What is the easiest way to satisfy this fire extinguishing requirement?

[ldigas]

[GL 3-G-1.8.] Craft with a length of 15m or more are to be provided with a water fire extinguishing installation ...

I never recall (on boats of just a bit above that size, say to 20m) seeing anything regarding fire extinguishing, apart from traditional CO2 bottles.

How is this requirement usually satisfied? I mean, what is the easiest system to install that will satisfy that requirement?


A plastic hose connected to a bilge pump? (guessing off the top of my head here)

[gonzo]

A plastic hose will not satisfy the requirement. A regular fire hose will. A bilge pump takes water from the bilge so will not work either. You need a high pressure, high volume pump connected to a through-hull fitting to supply it with water.

[ldigas]

Originally Posted by gonzo

A plastic hose will not satisfy the requirement. A regular fire hose will. A bilge pump takes water from the bilge so will not work either. You need a high pressure, high volume pump connected to a through-hull fitting to supply it with water.

I know, but this is a boat of 15.8m which has been lengthened from a 14.8m boat (don't ask). They used to have 2 CO2 bottles, and now the inspector is bugging them over that pump ("classification society inspector" <- is there a better term for this in english?).

I don't even know where they could install it (space is limited) so that it could be reachable. That is why I'm asking for workarounds, so to put it.
From what I read in the rules, a bilge pump can be used for this purpose (reversible, I guess?).

[gonzo]

A bilge pump won't probably have the pressure or volume to satisfy the rule. A temporary water pickup, like a hose off the side, may work.

[ldigas]

Originally Posted by gonzo

A bilge pump won't probably have the pressure or volume to satisfy the rule. A temporary water pickup, like a hose off the side, may work.

Sigh ... it looks the easiest way in the end will be to install a small pump after all.

Hose off the side ... they have a rather large freeboard, I don't think the bilge pump would be able to "take it".

Do you perhaps know what kind of pumps are installed for that purpose? I see nothing in the Vetus catalogue, under "fire protection pumps" or anything similar ("high pressure pumps" also nothing)?

[michael pierzga]

A Steimel type KB twin chamber centrifugal pump is widely used on yachts.. One chamber is used for raw water cooling the engine , one chamber is avaible for water pumping. Its a 3000 euro pump. Better get approval for fire fighting before purchase. Engine driven pumps for firefighting are poor seamanship. http://www.steimel.com/download/prospekte/pumpen_en.pdf

[ldigas]

Originally Posted by michael pierzga

A Steimel type KB twin chamber centrifugal pump is widely used on yachts.. One chamber is used for raw water cooling the engine , one chamber is avaible for water pumping. Its a 3000 euro pump. Better get approval for fire fighting before purchase. Engine driven pumps for firefighting are poor seamanship. http://www.steimel.com/download/prospekte/pumpen_en.pdf

I'm hoping for some cheaper solution. They already have everything on board (including the bilges); just missing this piece. Are there some small high pressure pumps available perhaps, that would be *just enough* to satisfy this?

Do you know perhaps?

[Submarine Tom]

What about simply asking the inspector?

-Tom

[ldigas]

Originally Posted by Submarine Tom

What about simply asking the inspector?

-Tom

The project's finished, even the reconstruction is almost finished ... aparently someone just overlooked this detail.

I could ask the inspector, but I don't know the fella, and the boat is some 500km away ... I was just asked to think of some simple (read: cheap) solution/workaround around this, that would just satisfy this.
I don't think the inspector will put much trouble on it, but he wants *something* to be there.

[michael pierzga]

The typical fire pump for a yacht is a small diesel engined portable. They are not cheap but they are what is required to make inspection.

[Stumble]

You might want to think about a dewatering pump like http://www.waterpumpsdirect.com/Cham...ump/p6945.html I don't know what your flow rate requirements are, but this type of pump is also commonly carried for emergency bilge pumping, and can do double duty as a fire pump. It just depends on where you put the inlet hose.

[powerabout]

just get ABS or DNV class and you wont have to worry

[gonzo]

Dewatering pumps don't have enough head for a firefighting pump. We all want cheap, but there is minimum cost for every piece of equipment. What is the flow and pressure at what head you are required?

[hoytedow]

I think you probably need something like this: http://www.benmeadows.com/Honda-High...&ci_sku=165723

[ldigas]

Originally Posted by hoytedow

I think you probably need something like this: http://www.benmeadows.com/Honda-High...&ci_sku=165723

That looks like an okey solution; I'll recommend they try to find something like that. Probably could find a cheaper model in this part of the world, if they tried.

@gonzo - couldn't say. Will return home for the weekend, and then look at the numbers. I'm on a trip right now, and don't have my work laptop with me (and I'm very happy about that )