It's the Law: Required Equipment

Fire Extinguishers

All vessels on federally controlled waters are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher(s) on board if one or more of the following conditions exist:

• Inboard engine
• Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or not filled with flotation materials completely
• Closed living spaces
• Closed compartments where flammable or combustible materials are stored
• Permanently installed fuel tanks

Vessels on Iowa state waters are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher(s) on board if the vessel is propelled by an outboard motor of greater than 10 horsepower.

Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following marking on the label—“Marine Type USCG Approved”—followed by the type and size symbols and the approval number.

Extinguishers must be placed in an accessible area—not near the engine or in a compartment. Check all extinguishers regularly to make sure they are charged.

Fire Extinguisher Charge Indicators

Check the charge level of your fire extinguishers regularly. Replace them immediately if they are not fully charged.

To check this style of extinguisher, depress the green button. If it is fully charged, the green button should pop back out immediately.
On this style of fire extinguisher, the needle indicator should be in the "full" range.