Guidance

Fire safety on boats (accessible version)

Updated 25 May 2022

Applies to England

Did you know?

Fires on boats have killed 30 boaters in the last 20 years.

Most fires are preventable. This leaflet provides tips and advice on how to protect your boat and crew from fire, and what to do should a fire break out.

Alarms save lives

Boat fires can spread and become filled with smoke quickly.

Smoke alarms

Optical sensor alarms with hush buttons and ‘sealed for life’ batteries are best for boats. Visit the boat safety scheme website for advice and guidance.

Fit alarms in places you will hear them clearly if they go off.

Consider installing linked alarms that will go off at the same time.

Test the alarms when you board and at least monthly when aboard. Never disconnect it or remove working batteries.

Gas leak indicators

Fit a bubble type gas leak indicator in the LPG cylinder locker.

Push the gas leak indicator test button routinely to check for leaks in the gas system.

Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms

Fit a CO alarm to alert you of any poisonous carbon monoxide.

Check your CO alarm is suitable for marine use and meets the EN50291-2 standard.

Look out for an approval symbol when buying smoke and CO alarms.

Safe cooking and heating

Turn cooking appliances off properly after use.

Never leave cooking unattended. Turn things off until you come back.

Take extra care when cooking with oil – it sets alight easily.

Avoid cooking when tired. Remember, medication and alcohol can cause drowsiness.

Keep the cooking area clean for safety – a build-up of grease could catch light.

Spark devices are safer than matches or lighters to light gas cookers, because they don’t have a naked flame.

Only use portable appliances onshore and don’t change gas canisters inside the cabin or covered areas.

Barbecues shouldn’t be used on boats – hot charcoal gives off dangerous amounts of CO and blown embers could set your boat alight.

Keep cabin ventilation clear to prevent a build-up of toxic CO.

Try to keep fabrics away from cooking hobs to prevent them from catching fire.

Damaged stoves and flues could burn too hot; check adjacent areas for heat damage. Have your chimney swept regularly.

Only use the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer. Other types may burn too hot.

Dispose of embers carefully. If they’re still warm they could cause a fire or build-up of CO.

Ensure all hobs burners have a flame supervision device to shut-off the gas if the flame is blown out.

Always ensure heater components are specifically marine grade and are supplied as intended to be fitted to the make and model of the heater in use.

Protecting the inside of your boat

Don’t smoke or use candles if you’re drowsy because of medication or alcohol.

Cigarettes

Dispose of cigarettes carefully. Put them out, right out.

Don’t smoke inside the boat. Smoke outdoors and put cigarettes right out – this is safer than smoking in the boat.

Keep cigarettes or pipes away from anything that could catch fire, such as curtains.

Never smoke when refuelling or changing a gas cylinder.

Use a proper ashtray that will stay stable on the boat.

Take extra care if you smoke when you’re tired and never smoke in bed.

Empty ashtrays regularly. A build-up of ash could catch fire.

Candles

Candles have started fatal boat fires. Consider using LED alternatives for light or ambience.

Pot-purri and oil-reed diffusers are far safer alternatives to scented candles.

If you must use lit candles, ensure they’re in secure fire-proof holders and never leave them unattended.

Furnishings

Try to choose furniture that carries the fire-resistant label.

Keep fabrics and paper away from anything hot like hobs, flues and light bulbs.

Watch out for domed-decklights focussing light rays and causing heat damage or fires in strong sunlight.

Fuel and power safety

Make sure you check and maintain your boat’s fuel, gas and electrical systems on a regular basis.

Engine maintenance

Don’t let oil or debris build- up in the bilges.

Inspect surfaces and items adjacent to exhausts for signs of heat damage or charring.

Check exhaust systems of inboard engines for leaks.

Check for loose fuel joints, damaged fuel tanks or deteriorating hoses.

Fuel safety

Take care when refuelling. Put out naked flames first. Turn off the engine and cooking before handling any fuel.

Only carry spare petrol if necessary and store it in a self-draining locker or on open deck.

Generators should only be used and stored outside the cabin space.

When refuelling, prevent petrol vapour from entering the boat by closing the doors, windows or hatches and closing the awning.

Refuel outboard engines and generators well away from the boat.

Leaks, spills and vapour can ignite easily. Clean them up straight away and make sure filler caps are secure after refuelling.

If you can smell gas, turn the supply off and get it checked out straight away!

Gas safety

Have appliances properly installed and serviced routinely by competent fitters.

Never restrict airflow by blocking vents or air gaps.

