PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
APPROVAL CATEGORY: 162.028
APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION: The Coast Guard does not conduct approval review of Portable Fire Extinguishers. The regulations require that extinguishers are tested, and listed and labeled by a Coast Guard recognized Independent Testing Laboratory. The Listing includes testing, and follow-up inspections by the recognized Independent Testing Laboratory at the manufacturer’s production facilities. Currently, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) are Recognized Independent Laboratories. Essentially, the recognized Independent Testing Laboratories administer the Coast Guard’s extinguisher approval program on the Coast Guard’s behalf with Coast Guard oversight.
The USCG marking requirements for marine extinguishers differs from NFPA/UL markings. The USCG rates extinguishers primarily on net agent weight rather than on fire test size as determined by ANSI/UL711. Extinguishers with agent weights below those referenced in the vessels regulations and which do not have a minimum 5-B:C fire test rating per ANSI/UL711 are considered too small for marine use and are not approvable.
The Coast Guard does not issue certificates of approval for portable fire extinguishers. Instead, an approved extinguisher are can be identified by the marine type label, such as “Marine Type, USCG approved, Type X. Size X, USCG approval number 162.028/XX.” The XX signifies the laboratory’s identification number for the particular extinguisher. USCG approved extinguishers are listed in the laboratory’s equipment directories and web sites.
The extinguishers are tested for compliance with the applicable ANSI/UL standards. Specifically, extinguishers are expected to comply with the following:
* Foam extinguishers (ANSI/UL8)*
* Carbon dioxide extinguishers (ANSI/UL154)
* Dry chemical extinguishers (ANSI/UL299)
* Water extinguishers, stored pressure (ANSI/UL626) *
* Halocarbon clean agent extinguishers (ANSI/UL2129)
* Fire tests (ANSI/UL711)
* The Coast Guard currently requires additional corrosion tests for unpainted stainless steel extinguisher shells because of prior corrosion problems such shells experienced in a marine environment. This has limited the number of approved water and foam extinguishers.
The maintenance of extinguishers must be in accordance with NFPA#10, as stated on each extinguisher label.
SUBMITTAL PACKAGE: Application should be made directly to the Accepted Independent Testing Laboratory.
