CFR > Title 46 - Shipping > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER H—PASSENGER VESSELS (parts 70 to 81) > PART 76—FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT > SUBPART 76.50—Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers and Semiportable Fire Extinguishing Systems, Arrangements and Details (§76.50-1 to §76.50-90) > 76.50-5—Classification.

76.50-5—Classification.

(a) Hand portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire extinguishing systems shall be classified by a combination letter and number symbol, the letter indicating the type of fire which the unit could be expected to extinguish, and the number indicating the relative size of the unit.
(b) The types of fire will be designated as follows:
(1) “A” for fires in ordinary combustible materials where the quenching and cooling effects of quantities of water, or solutions containing large percentages of water, are of first importance.
(2) “B” for fires in flammable liquids, greases, etc., where a blanketing effect is essential.
(3) “C” for fires in electrical equipment where the use of nonconducting extinguishing agent is of first importance.
(c) The number designations for size will start with “I” for the smallest to “V” for the largest. Sizes I and II are considered hand portable fire extinguishers and sizes III, IV and V are considered semiportable fire extinguishing systems which shall be fitted with suitable hose and nozzle or other practicable means so that all portions of the space concerned may be covered. Examples of size graduations for some of the typical hand portable and semiportable fire extinguishing systems are set forth in table 76.50-5(c).
Table 76.50-5(c)
Classification Soda acid and water, liters (gallons) Foam, liters (gallons) Carbon dioxide, kilograms (pounds) Dry chemical, kilograms (pounds)
Type Size
A II 9.5 (2.5) 9.5 (2.5)
B I 4.75 (1.25) 1.8 (4)
B II 9.5 (2.5) 6.8 (15) 4.5 (10)
B III 45.5 (12) 15.9 (35) 9.0 (20)
B IV 76 (20) 22.7 (50) 13.6 (30)
B V 151 (40) 45.3 (100) 22.7 (50)
C I 1.8 (4) 1 (2)
C II 6.8 (15) 4.5 (10)
(d) All hand portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire extinguishing systems shall have permanently attached thereto a metallic name plate giving the name of the item, the rated capacity in gallons, quarts, or pounds, the name and address of the person or firm for whom approved, and the identifying mark of the actual manufacturer.
(e) Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers, containing carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids shall be removed from all vessels.
[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16940, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by USCG-2003-16630, 73 FR 65192, Oct. 29, 2008]