As of April 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) mandates a 12-year expiration date from the date of manufacture for disposable fire extinguishers. Boaters can find the two or four- digit manufacture date stamped into the bottom or near the UL label.

While the new regulation does not change the type (U.S. Coast Guard-rated) or quantity or requirement for USCG approved fire extinguishers aboard, it does specify the minimum Underwriter Laboratory (UL) classification of extinguishers to be aboard certain vessels, depending on the boat’s model year.

Older “B-I” and “B-II” labels have been phased out for newer “5-B” “10-B” and “20-B” extinguisher classifications. The number in this new rating refers to the size in square feet of the potential fire the device is suitable to extinguish and not the exact weight of the dry chemical inside the bottle.

Vessels less than 26 feet and model year 2017 or older may continue to carry older, dated, or undated “B-I” or “B-II” disposable extinguishers. However, when they are no longer serviceable or have reached 12 years of age since manufacture, they must be replaced with newer class “5-B” or greater extinguishers. Boats less than 26 feet and 2018 model year or newer must carry unexpired “5-B” “10-B” or “20-B” fire extinguishers. Having older “B-I” and “B-II” types does not meet USCG requirements.

There are no changes to rechargeable or fixed-mount extinguisher regulations. These continue to require regular maintenance and servicing, typically done annually by a technician.

For more info on how many and what type of fire extinguishers are needed aboard all recreational boats up to 65 feet, visit https://boatus.org/Fire-Extinguishers/. The USCG has a FAQ page on the new requirement: https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/fire-extinguisher-faq.php .