Reliability of Portable Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers in Use on Motorboats

摘要

The reliability of fire extinguishers on motor boats was investigated by exchanging new extinguishers for ones in use on boats in southeastern Connecticut. Each extinguisher was continuously discharged. The percentage by weight discharged, the discharge distance, and the duration of discharge were compared to the performance test minimums in Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. 'Standard for Safety' (UL 299). Of the one hundred and thirty (130) extinguishers tested, seventeen (17) failed to meet one or more of these tests. Thirty-three of the extinguishers were manufactured in 1970 or earlier. None of these had been recharged or inspected by a professional fire equipment company. Eleven of these (or 33%) failed at least one performance test. The remaining ninety-seven extinguishers were manufactured in 1971 or later. Six of these (or 6%) failed at least one test. This is a large enough sample to predict with 95% confidence that the true failure rate of extinguishers made in 1971 is between 1.2% and 11.2%.