You must have at least the minimum number of fire extinguishers relevant to the size of your boat and located near to the main fire risk points. Powered boats, or boats with cooking, heating, refrigerating or lighting appliances must be equipped with the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers according to the following table:
BOAT LENGTH | MIN. NUMBER OF EXTINGUISHERS | MIN. FIRE RATING OF EACH EXTINGUISHER | MIN. COMBINED FIRE RATING EXTINGUISHERS |
Up to 7m (23ft) | 2 | 5A/34B | 10A/68B |
7m - 11m (23-36ft) | 2 | 5A/34B | 13A/89B |
Over 11m (36ft) | 3 | 5A/34B | 21A/144B |
The number of extinguishers may be reduced by one 5A/34B fire extinguisher if there are no cooking, heating, refrigerating, lighting or fuel-burning appliances on the boat, or if the boat doesn't have an engine.
Extinguishers made before 16 June 1998, which comply with the navigation authorities' previous weight, number and certification requirements for fire extinguishers, are exempt from this part of this Standard concerning minimum fire rating and combined fire rating. Further information on previous weight and number requirements for extinguishers can be obtained from the Boat Safety Scheme office. [6.1]