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Maritime Fire Extinguisher Maintenance & Recharging
Inspection, maintenance, recharging and hydrostatic testing of shipboard fire extinguishers. Compliant with SOLAS Chapter II-2, FSS Code Chapter 4 and IMO Resolution A.951(23). All types: dry powder ABC, CO₂, AFFF foam, clean agent.
10,000+
Extinguishers Serviced
15+
Years of Experience
100%
SOLAS Compliant
24/7
Nationwide Service
SOLAS II-2 / FSS Code Ch.4
Marine Fire Extinguisher Maintenance & Recharging
Inspection, maintenance, recharging and hydrostatic testing services for marine fire extinguishers. Compliant with SOLAS Chapter II-2, FSS Code Chapter 4 and IMO Resolution A.951(23). Servicing all types: ABC dry powder, CO₂, AFFF foam, and clean agent.
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Types of Marine Fire Extinguishers
6 types of fire extinguishers used on ships per SOLAS II-2/Reg.10 & FSS Code Ch.4
ABC Dry Chemical Powder (DCP)
Class A, B, C — 2-12 kg. Monoammonium phosphate / Sodium bicarbonate. Engine room, accommodation, on deck. Most common on ships. Minimum 5kg per SOLAS.
CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)
Class B, C — 2-9 kg. Liquid CO₂ — leaves no residue. Engine room, control stations, electrical equipment. NOT permitted in accommodation spaces (SOLAS II-2/Reg.10). Minimum 5kg per SOLAS.
AFFF Foam
Class A, B — 6-9 liters. Aqueous Film-Forming Foam. Accommodation, galley, paint store. Minimum 9 liters per SOLAS. Effective on flammable liquids.
Water
Class A — 9 liters. Pressurized clean water. Accommodation, common areas. Effective on solid materials. Simple and easy to maintain.
Clean Agent (HFC/Novec)
Class A, B, C — 2-6 kg. HFC-227ea (FM-200) or FK-5-1-12 (Novec 1230). Electronics room, control stations, chart room. Leaves no residue, safe for equipment. Replaces Halon 1211.
Wheeled Extinguishers
DCP/CO₂/Foam — 25-50 kg. DCP: 25-50 kg, CO₂: 22.5-45 kg. Large engine rooms, cargo areas. Per ISO 11601:2017. High capacity for large spaces.
Regulatory Maintenance Schedule
Mandatory inspection and maintenance cycles for marine fire extinguishers
| Cycle | Maintenance Content | Applicable To | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Verify all extinguishers are in correct position, properly arranged, external condition good | All portable & wheeled extinguishers | Resolution A.951(23), Table 9.1.3 |
| Annual | Comprehensive inspection: external condition, weight verification, pressure, hoses/nozzles, operating instructions, corrosion, agitate dry powder | All extinguishers — by competent person | Resolution A.951(23) §9; SOLAS II-2/Reg.14 |
| 2 years | Confirm extinguishing agent >95% of rated charge (during SEC survey) | Safety Equipment Certificate survey | SOLAS II-2/Reg.14; Flag State survey |
| 5 years | Discharge test at least 1 extinguisher per type of same manufacture year (during fire drill) | By year of manufacture | Resolution A.951(23) §9.2 |
| 10 years | Hydrostatic pressure test of all cylinders and cartridges per recognized standard | All cylinders & propellant cartridges | Resolution A.951(23) §9.3; ISO 7165:2017 |
Annual Inspection Procedure
12-step inspection per Resolution A.951(23), Table 9.1.3 & SOLAS II-2/Reg.10
1
Verify Location & Accessibility
2
Check Seal & Indicators
3
External Inspection
4
Operating Instructions
5
Pressure Check
6
Weight Verification
7
Hose & Nozzle Inspection
8
Invert Dry Powder Cylinder
9
Check Hydrostatic Test Date
10
Discharge Test (If Due)
11
Recharge
12
Record & Label
Hydrostatic Testing
Hydrostatic Pressure Testing
Hydrostatic testing is a mandatory 10-year inspection per IMO Resolution A.951(23) §9.3, to verify the structural integrity of fire extinguisher cylinders under high pressure.
