b'FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETYUSCG Fire Extinguisher: New Ratings and Maintenance RequirementsBy Sean Ramsey, United States Coast GuardT he Harmonization of Standards for Fire Protection,mance-based rating system used in UL 711 (Underwriters Detection, and Extinguishing Equipment fi nal rule, 81Laboratory) Standard for Safety for Rating and Fire Testing FR 48220, was published on July 22, 2016. In this rule,of Extinguishers in lieu of the former weight based rating the U.S. Coast Guard updated the fire protection regula- system (e.g A-II, B-I, B-IV, C-II) . The previous rating system tions affecting a number of vessel types, including passengerwas based on the quantity and type of agent (water, powder, vessels inspected under subchapters K, T and H. Thisfoam) in the unit, not the performance or fi refi ghting capa-rule changed portable and semi-portable fi re extinguisherbility. carriage requirements fi re extinguisher maintenance and in- Marine fire extinguishers in the U.S. already undergo spection requirements. performance testing and receive a performance rating, and have done so for decades. This performance rating rewards Performance Rating VS Previous Weight-Based extinguishers for their capability and quality rather than their Rating System weight and quantity. Performance ratings (e.g. 2-A, 5-B, 40-B, The Coast Guard continues to require extinguishers to20-B:C) indicate the size and type of fi re the extinguisher is be Coast Guard approved; however, the rating system wemeant to handle (A, B or C class fi res). Extinguishers that can use has changed. The Coast Guard adopted the perfor- put out larger fi res receive a higher number rating, whereas extinguishers that can only put out smaller fires receive a smaller rating. Extinguishers that are produced for the marine environment and are on board vessels now already have both the former weight rating as well as their perfor-mance rating. Extinguishers may have multiple performance ratings (e.g 2-A:40-B:C) which means that extinguisher can be used to meet any 2-A, 40-B or 40-C requirements, or lower. Like the old weight rating system, higher numbers may be used to meet the requirements but the letter must be the same, for example, if a 2-A was required a 4-A would be acceptable, but a 20-B would not. Any new extinguishers brought on board should meet BUILT TO SERVE - BUILT TO LAST the new carriage requirements, and should be marked USCG BUILT BY BLOUNT approved / marine type, additional (excess) extinguish-ers must be USCG approved, but the excess extinguishers We at Hy-Line Cruises aremay be any rating. The Coast Guard will allow existing ex-proudly celebrating the 65thMV Viking - Hull 17 tinguishers (installed before August 22, 2016) that met the birthday of MV Viking. Builtformer carriage requirements to remain on board and count and launched at Blount Boats,towards your carriage requirements as long as the extin-July 17, 1954, she is doing dependable service 4 to 5guishers remain in good working condition. There is no need times daily on the Cape Codto immediately replace your extinguishers. Canal. She is a testament toAdditional information on this can be found in CVC Blounts craftsmanship, and brilliant design. Policy Letter 18-04, https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/Drew M Framson DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/CG-CVC/Policy%20First Mate, MV Viking Launched in 1954 Letters/2018/CG-CVC_pol18-04.pdf HY-LINE Cruises & still going strong!Onset, MA Fire Extinguisher Maintenance, Inspection and NFPA 10BLOUNTBOATS.COM In addition to performance ratings, the Coast Guard has adopted the National Fire Protection Association 10 WARREN, RHODE ISLAND Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (NFPA 10) for main-10 AUGUST 2019FOGHORN'