fire suppression recertification 2017 370 RX fe241 fireboy g5000a

daveha

starting this discussion after seeing a lot of general discussion but not specific to my boat.

want to get the fire suppression recertified.

contacted Fireboy,  seems like good news.

plan to call local inspector company to get this done.

from Fireboy:

- letter (see below)

-  1 pager  to do regular visual inspection and 5 year recert

-  uscg doc CG-5431 discussing limited need for hydrostatic testing even at 12 years

Yes, you can have your Fireboy system recertified.  Our Fireboy systems, no matter how old, do not have an expiration date.  Although we don’t have anyone in Huntington Beach, we do have two excellent distributors in Long Beach that can assist you with the inspection.

Attached you will find our recommendations for periodic inspections of any of our Fireboy systems (old & new) including a letter from the US Coast Guard stating when & if a hydrostatic test is required.  Basically, the inspection consists of weighing the unit on a certified scale, to verify it weighs what the gross weight is as indicated on the label, plus a visual exam to verify that the label is readable, the yellow arrow on the pressure gauge (if applicable) is in the green, and that there is no visible rust or corrosion on the cylinder.  If it passes all these items and has been in continuous service, then it can be recertified.  For commercial (or inspected) vessels, the inspection should be done every six months.  For recreational boats, once a year is recommended and accepted by insurance companies.  Any local Fire Protection or Fire Extinguisher company with a certified scale can perform the inspections, but you need to tell them that you have a marine fire extinguisher that needs to be inspected.  If your boat is at a marina, they may be able to assist with recommendations for a local company that does marine work.  For any kind of service (repair or refill), the system must be sent back to the factory, if it is eligible.  Currently, only our systems with the HFC227ea, Novec 1230, or FK-5-1-12 agents are eligible for service (repair or refill).

 

A hydrostatic test used to be required every 12 years starting from the manufacture date, however, that is no longer true.  The US Coast Guard changed the hydrostatic test requirement on fixed Fire Suppression systems in 2012, and as long as the Fireboy system has been in continuous service and passes an inspection, a hydrostatic test is not required.  If a hydrostatic test is needed and the system is eligible for refill, then it must be sent back to the factory for this service.  Again, only our systems with the HFC227ea, Novec 1230, or FK-5-1-12 agents are eligible for this service.

Older Extinguishers with FE-241:

Unfortunately, the agent FE-241 is no longer available.  It was discontinued in 2011 but if the system has been in continuous service and can pass the inspection, it can be recertified.  Any system with FE-241 agent that has discharged, leaked, or failed an inspection, cannot be refilled, or serviced, it must be replaced.

Any Fireboy system that has discharged due to a fire or high heat, must be replaced because the cylinder has been compromised.  Let me know if you have any more questions.