Boat fire safety

Flawed installations, poor maintenance, inappropriate appliances or incorrect use are the root of many incidents – especially in an environment with vibrations, flexing, humidity, high and low temperatures, cramped spaces, water and in many cases salt exposure.

Electrical systems and installations face a lot of stress compared with the same sort of electrical needs in buildings.

Boat owners need to keep their eyes, ears and noses alert and deal with any problems immediately.

The Boat Safety Scheme urges owners to keep their boats well maintained and to keep alert to possible leaks, poor running engines and the strong smell of petrol.

Escaping vapour will sink to the lowest level of its surroundings and builds up in places such as cabin floors, lockers, bilges and other ‘still-air’ spaces.

Even if the concentration of vapour is too rich to ignite immediately, it will dilute, creating the potential for a serious fire and/or an explosion, even though given enough ventilation it may dissipate to a safe level eventually.

• Before starting out, use all senses to check the fuel system and engine for petrol leaks or any signs of damage or deterioration and have any problems sorted out first
• Do not switch on the electrical supply or turn the ignition key if there’s a strong smell of petrol, and stop immediately if there’s a strong smell of petrol after you start
• Before refuelling, close all windows, hatches, doors and awnings to keep vapour out of the boat; also turn off all cooking appliances and any other ignition sources
• Double check before you start pouring that you are using the correct filling point
• Clean up any spills straight away and be sure to re-secure the filler cap
• Avoid decanting petrol from containers if you are able to, or use anti-spill containers, spouts or nozzles to allow clean and easy no-spill refuelling
• Don’t carry spare fuel unless it is needed and then it must be in cans specifically designed for petrol – always keep within the legal capacity limits

Containers should never be filled completely and must be stowed securely, upright, away from intense heat, and out of direct sunlight to prevent pressurisation.

Refuel any portable engine or tank ashore and safely away from any sources of ignition. Always follow marina / mooring rules on petrol refuelling and handling.

Never use any bowl, bucket or other open container to carry or transfer petrol or mix in two-stroke oil.

Solid fuel stoves continue to be a significant cause of fire on inland waterway boats. These heaters are very popular on narrowboats, coastal barges and on some classic and vintage yachts or ex-fishing boats.

The Boat Safety Scheme highlights six risks that must be avoided or managed, if boaters and crews are to keep safe with solid fuel stoves:

• A lack of crew appreciation or vigilance, combined with poor appliance air inlet control, leading to 'over-firing' of the stove causing a boat fire
• CO poisoning due to the escape of stove flue gases into the cabin
• Items and materials being too close and getting too hot for too long
• Running stoves with doors open (forgetfulness, naivety, broken catches, falling asleep)
• Poor maintenance and misuse of the stove leading to a chimney fire
• Poor stowage of hot/cooling ash and embers, either in the cabin or in unprotected areas of risk on decks (near flammable objects, near cabin ventilators, on combustible surfaces, etc.)

Fixed gas systems must be installed to accepted boat installation standards and in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. Gas appliances and flues should be routinely serviced and maintained.

The BSS encourages owners to always use a competent person to carry out work on LPG systems. Ask a local boatyard or contact the Gas Safe Register for details.

• Make sure gas canisters, bottles or cylinders are stored upright and where any leaking gas will flow overboard and not into the interior of the craft. Preferably, this will be in a suitable, vapour-tight, self-draining locker.
• Check flexible hoses for damage or deterioration. If you’re in any doubt about their good condition, get them professionally checked and renewed.
• Check your LPG system for leakage by routine observation of a bubble tester installed in the cylinder locker, or by testing all joints with leak detection fluid.

Owners of boats without proper galley facilities are recommended to consider using a flask for hot drinks when aboard as portable camping equipment is not suitable.

Following explosions, fires and CO incidents in boats, caravans and other enclosed spaces, boaters should heed any instructions for portable gas equipment that states it should only be used outdoors.

Unless any portable gas equipment is specifically designed for boat use, then it should only be used ashore. And whatever else happens, fuel canisters should always be changed away from the boat and away from ignition sources. Equipment and canisters should be stowed in a self-draining gas locker, or on open deck where any escaping gas can flow overboard.

If you are smelling and breathing in petrol-engine exhaust fumes, stop the engine and get off the boat.

• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning, if anyone is indicating they are suffering, get them medical help. If the symptoms are severe – call the emergency services.
• As a belt and braces defence, install a CO alarm certified to the BS EN 50291-2 standard, test it routinely and never remove the batteries.

There is a potential for exhaust and flue gasses to be drawn into a boat from a neighbouring boat, through open doors, windows and fixed ventilators. A suitable CO alarm is the only protection against this possibility.

While at higher levels it can kill, CO is still a danger at lower concentrations as it can cause chronic illness affecting physical and mental health.

This poison gas has multiple potential sources on boats including all fuel-burning appliances, flues, chimneys, engines and exhausts. It is the by-product of an incomplete combustion of carbon-based appliance and engine fuels – such as gas, LPG, coal, wood, paraffin, oil, petrol and diesel.

So staying safe begins with installing all such equipment properly, in the way the maker describes. The continued safe enjoyment of boats will endure if maintenance doesn’t drift, or repairs are not put-off and equipment operational instructions are followed.

It’s also crucial for continued safety that everyone aboard understands the risks and knows the danger signs; they must always be watchful.

For more tips and advice to help you and your crew stay safe, click here.

CO alarms are now mandatory on most boats on the inland waterways subject to the BSS requirements; more details are available following the above link.