As with any fire that threatens people or property, the time between ignition and detection is critical. Fiberglass burns ferociously, and wood, particularly dry, resin-soaked wood, burns quickly. In engine spaces, spraying fuel, whether diesel or gas, creates an inferno. Fumes quickly fill spaces below decks, making them inaccessible, and deadly. The key is knowing as soon as possible that something’s burning. If you can take effective action in the first few seconds, you may be able to arrest the fire while it’s still contained. Installing smoke alarms in boats with cabins and enclosed engine spaces is a good first line of defense, especially if anyone sleeps aboard. Other marine-grade smoke and heat alarms have remotes that can alert an operator at the helm, saving critical seconds in the event of a fire (see sidebar).

The ABCs Of Fire

As with all battles, you have to learn about your enemy before you can fight them safely and effectively. The type of material that’s burning classifies fires. Class A fires are fueled by combustible, solid materials such as wood, paper, cloth, and plastics. Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gasses (gasoline, diesel, varnishes, etc.), while Class C fires are powered by energized electrical circuits or equipment. Think of Class A fires as solids, Class B fires as liquids, and Class C fires as electrical.

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Fire extinguishers are rated by the class of fire their extinguishing agent is effective against. A Type C extinguisher is for use on electrical fires only, for example, while a Type ABC multipurpose extinguisher can be used against all three classes. It’s important to match the type of extinguishing agent with the class of fire you’re up against. Water is effective against a Class A fire, but spraying it at a frying pan of burning oil (a Class B fire) can spread flames throughout the galley, while using it against a Class C fire could result in shock or electrocution. Your best all-around choices are multipurpose extinguishers that are effective against all classes of fires. They take the guesswork out of which fire extinguisher to use (saving time when every second counts).

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