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To meet Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) requirements for canal boats, any boat fitted with an engine or with onboard equipment such as cooking, heating, refrigeration, or lighting must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers shown in the table below.
Each portable fire extinguisher should have a fire rating of 5A/34B or higher.
A small, open canal boat with no engine and no cooker only needs one fire extinguisher rated at 5A/34B.
Keep in mind: these minimum requirements are based on boat length, but they may not cover every fire risk. If your canal boat has extra appliances, fuel systems, or other unique features, it’s worth considering additional extinguishers or ones with a higher fire rating.
Many canal boat owners choose dry powder extinguishers due to their wide coverage.
Dry powder extinguishers can be used for:
Class A fires (combustible solids)
Class B fires (flammable liquids)
Class C fires (flammable gases)
Live electrical equipment fires
Dry powder extinguishers are compact, easy to store, and well-suited to common fire risks on board, such as engine compartments, electrical faults, and galley/cooking areas.
Because canal boats are enclosed spaces, it’s important to acknowledge that dry powder can reduce visibility and create airborne dust that can cause difficulty breathing when discharged indoors. As a result, many boat owners use powder extinguishers for general coverage and engine areas due to their versatile protection, while opting for a fluorine-free foam extinguisher for cabin and living spaces. Foam offers protection for Class A and B fires and produces less powder.
We also supply a range of fire extinguisher storage options, helping you to keep extinguishers secure and visible in an emergency.
Finally, a fire blanket is a common essential in the galley, providing a quick and effective way to deal with small cooking fires.
Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible on your narrowboat. During an inspection, a BSS examiner will expect to find fire extinguishers located near entry and exit points, close to the engine compartment, and in the galley. In the galley, an extinguisher will be deemed unacceptable if it requires you to lean over a cooking appliance to reach it.
The examiner will also check that each extinguisher is correctly labelled and in good condition. Any unit that is damaged or has missing components will be considered non-compliant.
Additionally, extinguishers must carry an approved accreditation mark, most commonly the BSI Kitemark, although other recognised certifications are also accepted under the BSS.
Many canal boat owners fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke alarms present early warnings of a fire, helping you to address it quickly and exit the boat if needed. CO alarms are especially important on canal boats where appliances can produce CO if ventilation is poor or flues are faulty.
Alongside alarms, it's best practice to keep a first aid kit handy for minor injuries and emergencies.
For extra protection, some boat owners opt for automatic fire extinguishers, which can be activated without anyone present and provide 24/7 protection, even when you're not on board.
