Axis A20 - Safety First; Fire Extinguishing Equipment

safety first
 Evenwhensurroundedbywater,reisa
signicantconcern.Infact,becausesafeegress
fromtheboatislimitedifitbecomes
necessarytoabandonship,this
issuereinforcestheneedforeasily
accessiblePFDs.
WhenboatingintheUnited
States,boatsoflessthan26feet
inlengtharerequiredtohaveat
leastone(1)B1-rated,hand-held
reextinguisheron-boardandfully
charged,unlessthereisanauto-
maticreextinguishingsystem
installed.Anautomaticsystemis
availableasanoptiononAxisboats.
Hand-heldunitsarenotincludedasstandardequip-
mentsothattheconsumercanchoosefromawide
rangeofreextinguishers,manyofwhichexceed
theminimumrequirements.If the boat does not
have an automatic re extinguishing system in-
stalled, the boat owner MUST purchase and install at least one (1) B1-rated re extinguisher.
 Mostcountrieshavere-extinguishingandsuppressionrequirementsforrecreational
boats.Itistheresponsibilityoftheboatownerand/oroperatortodeterminetherequirements
forthebodyofwateronwhichtheboatingwilloccur.Ignoranceofthelawisanunacceptable
excuseandwilllikelynotpreventtheboaterfromreceivingacitationorarrest.
Theautomaticreextinguishingsystem,whereequipped,ismountedinsidetheengine
compartment.Intheeventthesystem’ssensorrecognizesextremeheatinthecompartment,
thesystemwillcreateachemicallymixeddrysuppressionmaterial.Inmostinstances,thereis
suicientsuppressionmaterialtosuocatethereanditssource.Intheeventofare,boat
operatorsshouldimmediatelyturnOFFtheboat’sengine,whichwillalsoshutdownthepressur-
izedfuelsystem.
 AnautomaticreextinguishingsystemhasanLED-lightedindicatorlocatedadjacenttothe
throttle-shifteratthedriverhelm.Aspartoftheroutinesafetychecksastheboatpowersup,
theoperatorshouldverifythattheextinguishersystemindicatorisactive.
Whenever re extinguishers or suppression units have been used in
ghting an on-board re, a careful determination should be made
whether it is safe to operate the boat. In most instances, it is advisable
to have the boat towed to shore rather than risk additional re or per-
manent damage to the drive train. The boat should be thoroughly serviced by an authorized Axis dealer
prior to operation again. Operation prior to service could result in additional damage to the boat, and
may result in serious injury or death.
 Followingdischargeofresuppressionmaterial,thesystemwillrequirerecharging.If
anautomaticsystemhasdischarged,itisunlikelythattheboatcanberun.Axisrecommends
gettingatowtoshoreandhavingtheenginecompartmentthoroughlycleanedandthere
suppressionsystemrechargedpriortorunningtheboat’sengineagain.Ifhand-heldunitshave
beendischarged,theywillalsorequirerecharging.Thechemicalsinallresuppressionunits
candiscolorupholsteryandcarpeting.Itisrecommendedthattheboatbecleanedassoonas
practical.Theresuppressionmanufacturersprovideinformationregardingtheproperand
appropriatecleaningagents.AlsopayattentiontothecleaninginstructionsprovidedintheCare
andMaintenancesectionofthisOwner’sManualtoavoidpermanentdamagetomaterials.
fire
extinguishing
equipment
Axis
Owners
Manual
2019
Page 82