Make sure gas cylinders are secure after they’ve been changed. Test for leaks with leak detection fluid.

Whenever possible, turn gas valves off before you go to bed or leave the boat.

Replace gas hoses showing signs of cracking, bitterness or discolouration.

Store gas cylinders outside, in a self-draining and

fire resistant locker. Keep them upright and secured from moving.

Electrics

Check for the British or European safety mark when buying electrical goods.

Use a trained marine electrician to install and service electrics.

Don’t overload adaptors. Keep to one plug per socket. Use the right fuse or circuit breaker to avoid overheating.

Unplug appliances when they’re not in use or when you leave the boat.

Take extra care when reinstalling the boat’s batteries. Check straps or restraints are secure afterwards.

Damaged wires can overheat rapidly, so look out for scorch marks or burning smells and listen out for buzzing, fizzing or crackling.

If there is any sign of a problem, turn the power off and don’t switch it on until it’s been checked out!

Plan a safe escape

Make an emergency plan with everyone on board before you set out.

Make sure people know how to close emergency valves and switches in case of fire.

You are more at risk from a fire when asleep, so check your boat before you go to bed. Make sure cooking and heating appliances are off and candles and cigarettes are fully extinguished.

Keep a torch easily available to help you escape at night. Make sure you have spares and test them regularly.

Don’t go to sea without a VHF radio. Have a charged- up, handheld, waterproof one ready for use at any time.

Don’t rely on a mobile phone. There could be no signal and it may not be waterproof.

Have enough life jackets for everyone on board, and keep them in good condition.

Keep exits clear and keys to hand. Don’t lock or bolt doors and hatches from the outside.

Track your location so you can tell the emergency services where you are if needed.

Consider having a ‘grab- bag’ for removing vital possessions in an emergency.

What to do if there’s a fire

If in doubt, don’t fight a fire yourself. Get out, stay out, call 999/ ch16 for help and wait for the fire and rescue services.

Do not enter a smoke filled space.

If you are already in a smoke filled space keep low down where the air is clearer.

If you need to break glass to escape use a blanket to prevent injury.

Starve the fire of air. Don’t open engine hatches or doors unless you have to.

Inland fires

If you are inland or moored near to land move everybody off the boat and call 999 immediately.

Fires at sea

If you are off-shore move as far away from the fire as you can on deck. Get everybody into life jackets.

Take a handheld VHF radio onto deck with you to call for help.

Notify the Coastguard by radio, make a Mayday call and/or display a distress signal.

Fire blankets and extinguishers

Familiarise yourself with how to use any extinguishers on board.

Only consider tackling a fire with an extinguisher if you are confident how to use it. Don’t place yourself in danger. If in doubt, evacuate the boat.

Keep fire blankets and extinguishers within easy reach, close to exits and risk points, such as the galley and engine area.

Check extinguishers on a regular basis for serious dents, leaks and loss of pressure.

Check the pin and mechanism for any signs of problems or weaknesses.

Check the dates on extinguishers and blankets and service or replace them as recommended by the instructions.

Be prepared for a dry powder extinguisher to create a dense powder-cloud, reducing visibility and impairing breathing. Don’t jeopardise your escape.

Only choose extinguishers that carry recognised approval marks.

Check list

Everybody aboard needs to know the emergency and escape plan.

Get to know how to use the fire blanket and fire extinguishers.

Test the smoke alarms this month.

Keep escape routes clear – if a fire wakes you up, you’ve got to get out fast.

If the boat’s occupied, ensure doors and emergency exits will open from the inside.

Don’t leave the galley when cooking and don’t cook while tired. Don’t use portable LPG camping equipment aboard.

Dispose of cigarettes carefully – put them out, right out.

Keep fabrics like curtains, towels and clothing safely away from hobs and heaters.

Don’t ignore anything that looks, smells or sounds like it is scorching, melting or sparking.

Handle petrol away from the boat – keep petrol vapour out of the cabin.

Further information

More information on boat fire safety and routine safety checks.

More information on carbon monoxide and CO alarms.

Information on sea regulations and emergencies at sea visit the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

More information on electrical safety.

For advice, checks of emergency equipment and emergency rescue information contact Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

For information about past incidents with lessons learnt, and for reporting accidents see Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Boating advice

For boat builders and service engineers contact the British Marine Federation.

For advice on navigation, boat handling and emergency training contact the Royal Yachting Association.

General fire safety

Contact your local fire and rescue service for free advice.

More information on fire safety.

For advice specific to you and your home, complete your own home fire safety check.