Fire System

Mike_Lenz · Post by **Mike_Lenz** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:35 pm

Hello all, In my 1973 B-35 it has the original fire system, does anyone know how to test the system to see if it’s still operational other then pulling the handle? Thanks, Mike…..

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:20 am

Mike... I am not familiar with the fire system on a 35, but my 1983 33' FBC has what was apparently the original Halon tank suspended in the engine room athwartship between the engines, on the underside of the cabin floor. It has a valve type fitting with a sprinkler head and a set of electrical contacts (actually just two screws which had the remnants of ring terminals under them, but there were no wires connected or even nearby). I removed it recently since my surveyor said it was long overdue for servicing, and had it serviced by a local fire extinguisher service company. The tech told me it was an old style sprinkler head which has a metal link that will melt when the engine room temp reaches a particular level (I think he said 170F or 180F, I can't recall which, but I believe it is stamped on the head).. the two screws are supposed to be wired through a powered light so when the engine key is on there is a contact made which powers a light somewhere to indicate the system is armed and ready for use. I believe he said some have a normally open switch that closes on activation to turn on a light to show when the system has been discharged.. the opposite of my system. He told me that Halon is very expensive (I do not recall exactly how much it costs to fill the tank, but I think he mentioned a couple of hundred dollars), and not to be dumped into the atmosphere since it is an environmental nasty, so there is no way to test the system other than having someone weigh the tank to ensure it is full. My system is purely automatic, there is no way to manually trip it. I will wire the two contacts to a panel light somewhere to show the system is armed and ready. Due to the age of my tank it needed to be pressure tested, which he did.. he actually has a setup to discharge the contents into another tank, pressure test the empty tank, and then refill it with the same Halon he removed. He also cleaned the sprinkler head and checked the operation of the internal switch, and then attached a sticker and tag indicating my system is once again certified for service. The whole thing cost me about $75.00, with me delivering and picking up the tank. I hope this info helps you. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

khybskid · Post by **khybskid** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:39 am

Hi mike, i too have a 73 35' I was told by the surveyer that looked at my boat during purchase that the system was not operational but i had a halon tank armed and ready to go in the engine compartment which was sufficient for the amount of halon in the tank. I believe its CO2 that the original system used and the red tank is behind the aft port closet pegboard bulkhead. Its strapped in with a steel collar. Mine has a defective valve attached and a tag from a fire dept. stating its defective. I have the tank sitting in my garage just waiting for me to do something with it. But as i say the surveyer has seen my boat twice now and tells me the halon is enough. pete

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:24 am

I have to orginal paperwork on the red CO2 system. It has a big valve system mounted to the tank. I have been meaning to pull mine out and get it serviced. All they do is weigh the tank and if in specs it is ok. If not they fill it. I have played with enought CO2 playing paintball I am sure I could refill the tank. CO2 tanks are easy to get from your local welding gas supplier. I can copy and send you the book. Give me your info. Charlie Charlie

khybskid · Post by **khybskid** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:42 am

hi charlie, do you mean you have some information as to how that original CO2 system works. And does it give any info about how to service that vavle. pete

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:20 am

Hi, I have the big Halon system in my 33. As far as I know it is operational. There are sensors on the outboard side of each engine, and one in the center. Plus another in the Generator compartment. For dispensing Halon there are nozzels at the front of each engine and one in the Gen. compartment. Also, you can fire the system from inside the engine room. (you probably kill yourself if you did) and a handle on the Stb. bulkhead. It is really expensive if you fire off one of these things. A friend of mine has it on his 48 Hatt. He was checking his manual engine shutdowns. Pulled the Halon by mistake. Result was almost $3000 in Halon, and almost killed his wife in the Salon. You can actually disconnect all the copper tubing, take the bottle to a Fire Extingusher place and have it checked. Blow out the pipes and the nozzels while the bottle is off. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:49 am

CO2 tanks need to be hydrostatically tested every five years. When you refill these tanks you empty them first, then fill them (you don't add CO2 to it). CO2 tanks are very heavy also, which is why they got away from using them. Having a company service and inspect them yearly, you are sure they are working. If you do it yourself, your insurance company could get out of the claim, resulting in you having to sue them.

khybskid · Post by **khybskid** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:05 pm

Everyone here has been talking halon. I do have halon now in my 35 but its pretty old stuff. My fire company inspects it by weighing the bottle but he told me that halon is no longer used. He mentioned that it was a new coast guard regulation and that if i ever need this cylinder refilled he would not be able to do it. Are other states under this same rule? Pete

Mike_Lenz · Post by **Mike_Lenz** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:25 am

Charlie, Thanks for your offer the copy the book and send it to me. I sent my mailing address to your email address listed, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks again, Mike….

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:51 am

Halon can not be refilled anymore and there are 2 new gasses that have replaced the halon.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:26 am

Tim... Do you mean that if my old Halon system goes off for some reason, I can have it refilled with another gas, using the same tank as before? Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:38 am

frank, I don't think so. The new gasses require a much larger storage container. I just wish I could figure out how to disable my system. I would like to pull it out to get it recertified. There are three different discharge mechanisms on my system. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:27 am

for what it's worth, on my boat the fire extinguisher system had been removed. When I re-wired I added a system from SeaFire with a tank between the motors and one under the cockpit by the generator. It cost about $500 or so and is completely self contained. There is an indicator light which can be installed, but I never did because it came at the end of a very over budget project and meant running more wires. you can check them out at: www.sea-fire.com They're available a Fawcetts in Annoplis & I beileve through worst marine as well. -jd John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:14 am

Frank, That would be a good question for the supplier. When I upgrade my stand alone bottles I will buy new bottles of the chemical because my current bottles are 25 years old.I will keep my old ones as secondary bottles.With my current halon bottles being that old i do not trust that they will work even though the inspector told me to trust them,so addi8ng a second bottle of the new stuff is on my list.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:53 am

Tim... I would probably also be concerned due to the age of my halon system, but in order to do the tank hydrostatic pressure test the tech had to empty the tank and remove the valve.. he tested the valve, pressure tested the tank, refilled the tank with the original contents, and recertified everything, so I am comfortable that my system is OK. Since I have diesel engines and genny I feel my risk of fire is minimal, and I plan on keeping the system as it is for now. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC