MARINE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS’ MANUAL

1. Introduction
2. Use Manual
3. Use Regulation
4. Manufacturing Regulation
5. Extinguishers’ use instructions
6. Maintenance of extinguishers
7. Fire Extinguisher Recharging
8. When to recharge Fire Extinguishers
9. Fire Extinguisher Disposal
10. Responsible Companies
11. Certification

1. - Introduction:
This manual wants to be a useful guide to get to know the generic features for
fire extinguisher maintenance.
The instructions of this manual are valid for the following types of fire
extinguishers:
-Fire extinguisher use: Marine use.
-Pressurization systems: permanent pressure and auxiliary pressure (internal or
external).
-Fire extinguisher agents: powder/ foam/ CO2/ clean agents.

2. - Use Manual:
The instructions of this manual are applicable to the provider company and all
the other authorised maintenance companies.

3. - Use Regulation:
Regarding to maintenance, the applicable regulations are Spanish Real Decreto
1942/1993, UNE 23120 and OMI Resolution A.951 (23).

4. - Manufacturing Regulation:
The complete set of ORFEO’s extinguishers is manufactured according to
current regulations:
-European Regulation EN-3
-European Regulation EN-1866
-European Regulation of pressure vessels 97/23 CE
-2002/75/EC
-SOLAS / IMO
5. - Extinguishers’ use instructions:
The use instructions of the extinguishers are graphically explained in the label
of the extinguisher, so as its rating.
Please note on the label the type of fires this extinguisher is designed for and it
most suitable application. Also find non-recommended uses.

6. – Maintenance of extinguishers:
According to the Spanish Real Decreto 1942/1993, check and maintenance are
compulsory in order to guarantee the perfect work condition and easy use of the
fire extinguishers.
Check and maintenance must be made taking into account the three basic
elements of a fire extinguisher: mechanical parts, fire extinguisher agent and
means of impulse.

Inspection frequency:
Quarterly, the owner or the authorised maintenance company must check:
-fire extinguisher accessibility.
-conservation condition (label, seal, rusting, hose, etc.)
-weight and pressure of the fire extinguisher and of the impeller gas bottle, in
case of existing. In most cases, the fire extinguisher pressure must be between
13 and 15 bar. For the other cases, check the identification label.

N. B.: If an anomaly is detected, the manufacturer or authorised maintenance

company must be informed. Repairs and discharge must always be made by
specialized authorised staff.

Annually, the specialized staff of the manufacturer or the authorized

maintenance company must check:
-fire extinguisher accessibility.
-conservation condition (label, seal, rusting, hose, etc.)
-weight and pressure of the fire extinguisher and impeller gas bottle, in case of
existing.
-unscrew the pressure gauge totally to check that it indicates 0. Screw it totally
back to guarantee that it indicates the wanted pressure.
Every 5 years, at least one fire extinguisher of each type made in the same
year and which is aboard will be put to a test of discharge at intervals of 5 years
(as a part of an exercise of fight against fire).
-Prove clear passage by blowing through vent holes and vent devices in the
cap.
-Check hose, nozzle strainer, discharge tube and breather valve, as applicable.
-Check the operating and discharge control. Clean and lubricate as required.
-Check that the safety pin is removable and that the lever is undamaged.
-examine for damage and corrosion. Weight the cartridge to ascertain that it is
within prescribed limits.

Every 10 years, the authorised staff of the manufacturer or the maintenance

company will check the fire extinguisher totally, including the hydraulic test of
pressure according to IMO-A.951 (23).

After 20 years at the latest or due to bad condition, the fire extinguisher must
be disposed and it will be scrapped according to the environmental regulations
currently in force.

Inspection at recharge:
-water and foam charges: remove the charge to a clean container if to be
reused and check if it is still suitable for further use. Check any charge any
charge container.
-powder charges: examine the powder for reuse. Ensure that it is free flowing
and that there is no evidence of caking lumps or foreign bodies.
-gas cartridge: examine for damage and corrosion.

