Fire extinguishers

(1) Fire extinguishers shall be of approved types and designs. (2) The capacity of required portable fluid fire extinguishers shall be not more than 13.5 l and not less than 9 l. Other extinguishers shall have a fire extinguishing capability at least equivalent to that of 9 l fluid fire extinguisher. (3) The capacity of required portable carbon dioxide fire extinguishers shall not be less than 3 kg. (4) The capacity of required portable dry powder fire extinguishers shall not be less than 4.5 kg. (5) All required portable fire extinguishers shall not exceed 23 kg. in weight in a fully charged condition and shall be at least as portable as 13.5 litre fluid fire extinguishers. (6) A spare charge shall be provided for every portable fire extinguisher provided in compliance with these Regulations, except that for each such fire extinguisher which is of a type that cannot readily be recharged while the ship is at sea an additional fire extinguisher of the same type, or its equivalent, shall be provided in lieu of the spare charge. (7) Fire extinguishers containing an extinguishing medium which, in the opinion of the Administration, either by itself or Merchant Ships (Registration) 171 under expected conditions of use gives off toxic gases in such quantities as to endanger persons shall not be used. (a) The condition of charges of extinguishers other than carbon dioxide extinguishers, shall be checked annually. If on checking there is any indication of deterioration, the charges shall be renewed and, in any case, shall be so renewed at least every four years. A record of the annual check shall be fixed to each fire (b) carbon dioxide and gas propellant cartridges of other extinguishers shall be examined externally for corrosion and for loss of content annually. They shall be recharged or renewed if loss of gas by weight exceeds 10% of the original charge as stamped on the bottles or cartridge, or have corroded excessively externally; (c) all portable fire extinguishers, other than carbon dioxide extinguishers, shall be tested by hydraulic pressure once every four years and the date of such test legibly marked on the (d) new carbon dioxide extinguishers which do not require to be recharged, shall be tested by hydraulic pressure during the first 10 and 20 years after manufacture and thereafter every five years; (e) carbon dioxide extinguishers which require recharging shall be pressure tested before being recharged if four years have elapsed since the last hydraulic test was carried out. Merchant Ships (Registration) 172 (8) One of the portable fire extinguishers intended for use in any space shall be stowed near an entrance to that space. (9) Halon fire extinguishers shall not be used. (10) Each fire extinguisher shall as far as practicable be clearly marked on the front with a label of durable material with at least the following information in English– (a) name of manufacturer; (b) type of fire for which the extinguisher is suitable; (c) type and quantity of extinguishing medium; (d) approval details; (e) operating instructions; (f) intervals for recharging; (g) temperature range over which the extinguisher will operate satisfactorily; and (h) test pressure. In addition, the year of manufacture, test pressure and any serial number shall be stamped on the outside of the container.