#### § 25.30-20 Fire extinguishing equipment required.

(a) *Motorboats.*

(1) All motorboats must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table [25.30-20(a)(1)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(a)(1)), except that motorboats less than 26 feet in length, propelled by outboard motors and not carrying passengers for hire, need not carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the boats will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.

Table [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20)(a)(1)

| Length, feet | Minimum number of 5-B portable fire extinguishers required1 | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | Fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space |
| Under 16 | 1 | 0 |
| 16 and over, but under 26 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 and over, but under 40 | 2 | 1 |
| 40 and over, but not over 65 | 3 | 2 |
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 One 20-B portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 5-B portable fire extinguishers. | | |

(2) The intent of this regulation is illustrated in Figure [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20)(a1) where fire extinguishers are required if any one or more of the specified conditions exist, and in Figure [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20)(a2) where specified conditions do not, in themselves, require that fire extinguishers be carried.

[![](https://img.federalregister.gov/EC01FE91.066/EC01FE91.066_large.png)](https://img.federalregister.gov/EC01FE91.066/EC01FE91.066_original_size.png)
Figure [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20)( a 1)

Fire extinguishers are required if any one or more of the following conditions exist (numbers identifying conditions are the same as those placed in Figure [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20) (a1)):

1. Closed compartment under thwarts and seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored.

2. Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation material.

3. Closed living spaces.

4. Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stowed.

5. Permanently installed fuel tanks.

[![](https://img.federalregister.gov/EC01FE91.067/EC01FE91.067_large.png)](https://img.federalregister.gov/EC01FE91.067/EC01FE91.067_original_size.png)
Figure [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20)( a 2)

The following conditions do not, in themselves, require that fire extinguishers be carried (numbers identifying conditions are the same as those placed in Figure [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20)(a2)):

1. Bait wells.

2. Glove compartments.

3. Buoyant flotation material.

4. Open slatted flooring.

5. Ice chests.

(3) Table [25.30-20(a)(1)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(a)(1)) of this section indicates the minimum quantity and type of extinguisher to be carried. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.

(b) *Uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons.* All uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons must carry onboard portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers per table 76.50-10(a) in [§ 76.50-10 of this chapter](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-76.50-10).

(c) *Motor vessels.*

(1) All motor vessels must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table [25.30-20(b) (1)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(b)(1)).

Table [25.30-20](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20)(b)(1)

| Gross tonnage— | | Minimum number of 20-B portable fire extinguishers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Over | Not over |
| | 50 | 1 |
| 50 | 100 | 2 |
| 100 | 500 | 3 |
| 500 | 1,000 | 6 |
| 1,000 | | 8 |

(2) In addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by [paragraph (b)(1)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(b)(1)) of this section, the following fire extinguishing equipment must be fitted in the machinery space:

(i) One Type 20-B portable fire extinguisher must be carried for each 1,000 B. H. P. of the main engines or fraction thereof. However, not more than 6 such extinguishers need be carried.

(ii) On motor vessels of over 300 gross tons, either one 160-B semi-portable fire extinguishing system must be fitted, or alternatively, a fixed fire extinguishing system must be fitted in the machinery space.

(3) The frame or support of each 160-B fire extinguisher required by [paragraph (b)(2)(ii)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(b)(2)(ii)) of this section must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a bulkhead or deck.

(4) If an approved semi-portable fire extinguisher has wheels, it must be securely stowed when not in use to prevent it from rolling out of control under heavy sea conditions.

(5) Table [25.30-20(b)(1)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(b)(1)) of this section indicates the minimum quantity and type of extinguisher to be carried. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.

(d) *Barges carrying passengers.*

(1) Every barge of 65 feet in length or less while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel must be fitted with portable fire extinguishers as required by table [25.30-20(a)(1)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(a)(1)), depending upon the length of the barge.

(2) Every barge of over 65 feet in length while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel must be fitted with portable fire extinguishers as required by table [25.30-20(b)(1)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-25.30-20#p-25.30-20(b)(1)), depending upon the gross tonnage of the barge.

[CGFR 65-50, [30 FR 16653](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/30-FR-16653), Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 77-039, [44 FR 34132](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/44-FR-34132), June 14, 1979; CGD 97-057, [62 FR 51042](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/62-FR-51042), Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-1999-5040, [67 FR 34776](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/67-FR-34776), May 15, 2002; USCG-2012-0196, [81 FR 48246](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/81-FR-48246), July 22, 2016]