for the wires must be made of material that does not corrode.
  
  
• Connection points and switchboards must be installed where there is good ventilation and the possibility of inspection. These must be kept free of dust and corrosion.
  
  
• 230 volt systems must be installed by an authorized electrician. Incorrectly installed 230 volt systems can lead to serious personal injuries, Grounding faults can also lead to extensive corrosion damage both to your own vessel and vessels in the vicinity.
  
  
• Check that batteries are firmly attached
  
  
• Turn off the main power switch before leaving the boat.
  
  
• Do not leave the 12-volt outlet plugged in! There is then voltage in the system and the wire. Moisture or a worn cord is enough for a fire to start.
  
  
• Check that electrical appliances are in good condition and used in the prescribed manner.
  
  
• Appliances intended for indoor use must not be used outdoors.
  
  
• When buying a used boat, you should get a knowledgeable professional to check the electrical and fuel system, if you have propane, the supply and hoses should also be checked.

Prevention of fires in cabins and furnishings

When using an open flame on board a boat, great care must be taken. A cabin often contains a large amount of highly flammable materials, which represents a significant fire risk in relation to the size of the room.

Prevention of fire from cooking and heating equipment

Many fires and explosions occur in connection with the use of appliances for cooking food or heating cabins. Be especially careful when using pressurized gas. When using appliances with pressurised kerosene, the flames will rise high if the appliance is not sufficiently preheated before the paraffin is pumped up. All cooking areas must be properly shielded both under, on the side and above the flame. The shielding can, for example, consist of metal plates insulated from the bulkhead at the rear.

Fixed propane systems must be installed in accordance with applicable regulations. Each propane appliance must have a shut-off valve and the appliance must be installed so that the surroundings are not exposed to harmful overheating. In addition, an exhaust fan should definitely be installed that sucks air from the boat's lowest point. Pipes, connections, hoses and penetrations must be checked for leaks at regular intervals.

Radiant stoves must be placed at a good distance from flammable materials or well insulated. You must not use stoves with an open glow spiral.

Many boats with overnight accommodation use gas for cooking appliances and stoves, and many have a gas grill in the boat. Some ovens and refrigerators also run on gas. It may be a good idea to have a gas alarm in the boat. The gas used, such as butane and propane, is heavier than air and will sink into the boat in the event of a leak. The gas has an added odor to make it possible to notice leaks, but it is safer to have a gas alarm installed.

Check that no gas alarms go off before starting the boat. Close/check the tap for each gas-powered appliance as well as the gas canister itself before leaving the boat. 

Prevention of fires in electric boats

More and more electric boats are now being sold in Norway, as an alternative environmentally friendly solution. With this development, it is also important to think about fire safety. Lithium-ION batteries used in boats, just like in electrical images, can be the source of fires that can be very difficult to extinguish. When you are at sea, it is also not as easy to evacuate as on land.

Batteries that burn can also emit gases that can explode.

Be especially careful with hobby building of lithium-ion batteries and conversions. This is something that should only be carried out by professionals.

First aid for burns

In case of burns, the burned area must be quickly cooled in cold water and the person transported to a doctor. 

Fast cooling in cold water

Cool the burned body part in cold water as quickly as possible. Cooling prevents the burn from penetrating deeper into the tissue. Alternatively, damp compresses can be placed on the wound and kept moist by pouring cold water over it. Burnt-on pieces of cloth should not be removed, but clothes that are smoldering must of course be removed quickly. Cooling should last for about half an hour, or until it is painless when the burned body part is removed from the water.

It is not so important what temperature the cool water has to begin with, but if cooling continues, the water should be at a temperature of about 15-20 °C if possible. Therefore, we point out that it is the injury that should be cooled, not the patient. For minor injuries, hypothermia can have a pain-relieving effect.

To avoid hypothermia, the injured person can be wrapped in a duvet or bubble wrap. (The burn department does not recommend the use of waterjel. In this case, this must be removed within 20 minutes.)

Dry, clean tire dressing

Remove burnt wet clothes if they are not burnt on. Cover the wounds so that the wounds are kept clean. If you do not have sterile compresses, you can use plastic wrap, cellophane, clean sheets or towels. Be careful not to tighten the bandages too tightly, as it can destroy the circulation if you become more swollen/edematous.

Observe respiration in case of flame damage and smoke damage

Burned patients may have inhaled overheated air or toxic gases. If there is a burn in the mouth and throat, it is urgent to get the patient to hospital.

Transport to a doctor or hospital

The final treatment of second- and third-degree burns should always be performed by a doctor.

Info: Helse Bergen 2021