August 22nd, 2007 WESTERN ERIE COUNTY, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert: Conditions: Steelhead?: Fire Extinguisher Review: Law enforcement in the Erie area has an evidence area full of confiscated fire extinguishers that have been collected over the summer during routine safety checks. These extinguishers range from fully discharged, to broken handles and gages, to non USCG approved for marine use most of which would be of little to no use in an emergency. The following is requirements and recommendations are from the USCG are mirrored by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. If you are required to have an extinguisher on board and do not have one...get one. If you have one, check to assure it is the correct type and is in serviceable condition. Coast Guard Approved fire extinguishers are required on boats where a fire hazard could be expected from the motors or the fuel system. Extinguishers are classified by a letter and number symbol. The letter indicates the type fire the unit is designed to extinguish (Type B for example are designed to extinguish flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and grease fires). The number indicates the relative size of the extinguisher. The higher the number, the larger the extinguisher. Coast Guard approved extinguishers required for boats are hand portable, either B-I or B-II classification and have a specific marine type mounting bracket. It is recommended the extinguishers be mounted in a readily accessible position, away from the areas where a fire could likely start such as the galley or the engine compartment. Extinguisher markings can be confusing because extinguishers can be approved for several different types of hazards. For instance, an extinguisher marked "Type A, Size II, Type B:C, Size I" is a B-I extinguisher. Look for the part of the label that says "Marine Type USCG" Make sure Type B is indicated Inboard engines are installed (This of course includes personal watercraft) Seals and tamper indicators are not broken or missing. Required Number of Fire Extinguishers The number of fire extinguishers required on a recreational boat are based on the overall length of the boat. Check your boaters safety handbook for specific requirements for your boat. The pressure gauge alone is not an accurate indicator that Halon extinguishers are full. The weight of the units should be checked regularly. It is recommended that portable extinguishers be mounted in a readily accessible position.
Thursday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent. Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent. Friday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent. Sunday...Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows around 60. Monday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s. Monday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. |
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