Requirement to Carry Fire Extinguishers
Pleasure craft may be required by the Small Vessel Regulations to carry a 5B:C or a 10B:C fire extinguisher, depending upon the type and length of the boat, and the equipment on board.
- PWCs must have one 5B:C fire extinguisher on board unless everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket or PFD.
- Sailboats and powerboats 6 metres (19.7 feet) or less in length must carry one 5B:C fire extinguisher if they are equipped with an inboard engine; a fixed fuel tank; or a fuel-burning oven, heater, or refrigerator.
- Sailboats and powerboats over 6 metres and up to 9 metres (19.7 feet to 29.5 feet) in length must carry:
- One 5B:C if equipped with a motor and…
- One 5B:C if equipped with a fuel-burning oven, heater, or refrigerator.
- Sailboats and powerboats over 9 metres and up to 12 metres (29.5 feet to 39.4 feet) in length must carry:
- One 10B:C if equipped with a motor and…
- One 10B:C if equipped with a fuel-burning oven, heater, or refrigerator.
- Pleasure craft that are more than 12 metres in length up to 24 metres (39.4 feet to 78.7 feet) in length must carry one 10B:C at each entrance to:
- Any area where a fuel-burning oven, heater, or refrigerator is located and…
- Any sleeping area and…
- The machinery space.
To be approved, a fire extinguisher must be certified and labelled by one of the following:
- U.S. Coast Guard (“Marine Type USCG Approved”) or…
- Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) or…
- Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL).
Fire extinguishers should be placed in an easily accessible area on board the pleasure craft.