BOATsmart! Canada
Knowledge Base

Module 02 - Boating Rules, Regulations, and Equipment

Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are not required for all motorized boats, however it is highly recommended that all boat operators carry a fire extinguisher on board.

Fire extinguishers are required onboard any boats which have both a motor AND any one of the following:

Closed compartments where portable fuel tanks may be stored
Closed living and cooking spaces
Permanently installed fuel tanks
Enclosed engine compartments

The fire extinguisher must be mounted in an easily accessible location, where it can be quickly retrieved in an emergency. Even if your boat is equipped with an automatic extinguishing system, you still must carry portable fire extinguishers on board your boat.

Fire extinguishers must be approved by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

Fire Extinguisher Rating System - Fire extinguishers are rated using a system of letters and numbers:

The number identifies the amount of firefighting agent that the fire extinguisher has:
- The greater the number, the more fire-fighting agent in the extinguisher (for example, a Class 3 fire extinguisher can put out a larger fire than a Class 2 extinguisher).
The letter indicates the type of fire that the extinguisher is designed to put out:
- Class A: Designed for use on combustible solid materials such as wood and paper
- Class B: Designed for use on combustible liquids including gas, oil and grease
- Class C: Designed for use on electrical fires

The Small Vessel Regulations require that Class BC extinguishers be carried on boats in Canada however, the use of a Class ABC fire extinguisher is recommended. Always be sure that the fire extinguisher you choose meets the requirements for your boat size and type.