While in the engine control room you smell smoke and see it coming from the vent in the main switchboard panel. Which of the many different types of extinguishers, if any, are required to be in that space and why would it be best suited to extinguish this class of fire?
• Class C electrical fires and why certain agents are preferred around energized equipment • Differences between fixed CO₂ systems for spaces and portable CO₂ extinguishers for specific equipment • Regulatory expectations for portable extinguishers in machinery/control spaces (46 CFR – verify in current regulations)
• First decide what class of fire a smoking main switchboard represents and what properties you need in an extinguishing agent for that class. • Compare the practicality of using a space‑flooding fixed system versus a hand‑held extinguisher for a localized panel fire while people are in the space. • Ask yourself whether an engine control room, full of electrical and electronic equipment, would typically be allowed to have no portable extinguishers at all.
• Identify which extinguisher types are non‑conductive and leave little or no residue on sensitive electrical equipment. • Distinguish between what is common on board and what is best suited and required for this specific hazard. • Verify whether regulations expect at least one portable extinguisher in control rooms associated with machinery spaces.
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