Cart is empty A brief overview on the Fire Safety regulations for boats and vessels.ย The requirements of Fire Extinguishers and Fire Safety products on Boats or Vessels.
The fire safety regulations for boats and vessels must be thought about when owning a boat or vessel. When first sold or put into use, vessels built for the UK market in compliance with the UK Recreational Craft Regulations 2017. They also must be suitable for the EU market in compliance with Directive 2013/53/EU. That includes protection from risk and spread of fire and the provision of fire-fighting equipment appropriate to the fire hazard.
Both the UK and the EU recognise that conformity with the fire protection requirements can be achieved by applying ISO 9094. Small craft – Fire Protection which specifies the minimum requirements for fire fighting equipment.
However, further means of firefighting may be necessary (or required by law). This applies particularly to UK registered private pleasure vessels over 13.7m, which fall under UK Merchant Shipping Regulations.
Even if a firefighting kit is not mandatory, any vessel that is constructed of, or carries, any flammable materials should carry firefighting equipment.
When planning fire safety, consider the amount and type of combustible material on board. You should think about where extinguishers might be needed and how to stow them.
There should also be a fitted fire alarm that should be tested regularly.
These are the guidelines on the amount of fire extinguishers and minimum fire rating required according to size of the vessel.
| Approximate length of vessel | Number of fire extinguishers (consider one for each sleeping cabin) | Combined fire rating |
| under 7m(23ft) | 2 | 10A/68B |
| 7 – 11m(23-36ft) | 2 | 13A/89B |
| 11 – 13.7m(36-45ft) | 3 | 21A/144B |