Does the USCG allow portable CO2 extinguishers in the machinery spaces on a clean oil barge? I know portable CO2 extinguishers can generate static electricity and am wondering if that prohibits there use.
I don’t have a copy of the CFRS in front of me to look it up.
[QUOTE=swamper;169432] I know portable CO2 extinguishers can generate static electricity …[/QUOTE]
When would you use a portable CO2 extinguisher in a machinery space? When would you use one in a machinery space that is required to have a fixed system installed?
Would a spark change the scenario?
If you are silly enough to try and use a portable CO2 extinguisher for inerting then you may add to the statistics.
In the past on fishing boats without a fixed CO2 system I have used a portable CO2 three times.
#1 Cat 3512 sucked a valve punched hole in piston engine running on lube oil being being pushed up into manifold. CO2 shot into air intake shut down the engine.
#2 short in 24 volt electrical system caused insulation on wire to ignite. A quick blast of CO2 after de energizing extinguished the small fire.
#3 Alternator caught on fire. De energize system and a quick shot of CO2 to put out the flames.
My concern with the portable CO2 on the barge would be a static discharge on deck where there may be explosive vapors. I do realize the risk of CO2 in a small area too.
The current barge I work on has no CO2 at all. Just trying to figure out If a CFR is the reason why.
[QUOTE=swamper;169432]…I don’t have a copy of the CFRS in front of me to look it up.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=jdcavo;169442]http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6a373c31f3caebc45d67354c8ae8b0b0&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title46/46tab_02.tpl[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the link. I found answers to some of my questions just going to spend some time and search around a little more to find the rest.
[QUOTE=swamper;169437]
#1 Cat 3512 sucked a valve punched hole in piston engine running on lube oil being being pushed up into manifold. CO2 shot into air intake shut down the engine.[/quote]
Would a spark change that scenario? If the atmosphere contained gases at or above LEL/LFL (the explosive or flammable limit), running on lube oil is probably going to be the least of that engine’s (and your) problems for the next few seconds.
#2 short in 24 volt electrical system caused insulation on wire to ignite. A quick blast of CO2 after de energizing extinguished the small fire.
Would a spark have changed that scenario? If the atmosphere contained flammable or explosive gases at or above LEL/LFL that quick blast would not have come from your extinguisher.
#3 Alternator caught on fire. De energize system and a quick shot of CO2 to put out the flames.
Would a spark have changed that scenario? Again, if the alternator caught fire in an atmosphere containing flammable or explosive gases at or above LEL/LFL you probably wouldn’t be using a portable CO2 extinguisher anyway.
My concern with the portable CO2 on the barge would be a static discharge on deck where there may be explosive vapors. I do realize the risk of CO2 in a small area too.
See the above …
If explosive vapors exist on deck and a fire has been burning long enough for you to pick up and use a CO2 extinguisher, do you think a spark from the nozzle to the flames is going to change the outcome?
I’m guessing the answer to all those is “No”
[QUOTE=LI_Domer;169494]I’m guessing the answer to all those is “No”[/QUOTE]
I’ll play it safe and say “probably not.” 