fire and explosion saftey on boats

[tommays]

I am new here but went to marine engine repair school on long island for 2 years 1973 and 74 I then worked in a few boat yards but it was a bad time for boats with the gas first oil embargo . I was always good with electric systems so I found my self building and repairing electric controls systems for use in hazardous locations like gas pumps. Which brings me to my real point I have learned a lot here because I haven’t worked in the trade since 1976?<br /><br />BUT I KEEP READING BAD ADVICE WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT MAKES AND IO BOAT SAFE FROM A FUEL EXPLOSION SO HERE GOES<br /><br />This is the description for gasoline<br /><br />gasoline: Automotive - Fire Hazards: Flash Point (deg. F): -36 CC; Flammable Limits in Air <br />(%): 1.4 - 7.4; Fire Extinguishing Agents: Foam, carbon &oxide, or dry chemical: Fire Extinguishing <br />Agents Not To Be Used: Water may be ineffective; Special Hazards of Combustion Products: None: <br />Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to source of ignition and flash back: Ignition Temperature (deg. F): 853: Electrical Hazard: Class I, Group D<br /><br />The important number here is the 1.4% any time that gas fumes are allowed to build up in a boat above this level you are in grave danger no mater what type of starter or alternator or anything else that is electric in that area .<br /><br />In and area with gasoline fumes there are two ways to go the first is called (completely safe) it is not possible to make a boat completely safe<br />The second way is called (acceptably safe) and is the way boats are made while the electric parts and engine parts that are made for marine use go a long way the only thing that keeps your boat safe<br /> <br /> IS USING YOU BILGE BLOWER ALL THE TIME WHEN REFUELING AND ANY TIME THAT IS RECOMMENDED SUCH AS LONG PERIODS OF TIME IDLING<br /> <br />The blower is sized to move enough air through the engine area to not allow gas fumes to rise above the all-important 1.4% level unless a bad gasoline leak were to happen<br /><br />Thank you for all I am learning here and have a safe summer<br /><br />tommays