Fire Suppression Bottle in Engine Room

[VicB]

We recently bought a 2001 406. We also have an 88’ 3807 we are prepping to sell in the spring. Both have fire suppression bottles in the engine rooms. New insurance company list having the bottle on the 406 certified as a post survey “must do”. I carried it to two local companies that said they couldn’t do it because the bottle was older than 12 years and didn’t have any previous yearly certification tags. ABYC standards say you have to have at least 2 BC, 5lb non serviceable extinguishers IF you have an automatic bottle in the mechanical spaces. 4 if you don’t have a bottle in that space. Could I just have the bottle ( reads pressure on gauge and weight matches what’s stamped) and not count it and have 4 portable extinguishers? I know I have to satisfy insurance, but I hate to buy a 1700.00 bottle just to get a stamp, when I have no doubt my existing one is functional. I’ve asked all my dock neighbors if they get yearly inspections and nobody wants to talk about it. Just wondering if I have reasonable options. Thanks in advance.

[km1125]

QR_BBPOST .... Could I just have the bottle ( reads pressure on gauge and weight matches what’s stamped) and not count it and have 4 portable extinguishers? ....

YES. That's absolutely acceptable for USCG requirements.

However, your insurance may be different. You'd have to ask them if adding the two additional portables to fully satisfy the USCG requirements is also suitable for them.

[bud37]

I think you may also consider the sale side....the buyer will have a survey etc so that may come up there as well. May be just remove the auto system bottle etc altogether if it may cause an issue.

[VicB]

It’s interesting. The survey on our previous boat mentioned the bottle, but the insurance accepted the surveyors must do recommendations and he didn’t list that as a need. The company I talked with said they got out of the marine fire equipment inspection because they had to pay for training and equipment and couldn’t justify the expense since the only people who got their bottles inspected were purchase requirements from insurance companies and occasionally folks who lived on their boats. I could see that. We have had a 3807 for 6 years and never thought about a regular inspection on that equipment.