46 CFR 142.231: Existing towing vessel fire extinguisher exception
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section excepts previously installed fire extinguishers that are smaller than § 142.230 requires. They may stay in service if maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI. All new equipment and installations must meet the requirements in this part for new vessels.
Applies toPreviously installed fire extinguishers on existing towing vessels, and new equipment and installations under this part.
What it says
Previously installed fire extinguishers with capacities smaller than § 142.230 requires need not be replaced.
46 CFR 142.231(a)“Previously installed fire extinguishers with extinguishing capacities smaller than what is required by § 142.230 of this part need not be replaced”
Those smaller extinguishers may stay in service only if they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI.
46 CFR 142.231(a)“may be continued in service so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI”
All new equipment and installations must meet the applicable requirements in this part for new vessels.
46 CFR 142.231(b)“All new equipment and installations must meet the applicable requirements in this part for new vessels.”
Common questions
Do I have to replace older, smaller fire extinguishers on an existing towing vessel?
No. Previously installed extinguishers with smaller capacities than § 142.230 requires need not be replaced.
“Previously installed fire extinguishers with extinguishing capacities smaller than what is required by § 142.230 of this part need not be replaced”
How long can older smaller fire extinguishers stay in service?
They may stay in service as long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI.
“may be continued in service so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI”
Does the exception apply to new fire extinguisher installations?
No. All new equipment and installations must meet the applicable requirements in this part for new vessels.
“All new equipment and installations must meet the applicable requirements in this part for new vessels.”
The text of 46 CFR 142.231
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Exception for portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers required for existing towing vessels
(a) Previously installed fire extinguishers with extinguishing capacities smaller than what is required by § 142.230 of this part need not be replaced and may be continued in service so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI.
(b) All new equipment and installations must meet the applicable requirements in this part for new vessels.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.