fire extinguisher service

[rmeador]

Hi all. The fire extinguishers on my boat are badly in need of some service and a recharge. Should I call a normal fire extinguisher recharge company, or are there special companies for boat fire extinguishers? The one I'm most worried about is the one built into the engine compartment. I think it needs to be inspected in-place, since it has some kind of external triggering mechanisms. Also it's large enough that even if I could figure out how to detach it to take somewhere for service, I don't know if I could easily get it out of the lazarette. If you can recommend companies in the Boston area and give me an idea of the costs, that would be great. Thanks.

[catamount]

You might try contacting:

Landrigan Corporation
2-12 Jeffries Street, PO Box 444
East Boston, MA 02128
Tel: (617) 567-2182
Fax: (617) 569-6627
sales@landrigancorp.com
http://www.landrigancorp.com/

They are mainly a life-raft service outfit and purveyor of safety equipment, including fire-fighting equipment. I don't know if they service fire extinguishers themselves (the might), but if not they can probably direct you to some one who does.

[oceanscapt]

I've always called a fire extinguisher company to come and check things out, even the fixed fire system in the engine room. In many cases, all they do is weigh the extinguishers (dry powder) or fill them or re-pressurize them. In the case of the fixed fire, they tested the links and sensors but didn't test the containers yet. In another year, I have to get that mother pulled and tested. I paid $12/extinguisher plus travel time and paperwork. If your extinguishers are the cheap ones, it might be cheaper to buy new ones and keep the old ones for training.

Fire extinguisher checks should be done yearly.

[rmeador]

I contacted Landrigan and they said they could help me out. I guess they subcontract the fire extinguisher refill jobs, since I got a call from Beauchesne Fire Equipment within minutes. They said they'd come to the boat and check things out for free, then give me an estimate on what it would cost to refill/fix. Strangely, this company has basically zero web presence. Googling their name only turns up government-published lists of authorized extinguisher service companies and registered businesses... I can find no webpage, no yellowpages entry, no contact info... The guy I talked to seemed to know his stuff, and I was referred by Landrigan, so I don't think it's too fly by night, but it's darn strange in this day and age. Anyone worked with these guys before?