Why do fires happen on boats?

FIRE ABOARD

Fires aboard boats ranks very highly on insurance claim registers around the globe and looking at why these fires occur can be boiled down to six major contributing factors. Here are the top fire causers on boats and hints on how you can avoid them.

OUTSIDE SOURCES
Nearly a quarter of all boat fires are caused by outside sources such as another boat on fire in the marina, a neighbour’s garage that catches alight and other outside influences. This type of fire is beyond the influence of the boat owner who has little or no possibility of taking action to prevent it.

ELECTRICAL SOURCES
Approximately 20% of boat fires are caused by faulty engine electrical appointments and wiring. Older boats often fall prey to faulty wiring harnesses, which are the cause of fires.

BATTERY RELATED SOURCES
At least 15% of fires on boats can be apportioned to battery-related fires. Faulty battery installation, reversal of the positive and negative cables, or connecting the batteries in series when they should be in parallel are the most common causes of battery fires. Battery cables should be labeled or marked and connected correctly to avoid fires.

SHORE POWER SOURCES
12% Of fires on boats start between the boat’s shore power inlet and the shore power pedestal. Make sure you inspect the shore power cord regularly, placing emphasis on the connector ends. If the cord and the connector ends are showing signs of wear, it might be time to replace it.

OVERHEATING
Approximately 9% of boat fires are caused by the engine overheating, most often due to blocked raw water intakes or damaged impellers. Always replace the impeller per the manufacturer’s servicing suggestions and always keep an eye on the heat status of the motor.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR SOURCES
On older outboard motors, close to 10% of boat fires are due to the failure of the voltage regulator. Replacing old voltage regulators is an important deterrent for preventing fires.

OTHER SOURCES OF BOAT FIRES
Other sources of fire on boats happen during the refueling of the boat and to a lesser degree when cooking and smoking aboard. Exhaust system fires are almost always started when something flammable comes into contact with the exhaust. Most fuel-related fires are caused by leaks that come from old and worn hoses that fail. One way of detecting fuel leaks is regularly wiping down fuel lines and smelling the rag for residual fuel. Tighten any loose hose clamps to stop leakage and if the leak persists, replace the hose. Remember, hoses usually begin to leak gradually as the hose materials start to degrade and lose its elasticity.

SMOKE DETECTORS AND ALARMS
Smoke detectors should be installed on larger boats that have living quarters, a galley and head, to be an early warning system. An alarm and a warning light connected to the smoke detector will allow the captain to become aware of a fire while at the helm.

FIRE SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT
Having the necessary fire extinguishing equipment on board the boat is critical for fire suppression. Ensure that this equipment receives its regular service requirements to ensure it functions properly in the event of a fire. There are various types of fire extinguishers designed for fuel-based fires, combustibles such as wood and paper, and lastly electrical fires.

Your boat is an important asset and one that you don’t want going up in flames. Take the necessary precautions to prevent a fire on your boat and ensure that your insurance is in place, because a major portion of boating fires comes from outside sources.