- Depressurize and fully empty the cylinder
- Remove valve assembly, fill with water
- Place in protective cage
- Pressurize to test pressure (30-60 seconds)
- Check for leaks, deformation, expansion
- Pass: dry, reassemble, recharge, stamp new date
- Fail: condemn and replace the cylinder
Hydrostatic Test Pressure Table
| Extinguisher Type | Test Pressure | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| ABC Dry Powder (stored-pressure) | 1.5x working pressure (~20 bar / ~300 psi) | ISO 7165:2017, A.951(23) |
| CO₂ | 5/3 working pressure (~250 bar for 150 bar cylinder) | ISO 7165:2017, DOT 49 CFR |
| AFFF Foam / Water | 1.5x working pressure (~25-30 bar) | ISO 7165:2017 |
| Wheeled Extinguishers | Per manufacturer specifications | ISO 11601:2017 |
SOLAS Requirements & International Regulations
PSC Inspection Points
6 PSC items commonly inspected for fire extinguishers — fire safety violations account for 21.37% of vessel detentions (Tokyo MoU)
SEC Certificate
Valid Safety Equipment Certificate, within survey date, issued by recognized classification society.
Fire Control Plan
Updated fire control plan, posted at required location, backup copy in weathertight enclosure outside deckhouse.
Correct Type & Quantity
Appropriate extinguishers for each space per Fire Safety Plan. No CO₂ in accommodation.
Valid Inspection Labels
Annual inspection tag/label, pressure in green zone, seal & pin intact.
Hydrostatic Test Date
Last test date (stamped on cylinder) within 10-year cycle. Expired = vessel detention.
Spare Charges
100% for first 10, 50% for remaining. Recharging instructions must be available on board.
Vietnamese Regulations
Vietnamese-flagged vessels must comply with both SOLAS and QCVN standards
Why Choose AZMarine?
Kidde (Carrier)
USA / UK
Bình xách tay, Clean Agent, CO₂
VIKING
Denmark
SOLAS/MED Approved Portables
Minimax
Germany
Bình xách tay & Hệ thống cố định
Amerex
USA
ABC, CO₂, Foam Portables
Gloria
Germany
MED-Approved Marine Portables
Survitec
UK
Full Range Marine FFE
Tyco / Johnson Controls
Ireland / USA
Novec 1230, FM-200, Foam Systems
Unitor (Wilhelmsen)
Norway
Marine Certified Portables & CO₂
SEC Certificate
Valid Safety Equipment Certificate, within survey date, issued by recognized classification society.
Fire Control Plan
Updated fire control plan, posted at required location, backup copy in weathertight enclosure outside deckhouse.
Correct Type & Quantity
Appropriate extinguishers for each space per Fire Safety Plan. No CO₂ in accommodation.
Valid Inspection Labels
Annual inspection tag/label, pressure in green zone, seal & pin intact.
Hydrostatic Test Date
Last test date (stamped on cylinder) within 10-year cycle. Expired = vessel detention.
Spare Charges
100% for first 10, 50% for remaining. Recharging instructions must be available on board.
FAQ
Per IMO Resolution A.951(23): position check monthly, comprehensive inspection annually (weight, pressure, external condition), discharge test every 5 years, hydrostatic test every 10 years. Additionally, every 2 years agent quantity must be confirmed >95% of rated charge during SEC survey.
No. Per SOLAS II-2/Reg.10, CO₂ extinguishers are not permitted in accommodation spaces. CO₂ is only for engine rooms, control stations, and electrical/electronic equipment areas. Accommodation spaces should use AFFF foam or ABC dry powder extinguishers.
Per SOLAS II-2/Reg.10.3.3: 100% spare charges for the first 10 extinguishers, 50% for the remaining, total not exceeding 60 charges. Recharging instructions must be available on board. PSC will check spare charge quantities.
Hydrostatic testing is a pressure test using water, mandatory every 10 years per Resolution A.951(23) §9.3. The cylinder is filled with water, pressurized to 1.5x working pressure (or 5/3 for CO₂), held for 30-60 seconds. If no leaks/deformation, it passes and the new test date is stamped on the cylinder.
We serve at all major ports: Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai, VICT), Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang. Technical teams board vessels 24/7, including ships at anchorage. Emergency cases (PSC detention) prioritized with 2-hour dispatch.
Extinguishers need replacement when: severe corrosion (dents, pitting, peeling paint), fails hydrostatic test (deformation/leaks), weight below 95% rated charge, pressure gauge in red zone, or manufacturer recommends replacement. Very old cylinders with no available spare parts/charges should also be replaced.
Ensure Fire Safety For Your Vessel
Contact AZMarine for consultation and fire extinguisher maintenance service quotation. 24/7 technical team, accommodating any vessel schedule.