Fire Extinguishers

Our Fire Extinguishers range covers marine-rated extinguishers for boats and engine spaces – sized and rated for the specific fire risks (fuel, electrical) found on a boat, rather than a general household extinguisher pressed into service.

A marine fire extinguisher needs to handle the fire types actually found aboard: fuel fires and electrical fires around the engine and battery bank, which call for a different rating than the paper/wood fires a typical household extinguisher is optimised for. Mount extinguishers where they’re reachable in an emergency without going through the fire itself to reach them – commonly near the galley and at the companionway, with at least one accessible from the cockpit rather than only below decks. Check the pressure gauge periodically (most have a simple green/red indicator) and replace or service any extinguisher that’s out of date or has lost pressure – an extinguisher that doesn’t work when needed is worse than not having checked at all, since it creates false confidence.

Size and number needed generally scales with boat size and engine space – as a rule, err on the side of one more than you think you need rather than one fewer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a household fire extinguisher on my boat?

It’s not recommended – marine extinguishers are rated for the fuel and electrical fire risks found aboard, which a general household extinguisher isn’t necessarily optimised for.

Where should I mount fire extinguishers on my boat?

Somewhere reachable without going through the fire to reach them – commonly near the galley and companionway, with at least one accessible from the cockpit.

How do I know if my extinguisher still works?

Check the pressure gauge periodically (most have a simple green/red indicator) and replace or service any unit that’s out of date or has lost pressure.