Recreational Boating Safety – The Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Part 6: Backfire Flame Control

USCG-1003By Bob Currie, Vessel Examiner
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08 is based at Coast Guard Station Galveston. The Auxiliary’s vessel examiners perform safety checks on all types of recreational boats. In this discussion of the Vessel Safety Check (VSC), we will discuss the requirements for backfire flame control.

There are basically two types of engine backfires: backfire through the exhaust and backfire through the intake. Either type results in a flame-producing explosion. The type we are addressing with the regulation is the intake backfire, which has been the cause of many a boat catching fire and burning to the water line. Although backfires of outboard motors can be problematic, since they are isolated from the hull they do not present the same problem as an inboard/outboard or outboard engine, both of which are located within a compartment inside the hull.

All boats that have gasoline powered inboard/outboard or inboard engines must be equipped with a Coast Guard approved backfire flame control device, also known as a backfire flame arrestor. The backfire flame arrestor must be in good and serviceable condition and must comply with either SAE J-1928 or UL 1111 standards. The backfire flame arrestor must be attached to the air intake with a flame-tight connection. The flame arrestor should be cleaned and checked for damage. If there is a hole in the grid, or oil or gasoline on the grid, or if it is not properly attached, it will not work correctly.

So, you looked at your engine, and all you saw is an air cleaner sitting on top of the intake? Check closer- you should see that it is labeled as a backfire flame arrestor and looks like the one in this picture. If, however, you find that your intake does not have a Coast Guard approved (and labeled) backfire flame arrestor, then you are not in compliance with regulations. Worse, you could find yourself in the water watching as your boat burns to the water line.

To clean the flame arrestor, remove it and wash the heat dissipation grid with soap and water. Let it dry thoroughly and reinstall. Make sure that the arrestor has a flame-tight connection; that is, squarely fitted to the intake with no visible gaps between the intake manifold and the arrestor fitting.
Hurricane Harvey Rescues

As most people know, the U.S. Coast Guard played a big part in rescuing flood victims of Hurricane Harvey. Members of my flotilla were key members of the incident command system at Coast Guard Sector Headquarters based at Ellington Field. They directed Coast Guard helicopters to those people in emergent need of being rescued. At least 744 aerial rescues took place in the greater Houston area alone. There were so many rescues taking place that the rescue swimmers, the helicopter crew persons who lowered to the ground and hooked up people needing rescued, would actually remain on the ground so that the maximum number of people could be carried to safety.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org. Questions about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. I am available to perform free Vessel Safety Checks, and I will come to your location to perform them. SAFE BOATING!

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