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i love boats
United Kingdom
51 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2011 : 15:32:56
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| Hi everyone, I have 2 x 1kg powder fire extiguishers that have a gauge both the extigishers came with the boat but do not have an expire date. Both gauges are centrally in the green.Does any one know if these will pass the b s s. Dave. |
Edited by - i love boats on 18 May 2011 15:33:40 |
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Knighty
United Kingdom
654 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 15:54:39
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I had to replace both of mine for my test, they looked ok but had gone out of date. It was cheaper to replace than get them serviced.
If there is no idication of expiry date my guess they would make you replace them to cover themselves.
http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap6web.pdf |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 23:39:30
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I think the letter of the BSS law is that if there are not marked with an expiry date and they are in good condition you will be OK.
But think about the logic. If you have a fire and need to use one, would it not be worth the small amount of cash to know it was going to work. Is it worth the chance?
It is a good idea to shake all powder extinguishers regularly to stop the powder compacting. When was the last time you did yours????
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 30 "Silver Gem"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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Ricky
100 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 23:56:16
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Yep, I once received fire(man) training at a job I used to do, another option is:
Remember soda siphons? You'd unscrew the neck (only if NOT already primed- half empty) to change a small gas cylinder?
Exactly same as extinguishers. I know this as I done it!!
You can, on water and powder extinguishers anyway... unscrew the neck, retrieve gas canister and replace them. As Deano says tho, shaking them up is the regular way to ensure they can still function.
Ive 3 onboard, only one had a date-sticker, I passed the BSS.
Cheers Rick |
Edited by - Ricky on 19 May 2011 00:41:15 |
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carpetbloke
United Kingdom
194 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2011 : 05:59:13
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Deano,
If you look at the details of the BSS you are supposed to have them checked and it recorded that you`ve done so on the label every year.
That is so long as they are still within the 5 year date of the manufacturers warranty.
Now you`ve just reminded me what I should have done.
Paul. |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2011 : 12:53:18
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quote:
Are all portable fire extinguishers in good condition?
Check the condition of all portable fire extinguishers identified as
compliant at 6.1.1 and 6.1.2.
Portable fire extinguishers must be in good general condition, and
must not show any of the following indicators of poor condition:
n missing safety pin;
n dents;
n gouges;
n pressure gauge (where fitted) indicator in the ‘red’ sector;
n having passed the manufacturer’s express ‘expiry’ or ‘replace by’ date;
n perished hose;
n significant rust or other form of corrosion;
n obvious under weight indicating whole or partial discharge;
n signs of damage to trigger assembly, including deterioration caused
by ultraviolet light and heat.
Notes – Portable fire extinguishers having passed the manufacturer’s
express ‘expiry’ or ‘replace by’ dates are acceptable if supported by
evidence of servicing in accordance with BS 5306 by a service technician
within the last 12 months. Evidence must be in the form of a service
label on the extinguisher and an associated invoice or service report
on headed paper from a company recognisable as an extinguisher
servicing company.
I looked, and saw no reference to your rules today.
If there is no "expiry" or "replace by date" and they are compliant in all other respects. They are fine for the test. Whether they would be effective in anger is another issue!!!
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 30 "Silver Gem"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
Edited by - Deano on 19 May 2011 12:57:15 |
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carpetbloke
United Kingdom
194 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2011 : 20:16:58
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Portable fire extinguishers having passed the manufacturer’s
express ‘expiry’ or ‘replace by’ dates are acceptable if supported by
evidence of servicing in accordance with BS 5306 by a service technician
within the last 12 months. Evidence must be in the form of a service
label on the extinguisher and an associated invoice or service report
on headed paper from a company recognisable as an extinguisher
servicing company. |
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i love boats
United Kingdom
51 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 10:28:03
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| sorry have been away from the computer for a while, Thanks for all the comments. will buy some new ones but will keep for backup just in case. Dave |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 13:12:59
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It requires a bit of forward planning but Lidl sometimes sell suitable extinguishers. Our last ones came from there. They are properly marked and are about half the price of the same brand name ones in a typical chandlers. They were about the same price as the cost of getting the existing ones checked and certified.
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Edited by - IanM on 20 May 2011 13:13:48 |
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Ollie Ollman
United Kingdom
196 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 21:16:39
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I always look for an expiry date! There is generally a manufacture date (M/Yr) stamped somewhere even if no "expiry dare". The guide is "certified in date" either by age i.e. Less than 5 Years or by "anuual check" to 15 years after that the makers recommend replacement anyway.
regards
Ollie |
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carpetbloke
United Kingdom
194 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2011 : 12:06:26
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Ollie,
Would you mind clarifying please.
I was led to believe that the extinguisher needed checking by a competent person every year.
Just to clarify then does that only apply when the extinguisher`s passed the normal expiry date?
If so I have been misled, but I didn`t have it checked anyway so glad I didn`t.
Paul. |
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Ollie Ollman
United Kingdom
196 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 21:25:26
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Hi Paul,
'New' Extinguishers are 'In-date' as far as the bss is concerned for the first 5 years as supplied by the manufacturer i.e. the expiry date. After that they need to be certified annually by a competentent person - not just a 'label' but by invoice as well! The manufactures recommend dischrarge and refill and then most will not recommend use past 15 years!
To be honest a new extinguisher - valid for 5 years - or 2 BSS examinations are generally cheaper than annual certification once past 5 years old
regards
Ollie |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 09:56:55
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Oli, what if the extinguisher has no dates on at all but is fully compliant in all other ways?
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 30 "Silver Gem"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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Knighty
United Kingdom
654 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 14:23:20
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| I got two new 1kg ones delivered for around £25. |
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 15:21:50
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| Three for £18 at Lidl, keep an eye for the next lot. |
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Ollie Ollman
United Kingdom
196 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 20:24:22
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Deano,
Then you need a "serviced" label attached and a headed invoice showing the service completed by a 'competent' person - generally there is a date stamp or emboss somewhere on the extinguisher which gives a clue to manufacture date (Often in the form MM/YY or just YY either engraved on the neck or embossed on the bottom) I've not found one yet without some date indication.
As I say no problem if over 5 years if properly certified but often the cost of a recertification - annually - would cost more than 'new'
But readers should check the dates before purchase I know of a chandlers that still sell extinguishers manufactured in 2007 and the owner still see's no problem with this !!!
regards
Ollie |
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Topic |
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fire extinquisher for bss