7. - Fire Extinguisher Recharging:

Every type of fire extinguisher has its own recharging method, apart from its
capacity.
Fire extinguisher recharging must be always made by authorised staff.
Otherwise, the fire extinguisher owner will lose its guarantee and ORFEO will
no longer be responsible for the product.

CO2 Fire Extinguishers: Only a CO2 plant has the necessary means to
recharge a CO2 fire extinguisher. Therefore, the owner of a CO2 fire
extinguisher will not be able to recharge it by his own. In other words, the
recharge of a CO2 fire extinguisher is another CO2 fire extinguisher.
PERMANENT Pressure POWDER Fire Extinguisher (for fire extinguishers
of 2 to 12 kg of powder): Only a specialised company has the necessary
means to recharge a permanent pressure powder fire extinguisher. Therefore,
the owner of a permanent pressure powder fire extinguisher will not be able to
recharge it by his own. In other words, the recharge of a permanent pressure
powder fire extinguisher is another permanent pressure powder fire
extinguisher.

Auxiliary Pressure Powder Fire Extinguisher with external or internal

bottle:
This is the process to follow:
-turn upside down the fire extinguisher until it is in vertical position and
depressurize the device pressing the gun.
-open the fill valve with the proper tools and empty the contents of the fire
extinguisher totally.
-remove the auxiliary CO2 cartridge and replace it with a new one with
the right weight.
-unscrew the hose and clean the inside part with compressed air, blowing
at one end.
-put the anti-dump joint in the hose and screw it in the fire extinguisher.
-introduce the charge in the container. The kg of powder must be
according to the model of the fire extinguisher, with a tolerance of ±2% in mass.
-change the joint of the cap of the fill valve.
-screw the cap of the fill valve totally.
-hang the fire extinguisher in a right place.

Foam Fire Extinguishers: This is the process to follow:

-open the fill valve with the proper tools and empty the contents of the fire
extinguisher totally by turning it upside down.
-remove the auxiliary CO2 cartridge and replace it with a new one with
the right weight.
-unscrew the hose and clean the inside part with compressed air, blowing
at one end.
-put the anti-dump joint in the hose and screw it in the fire extinguisher.
-introduce the AFFF charge (water+foam) in the container, according to
the model of the fire extinguisher.
-change the joint cap of the fill valve.
-screw the cap of the fill valve totally.
-hang the fire extinguisher in a right place.
Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers FE-36:
Only a specialized company has the necessary means to recharge a permanent
pressure clean agent fire extinguisher. Therefore, the owner of an incorporated
pressure clean agent fire extinguisher will not be able to recharge it by his own.
In other words, the recharge of a permanent pressure clean agent fire
extinguisher is another permanent pressure clean agent fire extinguisher.

8. - When to recharge the fire extinguisher:

-When the fire extinguisher has been used, although it is not totally empty.
-After a hydraulic test check.
-After an inspection, if any anomalies are found that justify the recharge.

9. - Fire Extinguishers Disposal:

-During the limit period of 20 years the fire extinguisher has the properties
required by the rules and regulations of safety and those of the competent
organisations. Beyond this period, good work order of the fire extinguisher
cannot be assured, and neither the protection nor safety of people and goods.
-If there is any sign of damage in the fire extinguisher. It can occur due to a bad
use, a blow, heat exposure, corrosive environment, etc.
Obviously, the disposal must be carried out according to the environmental
regulations currently in force.

10. - Responsible Companies:

The authorised maintenance company is responsible for recharging and
maintenance. The company must keep to the instructions given by ORFEO in
this maintenance manual strictly.

11. - EC Certification:
ORFEO fire extinguishers are made according to quality guarantee ISO 9001
and the certification of the Notified Body Germanischer Lloyd. For Marine use,
ORFEO follows SOLAS regulation, OMI resolutions, and the European
Directives for Marine Equipments, also according to the Notified Body
Germanischer Lloyd.